Dungeon is a game about high school
misadventures, mistakes and misunderstandings,
people braver than they know, and the mysterious
forces beneath our minds always asking, “What do
you do next?”
Belonging Outside Belonging
Dungeon is a Belonging Outside Belonging game,
following the base system provided by Avery Alder
and Ben Rosenbaum. Because this is a playtest
document only, I haven’t recreated those rules,
because, c’mon.
Cut me some slack.
It’s the same thing.
Hometown & Tabletop
Dungeon exists on a metaphorical spectrum
running from one fictive space to the other. These
spaces have names, to prevent an overuse of the
words “Real Life” and “In the game”.
The first of the fictive spaces is Hometown.
Hometown is the town the children all live in.
The details of it are all created together, and the
magic that the kids have access to (and the various
monsters) are all represented in metaphor or
allegory.
The second fictive space is Tabletop. Tabletop is
the game of D&D that everyone is playing. The
setting is mainly created by the Game Master,
although even within Tabletop, the Game Master
doesn’t have more narrative authority than the other
players - their authority just manifests differently.
Monsters
Monsters are specific setting elements that work
differently than usual. Monsters have moves, just
like everyone else, but also have truths - things that
are fundamentally always true about them. While a
single monster can take on a variety of forms during
a game, they always have the same truths.
A monster is defeated when everyone agrees it has
been. When that happens, as many people as who
want loot can choose new moves from the monster’s
list of treasures.
Dying
In Tabletop, heroes can die at any moment,
whenever their player thinks it’s appropriate. If that
happens, just mix up the looks and name of your
hero, maybe choose different spells, and hop right
in. Your kid never dies in Hometown, no matter
the adversity they face.
Leveling Up
At the end of each session, everyone can decide for
themselves whether or not they leveled up. If you
feel you did, you may choose one of the following
options from below:
o Ask any other character in the game a
question, which they must answer honestly.
o Choose a move that someone else has, or
is from another game, and add it to your
character sheet.
o Change your name, pronouns, and/or gender.
“Rolling” “Dice”
If it would be fun for you, when you make moves
in Tabletop, you’re welcome to say what number
you rolled to do something. This impacts nothing,
but sometimes it feels nice to say you just dealt 85
damage or that you rolled a 29 after modifiers were
applied. I’m thinking about writing a little thing
about some common things D&D players say, but
stripped of context or meaning, just because that
would be cute.
Draw...

Hometown
Draw the line that separates the
poor from the rich.
Draw each of your houses.
Draw the high school you all go
to.
Draw your secret fort.
Circle the location you play
Dungeons & Dragons at.
Whenever you encounter a foe,
indicate on the map where in the
town they are.

Draw...

tAbleToP
Draw the line that separates
safety from danger.
Draw where the treasure is.
Draw a handful of traps.
Draw your secret fort.
Circle the location of the most
valuable treasure of all.
Whenever you encounter a foe,
indicate on the map where in the
dungeon they are.

