Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
Changed line(s) 76 (click to see context) from:
* KidsLoveDinosaurs: Venatrix has a well-loved [[EverythingsBetterWithPlushies stuffed dinosaur]] from childhood.
to:
* KidsLoveDinosaurs: Venatrix has a well-loved [[EverythingsBetterWithPlushies stuffed dinosaur]] dinosaur from childhood.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
Uncanny Valley is IUEO now and the subjective version has been split; cleaning up misuse and ZCE in the process
Changed line(s) 88 (click to see context) from:
* CreepyDoll: Their smaller hull body is described as being [[UncannyValley "some kind of cat or fox thing"]]
to:
* CreepyDoll: Their smaller hull body is described as being [[UncannyValley "some kind of cat or fox thing"]]thing"
Changed line(s) 102 (click to see context) from:
* CoolMask: Could also be considered an example of the UncannyValley, Faust typically wears a gas mask that conceals his entire head.
to:
* CoolMask: Could also be considered an example of the UncannyValley, Faust typically wears a gas mask that conceals his entire head.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
Nerd is now a redirect for an index per TRS
Deleted line(s) 111 (click to see context) :
* {{Nerd}}: With the GeekPhysique to match it.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
Baleful Polymorph has been renamed to Forced Transformation. Removing example that doesn't fit the definition.
Deleted line(s) 31 (click to see context) :
** Later an example of a BalefulPolymorph when he and the rest of the Marlins become [[CatFolk cat boys]].
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
Moved from main wiki
Added DiffLines:
%% Administrivia/ZeroContextExample entries are not allowed on wiki pages. All such entries have been commented out. Add context to the entries before uncommenting them.
An actual play tabletop roleplaying podcast using the ''TabletopGame/BladesInTheDark'' TTRPG system. Set in a fictional desert country, following the adventures of a vigilante crew of intrepid misfits causing mischief and mayhem as they attempt to liberate the underclasses of an ancient city called Illitharn. The show itself has elements of {{Steampunk}}, DieselPunk, SolarPunk, and MagicalRealism, as well as frequent anachronistic modern elements and references.
----
!!Characters
%% Administrivia/ZeroContextExample entries are not allowed on wiki pages. All such entries have been commented out. Add context to the entries before uncommenting them.
[[foldercontrol]]
[[folder:The Blue Marlins]]
!!!Yespur Freeman [[spoiler:Divinitus the 8th]]
A "[[HandsomeLech virile]]" [[VagueAge 60-something-year-old]] ex sky pirate with a flair for the theatrical and a massive chip on his shoulder who often uses manipulation and social connections to help the crew accomplish their goals.
----
* ArrangedMarriage: [[spoiler:He was engaged to a woman from and up-and-coming noble family but left her at the alter and became a RunawayFiance to peruse a life of freedom [[{{Swashbuckler}} sailing the skies]]]].
%%Administrivia/ZeroContextExample* BodyguardCrush: Yesper's relationship with Mahogany could be described as this, especially in the early episodes.
* BreakTheHaughty: Constantly invoked, but especially with Ava.
* ChronicHeroSyndrome: An odd example, but Yespur claims to see himself as [[DelusionsOfGrandeur the hero of every story he takes part in]]. Could also be gold old fashioned {{Narcissis|t}}m, or LampshadeHanging considering that he is technically a hero on the show.
* ConMan
* DealWithTheDevil: Often invoked as a function of the game, but Yespur in particular has made several bargains that fit this description. [[LoopholeAbuse Not that he has ever made good on his end of any bargain]].
* DyingDeclarationOfLove: [[spoiler:To Mahogany, as they were attempting to hold up the roof of a collapsing building. It's worth mentioning that he was also a pickle at the time.]]
* ExtremeOmnisexual: Yespur is [[WordOfGod canonically]] CampGay and has expressed attraction toward automatons, humans, werewolves, and vampires.
* FaceHeelTurn: Debatable. Yespur used to be something of a folk hero, but as soon as people [[BrokenPedestal get to know him]] it becomes abundantly clear that his motivations are [[JadeColoredGlasses typically selfish]].
* FreudianSlip: This little moment:
-->'''Khalila:''' ''[referencing a plan to escape from a vampire]'' Okay, we go with the first plan.\\
'''Yespur:''' You mean getting kidnapped by the [[MadScientist sexy doctor]] and-- oh, not that one.
* TheGamblingAddict: Yespur's primary mode of stress relief. Invoked especially when he [[AbsurdlyHighStakesGame put these skills to use]] to get ghost Mahogany a new body.
* GentlemanThief: When he was younger he was better at the gentleman part.
* {{Jerkass}}: While typically {{played for laughs}}, Yespur's [[SlidingScaleOfIdealismVersusCynicism cynical worldview]] means he is more often than not being [[MisanthropeSupreme rude for the hell of it]], but considering how often he is [[ThePowerOfFriendship proved wrong]] this may also be a simple case of {{confirmation bias}}. Attempts to confront him about his behavior usually result in some [[FreudianExcuseDenial major hand-waving]] on his part.
* JerkWithAHeartOfGold: Despite his GrumpyOldMan exterior Yespur has shown rare moments of kindness, especially in flashbacks with his younger brother.
* KarmicTransformation: [[spoiler:Turned into a pickle, at the hands of King Quixote. Perhaps also an example of TransformationHorror as the process involved was somewhat gruesome.]] [[spoiler:Actually, King Quixote only turned him into a cucumber, Yespur turned HIMSELF into a pickle.]]
** Later an example of a BalefulPolymorph when he and the rest of the Marlins become [[CatFolk cat boys]].
* LargeHam: He's a 60 year old sky pirate with a background in theater and ballet. Natch.
* LonelyRichKid: In his youth, Yesper was an outcast among his {{old money}} family.
* APirate400YearsTooLate: While not technically "late" to the pirate life, Yespur is one of the few surviving sky pirates of the bygone era.
%%* PetTheDog: Most of his moments with Casiphia qualify as this.
* RichBitch: Self-described.
-->'''Vanity G:''' You seem grumpy grandpa, you get enough sleep last night?\\
'''Yespur:''' Oh I get plenty of sleep, I'm just a bitch.
