Introduction

VRBS is an ultralight system for creating highly improvisational role-playing games that reward creative, heroic action. It has a universal conflict resolution mechanic that requires a single six-sided die and is easy enough for a six-year old to master.

In VRBS, characters are defined by what they do, not by abstract statistics. Characters can attempt anything that a creative hero would be able to reasonably accomplish and they either succeed or grow in the process.

VRBS supports zero-prep, GM-less play for solo and team games. Scenarios are generated at play time and the players collaboratively interpret prompts to drive the story forward.

VRBS is best suited to a short, episodic style of play that encourages creativity in both young and old.

System reference document

This system reference document (abbreviated SRD) contains all of the available mechanics for the VRBS system as well as guidance on how to use them to create your own game. It is intended primarily for game designers and homebrewers — not directly for players.

This entire SRD is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license, which gives you the right to use as many or as few of the concepts and words as you’d like in your own games, settings, adventures, and other content, as long as you make a clear statement that your material is based on these rules.

To do so, add the following text wherever you put your own copyright statement:

This work is based on VRBS (https://amalara.com/vrbs), designed and authored by David Garrett and licensed for use under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) license.

If you’re publishing your work digitally, you can omit the printed URLs. As long as you adhere to these guidelines, you are also free to use the VRBS logo to indicate compatibility with the VRBS system.

Using this document

Much of the text in the SRD is intentionally written in second person so that you can simply copy and paste it into your own game document, should you so choose.

Designer comments are set apart from the rule text so that I can provide guidance and suggestions that you wouldn’t want to copy and paste.

Keywords are set in monospaced font in order to indicate that they have special meaning within the context of this game.