Jeansen Vaars

@Copyright 2022
Plot unfolding machine https://jvhouse.xyz

What is it?
The Plot Unfolding Machine (PUM) is a Game Master Emulator that allows you to play any tabletop RPGs without
a GM. You can use it to expand your current favorite solo system, or standalone. You can also use the included
RPG rules for an all-in-one experience. Beware, this might be a hard place to start for newcomers.
What makes PUM special?
Coming up with good scenes or pacing the story can be really difficult when playing without a GM. Solo systems
out there can be a fantastic resource if you are a creative writer, but for some of us, coming up with story details,
content and progression is hard, and we might be missing that feeling of game. This is what PUM helps with.
PUM places conflict in the center of the game by helping you with trouble and obstacles for your protagonists. This
will not only inspire you with evolving your story, but also places your characters in a position where they can fail
or succeed. The idea of PUM is to reduce authorship effort and make players feel this is a game.
How to play with PUM?
Game Setup Scene Resolution  
Concrete goals and a world tropes are important Concluding games in solo RPG can be challenging. If
when playing solo, as with them, you will have better you would like to have an aproximate measure of
ideas when your characters unfold the story. progress, these optional Scene Resolution rules can
help you finish your games.
Find various optional Game Sheets in the last pages.
They can help you set up your games when starting. Plot Score (PS)
PUM proposes tracking story progress based on
Scene Setup scene outcomes . Players keep track of a Plot Score
PUM works through Scenes. Driven by your (PS) on each relevant plotline in the game, starting at
characters, their opposition and the world. Start each “3” (or rolling a random d6 for the starting score).
scene with a Scene Setup phase that can have one or Relative to how relevant the scene was to the plot and
more of the following features. how your characters overcame conflict and struggle,
1. Scene Proposal such score will move the affected plot line scoe
This represents the core of your next scene, what forwards or backwards, by a given factor.
happens next or what your PCs will attempt soon At the end of your scene, score the scene from 1 to 4
after. Do either one of the following: based on its weight on the story (higher impact, higher
1. Propose a scene, then roll Expectation Checker, or score). If the PCs overcame challenges successfully or
2. Roll on the Scene Designer and interpret proposal learned something benefitial, the plot score modifier
will be positive, if the PCs failed or struggled with
2. Challenge Type obstacles, then it will be a negative variation of PS.
Characters advance the story through conflict. Either
by having a challenge at the core of the scene, or Continue scene by scene until PS hits either 0 or 10.
when figuring out how a problem is solved during a Here a scoring reference:
scene, the Challenge Type helps in those cases. Good Bad Mod
1. Propose challenges that make sense, or Regular Progress Drawback, hiccup +/- 1
2. Roll on the Challenge Type and interpret Discoveries, learnings False leads, twists +/- 2
Overcoming conflict Pain, loss, suffering +/- 3
3. High Stakes A dramatic victory Lost conflict, defeat +/- 4
If your characters go through any sort of challenges
during the scene, you may need to know where do When PS reaches “10”, your next Scene should be
they lead: What happens On Success and On Failure. the plotline finale. Then remove it from the list of
The High Stakes can help you figure out what’s plots.
behind such obstacles. If PS goes down to “0”, your next scene should be
a critical scene, which defines the future of the
You can do this when preparing the scene, since it game or plotline.
helps you design it better, or after your PCs try. PS cannot be lower than 0 or higher than 10.

