Metagame Tokens

All PCs gain a number of these tokens per session, depending on the number of PCs:

The primary purpose of a metagame token is to "change the scene", i.e. to make some change to the world instantly, not as a direct result of their character's action, but as a metagame action, similar to the power the DM enjoys.

This can be very subjective, and ultimately up to DM approval, but can be used for purposes such as:

• Conveniently relocating a hazard in the middle of a fight so the enemy slips in it
• Causing a random encounter to occur
• There really was a horse merchant in town, even though the book said there wasn't
• A town guard just happened to be walking by just now
• You actually did remember to bring your backup weapon, even though you could swear you left it back in town

(Sidenote: I'm torn about the use of these in combat, as I primarily want to spruce up out-of-combat gameplay in a similar manner to what Action Points did for combat. However, some applications of "change the scene" that affect combat are just too juicy. So I'm not sure if there should be a restriction.)

PCs might not always agree; in this event, one PC might play a token and declare some change, while another declares that null and void, while a third chimes in with a new possibility, and a fourth doubles down on the original idea from the first player. The way to resolve this situation is this:

• The idea with the highest token count wins
• Any tied ideas are disqualified entirely (except status quo)
• PCs can't specifically play a token to nullify another token, but they can play a token for "status quo"
• PCs can never "take back" a token once played on a given dispute
• PCs can place multiple tokens in the same dispute, whether to reinforce their preference or just play the field
• If no non-tied idea wins, the result is status quo
• If the highest token count is on "status quo", the result is status quo
• If a metagame token affects a PC, that PC can veto the effect regardless of tokens