Scene Unfolding Machine - V4-0
Scene Unfolding Machine - V4-0
SUM v4.0
@Copyright 2022
Scene unfolding machine https://jvhouse.xyz
The Scene unfolding machine (SUM) is a GM Emulator toolkit, that provides you with tools to replicate GM and
NPC behavior in roleplaying games without a GM, either Solo RPG or GM-Less games. This system is not
standalone. Use together with Plot unfolding machine or any other oracle system of your choice. Enjoy!
GM Emulation
INSTRUCTIONS: These table results are sorted from peaceful to tense GM calls. If you have any expectations
from the GM, roll twice: keep the lowest value when expecting good news, or keep highest when expecting trouble.
Action
Whenever there is a pause, a silence, or a delicate moment, use this table to simulate what a GM would do at such
time. This table is very useful when you want to fill certain gaps during your scene, or when you wish you had a
voice on the other side of the table, adding something. It aims to take away narrative power from your side.
1d100 The GM… 1d100 The GM…
1-20 Remains silent, what do characters do? 51-70 Remains silent, what do characters do?
21-22 Further explains sensorial elements to characters 71-72 Throws something requiring immediate attention
23-24 Describes an additional location element or detail 73-74 Brings a scene complication that thickens the plot
25-26 Gives a single character a chance to shine 75-76 Presents a decision to be made with consequences
27-28 Last action or decision was a good idea because… 77-78 Something bad happens, bad news, or bad luck
29-30 Positive surprise, good news, or good luck 79-80 Change in location conditions interrupts the PCs
31-32 Active opposition or enemies show up for conflict 81-82 Last action or decision was a bad idea because…
33-34 Refers to an object that can be interacted with 83-84 Suddenly puts characters in danger, tension or risk
35-36 Shows a clue or lead that somehow helps a thread 85-86 Someone else’s problems conflicts with PCs interests
37-38 Reveals something not seen or present earlier 87-88 Someone is preventing the PCs from proceeding
39-40 Places element of interest behind a challenge 89-90 Something breaks, fails or gets harmed around here
41-42 Brings a new or existing NPC to an interaction 91-92 Brings news related to a problematic distant event
43-44 Someone else gets in trouble and needs help 93-94 Reveals enemies nearby that are not yet aware of PCs
45-46 Presents something that reflects the game setting 95-96 Brings a very inconvenient NPC to the current scene
47-48 Shows an element that talks about the local history 97-98 Lays out environmental hazards or dangerous traps
49-50 Active opposition or enemies show up for conflict 99-100 Active opposition or enemies show up for conflict
Feedback
Your PCs proposed something, and you would like to have a GM react to it, by supporting it or not. It does not
mean your idea or proposal is good or bad, but rather, it represents how does the world (in-game) react to your
character choices. It adds color and reactivity to your PCs choices.
1d20 fortunately… 1d20 unfortunately…
1-3 It is in fact, easier to achieve than expected 11 No special reaction, remains silent
4 GM finds this an excellent idea, because… 12 It is not possible to do what is proposed, because…
5 What a coincidence that PCs propose this now… 13 What PCs propose is certainly risky, because…
6 In the meantime… (GM takes notes, mysteriously) 14 Someone is not going to like what the PCs are doing
7 Someone else reacts or takes action simultaneously 15 Not so fast, speedy… PCs didn’t consider…
8 Someone is going to be very happy about this 16 PCs might want to reconsider that, because…
9 Lucky day, the PCs find loot, treasure or a value object 17 Something else happens before PCs attempt that
10 On spot, the PCs learn or make a big discovery 18-20 It is in fact, harder to achieve than expected
World
Use this table sporadically, to take a pause and zoom in into one or more elements of your current scene. You must
not throw this information in front of the PCs, but rather place hints or leads of it in the scene.