* RichKidTurnedSocialActivist: May be InNameOnly, but he is a [[LaResistance Blue Marlin]].
* SecretlyWealthy: Perhaps unintentionally, but he does seem to often forget that he has a lot more resources at his disposal than his collogues
-->'''Yespur:''' I guess we could use my brother's estate...\\
'''Khalila:''' You have an ESTATE?\\
'''Yespur:''' Well, I only have access to one of them at the moment.\\
'''Khalila:''' ''[incredulous]'' ONE OF?
* SpellMyNameWithAnS: Most commonly spelled Yesper, sometimes Yespur, originally spelled Jesper.
** The in-universe explanation is that his name's spelling uses an [[ClassicalTongue Old Script]] spelling that has multiple transliterations, so all these spellings are acceptable.
* {{Tsundere}}: Pretty textbook example, comes with the territory of being a GrumpyOldMan.
* WholesomeCrossdresser: Yespur often wears dresses and other gender-non conforming apparel, never played for laughs.
!!!Khalila
A mystical ghost whisperer who also happens to work at a fish restaurant. Often the moral compass of the Blue Marlins.
----
* BewareTheNiceOnes: It's really easy to forget that she's just as much a criminal as the rest of the crew.
* BreakTheCutie: Every story arc has left Khalila more exhausted. It's hard being the [[TheConscience moral compass]] in a crew of {{lovable rogue}}s.
* ChefOfIron: with cooking as her day job.
* HeroicBSOD: In the latter half of Season 2, after [[spoiler: washing up on a beach and watching Pops get run through by a demon.]]
* ConvenientlyAnOrphan: She and her brother were adopted by Pops some years before the campaign started.
* FriendToAllChildren: Khalila goes out of her way to bring food when she visits the [[StreetUrchin Green Thumb Gang]].
* GiveHimANormalLife: about her brother.
* HeroesGoneFishing: Her preferred method of stress relief with a supernatural twist, Khalila fishes for ghosts during downtime.
* ISeeDeadPeople: One of Khalila's many eccentricities.
* MagicalAccessory: In the form of a pendant she wears around her neck.
* MagicalGirl: She has a MagicalAccessory, a [[SidekickCreatureNuisance magical demon friend]], and a [[LivingADoubleLife secret double life]] as a vigilante of justice.
* MagneticMedium: Natch for a ghost whisperer, the crew as a whole is something of a WeirdnessMagnet, but Khalila specifically attracts [[OurGhostsAreDifferent the supernatural]].
* GlowingEyes: Whenever she's doing her Whisper thing, her eyes glow turquoise.
* PointyEars: Khalila's family is of elvish lineage.
* PromotedToParent: There was a pretty significant gap between [[ParentalAbandonment losing their parents]] and Pops taking Khalila and her brother in where she served as this.
* SpookySeance: She has one of these with Yespur while summoning the spirit of [[BackFromTheDead Mahogany]].
!!!Venatrix
An aloof smuggler, prone to making hot-headed decisions and suffering the consequences.
----
* TheAlcoholic: Vena is often seen at Klyra's bar, or hungover at the Plenty of Fish, or frequently exclaiming that they [[INeedAFreakingDrink Need A Freaking Drink]].
* CoolBigSis: They have no blood siblings ([[DarkAndTroubledPast that we know of]]), but they take on this roll with the Green Thumb Gang.
* EmbarrassingNickname:
-->'''Aria''': Heyyy Trixie~
* KidsLoveDinosaurs: Venatrix has a well-loved [[EverythingsBetterWithPlushies stuffed dinosaur]] from childhood.
* LethalChef
* LikesOlderWomen: Ven's proclivity towards MILFS is a running gag.
* MissingMom: [[spoiler:Gone but not entirely missing, the ghost of their mom watches over them from the afterlife.]]
* OnlyOneName: Though they did have a last name at some point, they no longer use it.
* SwordCane
* TallDarkAndSnarky
* {{Tsundere}}: Venatrix is a textbook example of this trope. They frequently attempt to act aloof and remain distant, but clearly care very deeply for their teammates, as well as basically every kid they meet.
!!!Mahogany
A self-described OldSoldier who makes use of their excellent tracking skills and physical prowess to protect their friends and teammates, usually at the cost of [[IronButtMonkey disastrously bodily harm]].
----
* CreepyDoll: Their smaller hull body is described as being [[UncannyValley "some kind of cat or fox thing"]]
* {{Determinator}}: Mahogany has been dismembered, killed, and put back together, and they still find the time to make dad jokes.
* DismembermentIsCheap: Actually, it's been quite expensive for Mahogany, but every new iteration of their physical form still allows them to function as a member of the team.
* GentleGiant: In their [[HumongousMecha giant robot]] and werewolf forms.
* OnlyOneName
* OurWerewolvesAreDifferent: Mahogany had no human form when they were a werewolf, only a bipedal [[FunnyAnimal pseudo-animal form]].
* RedEyesTakeWarning: After getting their Hull body, they occasionally have moods that only murder can satisfy, signified by red eyes. [[spoiler: Yesper]] had a close brush with this.
* WarriorPoet: They frequently wax philosophical about the nature of life (or un-life) in the heat of battle.
* WorkingWithTheEx: With Ava.
!!!Faustious "Faust" Crow
A quiet stage technician and {{childhood friend|s}} of Yespur who becomes a literal {{Bomb Throwing Anarchist|s}} after joining the Marlins.
----
* BewareTheQuietOnes: While normally meek and mild, he's had several [[StuffBlowingUp destructive outbursts]].
* CoolMask: Could also be considered an example of the UncannyValley, Faust typically wears a gas mask that conceals his entire head.
* CollectorOfTheStrange: He has a lot of [[MechanicalAbomination automatons]], which he animates with use of his [[GadgeteerGenius technical prowess]].
* DependingOnTheWriter: Faust has been played by multiple people and therefore may have slight [[AlternativeCharacterInterpretation inconsistencies]] in his portrayal.
* EndearinglyDorky
* ExtremeDoormat: Particularly with Yesper he is described as having a [[TakingAdvantageOfGenerosity codependent relationship]], but he exhibits these traits with everyone.
