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As a Dungeon Master, I traditionally avoided significant use of randomization during my tabletop roleplaying sessions. My preference was for the plot and what happened in a game to be guided by character actions rather than the roll of a die. That said, I chose to alter my method, and I'm very pleased with the outcome.

The Catalyst: Seeing 'Luck Rolls'

A popular actual-play show showcases a DM who frequently calls for "fate rolls" from the participants. This involves selecting a specific dice and defining consequences tied to the result. It's essentially no distinct from rolling on a random table, these are devised on the spot when a course of events doesn't have a predetermined resolution.

I decided to try this method at my own session, primarily because it appeared novel and offered a departure from my standard routine. The experience were eye-opening, prompting me to reflect on the ongoing tension between planning and improvisation in a D&D campaign.

A Memorable Story Beat

In a recent session, my group had concluded a large-scale battle. When the dust settled, a cleric character inquired after two beloved NPCs—a sibling duo—had lived. In place of deciding myself, I asked for a roll. I instructed the player to make a twenty-sided die roll. I defined the outcomes as: a low roll, both died; on a 5-9, only one would die; a high roll, they made it.

Fate decreed a 4. This triggered a profoundly moving sequence where the characters came upon the bodies of their friends, still holding hands in their final moments. The party conducted last rites, which was uniquely powerful due to prior story developments. In a concluding gesture, I decided that the remains were miraculously restored, containing a spell-storing object. I rolled for, the item's contained spell was exactly what the group lacked to solve another critical situation. One just script this type of serendipitous coincidences.

Sharpening On-the-Spot Skills

This incident led me to ponder if chance and making it up are actually the beating heart of D&D. While you are a meticulously planning DM, your improvisation muscles can rust. Groups frequently excel at upending the most detailed narratives. Therefore, a skilled DM has to be able to adapt swiftly and fabricate scenarios in the moment.

Using similar mechanics is a fantastic way to train these abilities without straying too much outside your preparation. The trick is to apply them for low-stakes circumstances that don't fundamentally change the campaign's main plot. As an example, I wouldn't use it to decide if the main villain is a traitor. But, I would consider using it to decide if the PCs reach a location just in time to see a critical event occurs.

Empowering Shared Narrative

Luck rolls also helps make players feel invested and foster the sensation that the story is alive, evolving according to their choices in real-time. It combats the perception that they are merely characters in a pre-written script, thereby bolstering the shared aspect of storytelling.

Randomization has historically been integral to the core of D&D. Early editions were reliant on random tables, which made sense for a playstyle focused on exploration. Even though contemporary D&D tends to focuses on plot-driven play, leading many DMs to feel they require detailed plans, it's not necessarily the only path.

Finding the Right Balance

There is absolutely nothing wrong with doing your prep. But, there is also no issue with stepping back and letting the whim of chance to determine certain outcomes instead of you. Authority is a significant aspect of a DM's responsibilities. We use it to facilitate play, yet we frequently find it hard to release it, at times when doing so can lead to great moments.

A piece of recommendation is this: Have no fear of temporarily losing control. Try a little chance for inconsequential details. You might just find that the organic story beat is significantly more memorable than anything you would have scripted in advance.