1d20 tells more about… 1d20 tells more about…
1 Describe visual or olfactory elements around 11 How is this area protected or defended?
2 How does it feel to be right here, right now? 12 Were there events of oppression, conflict or war?
3 What is going on in this place right now? 13 What factions traverse, occupy or wander around?
4 What happened recently in this place? 14 How is the current location governed or controlled?
5 What happened here, long time ago? 15 Does this area trigger any memories or anecdotes?
6 How is this place related to the characters? 16 How do or did people survive or make money here?
7 How is the weather, mood or atmosphere? 17 How is magic, technology or any game trope related?
8 How is the architecture, building style of this place? 18 What could someone find here if careful or smart?
9 What is the most iconic feature of this area? 19 Which kind of people live or used to live here?
10 What role does this location play in the region? 20 Any famous or iconic NPC related to this place?
INSTRUCTIONS: These table results are sorted from helpful to unhelpful, so if you have any sort of expectation or
bias from an NPC, roll twice: keep lowest when expecting a friendly NPC, or keep highest when NPC is a bad one.
Contribution
When encountering NPCs, you might need to know how could they help or complicate your PCs goals. These two
tables will yield what NPCs talk about when engaged.
1d100 The NPC… (helpful) 1d100 The NPC… (unhelpful)
1-20 Asks about your concerns, ready to be of help 51-70 Eagerly waits to know what do you want
21-22 Shows a feature that sets them apart from the rest 71-72 Brings a topic that conflicts with PCs interests
23-24 Shares about something in common with the PCs 73-74 Asks for reasons about your goals and tasks
25-26 Offers resources or materials that support PCs cause 75-76 Refuses to continue if not convinced, or bribed
27-28 Reveals a secret that significantly helps a thread 77-78 Has done something that the PCs won’t like
29-30 Makes a request for something desperately needed 79-80 Knows something, but wants something in return
31-32 Behaves differently from what was expected 81-82 Shares about own desires, goals and vision
33-34 Connect you or present you someone they know 83-84 Has useful information, but reluctant to share it
35-36 Talks about personal needs or problems 85-86 Seeks to end interaction, throws you out or leaves
37-38 Reveals own skills, profession, or belonged faction 87-88 Calls for reinforcements, requests support
39-40 Shares details about the current area or location 89-90 Reveals a truth that twists or thickens the plot
41-42 Shares about an upcoming event or situation 91-92 Reveals to belong to a faction that conflicts the PCs
43-44 Talks about a useful, dangerous or wonderful place 93-94 Offended by your presence, or your past actions
45-46 Talks about an important resource or special object 95-96 Has a weapon or means to complicate PCs goals
47-48 Proposes a mutual agreement, a trade or deal 97-98 Makes a threat, a promise or a hard accusation
49-50 Behaves strangely, sensitive to what PCs do or say 99-100 Assaults verbally, taunts, or begins a fight
Behavior
When you are interested in knowing how an NPC behaves and reacts to your PCs presence, roll here.
1d20 The NPC (good) 1d20 The NPC (bad)
1-3 Approaches and greets you, normally 11 Despite unliking you, remains respectful and calm
4 A flashy, extrovert, or humorous reaction 12 An uncomfortable look, unwelcoming toward you
5 Is engaged in an activity, unaware of your presence 13 Ignores you intentionally, avoids conversation
6 Acts with pride, certainty or self-confidence 14 Immediately leaves and avoids any engagement
7 Despite desire, is unable or unfit to interact 15 Looks at you disrespectfully or in a rude manner
8 Doesn’t recognize your presence, or is unfamiliar 16 Approaches in a taunting manner, with strength
9 Hides away, avoids direct eye contact with you 17 Triggers an alarm, gives notice to others
10 Feels threatened towards you, with certain concern 18-20 Draws weapons, stands ready to fight
Opinion
If you are sharing plans or ideas with an NPC, roll this table to know what do they think about it or how they think.
1d20 fortunately they… 1d20 unfortunately they…
1-3 Don’t really care about it 11 Disagree, dislike and won’t allow it
4 Lightly agree without strong opinion 12 Make it more difficult to get
5 Reveal fact that strengthens the idea 13 Warn or advice against it
6 What a coincidence, because… 14 Approve but don’t like how it sounds
7 In the meantime, they can help with… 15 Remind about an overlooked detail
8 Warn about something against it 16 Propose a different approach or opinion
9 Provide something that can be of help 17 Going to do something about it too
10 Like and approve, promote and help 18-20 Stay neutral about it, nothing to add or say
Answer
If you are asking an NPC a yes or no question, for example, if they know about a topic o not, roll on this table.