1. Roll during Scene Setup (for inspiration) or, Also remember you can play PUM in Foundry VTT
2. Roll after the challenge outcome (for surprise) through Mythic GME Tools module!
Plot unfolding machine - Game Example
Game Setup
We will be playing in the world of Dragon Age, a
fantasy medieval game where humans and elves may
born mages, with powers that expose them to
demonic posession and can cause terrible harm.
The hook
Eron and Setia are Templars, and have been invoked
to the town of Niteras, to investigate demonic
appearances. The Organization suspects this can be a
renegade mage let loose, and the situation is dire.
Eron is trained a knight, whose weaknesses are
related to an addiction to Lyrium. Setia is a Mage-
Hunter archer, her weakness is her cold-blooded
reputation.
Goal: Find the apostate mage in Niteras (PS: 3)
Scene 1
Since I have no idea how can the game start, I will use
Scene Designer and Challenge Type
🎲 Scene Designer: Dangerous or stress situation
🎲 Challenge Type: Profession, craft, technology -
Needs careful plan
🎲 On Success: Relevant location or path
🎲 On Failure: Combat or captured
Alright, this is telling me the game is going to start
with Dangerous or stress situation, so I will ask an
oracle 🎲 “Is this a demon?” → No - so in that case I
am going to read this as someone resisting the
templars from doing the job in town.
Since the Challenge Type said this is a Profession
challenge, that means the Templars powers will be
relevant in such scene.
Here is where I play the story on my head: There
are some complices in town trying to protect a mage
that they think innocent. Playing through the Scene,
🎲 the Templars will check their abilities to detect
foul magic in town, despite what townfolk say, and
they succeed.
🎲 The templars convince the guards that they are
just trying to help, so the guards tell that indeed there
is a mage but she is outside in the ruins of the forest
(Success leads to relevant location!).
The mission PS increases from 3 to 5 since the
Templars succeeded an important challenge.
Scene 2
The templars will go to the forest the guards pointed
out, (🎲 Random Table) a place not traversed
anymore since there was an earthquake and it
destroyed the trade routes coming across.
I will use the Scene Designer again and the
Challenge Type for the next scene, to figure out what
happens when travelling in the forest.
🎲 Scene Designer: Character traits are useful
🎲 Challenge Type: Combat, confront, struggle -
May be avoided
🎲 On Success: Learn enemy location  
🎲 On Failure: Weakness revealed
My interpretation, is that the Templars will have to
resort to their powers, probably because they will be
facing a demon in this scene. The challenge is a
Combat, but there may be another way. This means
perhaps that the demon can be in fact rescued and the
combat avoided! I picture a foul demon showing up
from another dimension, incredibly dangerous.
🎲 With the Templars Powers, the PCs actually fail
to avoid this combat and get into a Fight. I decide this
fight is incredibly difficult, and 🎲 they actually lose
the fight. Taking a look at scene failure I read there is
Weakness Revealed.
Unfortunately, the demon now knows Templars are
on the hunt. But they happen to know that templars
are vulnerable (weakness) to Lyrium.
The mission PS decreases from 5 to 2 since the
Templars failed a difficult mission, plot thickens
Scene 3
The demon escaped and the templars got hurt, things
doesn’t look good for them.
I am deciding that they will want to take a break
and make camp. However, since I am making a scene
proposal, I roll on the Expectaction Checker 🎲 Goes
as expected.
As there are no challenges, plot score doesn’t
change. But I do still enjoy the camp moment :)
Scene 4
The templars will want to keep looking for the
Demon, so off they go. I am picturing a Scene where
they are travelling across the Forest but I really don’t
know what can happen, so let’s go to the designers
again.
🎲 Scene Designer: Past world event
consequences
🎲 Challenge Type: Persuade, impose, lead, talk -
Specific to location
🎲 On Success: New possible solution
🎲 On Failure: Weakness revealed
Past world event consequences: we mentioned
earlier an earthquake in this forest, remember? But it
will take a social related challenge. I read we will find
a wanderer, 🎲 Intent → {Demand Plans}. He is
angry and his memories are fading, he loses his mind
and demands the Templars to tell their Leaders that
“The Doomed” will never forget what happened.
🎲 The templars intimidate this crazy man and put
him back in his place, since they succeed, they learn
about a new possible solution (High Stakes roll),
which means that through the Earthquake Cliffs in
the forest, the Templars might be able to track the
dangerous mage easily.
Since it was really hard to control the madmen, I
am giving the mission 2 PS so it is up back to 4
Plot unfolding machine - Scene Setup
Expectation Checker (1d10)
1 Unexpected complication! 3 Something is different 5-9 As expected
2 Something else happens 4 Someone shows up 10 Even better