Introducing the...
Cleric
The Cleric is a helpful kid playing
a heroic character. Their powers are
sacred, soothing, and defensive.
Choose your kid’s name...
o Eugene
o Joey
o Hope
o Lexi
o Marley
o Cedar
o An unwilling name
o A handcrafted name
...And your hero’s name:
o Saint Alexandros
o Rohar the Lightbringer
o Ironhorn of the Nine
o Hollyhock the Kind
o Oliyron of the Old Growth
o An old name
o A name cried out in battle
Choose your kid’s gender:
o Boy
o Girl
o Kid
o Tomboy
o Sissy
o Doormat
o Milquetoast
o ________
Choose 2 to describe your
hero’s look:
Dwarven, Elvish, Orcish, Human,
Armored, Muscular, Wirey, Stout,
Small, Towering, Heavyset, Curvy,
Awe-inspiring, Stunning, ________
Choose 2 spells:
o Commune—Speak with the
divine, ask for help from an
authority figure.
o Cure Wounds—A healing
touch, a gentle moment of
physical contact.
o Detect Evil—Ask: “Do you
want to hurt my character?”
o Dismiss Undead—Scatter the
enemies of hope, let the tired
finally rest.
o Hallow—Declare a site
sacrosanct, keep a hideout
hidden from the dungeon.
o Ray of Light—Summon
the light of the sun, allow
morning to tend to your pain.
o Zone of Truth—Ask: “Is your
character telling the truth?”
Ask 1 to the left and 1 to the
right:
• You used to treat my character
cruelly. What changed?
• When was a time I saved your
character’s life?
• Why did your character reject
the higher power I believe in?
sPEnD a To
Strong Moves: KeN!
• Critically succeed at an
endeavor.
• Cast a spell you don’t have
access to normally.
• Keep someone breathing in
the face of the impossible.
Ask: “What keeps the light inside of
your character lit?”
Ask: “Where is a higher power
guiding our characters?”
Regular Moves:
• Take action, leaving yourself
vulnerable.
• Cast a spell you have chosen.
• Tend to the wounds others
have suffered.
• Make yourself useful.
Ask: “Is your character going to be
safe here?”
gAin a To
KeN!
Weak Moves:
• Critically fail at an endeavor.
• Give up at the worst possible
moment.
• Cast the inversion or opposite
of a spell you have chosen and
face the consequences.
• Mess up bigtime, and let
someone else get hurt because
of it.
Ask: “Are our characters going to be
okay?”

Introducing the...
Wizard
The Wizard is an excited kid playing
a heroic character. Their powers are
arcane, controlling, and intellectual.
sPEnD a To
Choose your kid’s name... Choose 3 spells: Strong Moves: KeN!
o Tony o Charm Person—Ask: “What • Critically succeed at an
o Jean does your character find endeavor.
o
o
o
Christie
Veronica
Jaime
endearing about me?”
o Counterspell—Prevent
another Spell from being cast,
• Cast a spell you don’t have
access to normally.
o Lachlann turn the consequences onto • Observe the geometries
o A foisted name yourself. behind the world.
o A brainstormed name o Detect Thoughts—Ask:
“What’s on your character’s • Provide clarity in a moment of
...And your hero’s name: mind right now?” uncertainty.
o Gwentor the Wise o Fireball—Destroy without a Ask: “What is your character hoping
o Barabel the Powerful care in the world, burn this for right now?”
o Leomar Ice-Storm place to the ground.
o Geas—Ask: “What are you Regular Moves:
o Mandrake the Twisted Root
o Zeddicus of Axioz scared of me taking from • Take action, leaving yourself
o An elaborate name you?” vulnerable.
o A name screamed through o Lightning Bolt—Strike with
furious and sudden force, • Cast a spell you have chosen.
lightning
bring about disaster. • Argue about the specifics of
o Minor Illusion—Create a the rules to get what you want.
harmless trick of the light,
cause a sudden loud noise. • Perform a minor feat of
Choose your kid’s gender: o Wall of Ice—Impede egress, creativity, that dazzles,
o Boy construct a monument in an impresses, or inspires dreams.
o Girl instant.
Ask: “What is my character missing
o Kid right now?”
Ask 1 to the left and 1 to the
o Tomboy
o Sissy right:
gAin a To
o Geek Weak Moves: KeN!
• When was a time my wisdom
o Dweeb and knowledge helped you?
o ________ • Critically fail at an endeavor.
• How did your character teach • Cast the inversion or opposite
Choose 2 to describe your me how to stand up for myself? of a spell you have chosen and
hero’s look: face the consequences.
• How did I try to help your
Dwarven, Elvish, Orcish, Human, character? Why didn’t it work? • Say all the wrong things at all
Bearded, Muscular, Wirey, Stout, the wrong times.
Small, Towering, Heavyset, Curvy,
Majestic, Stunning, ________ • Fail to learn your lesson.
Ask: “What has put my character in
the most danger right now?”

