In a previous post, I’d remarked in passing that it doesn’t make sense to talk about combat and roleplaying as separate activities in tabletop roleplaying games, because a battle can be a story. “Olaf hits the dragon with his sword” is a narrative; it’s not a deep narrative, but they don’t all have to be!
@the-mountain-archives replied that they’d like to see a tabletop RPG called “Olaf Hits The Dragon With His Sword”.
I want to you understand that this is entirely your fault.
OLAF HITS THE DRAGON WITH HIS SWORD
A microgame for one or two players
OLAF HITS THE DRAGON WITH HIS SWORD is a game for one or two players. If there are two players, one of you is OLAF, and one of you is THE DRAGON. If you are alone, play both parts.
Gather up at least four dice in each of six colours:
Your dice pool starts empty. Answer the following questions, each after your part:
You come in wrath. Add one red die of BLOOD to the pool.
You come bringing justice. Add one black die of IRON to the pool.
You come seeking glory. Add one gold die of AMBITION to the pool.
You come for revenge. Add one blue die of SORROW to the pool.
You come coveting riches. Add one green die of ENVY to the pool.
You come to die. Add one white die of DEATH to the pool.
As for THE DRAGON, what is your nature?
You are War. Add one red die of BLOOD to the pool.
You are Tyranny. Add one black die of IRON to the pool.
You are Pride. Add one gold die of AMBITION to the pool.
You are Loss. Add one blue die of SORROW to the pool.
You are Greed. Add one green die of ENVY to the pool.
You are the End. Add one white die of DEATH to the pool.
Once these questions have been answered, OLAF approaches THE DRAGON’s lair. A brief conversation precedes the fatal blow. In each exchange, OLAF speaks first, and THE DRAGON responds.
OLAF, on your turn, choose one of the following:
Threaten THE DRAGON with terrible punishments. Add one red die of BLOOD to the pool.
Denounce THE DRAGON’s crimes against your people. Add one black die of IRON to the pool.
Boast of your own greatness. Add one gold die of AMBITION to the pool.
Express regret that it’s come to this. Add one blue die of SORROW to the pool.
Demand what you believe THE DRAGON owes you. Add one green die of ENVY to the pool.
Muse on how you hope to be remembered. Add one white die of DEATH to the pool.
Act your part, and add the indicated die to the pool. You cannot choose the same option more than once.
As for THE DRAGON, choose one of the following:
Proclaim your strength and majesty. Add one red die of BLOOD to the pool.
Mock OLAF’s frailty and foolishness. Add one black die of IRON to the pool.
Offer OLAF back-handed praise. Add one gold die of AMBITION to the pool.
Bemoan the weight of your endless years. Add one blue die of SORROW to the pool.
Tempt OLAF with your shining riches. Add one green die of ENVY to the pool.
Speak prophesies of OLAF’s inevitable doom. Add one white die of DEATH to the pool.
Act your part, and add the indicated die to the pool. You cannot choose the same option more than once.
After three exchanges, after each party has had three opportunities to speak, OLAF HITS THE DRAGON WITH HIS SWORD. Roll all of the dice in your pool together, and find the colour with the single highest result. If there is a tie, discard all dice showing the highest result and repeat until a single colour emerges victorious.
If BLOOD dominates, OLAF becomes a greater monster than ever THE DRAGON was. OLAF, speak of the horror you’ve become. DRAGON, speak of the lesson his story teaches.
If IRON dominates, OLAF prevails, but victory tastes like ashes. OLAF, speak of the work that remains. DRAGON, speak of why it will never be complete.
If AMBITION dominates, OLAF subjugates THE DRAGON to his will. OLAF, speak of the great things you go on to achieve. DRAGON, speak of the atrocities committed along the way.
If SORROW dominates, OLAF is left broken by his trials. OLAF, speak of your wretchedness. DRAGON, speak of what comfort remains.
If ENVY dominates, OLAF takes THE DRAGON’s place, lording over a mouldering hoard. OLAF, speak of the gifts you bring to your people. DRAGON, speak of why these gifts are hollow.
If DEATH dominates, neither OLAF nor THE DRAGON are ever heard from again. OLAF, speak of how you’re remembered. DRAGON, speak of how those remembrances are wrong.
turnnoffyourmind
dededos
janainaart
ellievsbear
