The Rules of Spottle
Game originally by Rick Swan (In Dungeon Magazine #12, July 1988)

Spottle is a simple dice game resembling blackjack played in Mystara. It was developed in Glantri, but has since spread across the Known World. It may also be played in real life with only minor adjustments (See below “Alternatives for the Spottle Toad”)

1. The Spottle Master is in charge of all aspects of the game. His decisions are final. Players are playing against the Spottle Master, not against each other.
2. The Spottle Frog is placed on the Table (Or alternative, see below)
3. Each player is required to have two spottle dice. A spottle die can be any six-sided die, but the die must be weighed and treated by the Spottle Master prior to use. A die cannot exceed 1 gp in weight and may be no larger than 2 inches across. Treatment of a die consists of rubbing it in powdered flies (thus making it more attractive to the toad). Only the Spottle Master is allowed to perform this treatment. The Spottle Master is paid 1 cp per die for this service.

Players may use the same set of spottle dice throughout the game. However, if a die is lost or eaten by the toad, the player must have a new die weighed and treated by the Spottle Master, paying 1 cp per die for the service.

• At the beginning of a spottle round, each player places a bet in front of him on the table. Unless the Spottle Master declares otherwise, there is no limit on the amount of the bet. Instead of money, players may also bet objects. The Spottle Master announces the value of the object bet prior to the roll of the dice. If the player does not agree with the amount announced, he may either place a different bet or sit out that round. (Generally use the standard prices given in the D&D game rule books; therefore, if a flask of oil is bet, set the value of the bet at 2 gp.)
• After the bets are placed and the values of all bet objects are determined, each player rolls one die on the table in clear sight of the Spottle Master and all of the players.
• When all players have rolled one die, the Spottle Master rolls one die on the table in clear sight of all.
• After the Spottle Master has rolled one die, each player must declare either a Raise or Hold. If the player declares a Raise, he must double his bet. The player places an equivalent amount on the table with his original bet. (If the player does not have the equivalent amount of his original bet, this option is not available to him.) If the player declares a Hold, he stays with the amount of his original bet.

After the player declares either a Raise or Hold, he rolls his second die.

• When all of the players have declared and made their second rolls, the Spottle Master makes his second roll. Unlike the players, the Spottle Master does not declare a Raise or Hold.
• After the Spottle Master makes his second roll, the round is over. Winners and losers are determined as follows:
  • Any player whose dice total is 11 or 12 automatically loses the round. His bet is forfeited to the Spottle Master. The Spottle Master’s total is allowed to total 11 or 12 without penalty.
  • Each remaining player whose dice total exceeds the total of the Spottle Master is a winner. The Spottle Master pays each winner the amount of his bet. (If a winning player declared a Raise, the Spottle Master pays him twice the amount of his original bet.)
  • A player whose total is less than that of the Spottle Master loses, forfeiting his bet. (If a losing player declared a Raise, he forfeits twice the amount of his original bet.)
  • A player whose total matches the total of the Spottle Master is neither a winner nor a loser. He keeps his bet.
• The spottle toad may swallow a player’s die at any time (it can digest almost anything but metal). Spottle toads are trained not to swallow a Spottle Master’s die. A swallowed die counts as a roll of zero for that round; the player may not roll a replacement die. The player must pay the Spottle Master for a new treated spottle die at the beginning of the next round. (Example: Player A rolls a 2 on his first die and a 6 on his second. Unfortunately, the toad swallows the second die after it is thrown. Player A’s die total for this round is 2. Before the next round begins, Player A pays the Spottle Master 1 cp for a new, treated spottle die.)

Alternative for the Spottle Toad: If you wish to try this game at home, you probably will not have a specially trained toad to eat your dice. Any alternative Randomizer is good to use.

I suggest something like the Crocodile dentist game. In this case you push a tooth down one by one before you roll, if the crocodile’s mouth snaps shut, you can’t roll this dice. And must pay 2 cp to the Spottle Master to regain your dice.

You may also use a separate dice that has more numbers than the number of players (For example there are 4 players and the Spottle Master, use a 10 sided dice, numbers 1-4 may lose their dice, 5~10 no one does.)

You may also come up with other creative solutions to this part of the game on you own.

---

Art by Michael Wright as found in Dungeon Magazine #12, Published by TSR Periodicals in 1988