Ringed, Retrospective

Each November, some people try to write a novel. Others would prefer to do as little writing as possible. For those who wish to challenge their ability to not write, we offer this alternative: producing a complete, playable roleplaying game in two hundred words or fewer.

(Hereafter FFWC)

:red: 1

HOW TO USE: -During this quest/game, your character is really into FFWC. -When you gain "quest XP", fill in one of the 20 boxes. -When all the boxes are filled out, the quest/game ends. FFWC may still be an exciting part of your life, but it's not new anymore.

[ ][ ][ ][ ][ ] [ ][ ][ ][ ][ ] [ ][ ][ ][ ][ ] [ ][ ][ ][ ][ ]

Major Goals: The HG or other gaming authority can award you 5 quest XP when:

[ ] You bond over FFWC with someone formerly hostile

[ ] You think FFWC has real magic, but it turns out to be a trick

You can earn each of these bonuses once.

Quest Flavor: 1/chapter, or 4/session if "chapters" aren't a relevant concept in your game, or as much as the other players permit if "sessions" aren't relevant, or as much as you permit if you're playing alone, you may earn 1 quest XP through:

:gold: :purple: Attempting to get other people to play FFWC :gold: Talking about FFWC strategy or lore to people who truly do not care :blue: Declaring flawless victory at something, possibly prematurely :silver: :green: Dreaming of snakes made of cards

Also, if you're out of ideas for a scene, you can propose one of these.

Each November, some people try to write a novel. Others would prefer to do as little writing as possible. For those who wish to challenge their ability to not write, we offer this alternative: producing a complete, playable roleplaying game in two hundred words or fewer.

(2 Players, 1 Viewer)

At first, of course, we are certain; they're not going to kiss, because explicit homoromanticism does not happen in box office hits. But as the night goes on, we are drawn into the world of the film, our hopes soar high, and by the end pathos sprouts like invasive ivy and ironic outrage turns genuine.

Players, determine who you're playing as, and pick someone to be Player 1 first. Viewer, you need only be yourself.

First, Player 1 performs a gesture of affection to Player 2. (A touch, a gift, a sacrifice, some words - but always less than a kiss.) They explain its position and role in the movie.

Then, Player 2, determine a reason that they're just friends. Of course, they can't say it out loud, because that would mean acknowledging the romantic reading. Thus, Player 2 must communicate this meaning to the Viewer via charades until they guess correctly.

If the Viewer has a conniption, or verbally asks that the characters kiss, they are kicked out of the theater. The game ends.

Otherwise, the Players switch who's Player 1 and who's Player 2, and repeat. (They don't switch characters.)

Each November, some people try to write a novel. Others would prefer to do as little writing as possible. For those who wish to challenge their ability to not write, we offer this alternative: producing a complete, playable roleplaying game in two hundred words or fewer.

A Game of Creation for One Player

(200 Words Sans Title and Heading, Pro Archival)

Upper Worlds:

Emanation: 0 Divine Unity. Endless Light.

Creation: 0 Separation. Preparation.

Formation: 0 Shape. Form. Awareness.

Action: 0 Material Reality. Physical Existence.

Utterance | Ein | Ohr

Speak | 51 | 86

Call | 65 | 76

Instruct | 80 | 60

Ayin me-Yesh: Upper World = (Upper World • Ohr - Action • Ein) / 10000

Yesh me-Ayin: Action = (Upper World • Ein + Action • Ohr) / 10000

See that it is Good: Remove negative signs. Round up.

Rest: Action becomes Reality.

In the beginning of Your creation of the heaven and the earth, the earth was formless and void, and darkness lay over the surface of the deep and Your breath swept over the water.

At the start of the first six Days choose an Upper World and an Utterance. (You may not reuse an Upper World or Utterance until all three have been used.) Apply Ayin mi-Yesh and Yesh mi-Ayin simultaneously.

And You said, "Let there be light."

Describe how Your utterance has shaped reality, withdrawing Your Divine presence to make space and allow the universe to exist. What has been created? What will be imperceivable by Mankind?

And there was light.

At the end of each Day See that it is Good.

On the Seventh Day, Rest.

Each November, some people try to write a novel. Others would prefer to do as little writing as possible. For those who wish to challenge their ability to not write, we offer this alternative: producing a complete, playable roleplaying game in two hundred words or fewer.

