WHY HERE?

With this 36-word micro TTRPG for the 36 Word RPG Jam, I wanted to highlight the power of using an illustration as the premise for a mini-adventure alongside simple rules. WHY HERE uses my reinterpretation and simplification of the FATE CHECK by Tana Pigeon from the impressive Mythic Game Master Emulator. I was also inspired by the 1d10 attribute rolls from The Electrum Archive by Emiel Boven.

Quickly, How to start? Look at the character and imagine, based on your expectations. Use the Yes or No table to check if it’s true. Next, focus on the setting and start asking any kind of question that gives you details about the world and why your character is there, or questions that move the story forward through actions or interactions.

Examples of questions and how to answer them:

YES OR NO TABLE

Will a creature ambush me on the way to the village? Yes or No table. I decide it's “unlikely” (3 or lower is YES, otherwise NO) and roll 1d10. Interpret accordingly.

Did my character travel here to meet someone? Yes or No table. I decide it's “Very likely” (8 or lower is YES, otherwise NO) and roll 1d10. I roll a 9! That means NO. I can ask about another reason or say the next thing that comes to mind, for example: my character's not here to meet someone but to disappear from the world by hiding in this remote place. 

Of course, be creative with your questions and guide the story according to your preferences.

VALUE TABLE

How populated is this place? Value table. I roll 1d10 and get a 4, which means "Something" — a few houses are inhabited, giving off a sense of abandonment.

How friendly are the people here? Value table. I roll 1d10 and get an 8, which means "Relevant" — I don't feel rejected, and the people are cordial. I can freely explore the area around the mountain.

CONCLUSION

Finally, I encourage you to draw or illustrate a scene and play it with your favorite light rules system. Sometimes, just three attributes and three skills are enough to have a good time dreaming; sometimes, you don't even need that.