So Why Not Create a Whole TTRPG? Matt Lichtenwalner 11/25 '25

I've wanted to create a TTRPG for a while now. I'm using the fact that my nephews are coming for Thanksgiving as an excuse / motivation to Do the Damn Thing.

My intent is to make it:

  • Uncommonly simple - we are talking about kids (2 teens and 2 pre teens) so attention span is a thing. Also, this is without a screen and doesn't beep, so... challenging. I'm not trying to make it a one page (there are many out there) but... close.
  • Universal - I'd like to make it flexible enough to be used for any genre of game play.
  • Flexible - I want the players to have more input into their skills / abilities once they're comfortable with the system. As long as they keep balance in mind, they can make up things like spells, skills, and ancestral abilities.
  • Fun - I mean, it's a GAME. But more specifically, here, I guess I mean 'cinematic' (though I HATE the generic nature of that term). I want to try to create those moments at the table where the whole group roars when one of the players rolls a 20, and they feel the story that their teammates tell...

Anyway, I'm working on a very rough draft, but I know some of you are gamers, so if you're interested in seeing what I've got so far, let me know, and I'll share a (Google Docs) link.

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11/25 23 Comments
If you’d like to add humor, consider a dice system that occasionally results in Slapstick Success in addition to the traditional Tragic Failure. “You trip and your shield skids to the feet of the ogre, who then trips on your shield. You lie prone face-to-face with the ogre, while your friends try to take their next actions without laughing.”
nerdsholmferret
This is kinda genius. Definitely going to add this!
Matt Lichtenwalner
I'm curious to see it.



I still want to add a feature/bug in a character's abilities where they can cast a spell to summon an Army of Brians. The player can summon the Army of Brians only three times throughout the game.

The first time, an army of fabulous fairy princes (all named Brian) appears, beats up the adversary with a Severe Tongue Lashing and Shade Throwing, heals all wounds, repairs all damage in the area, and disappears. Automatic win for the player.

The second time you cast it, the army is slightly smaller, defeats the adversary with a severe tongue lashing, but doesn't heal all wounds or repair damage.

The third time, only one Brian appears, beats up (but doesn't defeat) the adversary with a Severe Tongue lashing, heals no wounds, repairs no damage, and hits the player who cast the spell a Mild Tongue Lashing for making other people do their job for them. The spell can't be cast again.
Lindsay Harris Friel
This WILL be a magic item. 3 charges. Each use takes a charge.

What KIND of magic item (medallion (hey @jill), ring, sword, ???)
Matt Lichtenwalner
The Hermés Cheval Whistle Necklace.
Lindsay Harris Friel
Done!
Matt Lichtenwalner
I look forward to this.
Thomas Boutell
Well, now I HAVE to do it. 😜
Matt Lichtenwalner
you might want to change the name for copyright purposes. If you spell Hermes without the accent mark that could work.
Lindsay Harris Friel
Mércury.
nerdsholmferret
Exactly. It’s the Sterling Whistle of Mercury.
Lindsay Harris Friel
Nice! I must confess that I initially thought you'd made it up whole cloth, Lindsay. Naming change official! (Thanks, nersholmferret - that's perfect!)
Matt Lichtenwalner
No, I went to the Hermés website and looked through the men’s fashion accessories until I found it. Cuff links were another option.
Lindsay Harris Friel
Oh, good, you found it! I was going to copy & paste a link but it was long and messy and I didn’t want to screw up the post layout.
Lindsay Harris Friel
The Hermés Cheval Whistle Necklace
Robert Bryan
I had a hard time finding the horse head in that whistle.
Lindsay Harris Friel
To be transparent, I did too. Now that I see it, I love it (I'm a huge fan of 'simple / symbolic' for imagery) but...

Also, the shape of the horse's bridge / muzzle makes me think it would feel very comfortable in use. (function to go with form)
Matt Lichtenwalner
Yeah, if it were a reasonably priced nice loud sterling silver whistle, I’d buy it, but it’s stainless steel and $2K.
Lindsay Harris Friel
Wow.
Matt Lichtenwalner
Very cool! I will use that pic as the basis for the illustration!
Matt Lichtenwalner
Careful. You don’t want a copyright cease and desist.

I mean, maaaaaybe you’d get some good press out of it?
Lindsay Harris Friel
Using it as the basis doesn't mean it will be anything they will care about.

I mean... I'm not AI. ;)
Matt Lichtenwalner
Excellent point.
Lindsay Harris Friel