Introducing the...
FIGHTER
The Fighter is an emotional kid
playing a heroic character. Their
powers are martial, aggressive, and
supportive.
sPEnD a To
Choose your kid’s name... Choose what you’ve both Strong Moves: KeN!
o Lee given up: • Critically succeed at an
o Mark A home, a family, a gang of friends, endeavor.
o Ashley a support group, a mentor, a happy • Perform a feat of mythical
o Harper ending, ________. physical ability.
o Vin
o Charlie Choose a martial tradition: • Build someone up into a
o A rejected name monumental force.
o The Arrow’s Path—Majestic,
o A captured name
accurate, well-planned. Ask: “Where is your character most
...And your hero’s name: o The Axe’s Path—Wall- vulnerable right now?”
breaking, heart-breaking,
o Orax Giantkiller homewrecking. Ask: “What could my character give
o Lady Azorn o The Spear’s Path—Cowardly, your’s to get what I want?”
o Golrath the Mighty sharp, distant. Regular Moves:
o Sir Johan of the Iron Fields o The Sword’s Path—Lonely,
o Big Mogar confident, bladed. • Take action, leaving yourself
o An assertive name vulnerable.
o A name that doubles as a
• Use your martial weapon to
battlecry
destroy, break, or hurt.
• Charge forward, leaving dust
in your wake.
Choose your kid’s gender: Ask 1 to the left and 1 to the • Disarm or dismay your foe.
o Boy right:
Ask: “Who is really in control right
o Girl • How did I apologize to you now?”
o Kid after I hurt your character on gAin a To
Weak Moves: KeN!
o Tomboy accident?
o Sissy
• Why are you scared to call me • Critically fail at an endeavor.
o Asshole
o Bitch your friend? • Break your weapon when it’s
o ________ • When was I able to keep you needed most.
Choose 2 to describe your safe from the dungeon? • Shut someone (including
hero’s look: yourself) down.
• Lash out, hurting no one but
Dwarven, Elvish, Orcish, Human,
the ones you care about.
Bearded, Muscular, Wirey, Stout,
Spiky, Towering, Heavyset, Curvy, Ask: “Why can’t I trust you right
Fearsome, Stunning, ______. now?”

Introducing the...
ROGUE
The Rogue is a disobedient kid
playing a heroic character. Their
powers are cunning, sharp, and
thieving.
sPEnD a To
Choose your kid’s name... Choose why you both hide in Strong Moves: KeN!
o Wes the shadows: • Critically succeed at an
o Sebastian It’s how you were raised, you endeavor.
o Jade constantly get in trouble with the • Be where everyone least
o Allison Powers-That-Be, you don’t think of expects you to be.
o Eliot yourself as having any friends, you
o Finn feel at home there. • Have the exact object you’re
o A shackled name supposed to have.
o A stolen name Choose a roguish tradition:
• Perform a mythical or
...And your hero’s name: o Lockpicker—You cannot be impossible feat of acrobatics.
imprisoned or kept out.
o Lord Subtle o Smooth Talker—You make Ask: “What makes me so charming?”
o Jack Silvereyes friends easily, even if those Regular Moves:
o The Shadow friendships don’t last.
o The Blue Devil o Assassin—You’re not scared • Take action, leaving yourself
o Zira the Unscarred to stab your foes. vulnerable.
o A whispered name o Thief—You somehow always
o A name spoken of in rumors • Steal something you didn’t
seem to have exactly what have to steal.
you need.
• Ditch the group to strike out
on your own.
• Throw your foe off of their
Choose your kid’s gender: Ask 1 to the left and 1 to the rhythm.
o Boy right:
Ask: “Where am I?”
o Girl • What important object did
Weak Moves: gAin a To
o Kid I steal for you, to make life KeN!
o Tomboy easier? • Critically fail at an endeavor.
o Sissy
o Weirdo • Why do you think I’m • Injure yourself through your
o Wallflower untrustworthy? hubris.
o ________ • When did I abandon your • Shut down, shut up, sulk, and
Choose 2 to describe your character when you needed hide.
me most?
hero’s look: Ask: “What’s stopping us from being
Dwarven, Elvish, Orcish, Human, friends?”
Bearded, Muscular, Wirey, Ask: “What secret am I keeping
Stout, Spiky, Cloaked, Towering, from you?”
Heavyset, Curvy, Lithe, Fearsome,
Stunning, Small, ________.

