For my past few craft shows I’ve had a policy that if someone rolls a Nat 20 they get 20% off whatever they buy. Obviously there are some limitations (you can’t just stand and roll over and over until you get a 20), and it takes one of two forms: someone rolls expecting nothing and gets the nat 20, then excitedly decides to pick something; or someone has already chosen their die or set and rolls it to try for a discount. It’s been delightful because it’s a game with no penalties (there’s no obligation to buy and the only risk is that you roll a Nat 1 and your friends tease you) and we can all get excited for a dice roll together.
This past weekend I vended at a Fantasy Renn Faire Block Party and the rolling was particularly delightful, so here are a few favorite moments.
- the first nat20 of the day was a man who used it to pick a single die, but his wife was still musing over what she wanted; she asked my advice on a set for her bard, and based on her description I pulled out a Popular-themed set that hadn’t made it onto the display. She immediately liked it, so I offered her the tray to roll. Immediate Nat 20. It was clearly meant to be.
- someone had looked through every single d20 before picking two and asking to buy them; I let him roll both and he got double 20s. Everyone within 10ft erupted in excitement.
- someone wearing a very cute fairy-themed costume and a mask did their transaction entirely through hand signals, then I offered the tray and they got the 20; they were so hyped I got to see multiple happy hops and hand flaps and even heard a soft “yay”
Basically adding the rolling to the table helps build instant community and I love doing it so much!
