2 Quick updates today;
(N)PC random traits method
A background question for Izzy my Shadowrunner
https://malciggrpg.wordpress.com/2015/12/30/a-2nd-post-in-as-many-days/
Wednesday, December 30, 2015
Tuesday, December 29, 2015
Quick question
Quick question
Does anyone know of a really light rules system - for Sci-Fi encounter resolution?
Think as light as Dungeon Squad II...
I may be in need of a system to run a 'space hulk' style adventure ;)
Does anyone know of a really light rules system - for Sci-Fi encounter resolution?
Think as light as Dungeon Squad II...
I may be in need of a system to run a 'space hulk' style adventure ;)
A spark of inspiration, let me know what you think of my ideas..
A spark of inspiration, let me know what you think of my ideas..
Will be writing more this week and into Jan 2016 :)
https://malciggrpg.wordpress.com/2015/12/29/downtime-inspiration/
Will be writing more this week and into Jan 2016 :)
https://malciggrpg.wordpress.com/2015/12/29/downtime-inspiration/
Monday, December 28, 2015
So I posted a question about this earlier, but it accidentally ended up categorized as off-topic, and I have no idea how to fix that. :)
So I posted a question about this earlier, but it accidentally ended up categorized as off-topic, and I have no idea how to fix that. :)
I've begun reading the new World of Darkness lately, and I find myself enjoying the material more than I expected. I was wondering what solo experiences folks have had with, say, Vampire or a mortals game? The second edition books might be more solo-friendly, with aspirations and so forth. Do folks tend to use a prepared city write-up as a sandbox, or create something on the fly? I love the ideas in Damnation City, but I also want to keep up the element of surprise.
I know Zach Best, who wrote CRGE, did some NWoD play testing with that system. I'd love to see any actual plays folks would care to share.
These questions could apply to the oWoD too, I suppose, but I find the amount of information in that line somewhat intimidating. :)
I've begun reading the new World of Darkness lately, and I find myself enjoying the material more than I expected. I was wondering what solo experiences folks have had with, say, Vampire or a mortals game? The second edition books might be more solo-friendly, with aspirations and so forth. Do folks tend to use a prepared city write-up as a sandbox, or create something on the fly? I love the ideas in Damnation City, but I also want to keep up the element of surprise.
I know Zach Best, who wrote CRGE, did some NWoD play testing with that system. I'd love to see any actual plays folks would care to share.
These questions could apply to the oWoD too, I suppose, but I find the amount of information in that line somewhat intimidating. :)
Sunday, December 27, 2015
Cross posting, just in case.
Cross posting, just in case.
Originally shared by Chris Stieha
Hi everyone,
With SGAM 2015 complete (awesome job everyone!), I want to compile everything that will go into a SGAM 2015 pdf in one place. In the comments, link to your item and title it. I think the current idea is that anything can go into the document, such as tools, write-ups of actual plays, rpg systems, etc, as long as it is solo-gaming orientated. The pdf then would be made available for distribution, exactly how to be decided later.
Hopefully I will have some time in the near future to put stuff together. If you want to help, feel free to speak up, and we can figure out how to share a document to work on. If you are a contributor, I may ask you to convert your item into a different format, but I will work with you to do this.
Originally shared by Chris Stieha
Hi everyone,
With SGAM 2015 complete (awesome job everyone!), I want to compile everything that will go into a SGAM 2015 pdf in one place. In the comments, link to your item and title it. I think the current idea is that anything can go into the document, such as tools, write-ups of actual plays, rpg systems, etc, as long as it is solo-gaming orientated. The pdf then would be made available for distribution, exactly how to be decided later.
Hopefully I will have some time in the near future to put stuff together. If you want to help, feel free to speak up, and we can figure out how to share a document to work on. If you are a contributor, I may ask you to convert your item into a different format, but I will work with you to do this.
Friday, December 25, 2015
Thursday, December 24, 2015
I just picked up Chronicles of Darkness, which I guess is the new branding for the "New," world of Darkness. I know at least one player here likes to run solo WOD games, and I'm wondering how that works?
I just picked up Chronicles of Darkness, which I guess is the new branding for the "New," world of Darkness. I know at least one player here likes to run solo WOD games, and I'm wondering how that works?
I'm not interested in playing a vampire, per se, but perhaps a mage or changeling or Promethian might be fun. I just wonder how such a heavily story-focused game works with solo tools.
http://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/168428/Chronicles-of-Darkness
I'm not interested in playing a vampire, per se, but perhaps a mage or changeling or Promethian might be fun. I just wonder how such a heavily story-focused game works with solo tools.
http://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/168428/Chronicles-of-Darkness
Just wanted to wish everyone in this group happy holidays and a happy new year!
Just wanted to wish everyone in this group happy holidays and a happy new year!
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/45/ChristmasMarketJena.jpg
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/45/ChristmasMarketJena.jpg
Monday, December 21, 2015
Introducing more randomness to your PC / NPCs.
Introducing more randomness to your PC / NPCs.
My struggle with soloing RPGs was making different choices for the PC / NPC. Then I came across the 'Personality Traits' idea from Basic Roleplaying (BRP)by Chaosium, in the full big yellow book. Here's my take:
PC traits
Aggressive 1.2.3.4.5.6.7#8.9.10 Passive
Impulsive 1.2.3.4.5.6.7.8#9.10 Cautious.