(1 Pyramidion, 1 Adventurer)

An Adventurer loots THE PYRAMID.

You'll need 12 Icehouse pyramids per player. (1 small, 1 medium, 1 large, in 4 colors)

Players, create three Trees from your pyramids in any mixture of colors. (Smalls on Mediums on Larges.) Hide them from your opponent.

Red pyramids are MIGHT/GUARDS. Yellow pyramids are GUILE/MAZES. Green pyramids are TOOLS/TRAPS. Blue pyramids are MAGIC/WARDS.

Each chamber of THE PYRAMID has new traps. The Pyramidion plays one of their topmost pyramids, describing the challenge of that color that awaits within that room.

Then, the Adventurer plays one of their topmost pyramids, narrating their use of that color.

If it is the same color as the Pyramidion's pyramid, or larger than the Pyramidion's pyramid, they narrate their success. If it is both, they then take the Pyramidion's pyramid as treasure, and can use it later. If it is neither, they narrate their failure, lose the pyramid, and must try again.

DESPERATION: They may spend a Large and any other pyramid to overcome any pyramid.

If the Pyramidion has no pyramids, they are able to escape with unimaginable riches. If the Adventurer has no pyramids, THE PYRAMID claims another victim.

Each November, some people try to write a novel. Others would prefer to do as little writing as possible. For those who wish to challenge their ability to not write, we offer this alternative: producing a complete, playable roleplaying game in two hundred words or fewer.

(2 Finalists)

Puffballs are the only macroscopic creatures that can survive the wastes of inland Antipodea. Nobody is sure how. In penguin society, they're used as pets, messengers, and even to help fight the Angels each summer - but in June, during the Winter Festival, each colony holds a tournament.

Make 2 Puffballs to form your team. To make a Puffball:

:: Assign d4, d6, d6 to Fury, Cleverness, and Sheen. :: Choose a color.

Blue (Advantage on prime turns) (turns are 1-indexed) Red (Fury advantage) Pink (+3 HP) Black (second Advantage when winning FSC) Green (Advantage when tying FSC) Purple (Sheen advantage) Yellow (Cleverness advantage)

:: Give it 5 HP.

Each turn:

Each player secretly chooses which (unfainted) Puffball they'll use this turn, then reveals.

Each player secretly chooses which Attribute to use to attack, then reveals.

Fury beats Sheen beats Cleverness beats Fury. ("FSC") If one Attribute beats another, the winning Puffball gets an Advantage. "Advantage" means moving one step up THE LADDER:

d4 -> d6 -> d8 -> d10

Then, both players roll the die for the Attribute they used, plus Advantages. The lower-rolling Puffball loses HP equal to the difference in rolls.

A Puffball with 0 HP faints. Last player standing wins.

Each November, some people try to write a novel. Others would prefer to do as little writing as possible. For those who wish to challenge their ability to not write, we offer this alternative: producing a complete, playable roleplaying game in two hundred words or fewer.

(1 Divine Mayflower, 1 Puppy Character)

The PC is a puppy. The DM will do everything in their power to take care of the PC.

Every day, each of the following events happens.

Breakfast. Walkies. Playtime. Music. "Me" time. Playtime. Dinner. Bedtime.

The DM can skip any of these at their option, e.g. as punishment

The DM narrates the details of each event. The PC doesn't need narration privileges.

The PC is a puppy. After each action, they roll a d6 to determine their mood.

1 - Happy 2 - Joyous 3 - Pleasant 4 - Affectionate 5 - Blissful 6 - Good

Each day has a tomorrow. You don't ever have to stop.

Each day past the first, roll 1d6 as the day starts.

1 - A new PC appears for the day! (Played by the DM). 2 - A new DM appears for the day! (Played by the existing GM.) 3 - The PC does something wrong. 4 - The PC is a puppy. 5 - One event is impossible today. Don't worry about it. 6 -

DM: Have fun!

PC: You have to follow the rules. Bad things will happen to everyone if you don't follow the rules. You have to follow the rules. You have to

Each November, some people try to write a novel. Others would prefer to do as little writing as possible. For those who wish to challenge their ability to not write, we offer this alternative: producing a complete, playable roleplaying game in two hundred words or fewer.