* FriendToAllChildren: He works with a local children's theater and seems to get along well with most kids.
* GadgeteerGenius: His primary skillset.
* HeroicBSOD: Experiences one very early on in season 1, shortly after being introduced, when realizing that he's currently [[WombLevel inside of a demon]] while [[StealthBasedMission crawling through a vent]] full of poison gas.
* HiddenDepths: He's described to have a nice singing voice, which is surprising given the fact that he [[TheQuietOne rarely wants to be heard]].
* {{Nerd}}: With the GeekPhysique to match it.
* TeachHimAnger: Mahogany attempts to during a training montage.
* VitriolicBestBuds: With Yespur, though he's more often on the receiving end, he can sometimes [[{{Deadpan Snarker}} send it right back]].
!!!Ava Withers
----
* [[spoiler:ArtifactOfDoom: Ava and her flesh-craving [[ShoutOut little bag of horrors.]]]]
* CopHater: She was very offended when the Marlins mistook her for a cop.
* GoodIsNotNice
* HardboiledDetective: She's a shoot first ask questions later, fast-talking, hard drug using, classic example of this trope, despite the rest of the Blue Marlins believing that she is more of a {{Defective Detective}}.
* {{Jerkass}}
* [[spoiler:TooManyMouths: courtesy of Baggie.]]
* WorkingWithTheEx: With Mahogany.
!!!Klyra
----
* MamaBear: Throws herself into the action to defend Venatrix on more than one occasion.
[[/folder]]
[[folder:Shrewd Allies]]
!!! Pops
----
* ChefOfIron
* [[EveryoneCallsHimBarkeep Everyone Calls Him Pops]]
* IHatePastMe
-->''Pops:'' Listen, kids. I... have not always been a shop owner. But that's not a part of my life that I want to remember, or get involved with. Or get you involved with. It's the past, and it should stay there.
* KissTheCookApron: He owns a wide array of novelty aprons, thanks to Khalila and Yamir.
* ParentalSubstitute: To Khalila and Yamir.
** It's not entirely clear if they have been [[HappilyAdopted legally adopted]], but Pops [[LikeASonToMe does refer to Khalila as his daughter]].
* PointyEars: Pops is an [[OurElvesAreDifferent elf]].
* RetiredBadass: A former heavy-weight pugilist, now running [[FamilyBusiness a fish restaurant]].
* TheStoic
* TechnicolorEyes: Pops' eyes are a vibrant violet.
!!! Yamir
----
* AnnoyingYoungerSibling: His relationship with Khalila is this, also arguably how he acts towards the rest of the Blue Marlins.
%% * [[CatGirl Cat Boy]]
%% * MellowFellow
%% * PointyEars: Before the [[CatGirl cat boy plague]] claimed him.
!!!Morgan
----
* ChaoticStupid:
-->''Morgan'': Look, all I'm sayin' is that... Soup of the day? It's like, 11 am. C'mon. It's Soup of the Morning.
-->''Customer'': I just want. Some eggs. Why are we talking about soup?!
* GeniusDitz: Morgan is dumb as a sack of bricks, but he's also incredibly competent at what he does.
* LovableRogue: Endearing, but extremely frustrating.
* PluckyComicRelief
* {{Turncoat}}: Originally he worked for the Sacred Daturas, but the Marlins [[DefeatMeansFriendship convinced him]] to work for them instead.
!!!Aria
----
%% * ConvenientComa: [[spoiler: after a rival vigilante group [[AssassinationAttempt tried]] to take her and Venatrix out]].
** [[spoiler: She lived, [[ThisIsForEmphasisBitch bitch.]]]]
* DifferingPrioritiesBreakup: Venatrix and Aria's relationship fell apart over the Daturas' growing involvement in drug trade, which Ven wanted nothing to do with.
** It's implied to be a little more complicated than that.
* TheQueenpin: Of the Sacred Daturas.
** [[spoiler: Eventually replaced after trying to help the Marlins screw over [[TermOfEndangerment those Gumdrop Bastards.]]]]
!!!Frobenius Othard
----
* CoolMask: Comes with the plague doctor aesthetic.
* GentleGiant
* [[spoiler: PlantPerson]]
!!!Melody Rouge
----
* MouthyKid
* OrphansPlotTrinket: Melody's locket.
* PintSizedKid
* RaisedByGrandparents: Her grandfather, Grant, seems to be her only [[TwoSiblingsInOne living relative.]]
* TwoSiblingsInOne: Melody's twin sister, Harmony, is a ghost living in her [[MagicalAccessory locket]].
!!!Grant Mason
----
* TheStoic
!!!Oxrin
----
* FishOutOfWater
* RockMonster: like all Dwarves.
!!!Dr. Cardamom Apogee
----
* TheArchmage: By all counts, Dr. Apogee is the most competent magician we've seen so far.
** He taught at the Magicain's school before his "political activisim" lost him his job.
*** And the school he taught at was destroyed.
* BookSmart
* GentlemanAndAScholar: He's an old magician with a seemingly jovial disposition.
!!! Mikhail
* BattleButler
[[/folder]]
[[folder:Dangerous Rivals]]
!!!Rivet
----
* MadScientist: The first time we see Rivet, he's a dying old man. The next time? [[BrainUploading He's a robot.]]
* EvilIsPetty: Not that the heroes have any room to talk.
* DisproportionateRetribution
!!!King Quixote
----
* [[spoiler: BodySnatcher: Not only was he masquerading as the leader of the Shepherds of the Green, it's shown he has a large amount of bodies set aside in the event of his death.]]
* ResurrectionRevenge
* SkyPirate: in the same era as Yesper.
!!![[spoiler:Casiphia]]
* BodySnatcher: a conversation with [[spoiler: Khalila]] confirmed that [[spoiler: Casiphia is a Vampire utilizing the body of one Harmony Rouge.]]
* ResurrectionRevenge
* SelfMadeOrphan: [[spoiler: Pavel and Caroline]] were only the first part of her [[NastyParty master]] [[FamilyExtermination plan]].
