Character Creation Challenge 2026 Day 18: Risus

Risus: The Anything RPG is a 4 page comedic RPG that is simple to play yet can do a surprising number of things.  It was intended to be a comedic RGP but can do serious just as well.  Many people have done settings and games based on it.

 

It is a simple dice pool game.  When you create a character you have 10 dice to allocate to Cliches.  Cliches are descriptors of your character.  If you are playing a Viking character, one of your Cliches should be Viking.  When a challenge arises you roll the number of dice assigned to the most appropriate (or inappropriate) Cliche and beat a target number.  There are a few more rules but that's essentially it.  For those who want more there is a companion book with a lot of different options.  Oh, and Risus is free. 

 

Flavius Flacidus, Roman Centurion

A burly Roman Centurion who likes parading his men, red horse hair plumes, shiny armor and fish sauce. 

Cliches: Centurion (4), Armorer (3), Hiker (2), Garum Maker (1)