Playwright is an exciting and theatrical TTRPG that uses a 3d20 take-the-middle system of rolling dice to dictate results. Players gain Advantage or Disadvantage based on their situational luck and that dictates whether they take the higher or lower result from their 3d20 roll.

The game focuses on a modern approach to RPG characters while re-introducing the brutal excitement and gold-driven progression from old-school tabletop systems. Playwright started as homebrew adjustments meant to solidify the rules-lite Tavern Tales tabletop game. The adjustments, and resulting system, are inspired by some of my favorite RPGs I played throughout high school and college: D&D 1st, 4th, and 5th editions, 40K’s Deathwatch, Fate, and Burning Wheel.

I have developed Playwright by myself as a hobby project since 2020.

In addition to designing the core gameplay, I’ve written multiple rulebook editions for the 70 page Player’s Guide, designed a character sheet for the game, and researched a wide variety of TTRPG systems to compare rules with.

Currently Playwright is in a playable ‘Ashcan’ form and has been playtested through its editions over development for standard progression, stress testing, and edge cases. As of Spring 2026 I am writing a series of Adventure Modules to be released with the Player’s Guide, designed as an onboarding adventure that helps players and game masters learn the game through structured challenge. Afterwards I plan to commission artwork for the front page based off the current placeholder (a Shakespearian-themed candle advertisement from the late 1800s) and then released on Itch.io for free to get further reception and testing, under a CC-BY 4.0 license.