* SympatheticMurderer
[[/folder]]
%%[[folder:Factions]]
%%!!Factions of the Undercity
%%!!! The Sacred Daturas
%%!!! House Divinitus
%%!!! The Drowned Chorus
%%!!! The Green Thumb Gang
%%!!Factions of the Overcity
%%!!! The Ravens
%%[[/folder]]
----
!!WMG
[[folder:WMG]]
!!Is Khalila a {{Self Made Orphan}}?
While there has yet to be textual evidence to support this, there also isn't any evidence AGAINST this theory. Eh?? EH????
!!Yamir will become an official member of the Blue Marlins
Eventually Khalila will over-exert herself and he'll step in to take her place while she recovers. He already knows the rest of the crew, and he may even have some underworld contacts himself.
* Would be even more compelling if his reasons for joining the crew were {{revenge}} oriented.
!!Yespur will die before the end of season 1
* While this has yet to be {{jossed}} it seems less likely now that Faust has joined the team and can take over for him if he overexerts himself.
** Tragically, Yespur is alive and well, though [[spoiler: he is now sans cat ears]].
!!Mahogany will die at least 1 more time
I mean, come on. They've already died 3 times!
!!Mahogany will become a vampire
They've already been a werewolf, a ghost, and now a hull in two different bodies. Now that the crew has found Mahogany's old body, it's totally possible that they could use it to make Mahogany a vampire.
!!Venatrix will get get back together with Aria
Maybe not as likely now that Klyra has joined the team, but ever since Aria was revealed to [[spoiler: have kept her word and tried to stop the Daturas from getting involved in kidnapping]] it might still be on the table.
* Venatrix/Klyra/Aria polycule?
** Venatrix/Klyra/Aria/Khalila polycule???
* [[spoiler:With Aria no longer in charge of the sacred Daturas, who knows how her and Venatrix's relationship will change...]]
!!Mattie is really Hootie from WesternAnimation/TheOwlHouse
They have a similar voice and I could easily see Hootie [[spoiler: becoming a cult leader.]]
!![[spoiler:The cat demon will just keep growing]]
[[spoiler: When Venatrix spit up the cat demon inside of them that was causing the catboy plague, it was larger than the one that Khalila spit up weeks before. If they just keep growing inside of their host body, they could become large enough to escape on their own....]]
!![[spoiler:Cassiphia is a vampire and the one who killed Pavel, his wife, and his parents.]]
[[spoiler:It's[[SelfmadeOrphan pretty convenient]] that she survived the massacre in the first place, and considering she looks like an exact mirror of Melody, whose identical twin is dead.]]
* [[spoiler: She, at the very least, is definitely a vampire. How she became one is a pretty big mystery, though.]]
** [[spoiler: Khalila's first meeting with her confirmed that she is, in fact, a vampire - possessing Harmony Rouge's body, no less.]]
* [[spoiler: Her conversation with Khalila at the start of S2 also supports this theory.]]
!! [[spoiler: Ava will get eaten by her little bag of horrors.]]
* Jossed.... [[LovecraftianSuperpower kinda.]]
!! [[spoiler: Khalila will use what she brought back from the Ghost Realm to resurrect Mahogany.]]
[[spoiler: After all, the GM did say that it's an unprecedented power, that could possibly cure a vampire, or resurrect someone.]]
[[/folder]]
----
!!YMMV
* {{Adorkable}}: Khalila's enthusiasm for the supernatural and generally [[{{Moe}} cute]] disposition lend themselves to this.
* HoYay: Lots of them, but specifically the tension between Mahogany and Yespur. WordOfGay Confirms that they have had a [[NoodleIncident romantic past]] and [[ShipTease possible future]].
----
!!Examples:
%%* AttentionDeficitOohShiny: The crew as a whole arguably suffers from this at times (Zero-Context Example: Entry is just "Trope is Here")
%%* BlandNameProduct: The title itself is this. (Zero-Context Example: Entry does not explain what the title is a Bland Name Product OF)
%%* CityOfAdventure: Illitharn. (Zero-Context Example: Entry is just a name)
%%* CodeName: Every Blue Marlin was supposed to have one of these. Abandoned after the first episode, then never brought up again. Unless... BrickJoke?
* CoolBoat: The Plenty of Fish is a floating restaurant with a sub basement and a [[DepartmentOfRedundancyDepartment sub-sub basement]].
* DinnerTheater: There are often group theatrics in the Plenty Of Fish, including the occasional BarBrawl.
%%* DysfunctionJunction
* FamilyOfChoice: Nobody in the Blue Marlins crew (except for Khalila and Yamir) are related by blood, and would easily consider one another family.
%%** Khalila specifically had a collection of aunts and uncles growing up who were explicitly her parents' friends, and she rarely mentions any extended blood-relations.
%%* FanserviceWithASmile: Pops could be considered an example of this, albeit not with a [[DeadpanSnarker smile]].
* FloatingContinent: [[NewNeoCity New Illitharn]], a city that floated above Illitharn for centuries. It was destroyed in the Dwarven Moon War.
%%* HauntedHeadquarters: The Plenty of Fish, briefly, when Mahogany was still a ghost.
%%* HomeBase: The Plenty of Fish acts as one for the Blue Marlins. (Zero-Context Example: Entry is just "Trope is Here")
%%* IdiotBall: The crew passes it around every now and then, but more often than not its passed between Yespur/Mahogany/Venatrix.
* LayeredMetropolis: Illitharn's over city, the under city, and the (now grounded) floating city of New Illitharn.
* LocalHangout: The Plenty of Fish is popular enough with the locals to [[StealthPun stay afloat]].
%%* MegaCity: Illitharn (Zero-Context Example: Entry is just a name)
%%* MobileCity: The floating city [[SuspiciouslySpecificTense was]] an example of this. (Zero-Context Example: Entry is just "Trope is Here")
* NoodleIncident: With whatever got the Marlins in hot water with the Gondoliers. According to Yesper, it's entirely because of [[GuiltByAssociationGag their relationship with Pops]].
