Work Text:
A Guide to Patrol Assignments in Gotham: Standard Operating Procedures and Mission Parameters
(updated 09 March 2026 02:57:21 UTC)
Introduction
In order to enter active patrol duty in Gotham, you must memorize this guide and the rules within. These rules are not suggestions, nor are they subject to personal interpretation. Perfect adherence to this guide will contribute to your survival in this city, but it will not ensure it.
Your Mission
The mission you are tasked with is to interrupt, prevent, or, in some cases, completely eliminate crime operations within Gotham, both formal and informal. These groups are dangerous. Because of your mission, these groups will try to kill you if given the opportunity; at best, they will leave you critically injured. But they are not the only ones who mean you harm, nor are they the most dangerous.
Oversight
This guide outlines standard operating procedures for all field operatives: Robin(s), temporary Justice League liaisons, and other related vigilantes. The exceptions to this guide are limited: only Batman and Oracle (henceforth referred to a ‘B’ and ‘Oracle’ for the purposes of this guide) may operate independently of the subsequent rules, and even then, only for independent missions.
Consequences
These rules are, and remain, the only viable option for vigilantes operating within Gotham. Disregard or diversion from them may result in serious bodily harm, confusion, significant mental distress, or, in the most serious of incidents, death. Your death will be painful. It will not be short. Once it is in motion, no one can save you from your fate. Even ‘B’ is limited in influence. Gotham will take what she can.
Reminder
Your primary objective -- above crimefighting, maintaining your secret identity, or even the safety of family and your fellow vigilantes -- is to follow these rules. Always. (Always)
Follow these instructions to the letter, as written, exactly as written. Memorize this guide and review it often in your mind. A forgotten word can mean the difference between life or death.
The entity of Gotham does not believe in luck. Neither should you. Nonetheless, continue on with the assumption that you have it. You will need it.
Table of Contents
Section 1: Standard Operating Procedures
- Guide Discussion & Feedback
- GCPD Interactions
- Injuries & Field Medicine
- Supply Caches
- Reporting to the Cave
- Communicators
- Uniforms / Disguises
- Patrol Schedules
Section 2: Civilians, Teammates, and Lisaisons
- Lost or Injured Teammates
- Compromised Teammates
- Justice League Liaison(s)
- Civilian Communications
- Beggars & Buskers
- Former Teammates, Family, or Friends
- Contacting Oracle via Non-Standard Communication Pathways
Section 3: Wayne Family Interactions
- Bruce Wayne
- Batman
- Thomas Wayne
- Alfred Pennyworth
- Martha Wayne / Lady Gotham
Section 4: Critical Incident Decision-Making (“Go / No Go”)
- Citywide Emergencies
- “Dead” Spots
- Casualties
- Weather Events
- Leaving Gotham
Section 5: Conclusion
- Respite Locations
- Exceptions
- Your Mantra
Section 1: Standard Operating Procedures
Guide Discussion & Feedback
Discussion of this guide, its contents, and any other related topics should be confined to the Cave at all times. Do not discuss this guide beyond the Cave’s six levels. Avoid the garage, the stairwells, entrances/exits, and the elevator(s). These zones are ambiguous, and therefore not fully secure. Consider limiting discussion of this guide in the medbay; while this location is firmly within the Cave’s protection, it may encourage bleeding or prevent clotting of bleeding injuries. It can also be distressing for your injured teammates to overhear.
Feedback, questions, or other comments regarding this guide must be delivered verbally, in-person, and directly to ‘B.’ Do not text, email, or use your communicator. If ‘B’ is not available, do not attempt to make him so. Your questions can wait.
If you have a question in the field that cannot wait, or is urgent/life-threatening, contact Oracle via your provided communicator. Do not list the specific rule or instruction; instead, describe the current issue in as vague terms as possible. Do not ask her for her insight. If she has an answer, she will tell you.
GCPD Interactions
While some GCPD officers have good intentions, proceed with the assumption that they are, at best, a collaborator. Do not pass secure information to the GCPD. Do not phone in tips. Every station and command post is compromised in some way. Interactions with GCPD primary command are not safe, and can have deadly repercussions for yourself and your teammate(s).