(0+ GM, 1+ Players)

Requires 4d6 in four colors. You are the proprietors of a small tea shop. As the name might suggest, you are dragons with tits. To make a dragon, assign 4321 to the four stats:

DRAGON (black) - Flight, breath weapon TITS (red) - Seduction, physique TEA (green) - Teamaking, gossip SHOP (yellow) - Perceptiveness, management

When you attempt a goal, the GM/group sets a minimum number of successes (1 - easy, 3 - hard, 5 - legendary); then, choose one or more stats to apply to it. For each stat you use, describe how you use it to solve the problem, and add dice of that amount and color to the pool. If a check is a group effort, all players can contribute stats.

Then, roll the entire pool. A success is a 1, 2, or 3. If your successes are at or above the minimum, you achieve your goal.

Next, find the highest die; in case of ties, discard the highest die of each color and repeat. This sets the tone of your success or failure. A success with a bizarre tone may or may not create more problems than it solves.

Potential plots: matchmaking, mystery, celebrity tea critic, isekai

Each November, some people try to write a novel. Others would prefer to do as little writing as possible. For those who wish to challenge their ability to not write, we offer this alternative: producing a complete, playable roleplaying game in two hundred words or fewer.

(3+ Designers)

You are a group of monsters who found each other due to a hilarious OSR-related doxxing incident, and became friends. Now, you have decided to step out of D&D's shadow and make your own RPG as a group.

Roll a d100 three times. The tens die indicates an Ideal (necessarily filtered by your monster species), and the ones die indicates your Passion for specific parts of the game creation process. Write down both as a set; you want to express the former through the latter.

IDEALS Simplicity Originality Power Fantasy Player Creativity Skill Expression Flavor Crunch Coziness Social Justice Mass Appeal

PASSIONS/RESPONSIBILITIES Setting Chargen (Practical) Chargen (Ideological) Rules (Action) Rules (GMing) Rules (Combat) Rules (Social) Rules (Investigative) Rules (Downtime) Rules (Gender)

Divide the first five responsibilities among your group. Multiple players can share one. Decide which of the last five will be in the game, and divide those too.

For each responsibility, the players responsible for it write a 200-word snippet of a larger text, editing it until they can all agree that it's a good first draft.

Reconvene and share. Do you think you can weld this into a coherent TTRPG? You're welcome to try.

Each November, some people try to write a novel. Others would prefer to do as little writing as possible. For those who wish to challenge their ability to not write, we offer this alternative: producing a complete, playable roleplaying game in two hundred words or fewer.

(3+ Ex-Forumgoers)

You claimed to be human OSR designers, but after a forumwide doxxing incident, your true natures as monsters are revealed - and worse, everyone knows that you're completely ignorant of OSR! What will you do?

Answer, individually: What monster are you? What long-term offline ambition do you pursue? Why did you attempt an elaborate OSR-related boondoggle? What must you still keep secret? (You are bad at keeping it secret.)

Individually, prepare a journal.

Answer, groupily: How are you communicating now? Why are you all still hanging out?

For each pair of players, discover something they have in common (d20; 1-10 means shared like, 11-20 means shared dislike.) Anime Book Video game Modern TTRPG NPC ex-forumgoer Weird human thing (biological) Weird human thing (cultural) City Food David J. Prokopetz

Frame a scene around it; other players are present, and can join in or blather about unrelated things. One scene happens each in-game day. After each scene, each ex-forumgoer writes two sentences in their journal; one about their day online, one about their day offline. These may or may not be about the forum or their ambition.

Once each pair of players has had a scene, the game ends.

Each November, some people try to write a novel. Others would prefer to do as little writing as possible. For those who wish to challenge their ability to not write, we offer this alternative: producing a complete, playable roleplaying game in two hundred words or fewer.

(1+ Narrators)

ORACLE 2: A dream proves prophetic 3: A phone rings 4: A duel! 5: A busker sings 6: A love cannot be 7: Stubbornness wins out 8: A squirrel appears 9: Justice is served 10: Lightning strikes J: Construction is underway Q: Someone is bored K: A decree is issued A: Clown

Players, in order:

Draw a card, and write its rank and suit in a blank grid square (not the tombstone). You must put it into the column matching its suit if possible.