%%* ParentalAbandonment: If you're younger than 60, you've probably got a case of this. [[ConvenientlyAnOrphan Khalila, Venatrix, Yamir,]] [[RaisedByGrandparents Melody,]] the [[TheArtfulDodger entire Green Thumb Gang]]... (Zero-Context Example: Entry is just "Trope is Here")
* SkyPirate: Yesper and King Quixote are both (retired) examples of this, and there are still some operating [[LayeredMetropolis upstairs]].
* StandardFantasyRaces: Humans, Dwarves, Elves... It stops there, though, and they're a [[OurElvesAreDifferent bit]] [[RockMonster different]] than usual.
* UndergroundCity: Illitharn is essentially divided into two cities post-war: the vast underground and the war-torn aboveground.
%%* UnderwaterBase: The submarine. (Zero-Context Example: Entry is just "Trope is Here")
%%* UrbanWarfare: Illitharn has played host to many wars over the centuries. (Zero-Context Example: Entry is just "Trope is Here")
----
An actual play tabletop roleplaying podcast using the ''TabletopGame/BladesInTheDark'' TTRPG system. Set in a fictional desert country, following the adventures of a vigilante crew of intrepid misfits causing mischief and mayhem as they attempt to liberate the underclasses of an ancient city called Illitharn. The show itself has elements of {{Steampunk}}, DieselPunk, SolarPunk, and MagicalRealism, as well as frequent anachronistic modern elements and references.
----
!!Characters
%% Administrivia/ZeroContextExample entries are not allowed on wiki pages. All such entries have been commented out. Add context to the entries before uncommenting them.
[[foldercontrol]]
[[folder:The Blue Marlins]]
!!!Yespur Freeman [[spoiler:Divinitus the 8th]]
A "[[HandsomeLech virile]]" [[VagueAge 60-something-year-old]] ex sky pirate with a flair for the theatrical and a massive chip on his shoulder who often uses manipulation and social connections to help the crew accomplish their goals.
----
* ArrangedMarriage: [[spoiler:He was engaged to a woman from and up-and-coming noble family but left her at the alter and became a RunawayFiance to peruse a life of freedom [[{{Swashbuckler}} sailing the skies]]]].
%%Administrivia/ZeroContextExample* BodyguardCrush: Yesper's relationship with Mahogany could be described as this, especially in the early episodes.
* BreakTheHaughty: Constantly invoked, but especially with Ava.
* ChronicHeroSyndrome: An odd example, but Yespur claims to see himself as [[DelusionsOfGrandeur the hero of every story he takes part in]]. Could also be gold old fashioned {{Narcissis|t}}m, or LampshadeHanging considering that he is technically a hero on the show.
* ConMan
* DealWithTheDevil: Often invoked as a function of the game, but Yespur in particular has made several bargains that fit this description. [[LoopholeAbuse Not that he has ever made good on his end of any bargain]].
* DyingDeclarationOfLove: [[spoiler:To Mahogany, as they were attempting to hold up the roof of a collapsing building. It's worth mentioning that he was also a pickle at the time.]]
* ExtremeOmnisexual: Yespur is [[WordOfGod canonically]] CampGay and has expressed attraction toward automatons, humans, werewolves, and vampires.
* FaceHeelTurn: Debatable. Yespur used to be something of a folk hero, but as soon as people [[BrokenPedestal get to know him]] it becomes abundantly clear that his motivations are [[JadeColoredGlasses typically selfish]].
* FreudianSlip: This little moment:
-->'''Khalila:''' ''[referencing a plan to escape from a vampire]'' Okay, we go with the first plan.\\
'''Yespur:''' You mean getting kidnapped by the [[MadScientist sexy doctor]] and-- oh, not that one.
* TheGamblingAddict: Yespur's primary mode of stress relief. Invoked especially when he [[AbsurdlyHighStakesGame put these skills to use]] to get ghost Mahogany a new body.
* GentlemanThief: When he was younger he was better at the gentleman part.
* {{Jerkass}}: While typically {{played for laughs}}, Yespur's [[SlidingScaleOfIdealismVersusCynicism cynical worldview]] means he is more often than not being [[MisanthropeSupreme rude for the hell of it]], but considering how often he is [[ThePowerOfFriendship proved wrong]] this may also be a simple case of {{confirmation bias}}. Attempts to confront him about his behavior usually result in some [[FreudianExcuseDenial major hand-waving]] on his part.
* JerkWithAHeartOfGold: Despite his GrumpyOldMan exterior Yespur has shown rare moments of kindness, especially in flashbacks with his younger brother.
* KarmicTransformation: [[spoiler:Turned into a pickle, at the hands of King Quixote. Perhaps also an example of TransformationHorror as the process involved was somewhat gruesome.]] [[spoiler:Actually, King Quixote only turned him into a cucumber, Yespur turned HIMSELF into a pickle.]]
** Later an example of a BalefulPolymorph when he and the rest of the Marlins become [[CatFolk cat boys]].
* LargeHam: He's a 60 year old sky pirate with a background in theater and ballet. Natch.
* LonelyRichKid: In his youth, Yesper was an outcast among his {{old money}} family.
* APirate400YearsTooLate: While not technically "late" to the pirate life, Yespur is one of the few surviving sky pirates of the bygone era.
%%* PetTheDog: Most of his moments with Casiphia qualify as this.
* RichBitch: Self-described.
-->'''Vanity G:''' You seem grumpy grandpa, you get enough sleep last night?\\
'''Yespur:''' Oh I get plenty of sleep, I'm just a bitch.
* RichKidTurnedSocialActivist: May be InNameOnly, but he is a [[LaResistance Blue Marlin]].
* SecretlyWealthy: Perhaps unintentionally, but he does seem to often forget that he has a lot more resources at his disposal than his collogues
-->'''Yespur:''' I guess we could use my brother's estate...\\
'''Khalila:''' You have an ESTATE?\\
'''Yespur:''' Well, I only have access to one of them at the moment.\\
'''Khalila:''' ''[incredulous]'' ONE OF?
* SpellMyNameWithAnS: Most commonly spelled Yesper, sometimes Yespur, originally spelled Jesper.
** The in-universe explanation is that his name's spelling uses an [[ClassicalTongue Old Script]] spelling that has multiple transliterations, so all these spellings are acceptable.
