This pattern was established by the first published role-playing game, Dungeons & Dragons, but is not universal across all tabletop RPGs. Some outcomes are determined by the game system, and some are chosen by the GM. The GM describes the game world and its inhabitants the other players describe the intended actions of their characters, and the GM describes the outcomes. In most games, a specially designated player typically called the game master (GM) purchases or prepares a set of rules and a fictional setting in which each player acts out the role of a single character. The terms pen-and-paper and tabletop are generally only used to distinguish this format of RPG from other formats, since neither pen and paper nor a table are strictly necessary. Within the rules, players have the freedom to improvise their choices shape the direction and outcome of the game. Participants determine the actions of their characters based on their characterization, and the actions succeed or fail according to a set formal system of rules and guidelines. A tabletop role-playing game (typically abbreviated as TRPG or TTRPG), also known as a pen-and-paper role-playing game, is a classification for a role-playing game (RPG) in which the participants describe their characters' actions through speech.

Phase 10 dice score sheet