The Insta-Role^® Rules

Insta-Role^® was built to keep rules from getting in the way of play. The system resolves challenges quickly, gives players room to make their own decisions, and helps the Teller run a complete adventure within the agreed time.

It isn't designed to simulate every detail. What matters is what the characters do and how their actions change the story.

Three attributes and one ten-sided die

Every character has just three attributes: Physics, Intellect, and Technics and Intuition. Together, they cover the abilities that matter in play, whatever setting you choose. There are no long skill lists and no elaborate subsystems for every type of encounter.

When the outcome of an action is uncertain and important, the Teller calls for a roll using a ten-sided die (d10). Everyday actions need no roll at all. Challenges and opposed actions are resolved quickly, and even an entire fight is settled with a single test for the group instead of turn after turn of attacks.

The point isn't to track every blow. It's to find out what happens and keep the story moving.

Characters in minutes

Character creation is deliberately quick. Players divide points among their three attributes, briefly introduce their characters, and decide what brings them together.

In each setting, the characters belong to the same organization. This gives them a shared reason to act from the very start, without spending an hour finding a plausible excuse for them to meet.

An experienced Teller can read the scenario while the group creates its characters, then move straight into the adventure.

Destiny Tokens: sharing the story

Insta-Role^® keeps the familiar structure of tabletop roleplaying: a Teller runs a prepared scenario while the players portray their characters. But the Teller isn't the only person who can influence the narrative.

Destiny Tokens let players suggest a twist, ask for a helping hand, or gain an advantage at a crucial moment. They might propose that a helpful witness appears just when they're needed, or ask for an overlooked clue to come to light. The Teller decides whether a suggestion fits the scenario and its setting.

Tokens circulate between a shared player pool and the Teller's pool. When players spend a token, it goes to the Teller. They can earn tokens back by accepting a setback, an unwelcome complication, or a turn of events that makes their characters' lives harder.

This gives everyone a hand in shaping the adventure without taking away the Teller's role as referee. Sometimes the most memorable twist is the one the players willingly bring upon themselves.

The clock is part of the game

Before each session, the group agrees on its duration and sticks to it. Two hours is the standard format, although scenarios can be played in sequence or combined for longer sessions.

The Teller is also the timekeeper. They manage the pace, adjust the flow of clues and opposition, and keep everyone aware of the time remaining. That deadline creates its own tension. The characters may not have time to investigate everything, so their decisions carry weight.

When the agreed time is up, the session ends. If the case is still unresolved, the Teller brings it to a conclusion based on what has happened and the choices the players have made. Success and failure can both make for a memorable adventure.

Zero prep, once you know the rules

Insta-Role^® is aimed primarily at experienced roleplayers, particularly Tellers who are comfortable improvising. The Teller needs to understand the system, but doesn't need to prepare each scenario ahead of time.

Another player can serve as the Rules Referent, explaining the mechanics and answering rules questions while the Teller focuses on the unfolding adventure. Once the rules are familiar, a setting, a scenario, a d10, and a handful of tokens are all you need to get started.

Read the complete rulebook

You can read the full Insta-Role^® rulebook below and download it for free. It includes all the rules, examples, advice for the Teller, and player aids.

This is the rules-only booklet. To play, choose an Insta-Role® setting volume, which already includes a copy of the rules, the setting material, and the scenarios.