* {{Tsundere}}: Pretty textbook example, comes with the territory of being a GrumpyOldMan.
* WholesomeCrossdresser: Yespur often wears dresses and other gender-non conforming apparel, never played for laughs.
!!!Khalila
A mystical ghost whisperer who also happens to work at a fish restaurant. Often the moral compass of the Blue Marlins.
----
* BewareTheNiceOnes: It's really easy to forget that she's just as much a criminal as the rest of the crew.
* BreakTheCutie: Every story arc has left Khalila more exhausted. It's hard being the [[TheConscience moral compass]] in a crew of {{lovable rogue}}s.
* ChefOfIron: with cooking as her day job.
* HeroicBSOD: In the latter half of Season 2, after [[spoiler: washing up on a beach and watching Pops get run through by a demon.]]
* ConvenientlyAnOrphan: She and her brother were adopted by Pops some years before the campaign started.
* FriendToAllChildren: Khalila goes out of her way to bring food when she visits the [[StreetUrchin Green Thumb Gang]].
* GiveHimANormalLife: about her brother.
* HeroesGoneFishing: Her preferred method of stress relief with a supernatural twist, Khalila fishes for ghosts during downtime.
* ISeeDeadPeople: One of Khalila's many eccentricities.
* MagicalAccessory: In the form of a pendant she wears around her neck.
* MagicalGirl: She has a MagicalAccessory, a [[SidekickCreatureNuisance magical demon friend]], and a [[LivingADoubleLife secret double life]] as a vigilante of justice.
* MagneticMedium: Natch for a ghost whisperer, the crew as a whole is something of a WeirdnessMagnet, but Khalila specifically attracts [[OurGhostsAreDifferent the supernatural]].
* GlowingEyes: Whenever she's doing her Whisper thing, her eyes glow turquoise.
* PointyEars: Khalila's family is of elvish lineage.
* PromotedToParent: There was a pretty significant gap between [[ParentalAbandonment losing their parents]] and Pops taking Khalila and her brother in where she served as this.
* SpookySeance: She has one of these with Yespur while summoning the spirit of [[BackFromTheDead Mahogany]].
!!!Venatrix
An aloof smuggler, prone to making hot-headed decisions and suffering the consequences.
----
* TheAlcoholic: Vena is often seen at Klyra's bar, or hungover at the Plenty of Fish, or frequently exclaiming that they [[INeedAFreakingDrink Need A Freaking Drink]].
* CoolBigSis: They have no blood siblings ([[DarkAndTroubledPast that we know of]]), but they take on this roll with the Green Thumb Gang.
* EmbarrassingNickname:
-->'''Aria''': Heyyy Trixie~
* KidsLoveDinosaurs: Venatrix has a well-loved [[EverythingsBetterWithPlushies stuffed dinosaur]] from childhood.
* LethalChef
* LikesOlderWomen: Ven's proclivity towards MILFS is a running gag.
* MissingMom: [[spoiler:Gone but not entirely missing, the ghost of their mom watches over them from the afterlife.]]
* OnlyOneName: Though they did have a last name at some point, they no longer use it.
* SwordCane
* TallDarkAndSnarky
* {{Tsundere}}: Venatrix is a textbook example of this trope. They frequently attempt to act aloof and remain distant, but clearly care very deeply for their teammates, as well as basically every kid they meet.
!!!Mahogany
A self-described OldSoldier who makes use of their excellent tracking skills and physical prowess to protect their friends and teammates, usually at the cost of [[IronButtMonkey disastrously bodily harm]].
----
* CreepyDoll: Their smaller hull body is described as being [[UncannyValley "some kind of cat or fox thing"]]
* {{Determinator}}: Mahogany has been dismembered, killed, and put back together, and they still find the time to make dad jokes.
* DismembermentIsCheap: Actually, it's been quite expensive for Mahogany, but every new iteration of their physical form still allows them to function as a member of the team.
* GentleGiant: In their [[HumongousMecha giant robot]] and werewolf forms.
* OnlyOneName
* OurWerewolvesAreDifferent: Mahogany had no human form when they were a werewolf, only a bipedal [[FunnyAnimal pseudo-animal form]].
* RedEyesTakeWarning: After getting their Hull body, they occasionally have moods that only murder can satisfy, signified by red eyes. [[spoiler: Yesper]] had a close brush with this.
* WarriorPoet: They frequently wax philosophical about the nature of life (or un-life) in the heat of battle.
* WorkingWithTheEx: With Ava.
!!!Faustious "Faust" Crow
A quiet stage technician and {{childhood friend|s}} of Yespur who becomes a literal {{Bomb Throwing Anarchist|s}} after joining the Marlins.
----
* BewareTheQuietOnes: While normally meek and mild, he's had several [[StuffBlowingUp destructive outbursts]].
* CoolMask: Could also be considered an example of the UncannyValley, Faust typically wears a gas mask that conceals his entire head.
* CollectorOfTheStrange: He has a lot of [[MechanicalAbomination automatons]], which he animates with use of his [[GadgeteerGenius technical prowess]].
* DependingOnTheWriter: Faust has been played by multiple people and therefore may have slight [[AlternativeCharacterInterpretation inconsistencies]] in his portrayal.
* EndearinglyDorky
* ExtremeDoormat: Particularly with Yesper he is described as having a [[TakingAdvantageOfGenerosity codependent relationship]], but he exhibits these traits with everyone.
* FriendToAllChildren: He works with a local children's theater and seems to get along well with most kids.
* GadgeteerGenius: His primary skillset.
* HeroicBSOD: Experiences one very early on in season 1, shortly after being introduced, when realizing that he's currently [[WombLevel inside of a demon]] while [[StealthBasedMission crawling through a vent]] full of poison gas.
* HiddenDepths: He's described to have a nice singing voice, which is surprising given the fact that he [[TheQuietOne rarely wants to be heard]].
* {{Nerd}}: With the GeekPhysique to match it.
* TeachHimAnger: Mahogany attempts to during a training montage.
* VitriolicBestBuds: With Yespur, though he's more often on the receiving end, he can sometimes [[{{Deadpan Snarker}} send it right back]].
