31. Reward
Role-playing is its own reward. This is true of most hobbies, but the role-playing game is also the quintessential example of the game that isn't played to be won, but to be experienced. The reward is in the play itself.
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30. Experience
The experience of role-playing is greatly enhanced by hyperphantasia.
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29. Connect
Find those who accept and appreciate you for who you are.
To Hell with the rest.
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28. Suspense
I could address this prompt, but...
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27. Tactic
A good role-playing game does not list every possible tactic. It makes any reasonable tactic possible.
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26. Nemesis
Scheduling Conflict is my usual nemesis.
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25. Challenge
A game that is not a challenge is hardly a game at all.
(Apologies to Strong Bad.)
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24. Reveal
House rules are more old school than rules as written.
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23. Recent
The hope of our hobby rests with the hobbyists. Hobbyists created it, and only hobbyists can keep it alive.
Solidarity.
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22. Ally
In a role-playing game, forging alliances is far more interesting than being a loner. Role-playing is a social activity both in-game and in real life. The more you interact and form bonds, the better it is. I have socially awkward street cred, so you can trust me on this.
[For more information on #RPGaDay (or #RPGaDay2025 specifically), read this.]
21. Unexpected
Table time!
Unexpected Visitor
Roll 1d20
There's somebody at the door...
1. An assassin.[For more information on #RPGaDay (or #RPGaDay2025 specifically), read this.]
20. Enter
Time for a table!
How to Enter an Alternate/Parallel/Pocket Universe/Plane/Dimension
Roll 1d20
Via...
1. An alien artifact.[For more information on #RPGaDay (or #RPGaDay2025 specifically), read this.]
19. Destiny
"Destiny." Bah!
Pass.
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18. Sign
In 2020, I addressed the subject of zodiacal signs and the Birth Augur rules of Dungeon Crawl Classics RPG in "Zodiac Birth Augur." I have also written a short article about adapting the Sumerian Zodiac to the Birth Augur rules. I can't quite remember why I never posted it. Maybe I should revisit it.
Aside from birth signs, perhaps adventures could profit from the addition of more prophets and the appearance of more signs and omens...
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17. Renew
This prompt was also used in #RPGaDay2021 on Day 26. My answer then remains the same: I ponder the impossibility of playing Logan's Run, and wonder which system would facilitate the best adaptation.
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16. Overcome
How to overcome a really boring RPGaDay prompt...
Pass?
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15. Deceive
Do not be deceived. You do not need the following to run or play a role-playing game:
It is much simpler and much less expensive than some would have you believe.
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14. Mystery
Mystery is one of the fundamental ingredients of a worthwhile role-playing adventure regardless of the actual genre to which it may belong. A mystery—or the mysterious—is what sparks curiosity, and curiosity is one of the most powerful forms of motivation known to playerkind. One needn't write fullblown mystery adventures (although they can be very rewarding), but it's worthwhile to drop a mystery here and there in the foreground or background of an adventure, perhaps connecting them with larger mysteries that might not even be revealed until a later adventure in the near or somewhat distant future.
Mystery is the spice of role-playing.
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13. Darkness
I may have given the impression that I intended to end my #RPGaDay2025 run, which is true, but I suddenly thought of something to write about regarding darkness vis-à-vis role-playing games, so my departure has been postponed.
Darkness as I See it
These are a few of my thoughts that can be applied to any role-playing game using its own rules system.
As long as a character has more or less normal vision, I do not penalize combat in partial darkness. If the moon is bright or there is any other light source (torches, phosphorescent fungi, glowing enchanted weapons, etc.), I assume the combatants can see one another well enough to fight normally. If the darkness is total (in a cave or under a moonless night sky without any sort of light source), then I penalize combat severely. It's as hard as fighting an invisible opponent, except you are blind to your surroundings as well. Unless extreme caution is taken with every action, the possibility of a dangerous mishap is significant. There are tactics that can improve player characters' chances of survival or even victory if they are cunning.
Exploration in total darkness is nearly impossible for normal-sighted folk, but it can be accomplished to a limited extent, albeit very slowly.
Most beings who can see in darkness are still limited in what they can discern. They might be able to see shapes or heat patterns, but they cannot read or see colors or two-dimensional images in the dark.
When a party is trying to navigate or accomplish anything in darkness, I prefer to allow them to communicate with one another freely and describe their actions, but I (as the referee) roll secretly to determine if they are successful. Hijinks will frequently ensue unless they are very careful. I prefer this method over having the players pass me notes about what they do and determining who actually does what to whom. First, it takes a very long time to resolve even the simplest actions, which leads to boredom. Second, it stops everyone from role-playing, which, again, leads to boredom. It is far better to let the players role-play openly and roll to see what really happens. Special tables can be be created for fumbling in the darkness. Special rolls can be introduced for determining who is unintentionally affected by another's action when the action critically fails or even just ordinarily fails. Just don't make the mistake of isolating players or restricting play. Keep everyone engaged in the game.
Those are a few of my thoughts about darkness. Maybe I'll continue with RPGaDay after all.
Maybe.
[For more information on #RPGaDay (or #RPGaDay2025 specifically), read this.]
12. Path
I may have reached the point where I must leave the path of this year's RPGaDay.
Farewell...
Farewell...
Farewell...
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