Scene Designer (1d20)

1 Unexpected 6 Active opposition or a 11 Location or area 16 Political disruption or
complication! new enemy specific event global change
2 Setting specific trope 7 Catch enemy taking 12 Unusual Discovery or 17 An important job or
occurs action revelation mission is offered
3 Dangerous or stress 8 Characters weakness or 13 Emotional or dramatic 18 A surprising truth is
situation flaws affected moment revealed
4 Difficult decision at a 9 Characters edges or 14 An unexplainable 19 Immediate action
high cost traits useful finding or clue required
5 Discover enemy 10 Past world event 15 Someone brings news 20 An important clue or
repercussions consequences or a message opportunity

Combat Designer (1d20+1d10)

d20 Circumstance
1 More enemies than expected
2 Enemy has unexpected ability
3 Hazard or Traps
4 Help or information required
5 Elevation or underground Terrain
6 Difficult Terrain
7 Unexpected Help arrives
8 Unexpected Enemy arrives
9 Distracting Force or Multitasking
10 Time Limit
d20 Circumstance d10 Enemy type
11 Bystanders or Innocents 1 Fast moving, small, nimble
12 Moving or Unstable Ground 2 Armored, defensive, equipped
13 Environment difficulties 3 Sneaky, poisonous, lethal
14 Tactical Device in the Field 4 Area specific, uses surroundings
15 Vehicle or Machine for use 5 Tactical, coordinated, smart
16 Secret Passage somewhere 6 Magical, technological, mystical
17 Stealth Enemies 7 Constructed, artificial, object
18 Enemy is getting healed 8 Flying, swimming, underground
19 Physical effort Required 9 Large, slow, heavy, tough
20 Mental effort Required 10 Resistant, immune, unnatural

Challenge Type (2d10) High Stakes (2d10)

d10 Skill
1 Test of faith, magic or belief
2 Endure, withstand, stress
3 Athletic, force, stunt, acrobat
4 Sneak, hide, cover, infiltrate
5 Logic, research, knowledge
6 Notice, intuition, perceive
7 Persuade, impose, lead, talk
8 Profession, craft, technology
9 Evade, danger, run, escape
10 Combat, confront, struggle
d10 Factor d10 On Success d10 On Failure
1 Only one attempt 1 New possible solution 1 Serious Danger!
2 Right tools can help 2 Lead to someone helpful 2 Someone endangered
3 May be avoided 3 Lead to something useful 3 Equipment breaks
4 Time pressure 4 Relevant location or path 4 Causes harm
5 Specific skills needed 5 Learn enemy weakness 5 Weakness revealed
6 Needs knowledge 6 Learn opposition plans 6 Own plans revealed
7 Related to location 7 Improve reputation 7 Affects reputation
8 Takes certain time 8 Gain time or save costs 8 Cause delays or costs
9 Requires cooperation 9 Learn enemy location 9 Combat or captured
10 Needs careful plan 10 Clue or idea is confirmed 10 Combat or dead

Scene Complication (2d20)

d20 Target d20 Circumstance d20 Circumstance
1-4 Location 1 Missing/Gone/Lost/Forgotten 11 Mistaken/Error/False/Wrong
5 Plot element 2 Explosive/Dangerous/Sensitive 12 Leaked/Discovered/Known
6 Unknown npc 3 Blocked/Hidden/Trapped 13 Erratic/Unreliable/Failing/Insufficient
7-8 Ally 4 Arrived/Recent/New 14 Disrupted/Modified/Artificial
9 Innocent 5 Dead/Destroyed/Unrecoverable 15 Surprising/Altered/Unexpected
10-11 Enemy 6 Broken/Damaged/Injured 16 Younger/Older/Newer/Obsolete
12 Structure 7 Flooded/Overflowed/Exceeded 17 Sick/Hazardous/Poison/Toxic
13-16 Something 8 Sabotaged/Captured/Taken 18 Prepared/Armed/Expecting
17-19 Information 9 Corrupted/Twisted/Insane 19 Unprepared/Unarmed/Unexpected
20 Organization 10 False/Fake/Lying/Treason 20 Delayed/Timed/Wait