1d20 fortunately… 1d20 unfortunately…
1-4 The answer is Yes 11 No idea, don’t know
5 The answer is a definite yes 12 No, it is not that simple
6 Yes, but it is not that simple 13 No, but no time to explain
7 Yes, but can’t explain now 14 Probably not, not sure
8 Yes, but it will cost you 15 Can’t tell, but has a reason
9 Yes, but not so sure 16 Can’t or won’t tell
10 Doesn’t know but knows who does 17-20 The answer is No
Action (1d100)
motives, desires, events, decisions, activities, intentions
These are good when trying to figure out actions and intents, desires, wishes or what is something for. They work
very well when combined with a Subject, with or without adjectives, in order to formulate sentence like answers.
What are they trying to do? - How will they do it? - What is the object for? - What did they do? - Why did they do it?
1 Achieve, succeed, triumph, press on 51 Slow down, delay, hinder, postpone, hold back
2 Allow, grant, permit, authorize, enable 52 Clear, clean up, open up, free, empty
3 Encourage, instigate, stimulate, excite, motivate 53 Close up, near, direct, reach out, approach
4 Believe, have faith, trust, be confident on, rely on 54 Close, wrap up, finish, complete, conclude
5 Call, rally, reunite, meet, group, summon, gather 55 Comply, adhere, obey, stick to, follow rules
6 Change, transform, evolve, mutate, alter 56 Avoid, evade, dodge, neglect, suppress, withstand
7 Claim, seize, capture, occupy, take, conquer 57 Contact, reach out to, communicate, talk to, refer
8 Continue, double the effort, press harder, push 58 Cover, store, save, hide, keep safe, shelter
9 Divide, separate, split, disjoint, break 59 Pay for, afford, finance, remunerate, reward
10 Schedule, prepare, organize, arrange, plan, lead 60 Allocate, delegate, invest, instate, induct, bet, risk
11 Solve, figure out, answer, decipher, deduce, untangle 61 Decide, choose, determine, resolve, settle, rule
12 Follow, chase, pursue, track, spy, recon, shadow 62 Observe, watch, monitor, supervise, record, control
13 Help, aid, assist, heal, support, care, treat 63 Depart, abandon, leave, withdraw, quit, take leave
14 Hold, keep, defend, protect, stand, alert 64 Descend, go deep, fall, sink, slope
15 Identify, recognize, associate with, reminds to 65 Describe, explain, report, express, chronicle
16 Strengthen, empower, reinforce, fortify, improve 66 Disclose, reveal, divulge, spread, pass on, report
17 Keep, hold on to, retain, stay, carry on with 67 Dispatch, send, deploy, ship, transmit, consign
18 Know, learn, understand, translate, write down, journal 68 Drain, channel, pipe, conduct, repurpose, redirect
19 Soften, give little, alleviate, lessen, minimize 69 Ride, handle, operate, steer, navigate, mount, drive
20 Conjure, spell, cast, recite, radiate, evoke 70 Eliminate, remove, abolish, delete, undo
21 Make, create, define, construct, establish, produce 71 Banish, prohibit, expel, throw out, cast out, dismiss
22 Need, require, want, demand, crave, desire 72 Employ, hire, recruit, enlist, appoint, gather
23 Offer, give, provide, present, gift 73 Ask, request, question, discuss, argue, propose
24 Buy, acquire, operate, purchase, trade, obtain, haggle 74 Encounter, face, engage, confront, come across
25 Reach, make it to, go to, hike up, travel, extend 75 Kill, destroy, assassinate, eliminate, suppress
26 Reduce, shrink, bring down, turn down, diminish 76 Enhance, improve, intensify, magnify, strengthen
27 Respect, love, regard, admire, have courtesy 77 Ensure, make sure of, secure, warrant, guarantee
28 Deal with, take care of, handle, manage 78 Expect, wait for, look for, await, look forward to
29 Seem, show off, appear to be, act as, fake 79 Express, say, talk, share, comment, declare, announce
30 Send, envoy, message, dispatch, transmit, communicate 80 Favor, approve, benefit, esteem, like, support
31 Serve, be in the service of, obey 81 Oppose, fight, disapprove, dislike, reject