Introducing the...
KID
The Kid is a troublesome tween
playing a newly-created character.
Their powers are kind, disruptive,
and overenthusiastic.
sPEnD a To
Choose your kid’s name... Choose which player is your Strong Moves: KeN!
older sibling.
o Milo • Critically succeed at an
o Jack Choose why you hang out endeavor.
o Olivia
o Amelia
with the older kids: • Give everyone a reason to
keep fighting.
o Skyler o You think they’re really cool.
o Lennon o You don’t have any friends • Make friends with something
o An embarassing name your age. dangerous.
o An experimental name o You really want attention.
Ask: “What do I know you’re
o Your mom made your older
...And your current keeping secret right now?”
sibling watch out for you.
obsession: o Even though you’re weird, Regular Moves:
o LEGO at the end of the day, these
• Take action, leaving yourself
o Pokemon nerds are your friends.
vulnerable.
o Star Wars Choose your hero’s greatest
o Barbie • Get distracted.
o Fighting Games
strength:
• Show someone something you
o Anime o Your heart—you see the best think is cool.
o A show no one’s ever heard of in everyone.
o A band none of you listen to Ask: “What is your character not
o Your charms—somehow,
noticing right now?”
people just think you’re
sweet. Ask: “Is everything okay?”
Choose your kid’s gender: o Your honesty—you have no
Weak Moves: gAin a To
qualms speaking truth to KeN!
o Boy
power. • Critically fail at an endeavor.
o Girl
o Your hope—you remind
o Kid
everyone that things will be • Stumble into trouble.
o Tomboy
okay.
o Sissy • Cry.
o Your teeth—you are
o Brat
unexpectedly very good at • Say something out loud you
o Annoying
biting enemies. were supposed to keep secret.
o ________
Ask 1 to the left and 1 to the Ask: “Why is your character so
Choose 2 traits of your hero: damn weird???”
right:
Based on a celebrity, definitely
overpowered, doesn’t make sense in • Why do I hold a pointless
the rules, constantly changing details, grudge against you?
doesn’t fit the setting, is aparently • What did I do that made
flawless, is royalty, cannot die, has a you think I’m unbearably
pet (cat/horse/dog/owl/dragon/giant annoying?
spider), ________.
• How did you help me, when I
was in danger?

