nancygold

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The Dungeon Master was, in hindsight, a design blunder of historic proportions. That is not to deny that a skilled DM can elevate a table, occasionally even to brilliance. But the very structure of the role is a contradiction: it offers the promise of collective storytelling while vesting absolute authority in a single individual. From this seed grows most of the hobby’s dysfunction.

Let us begin with the obvious. Role-playing games were conceived as games. Games, by definition, are governed by rules, and the drama emerges when players interpret and apply those rules. To play chess, one does not require a priestly figure hovering over the board, interpreting the spirit of the bishop’s diagonal. Yet in tabletop RPGs, players have been told they cannot explore imaginary worlds unless one person dons the black robe of authority. The moment they disagree with the “judge,” the magic evaporates.

The tragedy is not that a good DM cannot exist. They can, and do, and some players are fortunate enough to find one. The tragedy is that the system assumes their existence. A mediocre or self-indulgent DM does not merely lower the quality of the experience; they transform the entire game into a theater of ego. At that point, the advertised activity—players exploring worlds, testing possibilities, and interpreting lore through agreed procedures—is lost. What remains is the DM’s story hour, with the players reduced to an obedient chorus.

The industry, alas, doubled down on this model. Companies realized that the DM was their primary customer: the one who bought the books, studied the lore, and initiated others into the rite. Instead of empowering groups to share the role of adjudication—something not only feasible but elegantly simple—they enshrined the DM as the indispensable centerpiece. In doing so, they guaranteed that the hobby would appear to outsiders as a curious cult, half game, half séance, with one celebrant summoning monsters while others gazed on. No wonder moral panics found fertile soil.

There is, however, another path. Games with shared authority, or no DM at all, demonstrate that the true joy of role-playing lies in the players themselves interpreting the world and assigning probability to events. “Can one hundred Jedi defeat Darth Vader?” becomes a matter of lore and consensus, not vetoed by narrative fiat. The answer may vary, but it will be our answer, not decreed from a self-appointed throne.

To some, this suggestion will sound like heresy. To others, it is merely common sense: when we sit down to play, the story belongs to everyone. The sooner we recognize that the Dungeon Master was never a requirement but a historical accident, the sooner the hobby can shed its cultic trappings and become what it was always meant to be—an accessible, collective exploration of imagination.

nancygold

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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

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

   
   



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

   
   



3. 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).
   
   
   
   



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

   
   



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

   
   



6. 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

1. 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.

   
   



2. 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.

   
   



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

   
   



4. 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).
   
   
   
   



5. 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.
   
   
   
   



6. 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.
   
   
   
   



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

   
   

4. Tools for Storytelling

d20 Concept Table

1. End — death, failure, completion, transformation


2. Beginning — birth, awakening, opportunity


3. Conflict — war, rivalry, struggle


4. Desolation — ruin, decay, loss


5. Strength — courage, resilience, force


6. Weakness — vulnerability, flaw, need


7. Threat — danger, antagonist, uncertainty


8. Opportunity — chance, reward, luck


9. Change — evolution, growth, chaos


10. Secret — hidden knowledge, motives, places


11. Connection — bond, alliance, cause/effect


12. Isolation — solitude, exile, challenge


13. Sign — omen, clue, foreshadowing


14. Journey — travel, quest, progression


15. Loss — grief, sacrifice, destruction


16. Desire — longing, temptation, motivation


17. Chaos — unpredictability, disruption


18. Order — law, structure, destiny


19. Mystery — puzzle, hidden forces


20. 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

1. Assault — direct confrontation


2. Divert — distract, redirect


3. Sneak — bypass unnoticed


4. Parley — negotiate, persuade


5. Utilize — use item or environment


6. Prepare — set up for advantage


7. Investigate — gather more information


8. Abandon — give up on the attempt

d6 Approach Table

1. Bravely — openly, boldly


2. Agilely — quickly, skillfully


3. Cleverly — with wit, trickery


4. Empathically — through emotion or lies


5. Patiently — by waiting, enduring


6. 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.

avrom

Цом Гедалья – урок о цене ненависти.

