From Dungeons to Dialogues: Random Social Disruptions

I often wonder how in a TTRPG one could transpose some of the mechanics usually associated to dungeon exploration to social investigation.

After all, navigating a dungeon, avoiding traps and fighting monsters might be reimagined as investigating a case, figuring out who is lying and extracting information in a conversation.

Following this line of thought, it can be interesting to rethink random encounters in a social framework. Ultimately random encounters are a way to spice the exploration, and the more connected to the story/world the scene is set in, the better.

As a starting point, I thought I would produce a list of 20 possible Random Social Disruptions to give an idea of what I mean. This can serve as a starting point for a Referee to build their own list or use it as is.

How to make it work: if a conversation seems to go long (according to Referee's judgement), roll a d6. On a 6, roll on the table below and interpret and use the disruption into the ongoing conversation.

Remember, each disruption is an opportunity for expanding on the world structure, give new information to the players or simply to give them a chance to roleplay their characters.

You are talking with Tomàthias, the local informant. They know where the killer went, and they are ready to spill the beans, when all of a sudden...

  1. Dart to the neck: they have been poisoned!
  2. "By the way, [[NPC]] sends their regards. Took your advice, apparently."
  3. "I think we should go somewhere more private for this."
  4. "I want more money!"
  5. "Have you heard there is a thief in town? I always say we should not trust those outsiders!"
  6. "By the way, we are having a small poker get together tonight, would you like to join?
  7. "You will have to forgive me, I am getting a call right now."
  8. They phase out of reality for a moment, to then reappear. Their hair color has subtly changed, and nobody notices but you. If they had no hair, they now do. And a moustache.
  9. "What did you say about MY MOTHER?"
  10. A limping person, losing a lot of blood from one ear, enters rushing in the room, whisper something in their ear and leaves. Your contact shrugs, "Nothing, nothing, where were we?"
  11. A child enters, addressing the person you were talking to as parent and requesting them to play together. The person is fully distracted by this.
  12. "Now that I think about it, I believe I never showed you my collection of Battle Butterflies? Come on, you gotta see them!"
  13. The person's skin starts to be discolored, and after a while they go quiet and excuse themselves to use the facilities. They come back... different.
  14. The ground shakes. They don't even flinch. "Probably just [[NPC]]'s latest screw-up. I wonder if they let themself finally explode this time."
  15. "By the way, my youngest son [[NPC]], he is very intelligent (read: he is not) and charming (read: also not). Let me introduce him to you, I am sure you both can get along well."
  16. "Heard your target likes good food. Know [[Local Establishment]]? No? My treat, we're going!"
  17. "I was once cursed you know? I am all right now, just the occasional toad puking."
  18. "Honestly, I am surprised you came to me. [[NPC]] told me what you think of me, and it wasn't so nice."
  19. "I am lucky I managed to buy this place. The housing market has been hard around here, but I was able to invest in the right location at the right time. Time in the market beats timing the market, you know?"
  20. The person you are talking to keeps on reintroducing themselves, constantly forgetting who you are and how the conversation started.

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