[Reverse Handout] The First Letter Home
CONTEXT: My friend is starting a play-by-post game to learn Blades in the Dark. As I often do, I wrote something to give the other players and GM a sense of who the character is. And then I kitbashed together some graphics to present it as evocatively as possible. It's like a reverse handout (aka a handin)!
I am playing Władysław, an ex-Imperial Army lieutenant. Two months ago, he was in an "Administrative Unit" in Skovland rooting out dissidents. After the unit was mothballed by the generals, he had no prospects in his home city of Krak and came to Doskvol. He wrote this letter at the end of his first day in the new city:
I plan to do a bunch of these. I usually do this kind of thing to be a diegetic summary of the previous session. Not as necessary in a play-by-post, but still a fun exercise.
The text for accessibility:
Dear Jagnieszka,
The trip to Doskvol was pleasant. The train was much nicer than the ones going back and forth from the north. I remember the heat in the Imperial trains. And always loud! The luxury cabin made it not so hard to suffer away the days. You worry too much about expenses.
In the cabin across was a rich man from Doskvol. He owns a textile factory, but I think he must have inherited it. When I asked his business in Krak, he told me he lost a bid for an Imperial contract. They did not like his plan for new uniforms. He showed me his drawings. Nieszka, he drew the Imperial standard wrong! But he was very good at drawing- he showed me a portrait of his wife. Very well done.
He offered me some work. He was impressed by my service. Maybe moving to Doskvol was the right idea. Simple job, he said. Put some money in my pocket. I guess I do not look so much like a wealthy man. But I am not so afraid to work for a living.
Tell me of Izak. Does he walk yet? Tell him his favorite uncle will send a present from the new city! Give my love to Szymeon and mama.
Yours, —Sławi
Posted Dec 15, 2023, 4:19 PM UTC