Hello and welcome to the game!
Roll your own adventure stories are like a choose your own adventure, except in this, fate decides where the story goes.
Firstly, the most important rule is to stick with your rolls! Can I stop you if you decide to read the better roll chapter? Not exactly, but for a more genuine experience, at least go through once with your first time rolls.
The d20 [20 sided die] system;
This system is simple. At certain points in the story, usually the end of chapters, you'll get something that looks (kindof) like this:
[INSIGHT CHECK]
DC: 15
Bonuses: +1
If the main character saw Celestia eat the cake behind Luna's back, add one d4 [4 sided die] to your roll.[If you rolled 14 or lower, click here] or [If you rolled 15 or higher, click here]
DC means Difficulty Class; in this case, on a d20 basis, this is a more challenging insightful look at something.
To pass a check, you must roll at the checks required number or higher, in this case, you must roll a 15 or higher, bonuses included.
As you can see, this game will also include bonuses. Not all bonuses will be positive, some will be negative, and some rolls will be a flat d20.
Make sure you read the FULL text of the check, including the italicized text. This check has a second, smaller bonus attached for something YOU the READER rolled at the last check, in this case, if you recall rolling to catch Celestia in the act of eating cake, you would roll a d4 and add that to you overall total.
Making sense so far? Good!
Next up, some checks may include Advantage or Disadvantage.
In both of these cases, you will roll a d20 twice.
On a roll with Advantage, you take the higher.
On a roll with Disadvantage, you take the lower.
The reasoning behind advantage or disadvantage will always be listed.
One other aspect of the d20 is critical failures and critical successes. This system is highly simplified, and will not include those, at least for now.
Don't have your own physical dice? No problem! Google has their own built-in online dice roller.
Remember, the most important rule is to stick with your rolls! Can I stop you if you decide to read the better roll chapter? Not exactly, but for a more genuine experience, at least go through once with your first time rolls.
There are FOUR total endings. Good luck, and may the dice roll in your favor.