{Char}, [Roll] for [Outcome] - A dice system for AI chatbots

Hey there!

I'm back.

So, I've been working on something a bit different from my usual weight gain focused text-adventures (those would be Emily’s Midnight Snack and Spirit of Hunger, btw). Instead of continuing with the second chapter like I probably should have, I decided to revisit an old project of mine! That’d be a simple d10 system for making AI chatbots less predictable. We’re talking character.ai, spicychat.ai, Janitorai.com, but also ChatGPT, Deepseek, Claude…

{Char}, [Roll] for [Outcome] - or CRO for short - emerged from countless hours of AI-assisted storytelling where I kept running into the same problem: AI chatbots are just too agreeable. They smooth over dramatic tension and default toward positive outcomes - basically, you’re always getting your way, whether you want to or not. That’s kind of boring!

***

So I came up with a straightforward system: when your character attempts something, you roll a d10 and present the result using a very simple format. The AI then uses that number to guide, and the text outcome, for its response. And there you go: now success isn't automatic - your roll might lead to triumph, a costly setback, or something in between.

There are no complex character sheets or statistics to track. It's just you, your character's intent, a d10 roll, and a clear format to guide the story. The system works with any AI that can engage in conversational roleplay - no special setup required on the AI's side.

WHO IS IT FOR

I’d say just me! Mine is a very niche problem to have. But, then again, maybe you’re someone who wants to add genuine unpredictability to their AI conversations. Maybe you’re into solo roleplay, creative writing, or just want your AI interactions to feel more like collaborative storytelling and less like polite agreement.

THE GUIDE

It's built as an interactive reference. You can work through the core mechanics step by step, explore optional extensions when you need them, or jump to any specific rule via the Quick Reference Hub. You can also click on the white boxes to copy their contents, that should make things faster for you (:

I've also tried to include plenty of examples and explain not just how things work, but why I designed them that way, as it’s more fun of a read that way. There's also an optional Judge AI system for when you want completely impartial rulings - basically a prompt to feed into another AI. You’ll get it, just read the guide.

TECHNICAL NOTES

The images aren't AI generated - I drew them myself, though I did borrow Anthropic's graphic design style. Why did I do it? I dunno man. I thought it fun to take such a corporate imagery and co-opt it for my own sick, twisted designs. But to be real with you I do like the way they show AI, it’s different from all the other big players on the market.

Ah, and if you’re confused about the second author, that’s also me. Reckon I can use this for my portfolio, though I wouldn’t want it to be readily associated with my main art focused account, you know? People will start thinking I use AI in my works.

***

This system requires no setup - just start using the format and the AI will naturally adapt to it. Most systems pick this up within a few exchanges, if not right away.

Found a bug with the guide, have a suggestion for the system, or want to share your experience? Reach out! Leave a comment. Send me a dm.

Have fun!