If a criminal must be apprehended by authorities, deliver them to Detective Gordon at Station 8. Do not attempt to do so during the daylight hours. When Detective Gordon takes a smoke break behind the station, pass the handcuffed criminal over without speaking. Ensure you brand the criminal on the chest, face, or neck before releasing them to Detective Gordon’s care. Use the brand in your patrol kit. This brand should never be washed, altered, or cleaned in any way. If you do not brand your criminal, the consequences will fall on Detective Gordon, not you.
GCPD officers on patrol are not allies. Do not interrupt their duties. If an investigation leads you to an officer, detective, or city official, drop it. Immediately.
Injuries & Field Medicine
Injuries should be treated within the Cave whenever possible. If it is not possible to address the wound while patrolling, limit bleeding to the best of your ability. Do not bleed on brick or in open water. Do not apply tourniquets unless absolutely necessary.
If a teammate is injured, take precautions to ensure their blood does not touch your bare skin. Carry them over your shoulder as you return to the Cave. Keep a cloth, bandage, or cape between their face and yours. Do not look them in the eyes, even if they are unconscious.
Medical treatment will be provided in the Cave medbay. If treatment cannot be adequately performed, a doctor will be called in. Do not acknowledge the doctor. Do not attempt to speak with her. The less you know and remember about her, the better.
Supply Caches
There are several supply points scattered throughout downtown Gotham. Their locations will change and never repeat. There are two moving supply caches; one, attached to a buoy in Gotham Harbor, the other welded to the back of a garbage truck. If you need these supplies, you will find them. Do not seek them out unless it is a true emergency (Life, limb, or mental state).
Supply caches include bandages, masks, blackout hoods, zipties, and a pair of escrima sticks made of Palo Santo. Use the latter only in the most dire of emergencies. Give them to Nightwing if he is in your group.
Reporting to the Cave
Enter through a different entrance every time you return to the Cave. Locations include the garage, the rear driveway, the Manor, and the fire exit. If another exit appears, ignore it. You will not enter the Cave if you use it.
Never take the same route from or to the Cave. Do not give directions to the Cave, even to fellow teammates or liaisons. If someone asks for coordinates, they are compromised. Proceed accordingly (see Appendix III: Terminations).
Communicators
As part of your patrol duty rotation, you will be given a standard communicator. There are three channels available on your communicator: one, to the Cave, the second, to Oracle, and the third, an open channel.
Do not use the open channel unless you are contacting the Justice League and/or the Lantern Corps. If you receive a call on the third channel, ignore it. Never communicate with your teammates via communicators. Push all relevant information through Oracle; she will distribute it for you.
Uniforms / Disguises
Every patrol uniform must include the following: a mask that conceals the eyes and the majority of the nose, a multipurpose cape, and the Bat symbol. Ensure the symbol is prominently displayed on your uniform, ideally across the chest or heart. Failure to do so can result in misidentification.
Always wear your uniform. If you must go undercover or wear a disguise, do it during the daytime. The sun gives you more leeway. Still, daytime operations should be limited. Light can also contribute to recognition.
Patrol Schedules
All patrol schedules will be provided by ‘B.’ No patrol schedule or patrol location will repeat. Be flexible, and never trade shifts. If a patrol is scheduled under your name, be there.
Section 2: Civilians, Teammates, and Liaisons
Civilian Communications
Limit interactions with the public whenever possible, and especially at night. Civilians, while not your enemy, are also not your allies. Some may offer you praise, tips, or trinkets when they see you pass. Take them, thank the civilian, and dispose of them in the nearest trash can when you are out of sight.
If a civilian stops you with a request for help, use your best judgement. More often than not, the request is a trap. However, genuine requests have been recorded. If you decide to assist, go alone unless they address your entire group.
Beggars & Buskers
Your standard patrol kit will contain a limited amount of small bills and change. This money must be replaced after each patrol. When passing beggars, buskers, or other similar individuals, pay them modestly. They are Gotham’s sentinels, and doing so will hide you from their Sight temporarily.
