Playwright is a tabletop RPG that uses a d20 pool system with a bounded accuracy success chart to provide dynamic results from character actions with minimal rulesets to memorize. Characters roll d20s to test from a list of skills when attempting challenges, the difficulty determined between 1 – 5 by the Director. The difficulty value is how many successes the character needs to succeed in their actions, referencing the result chart below. Powers, tactical advantages, roleplaying, and a collective ‘fate point’ pool can add more d20s to rolls to tackle tougher challenges with.

Figure 1. Result Chart

Roll	Result	Effect
18 – 20+	Triumph	The action is a resounding Success and can cause additional benefits
11 – 17	Success	The action is successfully completed
4 – 10	Failure	The action is a failed attempt with no progress
1 – 3	Disaster	The action is a horrible Failure and can cause additional consequences

Playwright started as a collection of homebrew rules meant to mechanically solidify the rules-lite TTRPG Tavern Tales and eventually grew to be a system on its own. The intent was to design a condensed system that produced theatrical-feeling game sessions with straightforward, math-light rules. Playwright is inspired by some of my favorite tabletop RPGs: D&D 1st, 4th, and 5th, 40K’s Deathwatch, and Burning Wheel. It has been developed by myself as a hobby project for 5 years.