32 Research, investigate, study, read, explore, seek 82 Feel, detect, sense, experience, bear
33 Take, steal, raid, sabotage, secure, confiscate, get 83 Fight, combat, struggle, dispute, challenge
34 Travel, go to, advance, move, transport, teleport 84 Focus, concentrate, direct, centralize, channel
35 Worship, adore, respect, be fanatic of, exaggerate 85 Hear, listen, pay attention, spot, observe, smell
36 Accomplish, succeed, win, fulfil, achieve 86 Honor, pay respect, commemorate, glorify, commend
37 Reveal, admit, give away, confess, tell, allow 87 Immobilize, disable, cripple, paralyze, knockdown
38 Arise, grow, come to light, appear, emerge, stand up 88 Influence, persuade, convince, manipulate, seduce
39 Sell, trade, exchange, deal, get rid of, get done with 89 Invite, gather, reunite, ask, bid, summon
40 Attack, invade, strike, hit, charge, assault, storm, siege 90 Participate, join, be part of, cooperate, bond with
41 Attune, empathize, sympathize, understand, commune 91 Perform, act, carry out, play, present, stage
42 Begin, start, initiate, launch, set up, kick off 92 Be praised for, be requested to, be needed for
43 Bluff, lie, deceive, betray, feint, trick 93 Provoke, taunt, intimidate, scare, frighten
44 Break, damage, shatter, smash, crack, poison 94 Find, search, locate, track down, spot
45 Interrupt, cancel, intrude, stop, block, prevent 95 Prove, show, demonstrate, validate, confirm
46 Command, give order, instruct, direct, mandate, lead 96 Include, increase, incorporate, merge, aggregate
47 Catch, grab, hunt arrest, trap, hook, capture, bait 97 Realize, discover, uncover, find out, unmask
48 Challenge, defy, duel, disobey, dare, negate, contradict 98 Remember, remind, recall, think, ideate, reason
49 Charge, tax, bill, demand, impose, levy, collect 99 Retrieve, bring back, recover, reclaim, reestablish
50 Condemn, judge, assess, denounce, convict, accuse 100 Work, build, tailor, craft, brew, cook, prepare
Adjective (1d100)
descriptors, details, attributes, accessories, abilities
These descriptors can be used to enrich or add information about locations, people or objects. It may be used to
describe a subject of the previous page table, or any subject you want to refer to.
How does it look like? - What makes it so special? - Why did they want that? - Describe the president in one word
Subject (1d100)
topics, matters, reasons, objectives, findings, mcguffins
These can be good prompts for topics, matters or core subjects to your what is it? questions. Work well either
prefixed with an action from the previous table, or enriched with an adjective from the next page table.
What were they fighting for? - What did they give? - What is the mission about? - What do they want?
1 People, civilian, masses, groups, population 51 Curse, damnation, sickness, insanity, crazy
2 Protection, defense, preservation, sanctuary 52 Army, troops, soldiers, mercenaries, recruits
3 Ability, quality, power, edge, implant, skill 53 Politics, secrets, rumors, scheming, betrayal
4 Advisor, counselling, chancellor, ambassador 54 Danger, threat, hazard, emergency, jeopardy
5 Entertainment, joy, happiness, festivity, holiday, music 55 Dark, darkness, dark side, evil, malevolence
6 Promise, an oath, destiny, fate, a vow, pledge, belief 56 Devastation, ravage, destruction, ruin, wreckage
7 Aftermath, consequences, leftovers, outcomes 57 Decision, choices, costs, consequences
8 Agreement, a contract, an alliance, arrangement, deal 58 Declaration, announcement, statement
9 Archers, rifles, ammunition, long range, artillery, guns 59 Defeat, loss, failure, not enough, frustration
10 Ambush, a strike, a coup, revolt, revolution 60 Desire, power, aspiration, dreams, wishes
11 Magic, weird science, esotericism, occult, alien 61 Desolation, absence, loneliness, emptiness, void
