META-DUNGEON
Pen and paper (or virtual tabletop)
YOUR RULES, YOUR FUN
Some games have rules.
This game has Meta-rules.
Instead of playing characters, you will play
stereotypical players playing RPG. During the
Meta-game you will add rules and mechanics to
their game. Create an unbalanced parody of
the most complex RPG out there, and have fun !
META-RULES
Pick a meta-role for your player character. Let
the others do the same. You should have only
one (1) meta-GM role around the table though.
Choose whether your PC's have names and
identities, or if they are going to have your
names. In any case, discuss emotional safety
around the table. Lines and veils are a good
start.
Decide on a base mechanic for the game (for
example fudge dice, or d20 + skill). Start filling
your protagonist sheet accordingly.
Each Meta-role will earn Meta-points by doing
specific actions (check the right column). You
can then spend those Meta-points to influence
the Rules :
For 1 Meta-point: add a rule with an existing
mechanic (like a different dice roll if you have
already rolled dice)
For 2 Meta-points: add a rule with a new
mechanic (like a Jenga tower based mechanic if
you have never used it)
-Roll for initiative
-2 Meta-points. I draw two cards, and... one of
them is an ace. Therefore, I have the advantage.
Each time a new rule appears, update your
protagonist sheet as needed.
In case of doubt on anything, the rule of fun
prevails.
META-LEXICON
Player characters : your meta role
Protagonist : your PC's character
Game: the game the PCs are playing
Meta-rules : the rules on this page
Rules : the rules of the Game
YOU WILL NEED
As many dice, cards, tokens and board games as you can
gather. Go crazy. Use scrabble and collectible card games.
Jenga. Lego. Anything can become an RPG mechanic.
Innocent bystanders staring, desperately trying to understand
the rules (optional)
META-ROLES
Drama-player
+1 Meta-Point : your PC justify one of your
protagonist stat with their tragic backstory.
+2 Meta-Point : your PC link one of the events in
the game to your protagonist in a dramatic fashion.
Rule-lawyer
+1 MP : your PC nitpick over a detail of a rule with
an other participant (PC or GM)
+2 MP : your PC help an other participant by
reminding them of a rule that could apply to their
situation. Yes, you can make it up for free.
Lore-lawyer
+1 MP : your protagonist know something they
should not know, like a monster weakness.
+2 MP : your PC argue with the GM or a PC about
a lore detail. No this gobelin can't use fire arrow !
Min-maxer
+1 MP : in this situation, one of your protagonist's
stats is ridiculously high.
+2 MP : in this situation, one of your protagonist's
stats is comically low.
Noob
+1 MP : your PC get confused over a rule.
-1 MP : you choose the outcome of a dice (or any
randomness generator) instead of actually rolling it.
Luck is always on your side !
Sadistic-GM
+1 MP : your GM has a nasty surprise for the players.
+2 MP : your GM manages to hurt significantly a
protagonist (always use emotional safety !)
Yolo-GM
+1 MP : take a suggestion from a PC, and turn it to
eleven. Hey, it's a good idea !
+2 MP : something in the game world has
unexpected and dangerous sides effect.
 MECHANICS IDEAS
Using dice
Dice vs treshold (roll at least 15 on a d20). Add
skill, bonus, malus...
Success count (roll xd6, and count the 5+).
Modify the treshold, dice count, dice level.
Dice level (d2, d4, d6, d8, d10, d12, d20). Higher
stats let you roll higher dice.
Explosive dice (any max result let you reroll the
dice and add the result to the score).
Fudge dice (several dice with +1/+0/-1, add all
the results).
Advantages: roll 2d20 keep the highest, D100
flip flop (28 becomes 82)...
Narrative dice (d6 with Yes and/Yes/Yes
but/No but/No/No and) instead of tresholds
Roll every dice first, pick results during the game.
Sharing all dice among players, each dice can
only be rolled once.
Using card
Randomness generator (number, figure, suite...)
Poker and other card games to solve conflicts.
(initiative, opposing actions...)
Explosive card (e.g. draw cards as long as it's
not a heart, loose everything if it is)
Deck building (use collectible card games !)
Using tokens
Betting ressources (luck tokens, HP tokens...)
Bargaining between GM and PC (DnD
inspiration, suspicious candy offering...)
Hourglass (time tokens, narration repartion...)
Randomness generator (pick in a bag...)
One time use ability (fate point, heroic action...)
Using board games
Jenga (tension build up)
Pictionnary (have the others guess, get a bonus)
Scrabble (draw letters, make a word, your
protagonist get it in game)
Tetris-like (inventory gestion, spell gestion...)
Rock/paper/scisors (lizard/spock)
Jungle speed totem (to resolve conflicts)
EVERYTHING IS A DESIGNABLE SURFACE
Steal ideas from weird games. Create your
own mechanics. Think out of the box. Make
dice towers. Fill the table with stuff. The
protagonist sheet doesn't even have to be
paper.
MAKE UP YOUR OWN META-ROLE
The game is about changing the rules,
not being balanced. As long as you
create a meta role asking yourself
"will it be fun?" you will be fine.
META-GAME VARIANTS*
* Use at your own risks.
GM-less or GM-more
A lot of games are GM-less. So share the
narration! Earn a Meta-point each time you
introduce something new. Use 0, 1 or 2 GM-
roles. There is no meta-GM in this game anyway.
Meta-[other RPG]
Start with a complex RPG. Shadowrun,
Pathfinder, anything. Add Meta-dungeon as an
overlay. Change the rules. Embrace the chaos.
Stealth mode
Hide the Meta-game. Do not announce when
you use Meta-points. Use potato chips to count
them without being noticed. Enjoy the utter
confusion on the spectators faces when you
suddenly add a chess game.
Meta-meta-dungeon.
If you think you are a better game-designer than
the author (it's actually quite possible), go on.
Use Meta-points to influence the Meta-game.
Break the Meta-rules and see what happens.
You need 5 Meta-points to influence a Meta-
rule.
QUESTIONS
Did you forget to include a universe?
This meta game works for every universe. While
the background suggest a dungeon, pick
whatever you like. You'll probably end up with
laser guns in the medieval castle anyway.
Should the GM just improvise?
Yes. And being over-the-top helps, it forces the
others to add more rules. Hence the two very
extravagants GM roles.
But the PC roles ask for about as much
improvisation to create the rules. So if you are
out of ideas for the dungeon, ask the PCs for
more. Hey, you are only the GM here, not the
Meta-GM ! A Meta-game by Nadg.
https://nadg.itch.io/