Then: Narrate the incident, based on the card's rank and its timing. For each square pointing to the filled square, answer: How did that incident cause this incident? For each square that the filled square points to, answer: How did this incident cause that incident? (Unlikely coincidences can happen, as can additions to past scenes.)

Write a short summary in the square.

Continue all 12 squares are filled out, then draw one last card for the tombstone. As you narrate, keep in mind that this is no ordinary incident; this is... The Untimely Demise of Meredith Lupin Upon the Boardwalk At Noon

Each November, some people try to write a novel. Others would prefer to do as little writing as possible. For those who wish to challenge their ability to not write, we offer this alternative: producing a complete, playable roleplaying game in two hundred words or fewer.

2-6 players. Requires a Scrabble bag, or similar.

Dallas, November 22nd, 1963. You are assassins. Your target is JFK.

Answer the following questions in order. Each player answers the first, then the second, etc.

To answer, draw a tile from the bag. Give a one-word answer starting with that letter, then 1-3 sentences of elaboration. If you draw a blank tile, your answer is "nothing" or equivalent.

What is your name? Why are you assassinating JFK? What is your weapon? Where will you strike? How will you sabotage the player to your left, on purpose?

How will you hide yourself? How did you get to Dallas? What is your non-assassination job? How will you evade the FBI? How will you sabotage the player to your right, on accident?

How have you accounted for JFK's Catholicism? What is your backup weapon? What do you believe assassination is? What do you believe JFK is? How will you sabotage your own plan, on purpose?

If a player has a J, an F, and a K, they succeed. Continue until all questions are answered, or a player succeeds. If no player succeeds, it was Lee Harvey Oswald, and he acted alone.

Each November, some people try to write a novel. Others would prefer to do as little writing as possible. For those who wish to challenge their ability to not write, we offer this alternative: producing a complete, playable roleplaying game in two hundred words or fewer.

This is a game to play while playing another TTRPG, which must have a DM-like role for one player and a PC-like role for the rest. You will need to either be willing to all share prep or a module, or play a game amenable to improvisation.

You are the Divine Masters of this world. Whoever is currently DM is binding the others in mortal form, but in the halls of the gods there is a constant struggle.

Agree on a Flaw; an action that will show the falsehood of your divinity. It should be something you might do unthinkingly. Examples for my group could include "eating food", "rolling a d6", or "calling another player by their name, rather than their character's."

When the DM performs the flaw, another player may recite the following words:

"I denounce thee, false deity! Thou hast committed the grievous mark of mundanity, [insert Flaw here]; thou art no god, but a mere mortal, thy heart filled with hubris!"

Then, the DM becomes a PC and that player becomes DM. If multiple players recite, the player who finishes first becomes DM.

The DM can also voluntarily vacate, in which case a random PC becomes DM.

Each November, some people try to write a novel. Others would prefer to do as little writing as possible. For those who wish to challenge their ability to not write, we offer this alternative: producing a complete, playable roleplaying game in two hundred words or fewer.

A game for one Game Master, 1 Doctor, and 1+ Companions. Familiarity with Doctor Who is recommended.

As the Episode starts: The Doctor and all Companions divest 7 Tokens into their Skills. Skills max at 3. The Doctor may not put more than 3 total Tokens into Companion skills, and vice versa.

Doctor Skills: Genius Space Lore Lying Gallifreyan Technology

Companion Skills: Fighting Common Sense Honesty Mysterious Creepy Foreshadowing

Neutral Skills: Running Historical Trivia Social Engineering Luck

Episode Title: (d6) Wedding / Demons / Mystery / Invasion / Despair / Daleks of (d6) The Mind / Mars / 1800s Russia / London / [Companion] / The Daleks

Episodes: To start an episode, introduce the environment, and display or foreshadow the threat.

When the plot is dragging, any player may spend a Skill Token. Their character develops the situation using that Skill, finding a path forward. When one or more characters' lives are threatened, they each spend a Skill Token and combine those Skills to narrate a daring, near-miss escape. When a player has 2 Skill Tokens, they are Sidelined can no longer spend any. When all players are Sidelined, everyone gets un-Sidelined and the climax begins. Try to end the Episode in a way that uses all remaining Tokens.

