Debord: The Spectacle Eats Itself

A TiGGR two-shot “adventure” where Guy Debord's Society of the Spectacle meets Duck Amuck in a surreal Costco. A cartoonish critique of late capitalism where every rebellion becomes quirky content.

TiGGR Quick Rules

Components: 2d6, pencil, paper, optional LLM
Players: 2-5 (1 GM, 1-4 players)
Playtime: 30-45 min per scenario
Core Mechanic: Roll 2d6 + Stat (Body, Mind, Charm) vs. Difficulty (Risky: 6, Dramatic: 8, Climactic: 10)
Characters: 3 stat points, Role, Special Ability (+1 to specific rolls, 1/scene), Signature Gear (+3 to one roll/scenario), 5 HP
Confrontations: Attack (2d6 + Stat vs. 8), Defend (2d6 + Stat vs. 8 if NPC attacks), Damage (1d6, or 2d6 for vehicles)
Vehicles: 3 stat points, 10 HP, Special Ability (1/scene)
Gameplay: 3 scenes/scenario. Players act, GM adds complications. 0 HP = knocked out until next scene

Scenario 1: The Critique Becomes Content

Scene

A sprawling Costco warehouse: fluorescent lights, Muzak, spiritual dread. A rogue collective of French theorists, punk artists, and radical professors infiltrates to stage an intervention.

Goal

Expose the Spectacle's illusion and awaken shoppers to authentic experience.

Factions

• Influencers (Charm 3, Mind 1, Body 0, 4 HP) Viral Spin: Convert any action into a trending hashtag (1/scene)
• Costco Clerics (Body 2, Mind 2, Charm 1, 5 HP) Bulk Blessing: Heal all NPCs 1 HP with a sample (1/scene)
• Debord's Own Doubt (Mind 3, Charm 1, Body 0, 3 HP) Self-Critique Spiral: Force a PC to doubt their action (Mind 8 to resist)

Three Scenes

1. Setup: Distribute pamphlets near the hot dog stand. Risk: mistaken for brand ambassadors (Charm 8 to clarify)
2. Escalation: A crowd films your protest. It goes viral, but misunderstood as quirky content (Mind 8 to reframe)
3. Climax: Face off in the central aisle under a blinking "Spectacle Savings Event" sign (Climactic 10 to succeed)

Hooks

• A podcaster "amplifies your vibe" (Charm 8 to redirect)
• Corporate sponsors your movement (Mind 8 to sabotage)
• Debord narrates in a cartoon French accent (Mind 8 to resist irony)

Scenario 2: The Consumers Awaken

Scene

You came for toilet paper, now you're trapped in a recursive consumption maze. Every aisle spawns new desires; every deal nibbles your soul.

Goal

Escape the warehouse and rediscover authentic life.

Factions

• Impulse Buy Demons (Body 2, Charm 2, Mind 1, 3 HP) Flash Sale Frenzy: +1 to all rolls near tempting deals (1/scene)
• Enlightenment Kiosk (Mind 3, Charm 0, Body 1, 4 HP) Info Overload: Force all PCs to roll Mind vs. 10 or be overwhelmed (1/scene)
• Store Security (Body 3, Mind 1, Charm 0, 5 HP) Procedural Dragnet: Tracks and detains PCs trying to leave (1/scene)

Three Scenes

1. Setup: Spot a "mirror glitch" in the freezer aisle (Mind 6 to investigate)
2. Escalation: Leaving triggers alarms, lights, and bulk signage (Body 8 to push through)
3. Climax: Final test: accept a hot dog and forget, or keep running (Charm 10 to resist)

Hooks

• A child hands you a loyalty sticker book—complete it, you're trapped (Charm 8 to resist)
• Secret door behind Kirkland Signature toilet paper (Body 8 to access)
• Security questions your desire for freedom (Charm 8 to argue it's not shoplifting)

Gear

• Theory Zine with Staple of Truth: +3 Mind (1/scenario)
• Irony Goggles: +3 Charm when performing satire (1/scenario)
• Hot Dog of Despair: +1 Body, but auto-fail resisting Spectacle next scene

Sample Roles

• Cynical Academic (Mind 2, Charm 1, Body 0) Overquote Debord: +1 Mind when citing obscure theory
• Reformed Shopper (Body 1, Charm 2, Mind 0) Recognize the Pattern: +1 Charm when pointing out contradictions
• Brand Disruptor (Charm 2, Mind 1, Body 0) Mock the Logo: +1 Charm when targeting corporate symbols

GM Tips

• Default to Difficulty 8 for rolls
• Only roll for risky or dramatic actions
• Scale stakes: more foes, bigger scenes
• Ask: "What would a Looney Tunes cartoon do?"
• Stuck? Ask an LLM for a wild twist and run with it

Credits

Design: The Grey Ledger Society
License: CC BY-SA 4.0. Hack it, share it, keep the spirit open
Contact: www.greyledger.org