12 An appointment, a new ruler, coronation, ascension 62 Tools, knowledge, utilities, technology, means
13 Armor, armory, defense, equipment, shield 63 Detection, perception, intuition, feelings
14 Arrival of someone, people, newcomers, immigrants 64 Development, improvement, growth, expansion
15 Artwork, style, artists, culture, music 65 Diplomacy, treaty, politics, influence, power
16 Artifacts, objects of power, amulets, jewelry 66 Disease, sickness, poison, venom, pandemic
17 Truth, innocence, compassion, empathy, support 67 Distraction, detour, a different way, a trap
18 An audience, conference, meeting, council, reunion 68 Door, gates, passage, bridges, portal, caves, tunnel
19 Barbaric, nomads, bandits, renegades 69 Opposition, enemies, adversities, misfortune
20 Religion, divine, clerics, deities, gods, wrath 70 Drama, loss, sadness, emotions, regret
21 Message, omens, communication, news, changes 71 Food, water, resources, minerals, materials
22 Block, blockade, position, wall, barricade 72 Dust, earth, sand, sandstorm, desert, mud, rocks
23 Bravery, courage, overcoming fear, valor, honor 73 Elimination, assassination, killing, dagger
24 Weapons, melee, two-handed, sword, axe, hammer 74 Empire, kingdom, country, state, civilization, reign
25 Monsters, beasts, robot, machine, creature 75 Energy, ritual, channeling, conjuration, sorcery
26 Business, trade, commerce, exchange, a deal, ports 76 Enthusiasm, energy, activity, eagerness, anxiety
27 Campaign, operation, expedition, project, adventure 77 Escape, break out, prison, freedom, flee
28 Rest, recovery, a safe place, a pause, accommodation 78 Time, year, calendar, end of, period, era, age
29 Carrier, courier, a messenger, a bearer, a runner 79 Fear, scare, horror, terror, paranoia
30 Mountains, hills, cliffs, altitude, high 80 Research, information, lore, knowledge, data
31 Mockery, insult, offense, disrespect 81 Fire, flame, heat, red, burning, summer
32 Chance, an opportunity, advantage, a moment 82 Roads, rivers, routes, bottlenecks, shortcut
33 Money, supplies, resources, wealth, assets 83 Forest, Jungle, trees, green, plants, growth, life
34 Machinery, engineering, infrastructure, platresolvlegacy 84 Fortress, castle, outpost, keep, bunker
35 Chronicles, history, events, past, culture, legacy 85 Water, rain, swamp, cold, ice, snow
36 City, village, town, settlement, housing, urbanization 86 Plan, strategy, goal, objective, mission
37 Claim, rightfulness, possession, belongings 87 Friend, colleague, relationship, intimate, confidant
38 Cloud, visibility, fog, clear thoughts, ideas 88 Person, contact, relative, someone, entity
39 Commands, mandate, orders, chain of duty, execution 89 Glory, victory, triumph, success, gains, benefits
40 Companions, allies, supporters, henchmen, assistants 90 Bacteria, virus, insects, vermin, drones, parasites
41 Concealment, privacy, invisibility, transparency 91 Domain, field, territory, land, province, region
42 Conflict, invasion, war, battle, large scale skirmish 92 Superiority, perfection, majesty, achievement
43 Construction, building, structure, ruins, pillars, statues 93 Harm, damage, blood, injuries, pain, suffering
44 Consumables, potions, drugs, toxins, alchemy 94 Hatred, anger, vengeance, resentment, envy
45 Conversation, dialogue, discussion, arguments, reasons 95 Healing, heart, health, recovery, rest
46 Corpses, death, mortality, undead, necromancy, ghosts 96 Commander, mercenary, captain, general, soldier
47 Countryside, farms, agriculture, surroundings, nature 97 Vehicles, transport, rides, mounts, aircraft, ships
48 Couple, love, partner, passion, sex, jealousy 98 Hunger, thirst, starvation, breath, necessity, survival
49 Crew, brotherhood, fraternity, faction, family, cult, sect 99 Illusions, lies, tricks, traps, thievery, theft, corruption
50 Kings, rulers, dictators, aristocrats, nobles, ministers 100 Peace, tranquility, nature, harmony, safety, balance