Обращение Международного Гиперсионистского Движения «Беад Арцейну»

Вавилон победил, Храм разрушен. Но не все было потеряно: часть народа оставалась на земле Израиля, и во главе их стоял еврейский правитель, верный своему народу - Гедалья бен Ахикам. Это была последняя возможность удержаться на своей земле после катастрофы.

Но Гедалья был убит руками своих политических противников. Его смерть стала последним ударом: с ним погибла последняя опора, и изгнание стало окончательным.

Мы постимся не только о падении Храма. Мы постимся о том, что ненависть и предательство уничтожили то, что даже сильнейшие враги не могли отнять.

История показывает: самые могущественные армии не смогли стереть Израиль, пока мы были едины. Но когда мы разделены - надежды рушатся изнутри.

Сегодня у нас есть Государство Израиль, армия, экономика, чудеса Всевышнего. Сегодня судьбу Израиля определяет не враг, а мы сами.

Если ненависть и раздробленность разрушат нашу государственность - врагам останется лишь добить нас.

Цом Гедалья говорит: не допустим, чтобы эта история повторилась!
Пост - не ради слез, а ради действия. Строить Храм. Освобождать Землю. Быть единым народом.

Рав Авраам Шмулевич
Председатель Международного Гиперсионистского Движения «Беад Арцейну» («За Родину!»)
Секретариат Движения

צום גדליה – לקח במחיר השנאה
פניה של התנועה ההיפרציונית הבינלאומית "בעד ארצנו"

בבל ניצחה, המקדש חרב. אבל לא הכל אבד: חלק מהעם עוד נשאר בארץ ישראל, ובראשם עמד מנהיג יהודי נאמן לעמו – גדליה בן אחיקם. זו הייתה ההזדמנות האחרונה להיאחז בארץ לאחר האסון.

אבל גדליה נרצח בידי יריביו הפוליטיים. מותו היה המכה האחרונה: עמו אבדה גם המשענת האחרונה, והגלות נעשתה סופית.

אנו צמים לא רק על חורבן המקדש. אנו צמים על כך שהשנאה והבגידה חיסלו את מה שאף האויבים החזקים ביותר לא יכלו לקחת.

ההיסטוריה מראה: גם הצבאות החזקים ביותר לא יכלו למחוק את ישראל כל עוד היינו מאוחדים. אך כאשר אנו מפולגים – התקווה קורסת מבפנים.

היום יש לנו מדינת ישראל, צבא, כלכלה, וניסי ה' מול עינינו. היום גורל ישראל נקבע לא על ידי האויב – אלא על ידינו עצמנו.
אם השנאה והפירוד יפרקו את מדינתנו – לאויבים יוותר רק להכות בנו מכה אחרונה.

צום גדליה אומר לנו: לא ניתן לסיפור הזה לחזור!
הצום – לא בשביל דמעות, אלא בשביל מעשה. לבנות מקדש. לשחרר את הארץ. להיות עם אחד.

רב אברהם שמולביץ'
יושב ראש התנועה ההיפרציונית הבינלאומית "בעד ארצנו"
מזכירות התנועה

Tzom Gedaliah – A Lesson on the Price of Hatred
Statement of the International Hyperzionist Movement “Be’ad Artzeinu”

Babylon prevailed, the Temple was destroyed. But not everything was lost: part of the people still remained in the Land of Israel, led by a Jewish leader loyal to his people – Gedaliah ben Ahikam. It was the last chance to hold on to the land after the catastrophe.

But Gedaliah was murdered by his political opponents. His death was the final blow: with him the last support collapsed, and exile became inevitable.

We fast not only over the fall of the Temple. We fast because hatred and betrayal destroyed what even the strongest enemies could not take away.

History shows: even the mightiest armies could not erase Israel as long as we stood united. But when we are divided – hope collapses from within.

Today we have the State of Israel, an army, an economy, and the miracles of the Almighty before our eyes. Today the fate of Israel is determined not by the enemy – but by ourselves.
If hatred and division shatter our state – the enemies will only need to strike the final blow.

Tzom Gedaliah tells us: we will not let this story repeat itself!
The fast is not for tears, but for action. To build the Temple. To redeem the Land. To be one people.

Rabbi Avraham Shmulevich
Chairman of the International Hyperzionist Movement “Be’ad Artzeinu” (“For Our Land!”)
Secretariat of the Movement