   
Plot unfolding machine - Oracles
Yes or No → Roll one of the odds columns, then once Who → Someone shows up or is referred to
in the caveat column. Ignore caveat if incoherent. Intent → Answers the intention or disposition of
How → For qualitative questions and methods. someone, what do they want or attempt to do.
Describe → Visual details. Roll with one adverb. Activity → Someone, a group or a faction’s actions.
What → Roll when needing a subject, a topic, a Reason → The justification of someone’s decisions
conversation matter or the root of a problem or actions. Their inner motivation and driver.
Yes or No Who
d10 even unlikely likely caveat d10 subject d10 type
1 No No No , possibly. 1 an unimportant 1 Ally
2 No No No , at first. 2 a strange 2 Ally
3 No No Don’t know , but… 3 a local 3 Ally
4 No No Hard to say . 4 an old 4 Person
5 Don’t know No Yes . 5 a family related 5 Person
6 Hard to say No Yes . 6 a scared 6 Person
7 Yes Don’t know Yes . 7 an angry 7 Being
8 Yes Hard to say Yes , and… 8 a desperate 8 Enemy
9 Yes Yes Yes , unless… 9 a powerful 9 Enemy
10 Yes Yes Yes , obviously. 10 an important 10 Enemy

How Intent
d10 many? much? good? hard? d10 they d10 subject
1 One Nothing Terrible Simple 1 Fight 1 Enemies
2 Few Barely Bad Easy 2 Oppose 2 Allies
3 Few Barely Bad Easy 3 Demand 3 Cause
4 Some Scarce Mediocre Usual 4 Request 4 Situation
5 Some Scarce Mediocre Usual 5 Need 5 Object
6 Expected Adequate Alright Hard 6 Offer 6 Location
7 Expected Adequate Alright Hard 7 Explain 7 Information
8 More Plenty Great Expert 8 Join 8 Plans
9 More Plenty Great Export 9 Trade 9 Resources
10 Ridiculous Abundant Incredible Absurd 10 Help 10 Power

Describe Activity
d10 adverb area someone object d10 they are d10 subject
1 Curiously Ruined Injured Broken 1 Claiming 1 Business
2 Specially Ancient Clever Antique 2 Supporting 2 Authority
3 Defensively Abandoned Hunted Forbidden 3 Searching 3 Place
4 Knowingly Dangerous Dangerous Dangerous 4 Preparing 4 Faction
5 Strongly Lacking Skilled Mundane 5 Hindering 5 Someone
6 Legally Unusual Exotic Rare 6 Holding 6 Defense
7 Actively Safe Innocent Harmless 7 Requesting 7 Clues
8 Commonly Crowded Famous Legendary 8 Controlling 8 Words
9 Mostly Fancy Rich Valuable 9 Attacking 9 Resources
10 Incredibly Fortified Powerful Reinforced 10 Expelling 10 Settlement

What Reason
d10 type d10 subject d10 an action d10 a motive
1 Found 1 Enemy 1 Search for 1 Power or Desire
2 Sensitive 2 Danger 2 Need of 2 Revenge or a Debt
3 New 3 Challenge 3 A matter of 3 Status or Reputation
4 Wrong 4 Trouble 4 To provide 4 Paranoia or Fear
5 Surprising 5 Environment 5 To hold 5 Culture or History
6 Toxic 6 Object 6 Eradicate 6 Knowledge or Interest
7 Dangerous 7 Secret 7 Dealing for 7 Contract or an Order
8 Hidden 8 Ally 8 Reinforce 8 Justice or Tenacity
9 Very old 9 Information 9 Secure 9 Safety or Survival
10 Unique 10 Solution 10 Prevent 10 Resources or Wealth

Version 25 (August 18th 2022)

