A d3-star render showing the 1-star side on the top.

The Folklore System uses a special die called the “d3-star.” Any ordinary 6-sided die can be used instead, but here we will discuss what the d3-star is and how it works.

What is the d3-star?

The d3-star is a 6-sided die with the sides labeled as 1-star, 1, 2, 2, 3, and 3-star. A regular 6-sided die can be used by labeling 1 and 6 as 1-star and 3-star, respectively, then divide all the other sides by 2 (rounded up).

How is a d3-star used?

For the sides 1-3, the die works the same as any other — providing the number on the top side.

The real difference is in the 1-star and 3-star sides. Whenever one of these sides is rolled, then you roll again to “confirm.” Confirming is to roll the same side twice.

So for example, if you roll a 1-star, then roll again and get a 2, this does not confirm the 1-star, and the value that was rolled is a 1. However, if you roll a 1-star and then roll a 1-star again, the 1-star is confirmed and it represents an automatic failure in the Folklore System. Conversely, confirmed 3-star represents an automatic success.