!!!Ava Withers
----
* [[spoiler:ArtifactOfDoom: Ava and her flesh-craving [[ShoutOut little bag of horrors.]]]]
* CopHater: She was very offended when the Marlins mistook her for a cop.
* GoodIsNotNice
* HardboiledDetective: She's a shoot first ask questions later, fast-talking, hard drug using, classic example of this trope, despite the rest of the Blue Marlins believing that she is more of a {{Defective Detective}}.
* {{Jerkass}}
* [[spoiler:TooManyMouths: courtesy of Baggie.]]
* WorkingWithTheEx: With Mahogany.
!!!Klyra
----
* MamaBear: Throws herself into the action to defend Venatrix on more than one occasion.
[[/folder]]
[[folder:Shrewd Allies]]
!!! Pops
----
* ChefOfIron
* [[EveryoneCallsHimBarkeep Everyone Calls Him Pops]]
* IHatePastMe
-->''Pops:'' Listen, kids. I... have not always been a shop owner. But that's not a part of my life that I want to remember, or get involved with. Or get you involved with. It's the past, and it should stay there.
* KissTheCookApron: He owns a wide array of novelty aprons, thanks to Khalila and Yamir.
* ParentalSubstitute: To Khalila and Yamir.
** It's not entirely clear if they have been [[HappilyAdopted legally adopted]], but Pops [[LikeASonToMe does refer to Khalila as his daughter]].
* PointyEars: Pops is an [[OurElvesAreDifferent elf]].
* RetiredBadass: A former heavy-weight pugilist, now running [[FamilyBusiness a fish restaurant]].
* TheStoic
* TechnicolorEyes: Pops' eyes are a vibrant violet.
!!! Yamir
----
* AnnoyingYoungerSibling: His relationship with Khalila is this, also arguably how he acts towards the rest of the Blue Marlins.
%% * [[CatGirl Cat Boy]]
%% * MellowFellow
%% * PointyEars: Before the [[CatGirl cat boy plague]] claimed him.
!!!Morgan
----
* ChaoticStupid:
-->''Morgan'': Look, all I'm sayin' is that... Soup of the day? It's like, 11 am. C'mon. It's Soup of the Morning.
-->''Customer'': I just want. Some eggs. Why are we talking about soup?!
* GeniusDitz: Morgan is dumb as a sack of bricks, but he's also incredibly competent at what he does.
* LovableRogue: Endearing, but extremely frustrating.
* PluckyComicRelief
* {{Turncoat}}: Originally he worked for the Sacred Daturas, but the Marlins [[DefeatMeansFriendship convinced him]] to work for them instead.
!!!Aria
----
%% * ConvenientComa: [[spoiler: after a rival vigilante group [[AssassinationAttempt tried]] to take her and Venatrix out]].
** [[spoiler: She lived, [[ThisIsForEmphasisBitch bitch.]]]]
* DifferingPrioritiesBreakup: Venatrix and Aria's relationship fell apart over the Daturas' growing involvement in drug trade, which Ven wanted nothing to do with.
** It's implied to be a little more complicated than that.
* TheQueenpin: Of the Sacred Daturas.
** [[spoiler: Eventually replaced after trying to help the Marlins screw over [[TermOfEndangerment those Gumdrop Bastards.]]]]
!!!Frobenius Othard
----
* CoolMask: Comes with the plague doctor aesthetic.
* GentleGiant
* [[spoiler: PlantPerson]]
!!!Melody Rouge
----
* MouthyKid
* OrphansPlotTrinket: Melody's locket.
* PintSizedKid
* RaisedByGrandparents: Her grandfather, Grant, seems to be her only [[TwoSiblingsInOne living relative.]]
* TwoSiblingsInOne: Melody's twin sister, Harmony, is a ghost living in her [[MagicalAccessory locket]].
!!!Grant Mason
----
* TheStoic
!!!Oxrin
----
* FishOutOfWater
* RockMonster: like all Dwarves.
!!!Dr. Cardamom Apogee
----
* TheArchmage: By all counts, Dr. Apogee is the most competent magician we've seen so far.
** He taught at the Magicain's school before his "political activisim" lost him his job.
*** And the school he taught at was destroyed.
* BookSmart
* GentlemanAndAScholar: He's an old magician with a seemingly jovial disposition.
!!! Mikhail
* BattleButler
[[/folder]]
[[folder:Dangerous Rivals]]
!!!Rivet
----
* MadScientist: The first time we see Rivet, he's a dying old man. The next time? [[BrainUploading He's a robot.]]
* EvilIsPetty: Not that the heroes have any room to talk.
* DisproportionateRetribution
!!!King Quixote
----
* [[spoiler: BodySnatcher: Not only was he masquerading as the leader of the Shepherds of the Green, it's shown he has a large amount of bodies set aside in the event of his death.]]
* ResurrectionRevenge
* SkyPirate: in the same era as Yesper.
!!![[spoiler:Casiphia]]
* BodySnatcher: a conversation with [[spoiler: Khalila]] confirmed that [[spoiler: Casiphia is a Vampire utilizing the body of one Harmony Rouge.]]
* ResurrectionRevenge
* SelfMadeOrphan: [[spoiler: Pavel and Caroline]] were only the first part of her [[NastyParty master]] [[FamilyExtermination plan]].
* SympatheticMurderer
[[/folder]]
%%[[folder:Factions]]
%%!!Factions of the Undercity
%%!!! The Sacred Daturas
%%!!! House Divinitus
%%!!! The Drowned Chorus
%%!!! The Green Thumb Gang
%%!!Factions of the Overcity
%%!!! The Ravens
%%[[/folder]]
----
!!WMG
[[folder:WMG]]
!!Is Khalila a {{Self Made Orphan}}?
While there has yet to be textual evidence to support this, there also isn't any evidence AGAINST this theory. Eh?? EH????
!!Yamir will become an official member of the Blue Marlins
Eventually Khalila will over-exert herself and he'll step in to take her place while she recovers. He already knows the rest of the crew, and he may even have some underworld contacts himself.
* Would be even more compelling if his reasons for joining the crew were {{revenge}} oriented.
