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200 word rpg challenge - entry idea "The labyrinthine library"

For the last few years David Schirduan and Marshall Miller, have run a 200 word rpg challenge. The simple concept is a competition to "Design a role-playing game using 200 words or less." With a panel of judges going through the dozens and dozens of entries. Reading through previous years entries has inspired me to give it a go. Below is my attempt at writing a simple rpg in 200 words. I would love to hear any thoughts people have after reading it. 

The Labyrinthine Library

Need 

Scrabble tiles, DM & 3-4 players

Players are the Arcanist’s assistants. Sent into the labyrinthine library to find a lost spell scroll. The DM makes up a series of challenges.

Character creation

Characters have 2 HP. Take 2 scrabble tiles. The Letters are your Initials. Make up your names. The numbers give you 2 abilities from list below.
  • 1 = +1HP
  • 2 = nimble
  • 3 = goodshot 
  • 4 = brawler 
  • 5 = small animal companion (cat/owl/ferret etc)
  • 8 = academic
  • 10 = 1 (DM approved) spell
  • 0 your choice

Challenges are resolved by players pulling scrabble tiles. If player justifies using ability, pick 2 & return 1. Players keep used tiles.

Vowels = success
Consonant = failure
& If
  • B bookshelves change their layout 
  • C cursed tome opens
  • D find drinks trolley 
  • F fairytale comes to life
  • G goblin book thief attacks
  • M meet forgotten previous apprentice
  • P poisonous bookmold
  • T trap!
  • Y learn something helpful
DM decides if a failure means characters lose 1HP, face additional challenges or simply fail to progress. DM draws a tile to represent NPC attacks. All NPC have 1HP. Successful attacks by players & NPCs remove 1HP.

DM wraps up when all tiles used. Surviving characters use collected tiles to create the spell words.

By blindfishideas
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