Jester David
Hero
I had an idea for my Pathfinder Ravenloft campaign, inspired by the Marvel RPG's Doom Pool and the Dread RPG's tower.
There's a d20 (or two) sitting on the table. Every time a player tries to do something that doesn't really require a die roll but when something horrible could happen, such as checking a coffin or opening a door, then they roll the dice in the Dread Pool. If it comes up a "1" then something horrible does happen.
The horrible event is determined by the situation and what would be most cinematic and narratively appropriate. It's a little like a fumble mechanic, but not tied to standard rolls, as you're pretty much rolling against fate.
As the adventure advances, the Dread Pool grows. So eventually the odds increase and the chances of rolling that "1" and disaster striking becomes uncomfortably high.
I'm uncertain when the Dread Pool should increase. Monsters scoring crits or PCs failing might increase it. I was debating the merits of allowing PCs a reroll or bonus if they throw a dice into the pool.
Thoughts?
There's a d20 (or two) sitting on the table. Every time a player tries to do something that doesn't really require a die roll but when something horrible could happen, such as checking a coffin or opening a door, then they roll the dice in the Dread Pool. If it comes up a "1" then something horrible does happen.
The horrible event is determined by the situation and what would be most cinematic and narratively appropriate. It's a little like a fumble mechanic, but not tied to standard rolls, as you're pretty much rolling against fate.
As the adventure advances, the Dread Pool grows. So eventually the odds increase and the chances of rolling that "1" and disaster striking becomes uncomfortably high.
I'm uncertain when the Dread Pool should increase. Monsters scoring crits or PCs failing might increase it. I was debating the merits of allowing PCs a reroll or bonus if they throw a dice into the pool.
Thoughts?