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As a game master, I historically avoided significant use of chance during my Dungeons & Dragons sessions. My preference was for narrative flow and session development to be determined by deliberate decisions as opposed to pure luck. Recently, I chose to try something different, and I'm truly glad I did.

The Catalyst: Watching an Improvised Tool

A popular actual-play show features a DM who often requests "fate rolls" from the players. The process entails choosing a polyhedral and outlining consequences based on the roll. This is at its core no distinct from rolling on a random table, these get invented spontaneously when a course of events has no predetermined resolution.

I opted to test this method at my own session, mostly because it appeared engaging and offered a break from my usual habits. The results were eye-opening, prompting me to think deeply about the perennial balance between pre-determination and spontaneity in a tabletop session.

An Emotional Session Moment

At a session, my group had concluded a massive conflict. Later, a player inquired after two beloved NPCs—a brother and sister—had survived. Instead of choosing an outcome, I asked for a roll. I instructed the player to roll a d20. I defined the outcomes as: a low roll, both died; on a 5-9, a single one succumbed; on a 10+, they survived.

The die came up a 4. This led to a profoundly poignant sequence where the characters came upon the bodies of their allies, still holding hands in death. The group performed a ceremony, which was particularly powerful due to previous character interactions. As a final reward, I improvised that the remains were miraculously restored, showing a spell-storing object. I randomized, the bead's contained spell was precisely what the group lacked to resolve another major situation. It's impossible to script this type of serendipitous story beats.

Honing DM Agility

This event caused me to question if chance and making it up are in fact the essence of this game. Even if you are a prep-heavy DM, your skill to pivot need exercise. Adventurers frequently find joy in ignoring the most detailed plots. Therefore, a effective DM needs to be able to think quickly and fabricate content in the moment.

Employing similar mechanics is a fantastic way to practice these talents without straying too much outside your usual style. The strategy is to use them for small-scale situations that won't drastically alter the session's primary direction. For instance, I would avoid using it to determine if the main villain is a secret enemy. But, I could use it to decide whether the PCs reach a location moments before a key action occurs.

Empowering Collaborative Storytelling

This technique also helps keep players engaged and foster the impression that the game world is responsive, progressing in reaction to their decisions in real-time. It combats the feeling that they are merely pawns in a DM's sole narrative, thereby strengthening the collaborative nature of the game.

Randomization has long been integral to the original design. Original D&D were enamored with random tables, which fit a playstyle focused on exploration. Even though modern D&D tends to prioritizes story and character, leading many DMs to feel they require detailed plans, this isn't always the only path.

Finding the Right Balance

Absolutely no issue with thorough preparation. However, equally valid no issue with letting go and allowing the dice to guide minor details rather than you. Control is a big aspect of a DM's responsibilities. We require it to run the game, yet we frequently find it hard to give some up, in situations where doing so could be beneficial.

A piece of suggestion is this: Do not fear of temporarily losing the reins. Embrace a little improvisation for inconsequential outcomes. It may find that the surprising result is infinitely more powerful than anything you could have scripted in advance.