Introducing the...
gaME
mAsteR
The Game Master is a thoughtful
kid channeling a force outside their
control. Their powers are social, pre-
prepared, and labyrinthine.
sPEnD a To
Choose your kid’s name... Choose 2 Personality Traits Strong Moves: KeN!
you project onto your NPCs:
o James • Reveal your clever planning.
o Zachery o Loneliness • Make someone care.
o Emily o Arrogance
o Sonya • Show someone something
o Depression
o Alder o Anxiety new about themself.
o Alex o Shame
o An unexpected name • Change the world to fit your
o Naivete friends.
o A workshopped name o Hope
Ask: “What does your character
...and your world’s name: Choose something important need right now?”
o Avarlion to you:
o The Hidden Worlds Regular Moves:
o Never meet your heroes,
o The Secret Isles • Get someone else to act for
they’ll always disappoint you
o Etheran you, leaving the vulnerable.
o The good times never last
o Calibor
o The power of friendship is the • Push the group onto the next
o A mysterious name
most important thing thing.
o An exciting name
o You can become anyone you
want to be • Offer two bad options.
Choose your kid’s gender: o Always follow your dreams,
• Make something important by
and things will be okay
o Boy fixating on it.
o The world is dying, and you
o Girl miss the past Ask: “How can I help your character
o Kid o The kindness of individuals fit in?”
o Tomboy is stronger than the cruelty of
o Sissy Weak Moves: gAin a To
society KeN!
o Control freak
o Reject • Use your authority to get what
o ________
Ask 1 to your left: you want.
• I asked you to be Game Master • Play obvious favorites.
Choose 2 traits of your
once so that I could play. Why
world: didn’t that work out? • Make something happen just
because you find it funny.
Jungle, Desert, Tundra, Forested, • Which NPC of mine is your
Urban, Full of Magic, Very Gritty, favorite, and why? • Take out your frustration on
Psychadelic, Complicated, Vast, everyone else.
A blatent ripoff of a TV show, • What twist of fate will you
never forgive me for? Ask: “Is your character impressed by
Post-apocalyptic, Epic, Ominous, me?”
Overwrought.
You also play as the... You also play as the... You also play as the...

Dungeon mysteries Powers-That-Be

There are countless grids of life, 5 foot by 5 foot When you sit at your desk in homeroom, looking The cosmos is a structured and strange place. Above
patterns that trap us all in the endless marching out the window at the forest, and you swear you see our heads, in the vast byzantine bureaucracies of the
formations of acceptable society. The Dungeon is a a deer standing on its hind legs, for just a moment, heavens, powerful gods decide our fate. Sometimes
representation of all of that, a structure that traps before it slips away again… that is the Mysteries. they’ll even call you into their office, or send you to
and imprisons us. The only way out? Is through. No further explanation is required. your room, the proverbial lightning that keeps you in
your place.
The Dungeon might look like: The Mysteries might look like:
The Powers-That-Be might look like:
• The high school. • The Green Man
• A historical or fantastical pantheon of gods.
• A sketch on a piece of grid paper. • The ominous cultists of fire and darkness
• Parents.
• A concept bursting free from the GM’s • The deer skull shrine
head • Schoolteachers.
• The quarry you take your bikes to
• Your bathroom floor. • Demonic princes from the dark hells.
• The mysterious laboratory at the edge of
• An eldritch nightmare from another town • The stars themselves.
dimension. • _____________. • _____________.
• _____________.
Moves: Moves:
Moves: • Reveal a truth about the world that • Place an unreasonable demand on the party.
• Split the party and separate the players. challenges preconceptions.
• Offer a powerful boon, with an unexpected
• Reveal a dangerous trap. • Forge a pact with the party. cost.

• Offer the party what they need most, at a • Give the party something both important • Strike with fury and lightning, destroying all
horrifying price. and unexpected. in your path.