Each November, some people try to write a novel. Others would prefer to do as little writing as possible. For those who wish to challenge their ability to not write, we offer this alternative: producing a complete, playable roleplaying game in two hundred words or fewer.

(1 GM, 1+ Animals)

To create your character, decide: 1) What kind of animal they are. It should be at minimum chimp-sized. 2) Why they're on a fucked up rampage. This is also your character's name and their two starting stats. Both stats start at 5. Examples: Alcohol Wolf, Demonic Possession Elk, Hungry Hungry Hippo, Dead Family Cheetah

To act: Choose what stat you're using. You are allowed to stretch the definition of your stats so you have cool powers; Alcohol Wolf may prove a drunken martial arts master, or be able to blow fireballs. Then, roll a d6. If you roll equal to or under your stat, you succeed, then decrease that stat by 1. Otherwise, you fail, and get hurt somehow, up to and including death. Once per scene, when you're hurt (up to and including death), you may grow yet stronger. Gain a new stat, starting at 5, based on that damage; you become, e.g., Bullet-Filled Revenge Boa, and gain knowledge of gunplay and telekinetic control over bullets, or Depressed Ketamine Ape, or Ghost Tumblr Overexposure Octopus.

Scenario: If the GM does not have a better idea, your characters have gathered to steal the Crown Jewels.

Each November, some people try to write a novel. Others would prefer to do as little writing as possible. For those who wish to challenge their ability to not write, we offer this alternative: producing a complete, playable roleplaying game in two hundred words or fewer.

(2+ Players)

Players play Centurions, demon hunters who have mastered 100 tools, techniques, and spells. One player, the Designated Driver (DD), stays sober and plays the world. They'll need to keep some notes.

A player who wants to establish a new power for their Centurion needs only to narrate what it is and does, and then take a shot. (Drink responsibly.) The DD writes it down, and their Centurion gains that power, for as long as they can remember it exists. It always succeeds at doing its thing. The DD can do anything at any time except when a power is being used.

DD ADVICE Note that "you die" can be solved by the player narrating their Centurion's Resurrection Talisman.

There are two main ways, in my mind, to challenge players who can pull new powers out of their ass. 1) Create scenarios that are increasingly bullshit. "Oh, but this Demon Lord is fireproof and can't die and reflects hypnosis…" 2) Genre switch! Go from demon hunting to medical drama or slice of life. More generally, make them try to use their existing powers for scenarios they're obviously unsuited for.

Don't be afraid to stop if someone gets too drunk.

Each November, some people try to write a novel. Others would prefer to do as little writing as possible. For those who wish to challenge their ability to not write, we offer this alternative: producing a complete, playable roleplaying game in two hundred words or fewer.

You are a freshman film studier. Choose a subtext:

Homoeroticism Color theory Christianity WWII Postmodernism Anarcho-syndicalism

Watch at least an hour of a show - ideally, one you haven't watched before. Your job is to find that subtext in the show, especially where it doesn't exist. Write a nano-essay, exactly 55 words long, about that subtext.

Each November, some people try to write a novel. Others would prefer to do as little writing as possible. For those who wish to challenge their ability to not write, we offer this alternative: producing a complete, playable roleplaying game in two hundred words or fewer.

Stare for a bit at His Majesty King Charles III by Johnathan Yeo. This man is who you're playing as.

Then, get a d4 and a journal.

The royal life is never dull. Roll your die, read the prompt, and write a bit about it in your journal. If it tells you to increment, increase the size of your die. (d4 -> d6 -> d8 -> d10 -> d12 -> d20). Then roll again.

1 - You spend time with your son (William) and grandson (George). What newfangled thing is George showing you this time? 2 - The food today is particularly good. What is it? 3 - You partake in your favorite hobby, hedgelaying. Are you any good? 4 - You have a medical checkup. Increment. 5 - You consult the royal psychic. What does she foretell? 6 - You find yourself staring at your portrait. Increment. 7 - You meet your family's ancient enemy, the Pope. Why? 8 - You visit a Commonwealth nation. Do they like you one bit? 9 - You get very, very drunk. Where do you wake up? 10 - You dream of your late mother. Increment.

11+ - You die in a (d444)

Bizarre / Catastrophic / Canadian / George-caused Prostate / Butterfly / Nuclear / Witchcraft Accident / Explosion / Event / Confluence

The game ends.