Common Ground

A one-page RPG about a town that can't agree anymore.

Something is dividing this town. Before you begin, decide together what the issue is. Then watch it unfold, one conversation at a time.

Common Ground is a GM-less game for 3–6 players. Each player portrays a neighbour holding a secret number that represents how deeply entrenched they are on the issue dividing the town.

Every scene is a conversation between two characters. Roll d100. You can Reach for common ground and risk changing minds, Push to win the argument at the cost of widening the divide, or Withdraw, avoiding confrontation while letting silence do its own quiet damage.

Sometimes the town itself joins the conversation. Words spread. Stories change. Rumors grow. What happens between two neighbours may echo far beyond them.

A shared Fracture Track measures the town's ability to hold together. When it reaches its limit, the town finally breaks apart, and you play one last scene showing what that fracture means for the people who call it home.

There's no winning condition.

Content Note: This game is inspired by the growing polarisation seen in current society, but it is not about recreating real-world politics or current events. For the best experience, create a fictional issue before play. This keeps the focus on the people rather than the politics, and helps maintain some distance from real-world conflicts. Because the game deals with disagreement and division, consider using a safety tool such as the X-Card or Lines & Veils.

Made for the One-Page RPG Jam 2026.