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When I am a DM, I usually shied away from extensive use of luck during my D&D adventures. I preferred was for narrative flow and session development to be guided by character actions as opposed to pure luck. That said, I decided to change my approach, and I'm truly pleased with the outcome.

The Spark: Seeing an Improvised Tool

A well-known actual-play show features a DM who regularly calls for "fate rolls" from the adventurers. This involves picking a specific dice and defining consequences contingent on the number. While it's essentially no unlike using a pre-generated chart, these are devised in the moment when a player's action lacks a clear conclusion.

I chose to experiment with this method at my own session, mostly because it looked interesting and presented a change from my normal practice. The outcome were eye-opening, prompting me to reconsider the often-debated dynamic between pre-determination and randomization in a roleplaying game.

An Emotional In-Game Example

At a session, my party had concluded a massive fight. Afterwards, a cleric character inquired after two friendly NPCs—a pair—had made it. In place of choosing an outcome, I asked for a roll. I asked the player to make a twenty-sided die roll. I defined the outcomes as: a low roll, both died; a middling roll, a single one would die; on a 10+, they made it.

The die came up a 4. This led to a deeply moving moment where the characters discovered the remains of their companions, still united in death. The group conducted last rites, which was especially significant due to prior roleplaying. In a concluding touch, I chose that the remains were suddenly restored, showing a enchanted item. I randomized, the bead's contained spell was exactly what the party needed to address another pressing story problem. It's impossible to script this type of perfect story beats.

Sharpening On-the-Spot Skills

This experience made me wonder if randomization and making it up are actually the core of D&D. While you are a prep-heavy DM, your skill to pivot can rust. Adventurers frequently find joy in upending the best constructed plans. Therefore, a skilled DM needs to be able to adapt swiftly and fabricate content in real-time.

Using similar mechanics is a excellent way to practice these abilities without venturing too far outside your comfort zone. The strategy is to apply them for small-scale circumstances that don't fundamentally change the session's primary direction. As an example, I would not employ it to establish if the king's advisor is a traitor. However, I would consider using it to decide if the PCs reach a location moments before a critical event unfolds.

Strengthening Player Agency

Spontaneous randomization also works to make players feel invested and create the impression that the adventure is alive, evolving according to their decisions as they play. It prevents the sense that they are merely characters in a pre-written script, thereby strengthening the cooperative nature of roleplaying.

This philosophy has long been embedded in the core of D&D. The game's roots were filled with charts, which fit a playstyle focused on treasure hunting. Even though contemporary D&D tends to prioritizes story and character, leading many DMs to feel they need exhaustive notes, that may not be the only path.

Finding the Right Balance

Absolutely no issue with doing your prep. However, there is also nothing wrong with letting go and allowing the rolls to guide minor details in place of you. Control is a major part of a DM's role. We need it to run the game, yet we can be reluctant to release it, in situations where doing so might improve the game.

My final advice is this: Do not fear of relinquishing a bit of control. Experiment with a little chance for inconsequential story elements. It may create that the unexpected outcome is significantly more powerful than anything you might have planned in advance.