After every move, ask “What do you do?” After every move, ask “What do you do?” After every move, ask “What do you do?”
You also play as the... You also play as the...
Dungeon mysteries
There are countless grids of life, 5 foot by 5 foot patterns that When you sit at your desk in homeroom, looking out the
trap us all in the endless marching formations of acceptable window at the forest, and you swear you see a deer standing
society. The Dungeon is a representation of all of that, a on its hind legs, for just a moment, before it slips away again…
structure that traps and imprisons us. The only way out? Is that is the Mysteries. No further explanation is required.
through.
The Dungeon might Moves: The Mysteries might Moves:
look like: • Split the party and look like: • Reveal a truth
• The high school. separate the players. • The Green Man about the world
• A sketch on a piece of • Reveal a dangerous • The ominous cultists that challenges
grid paper. trap. of fire and darkness preconceptions.
• A concept bursting • Offer the party what • The deer skull shrine • Forge a pact with the
free from the GM’s they need most, at a • The quarry you take party.
head horrifying price. your bikes to • Give the party
• Your bathroom floor. • The mysterious something both
After every move, ask “What important and
• An eldritch nightmare do you do?” laboratory at the edge
from another of town unexpected.
dimension. • _____________. After every move, ask “What
• _____________. do you do?”
You also play as the... You also play as the...
Powers-That-Be DENIZENS
The cosmos is a structured and strange place. Above our heads, The world is full of little friendly creatures. Sometimes people
in the vast byzantine bureaucracies of the heavens, powerful call them goblins, gremlins, orcs, or imps, but it might be more
gods decide our fate. Sometimes they’ll even call you into their accurate to call them “your friends.”
office, or send you to your room, the proverbial lightning that
keeps you in your place.
The Powers-That-Be Moves: The Denizens might Moves:
might look like: • Place an unreasonable look like: • Demonstrate the
• A historical or demand on the party. • Goblins, Gnomes, kindness in everyone.
fantastical pantheon of • Offer a powerful boon, Elves, Kobolds, • Give the party an
gods. with an unexpected Orcs, Ogres, Trolls, unexpected gift.
• Parents. cost. Dwarves, or any • Lash out due to a
• Schoolteachers. • Strike with fury and number of other fine misunderstanding.
• Demonic princes from lightning, destroying fellows
all in your path. After every move, ask “What
the dark hells. • Fellow schoolchildren do you do?”
• The stars themselves. After every move, ask “What • Various animals
• _____________. do you do?” • _____________.
The monster you face is the...
Restless
Dead
At High School, it’s not uncommon
for the shadows to grow longer during
the winter months, drowning out hope
and happiness as the year rapidly ages.
Sometimes it can feel like there’s an army
of the dead breathing down the back of
your neck, marching relentlessly against
the heat and warmth of summertime.
Truths:
• They are vulnerable to warmth,
heat, and the bright light of the
•
sun.
The world becomes cold with
their presence.
• No matter how many you cut
down, there are always more.
Moves:
• Cast a grim shadow of something
far more powerful over the
horizon
• Send shivers down your spine
• Take something important,
which can only be retrieved at a
cost
After every move, ask “What do you
do?”
Treasure:
If defeated, choose 1:
• A bone-blade, forged from the
skulls of the dead. When drawn,
as a Strong Move, Ask: “Where
are you weakest, where my blade
will certainly strike?”
• A cloak, made of shadows and
sewn in darkness. When worn
you have the Regular Move
“Appear undetected, right
behind your foe.”
• A crown, cursed and infused with
dark magicks. When worn, you
have the Weak Move “Invoke
the names of cruel and perilous
gods to bring death upon all,
even those you love.”
The monster you face is the...
gREAT
draGoN
No one wants to admit the impact
wealth has on high school. In America,
schools are funded by property taxes,
and the wealthy can afford to effectively
buy their grades. Once you get a taste
for that wealth, you never let it go. You
just keep getting more and more greedy,
clinging on to power by any means
necessary.
Truths:
• The Dragon is vulnerable to only
a blade carried by someone true
•
of heart.
The Dragon is obsessed with the
heat of volcanos, boiler rooms,
•
sunny days, and space heaters.
The Dragon’s words are as hot
as fire, and burn away your skin.
Moves:
• Take something or someone
beautiful and bring them to your
lair
• Burn someone with a scathing
insult and fiery breath
• Boast about your great and
terrible power, then demonstrate
it to the world.
After every move, ask “What do you
do?”
Treasure:
If defeated, choose 1:
• A golden blade forged to strike
down a dragon. When drawn, as
a Strong Move, Ask: “Where is
your weakest point?”
• A mask, made from dragon-bone
and covered in scales. When
worn you have the Regular Move
“Burn someone with a scathing
insult and fiery breath.”
• A golden chalice, the center of
the dragon’s horde. When sipped
from, you have the Weak Move
“Survive the moment, but lose
track of your humanity.”