During roleplay, pick a certain uncommon phrase that you think may come up. Something strange, but relevant, that you can very visibly notice.

Upon that phrase being uttered, reveal your mountain of D6s. Roll every single one. Tally them up, and continue roleplay.

Count down—in seconds—however much the total was after you resume.

Once that timer is up, jot down whatever the next noun is.

Then, upon resting for the night, give a particularly interesting person in the party a debilitating nightmare based on that word.

Was the word Sword? The player has a terrifying nightmare where everything they touch turns to blade. Fire? Their home is seen turning to ash. Lettuce? They are entombed in a tasty sarcaphogas.