Resource Spotlight: The WTF? Engine

Note: Cussin'. Lots of it. No children of any age.

The What the Fuck? Engine is an open source LAMP (Linux, Apache, MySQL and PHP) program that you can instsll on most web servers with minimal headaches. It generates a statement based on a series of random, often nested, tables each time you view or refresh the page.

If you are a LAMP Code-monkey like me, you can grab the source code here on Github.

WTF? Was originally made to create a page entitled What the Fuck Should I Make for Dinner? A handy site for the uninspired and meal-plan challenged.

The role-playing community saw this engine and ran with it in a big way, creating their own foul-mouthed and funny character and adventure generators. Here are a few of my facourites:

Who the Fuck in my #DnD Character?

WTF is my #DnD Character? outputs a D&D character concept like these:

YOU THINK YOUR CHARACTER IS COOL? MY CHARACTER IS A FUCKING

GROUCHY HALF-ORC BARD FROM THE WETLANDS WHO HAS WOODEN TEETH AFTER THE INCIDENT WITH THE MACE

YOU THINK YOUR CHARACTER IS COOL? MY CHARACTER IS A FUCKING

CUNNING ELF WIZARD FROM THE DUNGEON INSPECTOR'S GUILD (LOCAL #422) WHO IS AFRAID OF DOGS

What the Fuck is my Quest?

WTF is my Quest? Is a random gonzo D&D adventure concept generator. This one gives you a hook, an obstacle, a Maguffin, and a villain in each quest. Here's some examples:

YOUR FUCKING TASK IS AT HAND

TAKE AN AIRSHIP TO THE CAVE OF ICE. SPEAK WITH THE HONEST DRAKE, THEN GRASP THE MESSED UP STONE THAT IS CURRENTLY IN THE POSSESSION OF THE MAGES GUILD.

ONLY THEN WILL THE KING LET YOUR MAGE FRIEND GO.

HOLY SHIT LOOK AT ALL THIS SHIT TO DO

RIDE A GIANT BIRD TO THE CAVE OF SPIRITS. JOIN FORCES WITH THE HONEST GIANT, THEN GRASP THE TECHNOLOGICALLY ENHANCED SPHERE OF CUIL THEORY.

ONLY THEN CAN YOU FINALLY AVENGE YOUR FATHER'S DEATH

I have managed to save a couple of sessions by surreptitiously loading this one up on my phone.

Who is my Fragging Shadowrun Character?

Who is my Fragging Shadowrun Character? Uses the WTF engine to output Shadowrun Character concepts, like:

I'm gonna play a fucking 

cautious elf assassin from central Europe who is afraid of spirits and is an ex-wageslave

I'm gonna play a fucking

caring dwarf demolitions expert from Aztlan who has connections to a Lone Star cop and is addicted to BTLs

I use this one a lot to make up contacts on the fly.

What's Your Fucking Weapon?

What's Your Fucking Weapon? Is a random magic weapon idea generator. Sample items include:

CHECK THIS SHIT OUT, IT'S A FUCKING

PRISTINE STAFF OF PACIFISM

IT'S A FUCKING

BADASS FLAIL THAT TRANSFORMS INTO A FUCKING POINTY TOOTH

I just like this one, although I seldom use it.

Personally, I am waiting for a dungeon generator like this. This is a great time saver when you need to randomly generate something on the fly.