Roll for tables

I’ve always been obsessed with rolling tables for TTRPGs. I’m not the only one, there are a lot of projects and creators that just make or use tables for games or basic decisions. I love Rolemaster’s heavy table-laden game that puts any version of D&D to shame for how much it’s an unplayable spreadsheet simulator. I love collaborative tables projects. I love Roll For content series that use a die to randomize a food, art project, or chore list.

In my life I am often using dice to randomize tasks and rewards. My autistic side loves the routine of it: building a flowchart or procedure. My ADHD side craves novelty: using randomization to make the executive decision and trick my own little pidgeon in a Skinner’s box into being delighted with only a bit of bird seed.

Every TTRPG I can think of, from the OGL games to zines made by creative writers uses some sort of chaos mechanic. Dice is the classic one people will consider when thinking about this category of games, so it seems the obvious choice to create a list. From 4-20 in a standard set, it also offers options that make it simple to create options without overwhelming.

As a creative writing prompt, I will often use a Roll For format to create a list.

Procedure:

1. Define Topic.
   • You are on a Wizard’s Shelf
   • Your D&D Art Project
   • Your Mundane Quest
   • Your D&D Gift Guide for your Druid Friend
2. Define Number.
   • I prefer to use a d6 or d20 unless there is an obvious numeric component of the topic.
   • e.g. 4 humors, 12 zodiac signs
3. Create at least that many list items.
4. Arrange them from low to high.
   • Generally the high ones are the best, by whatever metric we’re classifying.
   • You may make the Tiamat a roll of 20 on a list of monsters, but the lowest on a roll of encounters in the woods.
5. Throw it in a template.

Following are the 4 tables I made in December 2025:

You are looking at a Wizard’s Shelf

1. The wax paper trash from the latest magic gadget, crumpled but not thrown away
2. A bunch of snapped quills
3. Parchment with the first 7 minutes of a wizard class’s notes
4. A stuffed animal of a purple dragon
5. Handbills advertising your favorite bards
6. Hat, still warm
7. A rock the shape of a heart
8. A training tape measure for ray spells
9. A bird trying to get a bookworm inching its way behind some books
10. A map that says “magic mushroom hunting” on it.
11. A membership card from the local guild
12. Sketches of the wizard’s friends
13. A hand drawn card from the wizard’s nephew
14. Five fossils of the same magical creature
15. A deck of Mundane: the Scattering cards
16. An abacus made from empty shells painted different colors
17. A perfectly shaped spoon in a jar of “ethically-sourced newt eyes”
18. A compass that points to the wizard’s horse
19. The Voynich manuscript translated into Latin
20. The wizard, transformed really tiny in a jar with holes in it

Your D&D Art Project

1. Twig blight bonsai trees
2. Cockatrice down feather boas
3. Amigurumi familiars
4. Stirge taxidermy
5. Quilting the lining for a bag of holding
6. Mourning hair wreath made from hag hair
7. Crocheted snood of disguise
8. Leatherworking displacer beast suede purse
9. Collaging the deck of many things
10. Entomology mounting rust monsters
11. Origami out of used spells
12. Carving willow guardians into quarterstaves
13. Shambling mound cordage
14. Satyr spun yarn – feels very much like mohair
15. Yeti wool sweater
16. Dire wolf skin rug
17. Dragon scale mosaics
18. Drider silk dress
19. Mindflayer ink illustrations
20. Phoenix down heated duvet

Your Mundane Quest

1. It has become clear that your garments are soiled. Launder them to restore their natural properties and return them to your wardrobe.
2. Have you left spent apothecary bottles in your bathing quarters? Fetch them and return them to be reused by the apothecary. Replace any that you notice the absence of.
3. Your bookshelf has become disheveled. Right the tomes and share your thoughts on the latest study you have made of them with the other wizards.
4. Provisions run low! Evaluate the needs of familiars, other party members, and yourself. Then hurry to the market to restock the larder.
5. Restock your health potions. When was the last time you evaluated your medical inventory? Compare the list of common potential ailments to the remedies you have on hand. Repair any gaps.
6. Your mount must be in the peak of health, check the maintenance of your wagon, chariot, or steed and correct any problems.

Gift Guide for your Druid Friend

1. Monogrammed robes so they don’t get mixed up at the Druid Circle
2. Wooden jewelry that is so polished its almost metallic looking
3. Permission to rant at you for an hour about how wizards are starting wildfires with their reckless Fireballs.
4. A series of fancy hats in different sizes for all their wild shapes
5. An enchanted amplifying ear trumpet to hear the tiny voices of ants
6. Tickets to a wild safari in another biome so they can expand their wild shape repertoire

Following Curiosities:

• Make directory list of other creator projects that are Roll For…
• More creative writing projects like this
• Wizard’s Shelf Zine