A Merry Christmas Roleplaying Game!

We at NUELOW Games hope everyone is having a wonderful holiday season. We're presenting a brand-new mini-RPG to spread joy on this Christmas Day!

THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS: 

A Festive RPG

SETUP

Players: 2-5 | Time: 30-60 minutes | Materials: 2d6, paper, pencil

You are Santa's emergency backup team. Santa's sick with the flu--not even Mrs. Claus's loving ministrations has made him feel better--and Christmas Eve is HERE. Can you deliver presents to five special children before dawn?

CHARACTER CREATION

Choose a character role and write down your special ability:

THE ELF - Reroll any failed Crafting check once per game
THE REINDEER - Reroll any failed Flying check once per game
THE SNOWMAN - Reroll any failed Sneaking check once per game
THE GINGERBREAD GUARDIAN - Reroll any failed Courage check once per game
BRIGID THE RED, CHRISTMAS DRAGON - Reroll any failed check once per game (any type)

Each character starts with 3 CHRISTMAS SPIRIT points.

HOW TO PLAY

The Game Master (GM) describes situations. When you attempt something risky, roll 2d6:

• 7+ = Success!

• 6 or less = Failure (lose 1 Christmas Spirit)

• If you reach 0 Christmas Spirit, you're too discouraged to continue

Check Types: Flying, Crafting, Sneaking, Courage

THE MISSION

You must visit five houses and deliver the right presents. The GM describes each house and its challenges.

THE PRESENTS

This year's special deliveries:

• May: A gleaming silver telescope to explore the night sky

• Tommy: A classic wooden model train set with intricate details

• Sophia: A professional art supply kit with watercolors and brushes

• Jamal: A regulation-size basketball for shooting hoops

• Emma: A leather-bound collection of adventure stories from around the world

HOUSE 1: THE APARTMENT

Little May lives on the 12th floor. No chimney—just a locked balcony door.
Challenge: Sneaking check to pick the lock quietly

HOUSE 2: THE FARMHOUSE

Tommy's house has a chimney, but his protective dog Brutus guards the living room.
Challenge: Courage check to befriend or distract Brutus

HOUSE 3: THE MANSION

Sophia's family has a high-tech security system with motion sensors.
Challenge: Crafting check to disable sensors without triggering alarms

HOUSE 4: THE COTTAGE

Jamal's chimney is blocked by a bird's nest. You'll need another way in.
Challenge: Flying check to safely enter through the attic window

HOUSE 5: THE LIGHTHOUSE
Emma lives in a lighthouse on a cliff. A snowstorm is raging around it.

Challenge: Flying check to navigate the dangerous weather

THE CLOCK IS TICKING!

You have only 20 rolls to complete all five deliveries before dawn breaks! Every check you make counts toward this limit—whether you succeed or fail. If you reach 20 rolls before delivering all the presents, Christmas morning arrives and some children wake to empty stockings.

Roll Counter: Track each roll below (cross off one box per roll)

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TEAMWORK: If two players work together on a challenge, they both roll. If either succeeds, the team succeeds. If both fail, each player loses 1 Christmas Spirit.

CHRISTMAS MAGIC: Spend 1 Christmas Spirit to automatically succeed on any check.

GIFT MIX-UP: Whenever someone rolls doubles (same number on both dice), a gift mix-up happens! Make a Crafting check to fix it quickly.

HOUSE COMPLETE: When you successfully deliver a present, each player recovers 1 Christmas Spirit (max 3).

GM TIPS

• Add festive descriptions: twinkling lights, cookie smells, sleeping families

• Let players suggest creative solutions

• Award bonus Christmas Spirit for exceptional roleplay

• Make it magical and heartwarming!

• Pacing is key! With 20 total rolls for 5 houses, aim for about 3-4 rolls per house. This gives you room for creative challenges while keeping the story moving. If a player fails a check, consider turning it into a fun narrative moment—maybe they need a second approach to overcome the obstacle. For example, a failed Sneaking check might mean they need a clever Crafting solution to distract a watchful pet, or a Courage check to boldly solve the problem. These follow-up challenges add excitement and give players more chances to be heroic!

Merry Christmas, and good luck!