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When I am a DM, I usually shied away from extensive use of chance during my Dungeons & Dragons adventures. My preference was for narrative flow and what happened in a game to be determined by player choice rather than the roll of a die. Recently, I decided to try something different, and I'm incredibly happy with the result.

The Spark: Seeing an Improvised Tool

A popular podcast showcases a DM who often asks for "fate rolls" from the adventurers. He does this by picking a type of die and outlining consequences contingent on the roll. This is at its core no distinct from rolling on a random table, these are devised spontaneously when a player's action doesn't have a predetermined conclusion.

I decided to try this approach at my own game, mostly because it looked novel and presented a change from my usual habits. The results were eye-opening, prompting me to reflect on the ongoing balance between planning and improvisation in a tabletop session.

An Emotional Story Beat

During one session, my party had concluded a city-wide fight. Later, a cleric character wondered if two beloved NPCs—a pair—had made it. Rather than choosing an outcome, I let the dice decide. I instructed the player to make a twenty-sided die roll. The possible results were: on a 1-4, both died; on a 5-9, a single one would die; a high roll, they made it.

The player rolled a 4. This resulted in a incredibly moving scene where the party came upon the remains of their friends, still holding hands in death. The party conducted a ceremony, which was especially meaningful due to previous story developments. As a final reward, I decided that the remains were suddenly restored, containing a enchanted item. By chance, the item's magical effect was exactly what the group needed to address another pressing situation. One just plan this type of serendipitous story beats.

Improving On-the-Spot Skills

This experience made me wonder if chance and spontaneity are in fact the essence of this game. Although you are a prep-heavy DM, your improvisation muscles need exercise. Groups often take delight in derailing the best constructed narratives. Therefore, a effective DM needs to be able to think quickly and invent details on the fly.

Employing similar mechanics is a fantastic way to practice these talents without venturing too far outside your comfort zone. The trick is to apply them for minor situations that have a limited impact on the campaign's main plot. As an example, I wouldn't use it to decide if the main villain is a traitor. But, I might use it to determine if the characters reach a location moments before a critical event takes place.

Strengthening Shared Narrative

This technique also helps maintain tension and create the sensation that the story is dynamic, shaping based on their decisions as they play. It reduces the feeling that they are merely pawns in a rigidly planned script, thereby enhancing the shared aspect of storytelling.

This approach has long been embedded in the core of D&D. Original D&D were enamored with encounter generators, which suited a playstyle focused on treasure hunting. While contemporary D&D frequently focuses on story and character, leading many DMs to feel they must prep extensively, it's not necessarily the best approach.

Finding the Sweet Spot

There is absolutely no problem with thorough preparation. Yet, it's also fine no problem with letting go and letting the rolls to determine certain outcomes rather than you. Direction is a big part of a DM's role. We use it to facilitate play, yet we can be reluctant to cede it, at times when doing so can lead to great moments.

My final recommendation is this: Do not fear of relinquishing a bit of control. Embrace a little randomness for smaller outcomes. The result could discover that the organic story beat is far more powerful than anything you would have planned on your own.