A light weight dice-rolling system for online games

My friend and I who run games together have developed and playtested this over the years. Sometimes, we like to inject some random chance into things, but in a way that doesn't slow down the game and is flexible for forum play and other online structured play. Here it is, The Droplet (It comes from the Indie game, "The Pool" which was then reduced to "The Puddle" and now we're down to the Droplet):

The Droplet System

Introduction to the System

One of the most exciting parts of roleplaying is the fights and other dramatic confrontations - stealth, fast-talking, diplomacy, all that fun stuff. However, managing conflicts can be challenging. In a previous life, one of the game staff was peripherally involved in designing indie role-playing games and came up with "The Puddle."

(For those of you who want to nerd out a bit, the name is a twice-removed play on words. One of the oldest indie RPGs is "The Pool," about its dice pools. It was adapted into another, even more minimalistic indie RPG, "The Puddle," whose dice pools were far smaller in size. In turn, "The Droplet" is a further minimalized version of "The Puddle," using but a single eight-sided die.)

The basis of The Droplet are traits. In the character generation post, players are asked to generate up to six traits - characteristics that are significant to the character in the eyes of the player. And to be clear, all traits are equivalent by these rules. They make no mechanical distinction between, say, how strong Superman is and how strong Bane is. They are both very strong characters, though Superman's strength is obviously on a monumentally different scale than Bane's. But mechanically? No difference.

The differences in The Droplet are narrative, which is written to resolve conflicts in the game. Superman's strength will be narrated differently than Bane's. While not altogether impossible to narrate Bane lifting a tank, Superman could do so with ease.

In The Droplet, the purpose of a die roll is two-fold. First, to determine if a given element of a conflict is a success or failure. Second, to determine who narrates the success or failure.

The reason to roll when it is altogether optional - and it is entirely optional, requiring the agreement of all the players in the thread - is a form of gambling. It adds excitement and danger to know that your character might not succeed.

There is no need for a game master or other authority. All conflict resolutions can be handled by the players in the scene. If the players want to ask a staff member to narrate a roll, or another player for that matter, feel free to ask, but they will not be required to do so. But the rules do not require any outside assistance. The players are all that is needed.

Rolls are made only by players on behalf of the characters they control. NPCs do not have anyone to roll on their behalf, and they do not have traits. In this setting, a player will roll for the character's handle used for the post. There are no conditions for which a player will ever roll for a character they do not control or for any NPC.

When the players agree that they want to roll and it is not a conflict between player characters, a player will post what action they are attempting (often prefaced by a post to contextualize the action) and then roll a single eight-sided die. If they have any trait that pertains to the roll - and it is fair to be generous here - the player will add a +1 to the roll. You can roll to take actions for which you have no trait, without a +1 bonus, but you are expected to be reasonable as to what you can roll for without a bonus. So, if the Black Panther was in a space ship being attacked by other ships, he might roll without a bonus to fly the ship in the dogfight. However, he couldn't decide to roll to destroy the other ships with the power of his mind. There is no reasonable circumstance where he would be able to do that. After you roll, consult the following chart:

Die Roll Results

• 1 to 3: The action fails, the next player to post narrates.
• 4 to 7: The action succeeds, next player to post narrates. Usually, this is a bit pyrrhic - though not necessarily, particularly if the contest is not extended. Sometimes, you want to move on, and that's okay.
• 8 and 9: The action succeeds or fails, the rolling player narrates. Usually as a continuation of the original post, with the roll and results added parenthetically where appropriate. Since the player who initiated the action decided what happens, they are permitted to narrate a failure should they desire.

If an action fails the first time, the narrating player should not end the scene. The first failure in a conflict is a significant setback shy of absolute failure. So, if Black Panther is fighting Killmonger, it means that, perhaps, Killmonger stabs Black Panther seriously but in such a way that does not immediately end the fight.

At this point, the players can also choose to retreat from the conflict without taking further "damage." If they want to continue, the following posting player makes a roll to "save" the situation. Any success means that the narration continues normally, considering the previous failures. So, in the above example, BP gets stabbed by Killmonger, but, hey, he's hanging around with Spider-Man, whose player rolls and gets a four total. Black Panther's player will narrate how Spider-Man "saves" the situation, allowing the conflict to continue in the subsequent post.

If a player, upon rolling an eight or higher, wants to end the conflict as a loss for their character, this is permitted. Sometimes, the exciting thing to do is lose, after all.

(This means that every time you roll, there is a 1 in 8 chance of failure.)

In some cases, it feels wrong that a conflict is resolved in one post. It should be a Big Deal if you're fighting Magneto, right? In those cases, what seems to happen (and it happens organically, in my experience) is that the players will narrate several partial victories before success or failure. For conflicts that are a Big Deal, I find that three posts per player are about right, though it can vary by situation and certainly by dice rolls.

If player characters are fighting each other - say, Black Panther and Killmonger are both player characters - each party will roll an eight-sided die. If a character has a relevant trait, add +1. Do not add multiple traits, even should they apply. The player with the higher number wins the conflict, but the losing player narrates. If a tie is scored, the conflict is a tie. Roll another eight-sided die, coin, or any other mechanism to decide who narrates the tie. It's often a good idea to check with the other player when writing a tie to see that everything is cool.

PvP conflict resolution takes trust. Players should only do such conflicts if they trust each other. If PvP rolls are made, and the parties can't agree, don't rely on the roll. Figure out another method to resolve the conflict or don't have the conflict.

Under no conditions - none - is it permitted to kill someone else's character without the player's explicit permission. It is wise to avoid narrating situations where death is inevitable. The GMs don't want to be bothered with it, and I doubt it would make anyone a popular player to see people trying to kill other people's characters!

