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Forged in the Dark is a tabletop roleplaying game framework and System Reference Document created by John Harper. Released in 2017, it is the underlying engine that powers Blades in the Dark and has since been used by independent designers to build countless other games, such as Scum and Villainy and Band of Blades. It excels at telling stories about capable but flawed groups of people pulling off daring missions against overwhelming odds. The system it directly evolved from is Blades in the Dark Description Instead of being a single game, Forged in the Dark is an open license toolkit. Players form a crew, whether they are space smugglers, military mercenaries, or rebel outcasts, and undertake dangerous missions known as Scores. The system is heavily narrative and focuses on failing forward, meaning a bad dice roll never stalls the story, but instead introduces a new complication. It completely eliminates tedious planning phases by throwing players directly into the action. System Overview & Key Features The d6 Dice Pool To resolve a risky action, a player rolls a pool of six sided dice based on their action rating. The highest single die determines the result. A six is a full success, a four or five is a partial success with a consequence, and a one to three is a bad outcome. Position and Effect Before the dice hit the table, the Game Master establishes the Position (Controlled, Risky, or Desperate) and the Effect (Limited, Standard, or Great). This ensures everyone understands exactly what is at stake and how much impact the action will have. Progress Clocks The game tracks complex threats and long term projects using circular clocks divided into segments. A stealth mission might have a clock for the guards going on high alert, filling up bit by bit as the players roll partial successes or failures. Stress and Resistance Characters have a Stress track that they can spend to push themselves for extra dice or to assist an ally. More importantly, players can spend Stress to resist any consequence the Game Master introduces, allowing characters to survive deadly situations by sheer willpower. Flashbacks Players do not need to spend hours planning a heist or mission. When they encounter an obstacle, they can simply spend Stress to declare a flashback, narrating how their character anticipated the problem and set up a solution in the past. Phases of Play The game flows through specific phases. Free Play is where characters gather information and choose a target. The Score is the actual mission. Finally, Downtime allows the crew to recover from injuries, reduce their heat, and work on personal projects before the cycle begins again. Additional links bladesinthedark.com - Official System Reference Document and rules database evilhat.com - Official Evil Hat Productions website

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Dungeondraft is a specialized, standalone map-making software designed specifically for creating high-quality TTRPG battlemaps. Developed by Megasploot (the creator of the world-building tool Wonderdraft), it was released in 2020 and has since become the industry favorite for GMs who want to build detailed, tactical maps without needing professional graphic design skills. It is famous for its "smart" tools that handle walls, lighting, and object scattering automatically, allowing a full encounter map to be completed in minutes. Description Dungeondraft bridges the gap between simple grid-sketching and complex image editors like Photoshop. It features a unique, hand-drawn aesthetic that fits perfectly with modern fantasy games. The software is built for efficiency; drawing a room automatically places floors and walls, and the integrated lighting engine allows you to place torches that cast realistic shadows in real-time. In 2026, it remains a "buy-once-own-forever" staple, free from the subscription models that have taken over much of the creative software market. System Overview & Key Features Smart Wall and Floor Tools Building a structure is as simple as clicking and dragging. The tool automatically handles corners, joins, and textures. If you move a wall, the floor expands with it, and placing a window or door automatically "cuts" the wall to fit the asset. Integrated Dynamic Lighting Dungeondraft allows you to place light sources with customizable colors, intensity, and flicker. These lights interact with the walls you've drawn, casting shadows that provide an instant sense of depth and atmosphere to any dungeon or tavern. Universal VTT Export One of its most powerful features is the ability to export maps directly into formats for Foundry VTT, Roll20, and Fantasy Grounds. These exports include the "wall data" and "light data," meaning you don't have to redraw your walls in your virtual tabletop software. Object Scattering and Paths The Scatter Tool allows you to "paint" clutter like rocks, grass, or debris with randomized rotation and scale, making environments feel organic. The Path Tool lets you draw roads, rivers, or fences that follow a smooth curve automatically. Massive Custom Asset Support While the base software comes with a complete art style, the community has created thousands of additional packs. You can easily import assets from famous artists like Forgotten Adventures or Crosshead, allowing you to completely change the look of your maps. Terrain and Water Painting The software includes a multi-layered terrain brush that lets you blend different textures like sand, dirt, and grass. The water tool allows you to create pools and rivers with adjustable transparency and "edge foam" for a professional finish. Additional links dungeondraft.net - Official Dungeondraft website and store cartographyassets.com - The primary hub for free and paid Dungeondraft asset packs reddit.com/r/dungeondraft - Active community for sharing maps and technical support