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In my role as a Dungeon Master, I historically steered clear of heavy use of chance during my Dungeons & Dragons games. I tended was for story direction and what happened in a game to be determined by deliberate decisions rather than the roll of a die. That said, I chose to change my approach, and I'm truly pleased with the outcome.

The Inspiration: Seeing an Improvised Tool

An influential podcast showcases a DM who frequently asks for "luck rolls" from the adventurers. The process entails choosing a specific dice and assigning potential outcomes contingent on the roll. It's at its core no different from rolling on a pre-generated chart, these are created spontaneously when a course of events has no predetermined conclusion.

I chose to experiment with this approach at my own session, mostly because it appeared novel and presented a departure from my standard routine. The outcome were eye-opening, prompting me to reflect on the ongoing tension between pre-determination and spontaneity in a tabletop session.

A Powerful Story Beat

At a session, my party had survived a massive conflict. Later, a cleric character inquired after two key NPCs—a pair—had survived. Instead of choosing an outcome, I asked for a roll. I told the player to make a twenty-sided die roll. The possible results were: a low roll, both died; a middling roll, a single one succumbed; a high roll, they both lived.

The player rolled a 4. This triggered a incredibly poignant sequence where the party found the remains of their companions, still holding hands in their final moments. The cleric held funeral rites, which was particularly significant due to prior story developments. In a concluding gesture, I chose that the NPCs' bodies were strangely transformed, showing a magical Prayer Bead. By chance, the item's contained spell was perfectly what the group required to resolve another major story problem. You simply orchestrate such perfect moments.

Improving On-the-Spot Skills

This experience caused me to question if chance and spontaneity are actually the essence of D&D. Although you are a prep-heavy DM, your skill to pivot can rust. Groups frequently take delight in ignoring the best constructed plots. Therefore, a good DM needs to be able to think quickly and create content in real-time.

Utilizing similar mechanics is a fantastic way to develop these abilities without straying too much outside your usual style. The trick is to use them for minor circumstances that don't fundamentally change the campaign's main plot. For instance, I would avoid using it to determine if the main villain is a traitor. But, I would consider using it to determine if the characters arrive right after a key action unfolds.

Strengthening Shared Narrative

This technique also serves to maintain tension and foster the impression that the game world is alive, evolving based on their decisions immediately. It reduces the feeling that they are merely characters in a DM's sole story, thereby strengthening the shared nature of the game.

This approach has always been part of the core of D&D. Original D&D were reliant on random tables, which fit a game focused on treasure hunting. While modern D&D tends to emphasizes story and character, leading many DMs to feel they require detailed plans, this isn't always the required method.

Finding the Healthy Equilibrium

Absolutely no problem with doing your prep. Yet, it's also fine no problem with relinquishing control and allowing the rolls to guide minor details in place of you. Direction is a significant factor in a DM's role. We require it to facilitate play, yet we often struggle to cede it, even when doing so could be beneficial.

My final suggestion is this: Don't be afraid of relinquishing a bit of the reins. Embrace a little chance for smaller story elements. The result could discover that the organic story beat is infinitely more powerful than anything you could have scripted by yourself.