Advancement

If you post a lot, you can add new traits if you so desire!

New trait 1: 200 Posts
New trait 2: 500 Posts
New trait 3: 1000 Posts

We have decided no one needs more than nine traits.

You can also change your traits when you want. Characters don't aways "improve," sometimes they just change. This is particularly true in comics. If you want your psychic to die and come back from the dead with cosmic powers? Why not? Major changes - such as just described - should be discussed with the game's staff.

 

Examples

TWO PLAYERS FIGHTING AN NPC.

(OOC: In this example, I'm choosing brevity over style to illustrate The Droplet's rules. Don't take this as a model for actual role-play, please!)

Nightstalker confronted the Black Cat. They were in a ritzy penthouse in New York City, overlooking Central Park from Fifth Avenue. In the midst of their discussion, though, Deathdealer attacks! He drops from the building roof to the balcony of the penthouse and fires a poison gas grenade into the room.

(OOC: I'm going to roll to see if Deathdealer gets the drop on Nightstalker. I'm using his detective trait, since detectives are supposed to detect things! I got a 4 total.)

(Droplet Note: A 4 is a success but it is NOT narrated by Nightstalker's player, but the player that posts after Nightstalker. In this case, the Black Cat.)

(Droplet Note: So, the Black Cat starts off by narrating Nightstalker's success in detecting Deathdealer's ambush. He is allowed, indeed, it is necessary for the Black Cat to narrate Nightstalker's character!)

Due to his long training and aptitude, while Nightstalker glances towards the door, he sees Deathdealer about to make the jump reflected on the infinity pool that forms part of the penthouse balcony. By the time Deathdealer had fired the grenade, he's pushed down the Black Cat, and dons Nighstalker dons his gas mask when the grenade starts to fill the room with the toxins.

(Droplet Note: Here, the Black Cat stops the victory narration. Reasonably sure that Nightstalker's player won't object, he simply continues to post.)

The Black Cat was surprised, locked in an argument with Nightstalker when he was tackled to the ground. He's a smart man, and hardened to combat, not just with all those super-beings but from his years in the Marine Corps.

(OOC: I'm going to use his "Skilled Combatant" trait. But I rolled a 2 total.)

(Droplet Note: A total of two is a failure, but it is narrated by the player posting next. In a two-person scene, such as this is, that's NightStalker. In a multi-person scene? Literally, whoever is posting next!)

Unfortunately for the Black Cat, he is doesn't realize what's going on until after he's taken a lungful of the gas. He's sufficiently charged with energy that it doesn't outright incapacitate Sebastian Shaw, but it's enough to hurt his lungs and nearly blind him with tears and pain. But he's a tough man, well-used to fighting pain and discomfort.

Nightstalker rolls up, locks eyes with his old foe, and says, "And I thought this was an exclusive address."

He throws a series of flash bangs towards Deathdealer. Nightstalker knows that one isn't enough, and tries to pattern them to make it impossible for even him to evade their effects.

(OOC: I got an eight total! Woot!)

(Droplet Note: An eight means that Nightstalker's player can narrate the success or failure of his action more or less as he sees fit. It also means that the scene is "saved," because he rolled a success. If he had rolled a failure? Well, it means that Deathdealer would have, in some sense, won. Probably a hostage situation. Overall, it is always best to write a post - success or failure - that's open-ended. Additionally, the player will simply narrate their success with such a high roll.)

Deathdealer is fast and smart and believes he knows all the angles, but he doesn't, and Nightstalker knows him very well. He is rattled and dazed by the repeated attacks.

(Droplet Note: Nightstalker's player could have said that Deathdealer was knocked out, or retreated from the attack, but he's the f'n Deathdealer, right? Surely, he would only be moderately inconvenienced by that move! This is how fights and other extended encounters tend to resolve: when the players are on the same page about the narrative significance of a character or situation, they will draw it out a bit. It is my experience that it does not need to be forced!)

The Black Cat gets up in a fury, wiping a bloody foam from his mouth. He said, his voice harsh with the poison, "It is a very exclusive neighborhood, and this trash is not welcome."

And he reaches out with his power and starts sucking in all the energy...

(Droplet Note: And so it goes. The player, in this case, is prepping to use the Black Cat's power to draw ambient energy from the building to attempt to smite Deathdealer. What happens from here will be left as an exercise in imagination for the reader!)

TWO PLAYERS FIGHTING EACH OTHER

Nightstalker and the Black Cat are facing off in an elaborate penthouse overlooking Central Park from Fifth Avenune. The furnishings are Danish modern. Nightstalker shoots in for a single-leg takedown, because he knows it is pointless to punch the Black Cat.

(OOC: OK. Using martial arts master, but I rolled a two total.)


The Black Cat laughs as Nightstalker goes for a takedown? Who does this punk kid think he is?

(OOC: Using boxer-wrestler to counter. Got a 3 total.)

(Droplet Note: Nightstalker got a 2 and the Black Cat a 3, meaning that the Black Cat wins the contest but Nightstalker's player narrates it! There is often a bit of negotiation at this point, but that's fine.)

Nightstalker shot for the leg but didn't know that Shaw was a skilled wrestler who kept his skills sharp with top-flight training. Nightstalker grabs the leg, but Shaw is able to sprawl out, pushing down on Nightstalker's head. Nightstalker tries to turn the corner, but can't get anything, and breaks. During the break, the Black Cat snaps out a lightning-fast jab - good Lord, the man was fast, charged with energy from the environment - and cracks against Nightstalker's helmet. Nightstalker fades back and re-thinks his strategy...

(Droplet Note: The contest could continue if the players want, for as long as they want. In my experience, though, these contests have an organic end. Since killing other player characters isn't permitted without permission of the player controlling that character, there are no worries that will happen.)