One of my fave homebrew rules for #ttrpg gamed is the use of 'empowered adjectives'. The principle is this- anything in the game can be assigned one or more adjectives, and these adjectives can be called on by the player or GM to effect the game. - ThreadSky

delaneyking.bsky.social • 100 days ago

One of my fave homebrew rules for #ttrpg gamed is the use of 'empowered adjectives'.

The principle is this- anything in the game can be assigned one or more adjectives, and these adjectives can be called on by the player or GM to effect the game.

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delaneyking.bsky.social•100 days ago

So instead of buying a sword, you buy a *rolls dice* hooked sword, or a *rolls dice* wicked heavy sword.

Instead of "magic missile" you learn a *rolls dice* garish nauseating magic missile.

Now what could all that mean?

delaneyking.bsky.social•100 days ago

Well, nothing unless the gm and players come up with something. This can be ahead of time or on the spot.

Oh, I can hook down that trapped object because my sword has the "hooked" adjective. Or "I use the hooked adjective on my sword to snag onto the orc's belt as he throws me over the ledge".

delaneyking.bsky.social•100 days ago

Invoking the adjectives is much like aspects in FATE, if you are familliar with that. The difference really is that they are one word- and you can give every item, spell, monster etc adjectives at no cost.

delaneyking.bsky.social•100 days ago

I find empowered adjectives extra fun in spellcasting. Players can learn a spell and get a random adjective or two, and as they master the spell- for example at each level, can switch these out or put their own onto it.

delaneyking.bsky.social•100 days ago

It's a good idea to arm yourself with some random adjective tables for various things. I have these taped to the back of my GM screen along with list of preprepaired random NPC and place names and a list of character features.

delaneyking.bsky.social•100 days ago

Adjectives really shine when shopping for equipment- with each shop containing items that have much the same stats, but suddenly lots of personality and possible additonal uses.

qichin.bsky.social•100 days ago

It also kind of feels like tags in Apocalypse World and perhaps spell trappings in Savage Worlds. In any case, a wonderfully simple yet effective idea!

eventuallycaroline.bsky.social•100 days ago

yoinking this for sure. This is great!

delaneyking.bsky.social•100 days ago

Enjoy!

*rolls dice*

Enjoy fabulously.

sergeitsardust.bsky.social•100 days ago

... go on.

danihaven.bsky.social•100 days ago

Any time you add more to the world, it's going to be enjoyed.

"You pick up the sword and somehow you just know that this sword loves the colour green. It doesn't say anything but you know."

And you get to watch your players try and add to that and it's wonderful.

fishladyabs.bsky.social•100 days ago

Didn’t Wu Xu run on that principle? The more badass your description the bigger bonuses you got?

waynepeters.bsky.social•100 days ago

Just tried this with my year 9 lunchtime group and they absolutely loved it. We ended up with Collosal Iron Armour, an Anxious Skull Helmet, Dusty Bone Armour and a Shrieking Dragon scale helmet. Top notch.

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