PUM - Advice & Meaning
Running on a blank mind
Scene Designer is useful when you get stuck. One
typical example is right when starting a game for the
first time. It can also serve as an adventure seed or
plot hook.
You can also call Scene Designer in the middle of the
story. Random encounters along the way, a scene
proposal for when you arrive to that mystical ruin your
PCs always wanted to find, or situations in which you
are simply not sure about what happens next, are
perfect choices for setting up a scene with the
designer.
Perhaps a setting specific trope reminds you about
features of your world or location, or catch enemy
taking action reveals what the enemy was busy with
as your characters travelled. Scene Designer can be a
fantastic adventure filler, for those moments that you
want the GM to present you with content and conflict
for your characters to move the story forward.
However, use it very sparsely. It is by no means meant
to be used frequently scene by scene, but rather on
those moments where you really need pushing, and
require a hook to put you back on track.
So, let’s take a look at some of the Scene Setup
outcomes to explore what they could mean:
Unexpected Roll on the Scene Complication and find
complication your game turn against your PCs.
Setting A trope of your setting is triggered, not
specific trope necessarily catastrophic, but anything
occurs characteristic and unique to your universe.
Dangerous or Place inner or outer opposition in front of
stress your PCs. Face danger, conflict, traps. Direct
situation
Difficult
enemies or the environment.
Your characters face a situation in which the
decision at a decision relies on them. Consider
high cost consequences and moral conflict.
Discover
enemy
Your enemies are not sitting there waiting
for you. Discover consequences, leads or
repercussions impact of other’s actions.
Active
opposition or
One of your enemies is actively opposing
your goals and challenging you. Bring new
a new enemy enemies if you don’t have.
Catch enemy You find your opposition doing something.
taking action Not necessarily against you, but busy.
Characters The core of this scene should contain
weakness or something that coincidentally touches your
flaws affected characters weak points.
Characters The core of this scene gives your characters
edges or an opportunity to shine. They are the right
traits useful people for this situation.
Political Take a look at how your world is configured.
disruption or Something big happened out there. Faction
global change changes or religious events are occuring.
The Power of Expectations  
PUM presents players a choice between Proposing a
Scene versus rolling on the Scene Designer. My
advice here is to always give priority to your own
thoughts and most logical next step.
If you know what your PCs will attempt next, or
what will happen next, skip the scene designer. When
your PCs want to go to the temple, they simply go
there. When your PCs want to take a break, they take
a break. Don’t feel the rush to call the Scene Designer
religously, as it is loaded with information and may
conflict with your own ideas, and may be incoherent.
Not so fast though, proposing a Scene is subject to
risk: You have to check it with the Expectation
Checker. Does it really happen as you thought?
Unexpected Roll on the Scene Complication or pull any
complication form of plot twist to your game.
Something Your scene proposal is interrupted and
else something else occurs instead. Your original
happens scene may still happen afterward, or not.
Something Your proposed scene occurs but you didn’t
is different expect a small twist in it. The Scene
Someone
Complication can be of great help here too.
There’s always someone at the right place in
shows up the wrong time. Roll again if it is impossible.
Even better
Think hard if it happens again.
Whatever you were expecting, things are
better than what you thought.
Storytelling Challenges
You might think Challenges are childish or gamey.
They fit more naturally if you play a traditional action
adventure game. But, does it work if we want to play a
more grown up, narrative story?
Assume your characters are looking for the king’s son,
and they finally arrive to the place where they expect
to find him. They open the door:
With a Perception based challenge, it may mean the
kid is hiding from you, perhaps he didn’t want to be
found in the first place!. If you roll a Combat, it may
mean someone is holding the kid as hostage and is
willing to die protecting him from your PCs. Or, if you
roll a Technology challenge, perhaps it means the kid
is jailed behind a complicated mechanism.
Did you notice how challenges can tell stories?
Let’s analyze some possible Challenge Type outcomes
and reflect what they could mean. And remember to
also roll the Scene Factor to know how such
challenge is proposed. But feel free to ignore it if it
doesn’t make sense or if it doesn’t fit the situation.