!!Yespur will die before the end of season 1
* While this has yet to be {{jossed}} it seems less likely now that Faust has joined the team and can take over for him if he overexerts himself.
** Tragically, Yespur is alive and well, though [[spoiler: he is now sans cat ears]].
!!Mahogany will die at least 1 more time
I mean, come on. They've already died 3 times!
!!Mahogany will become a vampire
They've already been a werewolf, a ghost, and now a hull in two different bodies. Now that the crew has found Mahogany's old body, it's totally possible that they could use it to make Mahogany a vampire.
!!Venatrix will get get back together with Aria
Maybe not as likely now that Klyra has joined the team, but ever since Aria was revealed to [[spoiler: have kept her word and tried to stop the Daturas from getting involved in kidnapping]] it might still be on the table.
* Venatrix/Klyra/Aria polycule?
** Venatrix/Klyra/Aria/Khalila polycule???
* [[spoiler:With Aria no longer in charge of the sacred Daturas, who knows how her and Venatrix's relationship will change...]]
!!Mattie is really Hootie from WesternAnimation/TheOwlHouse
They have a similar voice and I could easily see Hootie [[spoiler: becoming a cult leader.]]
!![[spoiler:The cat demon will just keep growing]]
[[spoiler: When Venatrix spit up the cat demon inside of them that was causing the catboy plague, it was larger than the one that Khalila spit up weeks before. If they just keep growing inside of their host body, they could become large enough to escape on their own....]]
!![[spoiler:Cassiphia is a vampire and the one who killed Pavel, his wife, and his parents.]]
[[spoiler:It's[[SelfmadeOrphan pretty convenient]] that she survived the massacre in the first place, and considering she looks like an exact mirror of Melody, whose identical twin is dead.]]
* [[spoiler: She, at the very least, is definitely a vampire. How she became one is a pretty big mystery, though.]]
** [[spoiler: Khalila's first meeting with her confirmed that she is, in fact, a vampire - possessing Harmony Rouge's body, no less.]]
* [[spoiler: Her conversation with Khalila at the start of S2 also supports this theory.]]
!! [[spoiler: Ava will get eaten by her little bag of horrors.]]
* Jossed.... [[LovecraftianSuperpower kinda.]]
!! [[spoiler: Khalila will use what she brought back from the Ghost Realm to resurrect Mahogany.]]
[[spoiler: After all, the GM did say that it's an unprecedented power, that could possibly cure a vampire, or resurrect someone.]]
[[/folder]]
----
!!YMMV
* {{Adorkable}}: Khalila's enthusiasm for the supernatural and generally [[{{Moe}} cute]] disposition lend themselves to this.
* HoYay: Lots of them, but specifically the tension between Mahogany and Yespur. WordOfGay Confirms that they have had a [[NoodleIncident romantic past]] and [[ShipTease possible future]].
----
!!Examples:
%%* AttentionDeficitOohShiny: The crew as a whole arguably suffers from this at times (Zero-Context Example: Entry is just "Trope is Here")
%%* BlandNameProduct: The title itself is this. (Zero-Context Example: Entry does not explain what the title is a Bland Name Product OF)
%%* CityOfAdventure: Illitharn. (Zero-Context Example: Entry is just a name)
%%* CodeName: Every Blue Marlin was supposed to have one of these. Abandoned after the first episode, then never brought up again. Unless... BrickJoke?
* CoolBoat: The Plenty of Fish is a floating restaurant with a sub basement and a [[DepartmentOfRedundancyDepartment sub-sub basement]].
* DinnerTheater: There are often group theatrics in the Plenty Of Fish, including the occasional BarBrawl.
%%* DysfunctionJunction
* FamilyOfChoice: Nobody in the Blue Marlins crew (except for Khalila and Yamir) are related by blood, and would easily consider one another family.
%%** Khalila specifically had a collection of aunts and uncles growing up who were explicitly her parents' friends, and she rarely mentions any extended blood-relations.
%%* FanserviceWithASmile: Pops could be considered an example of this, albeit not with a [[DeadpanSnarker smile]].
* FloatingContinent: [[NewNeoCity New Illitharn]], a city that floated above Illitharn for centuries. It was destroyed in the Dwarven Moon War.
%%* HauntedHeadquarters: The Plenty of Fish, briefly, when Mahogany was still a ghost.
%%* HomeBase: The Plenty of Fish acts as one for the Blue Marlins. (Zero-Context Example: Entry is just "Trope is Here")
%%* IdiotBall: The crew passes it around every now and then, but more often than not its passed between Yespur/Mahogany/Venatrix.
* LayeredMetropolis: Illitharn's over city, the under city, and the (now grounded) floating city of New Illitharn.
* LocalHangout: The Plenty of Fish is popular enough with the locals to [[StealthPun stay afloat]].
%%* MegaCity: Illitharn (Zero-Context Example: Entry is just a name)
%%* MobileCity: The floating city [[SuspiciouslySpecificTense was]] an example of this. (Zero-Context Example: Entry is just "Trope is Here")
* NoodleIncident: With whatever got the Marlins in hot water with the Gondoliers. According to Yesper, it's entirely because of [[GuiltByAssociationGag their relationship with Pops]].
%%* ParentalAbandonment: If you're younger than 60, you've probably got a case of this. [[ConvenientlyAnOrphan Khalila, Venatrix, Yamir,]] [[RaisedByGrandparents Melody,]] the [[TheArtfulDodger entire Green Thumb Gang]]... (Zero-Context Example: Entry is just "Trope is Here")
* SkyPirate: Yesper and King Quixote are both (retired) examples of this, and there are still some operating [[LayeredMetropolis upstairs]].
* StandardFantasyRaces: Humans, Dwarves, Elves... It stops there, though, and they're a [[OurElvesAreDifferent bit]] [[RockMonster different]] than usual.
* UndergroundCity: Illitharn is essentially divided into two cities post-war: the vast underground and the war-torn aboveground.
%%* UnderwaterBase: The submarine. (Zero-Context Example: Entry is just "Trope is Here")
%%* UrbanWarfare: Illitharn has played host to many wars over the centuries. (Zero-Context Example: Entry is just "Trope is Here")
----