Former Teammates, Family, or Friends
If you recognize someone while on patrol, do not engage. These individuals may be, but are not limited to, childhood friends, long-lost family members, or former teammates. If you are not absolutely certain of their current status, avoid them.
Former teammates will often plead with you for secure information and insight into your patrol route. Do not let them follow you.
Contacting Oracle via Non-Standard Communications Pathways
When communication systems fail -- and they will -- rely on the PACE acronym to make contact with Oracle.
- Primary: Your communicator will be useless in an outage. If it still functions, do not attempt to utilize it for calls. Messages will be distorted at best.
- Alternative: Ask a delivery driver or courier to pass along a verbal message. These drivers move too quickly to be detected and are effective at distributing information across Gotham. Never tell them who the message is for; verbalize it once, and they will know what to do.
- Contingency: Handwritten notes (NEVER typed) can be stored in supply caches. Be aware, responses will not come immediately, if at all.
- Emergency: Wayne Tower has a vulnerability in its electrical system located on the northwestern corner of the penthouse floor. Climb the tower and disconnect power to the tower. The backup generators will kick in, but the brief blackout will signal your location to Oracle.
Justice League Liaisons
In the rare case that a Justice League representative will be in Gotham, leave their oversight to ‘B.’ Do not intervene in their mission, even if they are in need of assistance. They are outsiders and the rules are different for them. More often than not, their missions will be unsuccessful.
Green Lanterns may stay in the city for multiple nights if assigned a legitimate sector mission by a superior officer. All other representatives must leave Gotham by dawn. Outside magic users are never allowed within city limits.
Lost or Injured Teammates
If a teammate is injured within your vicinity, refer to the Injuries & Field Medicine portion of this guide. If you cannot set eyes on the injured teammate, any requests for assistance should be carefully evaluated. Prioritize extraction to the Cave over all else; vitals will stabilize in the Cave, or not at all.
If a teammate contacts you via your communicator asking for directions, a mission location, or any other related data, it is not a legitimate request. If they mention a broken streetlight, exercise extreme caution. They are likely closing in on your location.
Subsection: Teammates Lost on Patrol
Active patrol members must be prepared to leave teammates behind. This is not a possibility, but an eventuality. Teammates will be injured. They will make mistakes that are outlined in this guide. These mistakes may require you to leave them behind.
In situations where you must choose to save yourself or an injured teammate, prioritize yourself. A pinned, trapped, or captured teammate will trap you in their predicament if given the chance. This reaction is, sadly, human. They do not intend to harm you. This does not mean harm will not occur.
Leave your teammates behind. Never look back.
Compromised Teammates
Report all compromised teammates to Oracle immediately via communicator call. Do not approach or let them approach you. If you do not know if a teammate is compromised, discreetly shine your kit penlight in their eyes. If their pupils dilate instead of contracting, they are compromised; there is nothing you can do.
Section 3: Wayne Family Interactions
Bruce Wayne
Do not approach Bruce Wayne if you encounter him during patrol. He will attempt to stop you, offer advice, or may even address you by your civilian name. He does not know you. Do not let him influence you.
There are extremely limited scenarios where you may encounter the “real” Bruce Wayne. In these cases, look for sharp teeth and nonstandard eye colors before engaging. The real Bruce Wayne will never address you by either of your names. He understands that those names hold power.
Batman
Batman is your ally. If his insignia is intact, you are in safe company. You may start a patrol with Batman and return on your own. This is normal. You may start a patrol and return with Batman. This, too, is normal.
If the insignia is split, broken, or marred in any way, ask to examine his brand. The metal will always be warm to the touch. In the rare cases where another entity is standing in for Batman, he cannot hurt you. He will, however, attempt to confuse you or disrupt your patrol.
The real Batman will use your patrol name. You will feel it in your chest. If the name rings hollow, attempt exfil as quickly as possible. You cannot fight him, your only option is to run. Be prepared for him to outpace you. You will need to be creative to escape him.
Thomas Wayne
You may observe Thomas Wayne in the Narrows, often near the boundaries of the former Wayne Foundation clinic. He may disrupt your patrol, but he is not your enemy. Give him a nod or some form of acknowledgment when you pass. Gotham will never touch him.