Endure,
withstand,
Your characters are being put in a situation of
physical stress, pain, resistance. What or who
stress can it be, and how is it overcome?
Sneak, Either for protection, or to get something, or to
hide, take a peek, to prevent. Somehow your
cover, characters need to be careful here.
infiltrate
Logic,
research,
Whatever there is on this scene, it will require
your character’s knowledge or research skills.
knowledge Something is not really simple.
Notice, There are hidden intentions, objects or ideas.
intuition,
perceive
Something is coming, or leaving, or hiding
from plain sight. Can your PCs spot it?
Socialize, Someone is showing up and is asking, holding
impose, or defending something. Perhaps it is time for
lead, talk your characters to make their social move.
Profession, There is a delicate problem that needs the right
craft or person, a specialization or training. Whatever it
technology is, is no mundane task.
Combat, This is the time to stand up for your characters
confront, rights, ideals and goals. Is that or defeat. There
struggle is no turning back.
Stakes are High
We have spoken about challenges and conflict.
Whenever you are building the scene, sometimes you
may decide to roll for the Challenge Type, to know
which conflict drives the scene. In some cases you
might immediately know what’s behind such a
challenge and where it leads to, but in others, you may
be not. High Stakes will help you come up with ideas
for such follow ups.
You can wait until your characters have succeeded or
failed that Perception challenge, before you roll High
Stakes, and figure out in the moment What do they
learn?. Or, you can roll it during Scene Setup to be
able to build more cohesive scenes, in which you
know what stands behind such a challenge, or what
your characters are doing it for.
Succeeding might lead you to someone helpful, or
something useful. They may improve your characters
reputation or learn about the whereabouts of your
enemies. On the other hand if they fail, you may risk
putting others in danger or give away your intentions
to your enemies.
Time for complications
The Scene Complication is best used when any of the
other oracles call for it. Similarly, sometimes it can
happen that the game events themselves lead to
further trouble, so feel free to use any of the oracles
freely, when you are in need of inspiration.
Similarly, the Combat Designer is ideal when you
need to run complicated or important battles, or when
simply you need some help designing the combat so
you don’t put flat goblins in front of your PCs.
The ‘Yes or No’ oracle  
The Yes or No oracle is a fantastic expectation’s
checker. When you ask about the game through it, it
will introduce tension and uncertainty. My suggestion
is to use it abundantly, as it will impact your story.
However, before you ask, make sure you are
capable of handling different possible scenarios.
When the only possible explanation is that the woman
is the Queen, then don’t ask if she is the queen, she is!
PUM’s Yes or No oracle adds a twist: the caveat. Feel
free to ignore it if the caveat doesn’t make any sense,
but don’t give up so fast either, have fun with it:
Don’t This means whatever you have asked on behalf
know of your characters point of view, cannot be
known, at least not without further research, or
going deeper, or just not today.
Hard to Refers to an answer which your characters might
say need to figure out by themselves, through a
challenge or by other means.
possibly Whichever yes or no, cannot be confirmed to the
100% Your characters will have to live with that
for a while or find a way to confirm it.
at first Things might be initially one way, but not later.
unless… This caveat refers to a condition. The answer to
your question for Yes or No may rely on a
prerequisite or have an exception
obviously This is of course a known fact, or something
widely known. Or perhaps it is not only so, but
in fact exaggeratedly so.
but, and Use these caveats with freedom and creativity.
Empower or weaken statements, add or remove
elements to the answer for your own surprise.
Generating an adventure seed
We can use the elements of the Plot unfolding
Machine to come up with a plot hook, a story or a
quest as much as we can use it to create a scene.
1. What is it about? → Roll Scene Designer for a
hook or an initiation trigger. It can be a world
event, a dangerous situation or someone
important.
2. What needs to be done? → Roll Challenge Type
three times in a row, and read one of them as the
core challenge of the adventure. It does not have to
be taken literally, explore the meaning of those
challenges as a whole.
3. What is it for? → Roll High Stakes to identify what
is the goal or meaning of the seed, and what is at
risk, shall the characters fail.
Empower your interterpretation with further
questions, you can ask for example, who when you
need a referring person, or what when you need a
subject for the story, or a reason for answering why.
PUM - Game Setup - Story and Plots
 

 
PUM - Game Setup - Living World