The Rules

## BUDGENS AND DRAGONS: The Rules - Version 4

### These are the 4th and currently up-to-date version of The Rules. They may be different to the current Rules heard on the Podcast

1. The aim of the game is simple. Our adventurers must wake up, go to the Budgens, buy a scratch card for Mother, get home and give it to her. It could not be simpler. And yes, she has to be alive.
2. The DM’s job is to kill everyone as quick as possible, or to make sure that Mother dies before the task is complete.
3. Once everybody/Mother dies the game ends and a new loop begins! The new loop may contain the same adventurers as before, or brand new ones! However, all memories and items are wiped from each adventurer at the beginning of a new loop. If somebody remembers a past loop, they will be killed by the DM.
4. Once someone is dead, they cannot help the remaining party. If they attempt to, the person that they are trying to help will be killed. Communicating from the dead is not encouraged. There is also The Avery Effect, where if someone who is dead intentionally tries to ‘help’ someone just to get them killed, that won’t count. This rule also applies to non playing audience members.
5. Each loop begins with The DM rolling a Weather Dice, a mood dice and a D20. This determines the severity of the weather, as well as Mother’s mood.
6. The loop will also begin with a coin flip. If the party can correctly call heads or tails, they win one do-over, which will undo one death, or one action that caused a mass murder. The do-over is a one-time use item only, and all party members (including those dead) must agree on its use. This is the only time the dead are allowed to talk with the rest of the party.
7. There are no modifiers at play.
8. Characters will often make choices which can result in a life or death situation. These are known as Unfair 20’s. The character, or characters, in this situation will have to roll a D20 each. The DM then also rolls a D20. If the DM’s number is higher or matches the player’s number, the player is killed. If the player rolls a Natural 20, they survive - even if the DM also rolls a Natural 20. The characters can try to find a fun way to defend an Unfair 20, but it won’t always work. Other characters are unable to step in to help, unless they are directly involved with the action (for example, both cross the road at the same time)
9. There are also Fatal 20’s. These work exactly the same as Unfair 20’s, but there is no defending them at all. If you die via Fatal 20, there is no coming back - no do-overs, no extra-lives - even character abilities will be useless.
10. None of the playable characters are allowed automatic access to everyday items that would have previously made the Loop easier, such as house keys, money etc. If anyone tries to do this, the object will be taken away by The Giant White Hand. Mother is also no longer aware of how much a scratch card costs.
11. There are a number of events which will be happening throughout the game, whether or not they will be seen by the players is dependent on where they are at a certain time, as well as weather conditions and other predetermined nastiness from the DM.
12. As a player, you are occasionally able to manipulate the world, the events that happen and the outcomes of dice rolls, depending on your character. The DM takes everything very literally. You can use the weather effects and the constantly changing environment to your advantage, but beware that at the same time The DM will also be trying to do the same thing. Your arguments may not always work, but it’s definitely worth a go.
13. The DM’s word is FINAL. If you continuously try to argue a point, a dice roll or contest a death to the point of annoyance, you will be immediately killed. The same goes for continuously denying a ‘yes and’ from the DM or another player. This is known as The Bacon Effect.
14. If you are caught cheating in the game, you will be punished. If you are caught cheating in the edit, you will be punished at a later date. If you are NOT caught cheating until the episode is released, congratulations you got away with it!
15. Remember - this is a team game. Please give everyone a chance to speak and to get involved. If someone is hogging the game the DM will move onto someone else. Repeated interruptions will be met with random brain aneurysms and spontaneous death. And respect people’s answers - if they say no to something, don’t keep asking again.
16. And lastly - the DM will always take your first answer. ALSO YOU CAN’T JUST SAY ‘OH I WIN’ AND WIN YOU FUCKS.  Have fun!