Welcome to Darkbound, a Discord-based, play-by-post tabletop RPG set in a world where civilization has fallen prey to a mysterious otherworldly substance called the Dark. If you’re new here, this page is the perfect place to get started on learning about our post-apocalyptic setting, as well as get acquainted with how we use forum threads to tell a living, evolving story, and discover the core mechanics behind Mutant: Year Zero—our system of choice.

The Core Premise

A Ravaged World
A hundred years into the future, civilization is in tatters; nature, cities, and even the climate have been twisted under the Dark’s influence. Venturing beyond fortified safezones means navigating perilous terrains haunted by corrupted flora, fauna, and nightmarish creatures called Aberrants—entities bent on devouring humans and consuming electricity at any cost.

Humanity has retreated to small, fortified outposts, using whatever salvage they can find to keep basic infrastructure running. Chief among these is Torchlight, a bastion protected by a towering concrete wall enclosure known as The Barrier. Life within Torchlight is tough, but it offers a glimmer of stability compared to the chaos outside.

No one truly knows where the Dark came from or if it can be stopped. Whispers of hidden laboratories, old-world relics, or elusive cures circulate in dimly lit inns. As a player, you decide whether to hunt for these answers or simply defend your settlement and outlast the Dark for one more day.

Themes of Darkbound

At its heart, Darkbound is a story about survival. It is a post-apocalyptic setting, so the struggle to survive against the odds is at the forefront of the game.

If we boiled it down, we would say that the theme is mainly “Man vs. Environment”, where the environment refers to our own planet which has become a morbid and gritty habitat, one we barely recognize, where people have become scarce, and those who are left do whatever is necessary to stay alive. Characters will be confronted by the harshest and most alien of landscapes in this sinister version of Earth. Every day will be a test to avoid a cruel fate.

So all of that to say, a lot of suffering exists in Darkbound, and there is little comfort to be found. Those unlucky souls destined to live outside safezones suffer for almost everything, from the lack of food and shelter, to the loss of loved ones and the constant fear of a bleak future. You wouldn’t want to live in a world like the one in Darkbound.

But this is also a story about the human spirit, as characters will find themselves challenged with the burden of making the tough decisions, with the fate of their companions and maybe the future of mankind in their hands.

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How We Play (Discord Play-by-Post)

Our story is written on Discord. Each session takes the form of a thread, where a player (usually the GM) poses an introductory post. The thread then progresses through a series of posts, each of which is a reply to the previous one.

A typical session can last days, weeks, or even months (depending on the mission, activity level of the players, and depth of the plot). Players should feel free to respond whenever they can and we try not to penalize those with busy schedules. However, players should also keep in mind that the pace of the thread can slow considerably if not enough people are active. For this reason, we require at least one response per week from each player.

The story is developed using the classic adventure-story structure. The GM introduces a situation and the players take on the roles of their characters. As the situation progresses, the GM presents challenges for the players to overcome. Each successful challenge advances the story and rewards the players with experience points.

‣ How Threads are Created

GMs usually create new Threads for scenes taking place in specific locations. When a new adventure location is introduced, you’ll see a thread title like (RP) The Wasteland (as an example).

Make sure you click to follow any Thread where your character is active, so you don’t miss updates.

Posting Format: We mainly use third-person narrative in the present form (e.g., “Jonas steps cautiously across the rubble…”). Keep out-of-character remarks in a separate OOC channel. Only keep it within the RP inside Threads.

‣ Dice Rolling

We have a dedicated channel called #ooc-chat that is home to our dice bot. We use specific bot commands for rolling. For instance, you might type /roll generic d6 if you need to roll a single 6-sided dice during a scene.

You’ll often roll a number of six-sided dice equal to an attribute + skill, looking for at least one 6 for success (though we have more details on the “System Basics” page). For our RPG, we are using Mutant: Year Zero’s dice system.

• Why This System?
  Mutant: Year Zero is built around survival in a hostile environment, scavenging for resources, and contending with mutations—perfect for the Darkbound vibe.
• Key Features
  • Mutations: Characters can develop strange supernatural powers that may both help and hinder them.
  • Roles: Archetypes like Enforcer, Gearhead, or Stalker fit seamlessly into the wasteland setting.
  • Stress & Resource Tracking: Food, water, and bullets can be scarce, adding tension that resonates with Darkbound’s survival theme.

Player Expectations & Etiquette

‣ Cooperative Roleplay

• Collaborative Storytelling: We aim to build a cohesive narrative together. Respect your fellow players’ contributions, and help everyone shine in their own unique way.
• No Lone Wolves (Unless Agreed Upon): While having an edgy character is fine, keep the story flow in mind. Going completely solo can slow down or fragment the game.

‣ Posting Frequency

• Recommended Pace: Aim for at least a couple of posts per week in each active thread. If you need more time, communicate with your group and GM.
• Hiatus or AFK: Real life happens. If you need a break, let someone know so we can gracefully pause or shift your character’s role in the story.

‣ Tone & Respect

• Dark & Gritty: The setting is grim. Keep it within that post-apocalyptic survival theme and vibe.
• Mutual Respect: Harassment or discriminatory remarks aren’t tolerated in our Discord. Keep the game environment safe and inclusive.

The Journey Ahead

Your adventure starts here. We’re excited to have you join us for this storytelling journey! Whether you’re scavenging the ruins, trading with outposts, or coming into contact with new creatures, you will help shape this world.

This game is all about collaboration and creativity. Every character, every decision, and every moment adds to the in-game universe. We can’t wait to see the stories you bring to life and the adventures you’ll create with others.

So, take the first step: send us an email in our Contact Us page, where you will fill out a form with more information about yourself. If you’ve given an invitation to our Discord community, you will build a character and jump into the action. We’re thrilled that you are interested to play — Welcome to Darkbound!

Next Steps

1. ‣ Go to to the Contact Us page and fill out the form.
   ‣ Wait to be reviewed by one of our Moderators and check your email for an invitation to our Discord.
2. ‣ Check out Character Creation Essentials to build your character.
3. ‣ Once you receive an invite via email, download the Discord client and join our server.
4. ‣ Introduce yourself in the #general channel to meet your fellow wasteland survivors.
   ‣ Submit a character-sheet in the character-sheets thread and wait to be approved by a GM.
5. ‣ Join an active Thread or wait for the next quest prompt from a GM to begin roleplaying.

Additional Resources

• ‣ World & Lore: Dive deeper into the in-game universe, learn about mutated creatures, or factions.
• ‣ Rules References: Access quick cheat sheets and learn more about dice-rolling commands.
• ‣ FAQ & Troubleshooting: If you’re unsure about something, check here first or ask in #help channel.