Over the weekend I had a dream I was playing a game called Dungeon Monster and it worked like this:
Players sit down to play a simple version of D&D. Maybe it is D&D. I don't think the actual game system entirely matters, because:
The DM is Cookie Monster. Or at least, a very Cookie Monster-eque muppet with appreciable features: thick fur, googly eyes, large mouth, furry hand that can assist in emoting and comically roll dice.
When the game begins, the monster announces "HALLO. ME AM DUNGEON MONSTER. DIS ME FIRST TIME PLAYING GAME. ME MIGHT NEED A LITTLE HELP ALONG THE WAY. IS THAT OKAY WITH YOU?"
Everybody around the table nods, because of course it's okay, who wouldn't help Cookie Monster DM a game.
So everybody is technically playing a session of Dungeons and Dragons, but what they're actually playing is a game where you try to teach Dungeon Monster important lessons about the world. This is done through cookies. I think this is done through cookies. In my dream it was cookies.
So, for example, Dungeon Monster might say, "YOU AM WALKING THROUGH DARK, SCAAAAARY FOREST, WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN, YOU SEE BIG... UH... BIG.... oh no... what is name of building knights live it? me cannot believe me forget! oh boy, it me first time playing game, and already me am messing the details up..." and that would be your cue to pipe up, "Dungeon Monster! I think you mean a 'Castle'." and then Dungeon Monster would say, "--CASTLE! YEAH YEAH! CA-STLE!! DAT'S RIGHT!" and then he would give you a cookie, and possible prompt the table to fill in the details: "AND WHAT THINGS MIGHT CASTLE HAVE?" "Drawbridge." "Moat." "Parapets." "OOOH, PARAPETS. THIS CASTLE HAVE THREE PARAPETS, AND YOU SEE HORRIBLE MANTICORE PERCHED ON THE TALLEST, DARKEST ONE."
Then later, the player can spend their cookie for an additional action or narrative control. By spending the cookie, the cookie goes back to Dungeon Monster, who eats it messily, om-nom-nom.
The game ends when Dungeon Monster eats all the cookies.
