Today, I saw a link to a story about a 120-sided die. The big question was “what do you do with it?”. Because there are no RPG gaming systems that need that large a space of numbers. And I’m not really sure there should be; part of the fun of an RPG is that it’s a simplified simulation of reality, that aids in improvising stories.
Its creators suggest that since 120 is the least common multiple of the “standard” gamer’s dice set of d4/6/8/10/12/20, one could use a simple set of tables to generate any of the numbers found on those dice. Which would also mean that you could just whip one of these out instead of the usual Crown Royale bag full of a zillion dice and add a bit of minimalist flair to this week’s gaming session.
But realistically, you get this because it pleases some part of you to have a set of Weird Nerd Dice on hand; I don’t play RPGs any more, and never need a set of dice, but I’ve got a few sets of Gamer Dice sitting in the studio closet next to all the art supplies. Dice which I bought not too long after losing most of my possessions to Katrina, knowing that I hadn’t gamed in years, and probably never would; there is simply some part of me that is not happy without knowing that, at any moment, I could provide all the randomizers needed for a game of D&D.
And ultimately? When you play one of these games, one of the things you’re fantasizing about is being an adventurer delving into deep, dangerous places, and coming back with fistfuls of gold and gems. A nice collection of dice quickly starts to take on the appearance of a pile of gems, especially once you start getting ones made of translucent plastic, or interestingly-marbled colors. Running your hands through the ever-growing bag of dice is a good enough cartoon of what your bold thief feels as she kneels atop a dragon’s hoard, running the coins and jewels through her fingers and laughing delightedly before stuffing a bag with what she can carry, and making for the exit before the dragon comes back.
…I think I need to find some decent fake gold coins (or maybe just beg my New Orleans friends for doubloons) and expand my collection of dice now. I have, of course, ordered one of these d120s, as well as the same people’s interesting variants on the traditional 4/6/8/10/12/20 set.
edit. i went on ebay and bought three pounds of doubloons
…yep, you’re a dragon (as if there was any doubt)