When the Dice Don’t Fade to Black

Dungeons & Dragons already handles danger, conflict, and risk with structure.

But when stories turn emotional—romance, trust, vulnerability, aftermath—most tables rely on instinct alone.

That works… until it doesn’t.

You’ve probably seen moments like:

• A relationship that suddenly matters to the plot

• An NPC whose trust must be earned, not assumed

• A political or personal bond with real consequences

• A scene where “fade to black” feels like skipping the result of a die roll

This guide exists for those moments only.

What this guide is

• A Dungeon Master tool, not a player-facing ruleset

• A temporary narrative overlay, used only when intimacy matters

• A consent-first framework with clear safety boundaries

• Designed for Dungeons & Dragons (2024)
  (Fully compatible with the 2014 ruleset)

What this guide is not

• Not explicit

• Not mandatory

• Not intended for every table

• Not a replacement for D&D

If your table prefers to fade to black, that remains a valid choice.

How it Works

When intimacy becomes narratively important, the guide introduces a short, structured sequence:

• Initiation — establishing interest and consent

• Escalation — tension, risk, and emotional stakes

• Climax — resolution of uncertainty

• Aftercare — consequences, trust, and narrative payoff

Once the scene resolves, play returns fully to D&D.

No permanent subsystem.
No ongoing bookkeeping.
No obligation to repeat.

SAFETY AND CONSENT ARE NOT OPTIONAL

This guide treats consent as a mechanical boundary, not a suggestion.

Inside you’ll find:

• Clear guidance on when not to engage intimacy mechanics

• Table-level consent tools

• Player agency protections

• Explicit GM responsibilities

The goal is not to add intimacy to play—
it’s to handle it responsibly when it already exists.

WHAT YOU’LL FIND INSIDE

The free guide includes:

• D&D → Eros Engine attribute and skill conversion

• Rules for resolving intimacy without explicit content

• Minimal-adoption mode for cautious tables

• Guidance on inter-species relationships grounded in lore and culture

• A fully annotated example scene written in D&D rulebook style

Download the Free Guide

When the Dice Don’t Fade to Black is available now on DriveThruRPG.

GOING DEEPER

This guide is powered by Eros Engine™, a narrative system designed to model intimacy, trust, and emotional escalation in tabletop roleplaying games.

If you find the approach useful, the Eros Engine™ Core Rulebook expands on these ideas with:

• Deeper mechanics

• Optional modules

• Broader narrative tools

Exploring it is entirely optional.

This guide is offered freely to build trust—not obligation.

Read what’s useful.
Skip what isn’t.
Use it only if it serves your table.

— Mythos Games Publishing / Eros Engine™