Decadent Singularity

LD50 - Minimalist Expandable RPG

A universal storytelling game without a Game Master

1. Overview

This system is designed for simple, improvisational role-playing inspired by classics like Dungeons & Dragons, but streamlined for play without a Dungeon Master.
All players take turns guiding the story, resolving obstacles with dice, and expanding the shared narrative.

2. Preparing the Game

Choose a setting
Pick any fictional world with enough lore to inspire play.
Example: the fairy tale of Little Red Riding Hood.

Choose a hero
Select a protagonist from this world.
Example: Little Red Riding Hood herself.

Define traits
Describe the hero’s key abilities and flaws.
- Red Riding Hood has intuition and starts with a basket of pies.
- She is naïve and physically weak (a child).

Set a starting scene
Decide where the hero begins.
Example: Red Riding Hood sets off on the forest path.

Set an initial goal
Define what the hero is trying to achieve.
Example: Deliver pies safely to grandmother.

Initialize CTD (Chance to Die)
Start with CTD = 0. This is the threshold against which failed rolls are checked when danger is involved.

3. The Gameplay Loop

Generate an obstacle
Roll once (or more) on the d20 Concept Table to inspire what the hero encounters.
Record an interpretation in the story journal.

Choose approach and action
Combine a roll on the d6 Approach Table and the d8 Action Table, or pick directly.
This defines how the hero attempts to overcome the obstacle.

Set resistance
Judge the obstacle’s difficulty using the d20 Resistance Table.

Attempt resolution
- Roll 1d20.
- Apply bonuses from relevant traits: for every 2 points of resistance, add +1 if the action clearly uses a trait.
- Compare the total to the obstacle’s resistance (DC).

Check success or failure
- Success: the obstacle is overcome. Reduce CTD by (roll – DC).
- Failure: the attempt fails. Increase CTD by (DC – roll).
- Death check: if a failed roll is lower than CTD and the situation is deadly, the hero dies. Game over.

Apply twists
- On a successful odd roll: a complication arises. Roll d20 Concept to interpret.
- On a failed odd roll: an unexpected relief arises. Roll d20 Concept to interpret.

Advance goals
If the current goal is achieved, set a new one and repeat from step 1.

4. Tools for Storytelling

d20 Concept Table

End — death, failure, completion, transformation

Beginning — birth, awakening, opportunity

Conflict — war, rivalry, struggle

Desolation — ruin, decay, loss

Strength — courage, resilience, force

Weakness — vulnerability, flaw, need

Threat — danger, antagonist, uncertainty

Opportunity — chance, reward, luck

Change — evolution, growth, chaos

Secret — hidden knowledge, motives, places

Connection — bond, alliance, cause/effect

Isolation — solitude, exile, challenge

Sign — omen, clue, foreshadowing

Journey — travel, quest, progression

Loss — grief, sacrifice, destruction

Desire — longing, temptation, motivation

Chaos — unpredictability, disruption

Order — law, structure, destiny

Mystery — puzzle, hidden forces

Choice — decision, branching paths, consequence

d20 Oracle

For yes/no questions. Roll 1d20 against the threshold below:

Paranormal — 25

Surprising — 20

Possible — 15

Likely — 10

Expected — 5

Certain — 2

d8 Action Table

Assault — direct confrontation

Divert — distract, redirect

Sneak — bypass unnoticed

Parley — negotiate, persuade

Utilize — use item or environment

Prepare — set up for advantage

Investigate — gather more information

Abandon — give up on the attempt

d6 Approach Table

Bravely — openly, boldly

Agilely — quickly, skillfully

Cleverly — with wit, trickery

Empathically — through emotion or lies

Patiently — by waiting, enduring

Magically — with supernatural means

d20 Resistance Table

Divine (30) — harming immortal cosmic beings

Paranormal (25) — fighting ghosts with mundane means

Overwhelming (19) — chainsaw maniac barehanded

Strong (15) — pack of wolves

Moderate (11) — gunfight with a clone

Weak (8) — outrunning a crippled zombie

Tiny (4) — hiding from distracted slasher

None (auto) — trivial tasks

5. Narrative Currency

Inspiration
If a hero acts in line with their nature, they gain Inspiration: a right to reroll one die.
Example: Red Riding Hood flees in fear to call for help.

Doom Tokens
If a hero acts against their nature, they gain Doom tokens.
- Each Doom token modifies Oracle rolls (helpful answers become less certain).
- Accumulated Doom can unlock paranormal effects: reality warps, madness sets in.
  Example: Red Riding Hood grabs a chainsaw and attacks everyone.

6. Optional Rules

With a Game Master (GM)
A GM can run the world: generating obstacles, making rolls, and narrating. Players only choose actions.
Maps, dungeons, and miniatures may be added for complexity.

Without a GM
The group shares narrative control. Keep a brief record of important facts (Is the wolf still alive? Did Red Riding Hood get bitten?).

7. Ending the Game

The story ends when:

The hero dies (CTD check fails),

The group agrees the hero’s story arc is complete,

Or everyone is satisfied with the tale told.

Current Mood: amused