Alfred Pennyworth
If you observe him on patrol, your eyes are deceiving you. If ‘Agent A’ leaves the Manor for legitimate reasons, you will never see him. He has permission to cross bodies of running water. An imposter will stall at a bridge, ford, or aqueduct and make excuses. Do not believe him.
Martha Wayne / Lady Gotham
Run.
Section 4: Critical Incident Decision-Making (“Go / No Go”)
These conditions are non-negotiable. Hold in mind that the wrong decision will likely result in your death. Stay calm, stay focused, and make the best decision possible with the information at hand.
Citywide Emergencies
Ignore sirens, announcements, and other civil alerts. If you hear or receive an Amber Alert, shelter in place in the closest semi-secure location (outlined in Appendix IV). If the city begins to flood, you have two options: Run for the Cave, or climb. If you have extra time to evacuate, do not rely on it or factor it into your run. Clocks can mislead you.
In the case of blizzards or snow storms, always walk in a civilian’s bootprints. Never leave fresh tracks in the snow. If someone follows you, they will use your footsteps. Make a decision as quickly as possible: turn and confront them, or deploy your grapple gun. If you choose the former, keep your weapons concealed until the very last second. If you choose the latter, ensure you never shoot more than ten stories at one time.
“Dead” Spots
Gotham contains numerous spaces colloquially referred to as “dead spots.” If you feel an unnatural chill or heat, retreat immediately. Your comm and electronic weapons will fail in these spots. These locations are the closest to Gotham, and you will feel Her. She will feel you.
Casualties
Throughout a standard patrol, you will encounter casualties. Some of these injuries and deaths occurred centuries prior, while some have not occurred yet. If you decide to help an injured or dying person, ensure you are acting with all available information. Your sympathy will be a known vulnerability.
Keep track of the corpses you pass. Do not attempt to touch or bury them. Commit the number to memory as you patrol; this will be important later.
Weather Events
(See “Citywide Emergencies” for additional reading)
Snow, rain, and fog are common in Gotham. Due to its proximity to the Bay, the air in Gotham will often be humid and unstable. Make efforts to never be caught in the worst of a storm or shift in weather. While heavy precipitation or fog can conceal you, it can also conceal others.
Leaving Gotham
Discuss all travel plans with ‘B’ in the safety of the Cave. Understand that leaving Gotham is not advised, and there is a possibility you will not be allowed back in. Travel to Bludhaven is the primary exception: this sister city can be visited for short periods without repercussions.
Metropolis and Gotham International Airport are not available to you. If you must run, do it on foot. Travel during daytime, and always in disguise. Your teammates may be able to help you leave by providing a distraction further into the city. However, this is at their own risk and should never be expected.
Section 5: Conclusion
Respite Locations
In the rare case that rest is both available and recommended to you, there is a limited list of locations within Gotham where you can sleep largely undisturbed:
- The six primary levels of the Cave
- Wayne Manor, with some exceptions (see Appendix VIII)
- Oracle’s Clocktower
- Detective Jim Gordon’s Office
- LexCorp’s Satellite Location, specifically in room 2A-C
Never fall asleep on patrol outside of the above locations. Close all doors, windows, and vents if you choose to utilize respite locations outside of the Manor or Cave. Keep rest below four hours. Any longer, and you will lose your bearings.
Exceptions
Beyond those already noted by this guide (Batman, Bludhaven, and Wayne Manor) there are two exceptions all active patrol members must memorize:
- The rules and guidelines can be broken or bent by direct order of Batman, and only by him.
- The rules and guidelines can be disregarded when Robin (Current Status: D.W.) is at risk of major injury or death. This does not apply to any other vigilante, including former Robins.
Your Mantra
Before you embark on your first solo patrol, you will be given a mantra by Batman. Repeat it, memorize it, and use it as a touchstone when you encounter ambiguous situations. If you are captured, repeat this mantra. It may not change your fate, but it may avert it for a short time. Repeat it as long as you can, verbally and mentally.
If you retain nothing from this guide, remember this: Batman will come for you if he can. Batman will come for you. Batman will come for you.