(there is a good list in the BRP book)
The '#' indicates this PC is mostly aggressive and impulsive.
I would use it thus:
An NPC talks rudely to the PC.
A d10 roll giving 1 to 7 means that the PC reacts aggressively back.
A d10 roll giving 8 to 10 means that the PC shrugs his shoulders and walks away.
Of course with time and experience, the position of the # may move to the left or right for the PC.
My struggle with soloing RPGs was making different choices for the PC / NPC. Then I came across the 'Personality Traits' idea from Basic Roleplaying (BRP)by Chaosium, in the full big yellow book. Here's my take:
PC traits
Aggressive 1.2.3.4.5.6.7#8.9.10 Passive
Impulsive 1.2.3.4.5.6.7.8#9.10 Cautious.
(there is a good list in the BRP book)
The '#' indicates this PC is mostly aggressive and impulsive.
I would use it thus:
An NPC talks rudely to the PC.
A d10 roll giving 1 to 7 means that the PC reacts aggressively back.
A d10 roll giving 8 to 10 means that the PC shrugs his shoulders and walks away.
Of course with time and experience, the position of the # may move to the left or right for the PC.
Saturday, December 19, 2015
How to use Diversionary Play
How to use Diversionary Play
Solo play isn't the same as with a group, and I don't mean for the obvious reason. There's been a lot written about how solo should be focused more on detail and character, which is absolutely spot on. But I believe solo also offers you the chance to engage in what I call 'diversionary play'.
In a solo, you're player and GM. You build the world that you play in. Usually a group game is linear in nature - the GM says something, the players react and so on. That structure doesn't exist in solo play and I think we need to take advantage of that. This is where diversionary play comes in.
Diversionary play builds your game in a non-linear fashion. It fleshes out your character and world, giving you more inspiration for your 'core' game. So what constitutes a diversion?
- a gazetteer: creating news in your world is a great way to make it feel like a living place. Aim for a front page story and two or three smaller stories. Hell, put some classified ads in there if you like. If your character has done anything noteworthy, they may appear in the gazetteer. For other stories, roll a few story cubes or use a generator of your choice to come up with a handful of headlines. You don't need to go further than headlines unless you want to.
- flashbacks: have your character evolve through crafting their past. Write about their childhood, their best friend, their favourite foods etc. Use a generator to flesh out the most minute detail. Just focus in one aspect per diversionary session, buy go to town on it. It can help the way your character is shaped in the present.
- character thoughts: take some downtime to figure out, in detail, what's going through your character's head at this point in the campaign. Note their thoughts on the NPCs they have come across and the situation they are in. This can help you decide how they react to certain situations in future.
(Edit) Political/ Military manoeuvres: play out what might be happening in the seat of government. What Wars are happening. Do they directly or indirectly affect your character? Play a your favourite wargame to determine the outcome (this one comes from John Fiore)
The point of diversionary play is to supplement your core game. You can use the above play styles when you have a spare moment on the train or on your lunch break. It takes advantage of the fact that you are the player and GM, so the game doesn't begin and end at the table - it can be constantly in motion.
Solo play isn't the same as with a group, and I don't mean for the obvious reason. There's been a lot written about how solo should be focused more on detail and character, which is absolutely spot on. But I believe solo also offers you the chance to engage in what I call 'diversionary play'.
In a solo, you're player and GM. You build the world that you play in. Usually a group game is linear in nature - the GM says something, the players react and so on. That structure doesn't exist in solo play and I think we need to take advantage of that. This is where diversionary play comes in.
Diversionary play builds your game in a non-linear fashion. It fleshes out your character and world, giving you more inspiration for your 'core' game. So what constitutes a diversion?
- a gazetteer: creating news in your world is a great way to make it feel like a living place. Aim for a front page story and two or three smaller stories. Hell, put some classified ads in there if you like. If your character has done anything noteworthy, they may appear in the gazetteer. For other stories, roll a few story cubes or use a generator of your choice to come up with a handful of headlines. You don't need to go further than headlines unless you want to.
- flashbacks: have your character evolve through crafting their past. Write about their childhood, their best friend, their favourite foods etc. Use a generator to flesh out the most minute detail. Just focus in one aspect per diversionary session, buy go to town on it. It can help the way your character is shaped in the present.
- character thoughts: take some downtime to figure out, in detail, what's going through your character's head at this point in the campaign. Note their thoughts on the NPCs they have come across and the situation they are in. This can help you decide how they react to certain situations in future.
(Edit) Political/ Military manoeuvres: play out what might be happening in the seat of government. What Wars are happening. Do they directly or indirectly affect your character? Play a your favourite wargame to determine the outcome (this one comes from John Fiore)
The point of diversionary play is to supplement your core game. You can use the above play styles when you have a spare moment on the train or on your lunch break. It takes advantage of the fact that you are the player and GM, so the game doesn't begin and end at the table - it can be constantly in motion.
Monday, December 14, 2015
Sunday, December 13, 2015
Hello! Anyone here interested in beta-ing a solo engine?
Hello! Anyone here interested in beta-ing a solo engine?
(I'm putting this in the Discussion section, but if it should be in someplace else, mods, please feel free to move it, and my apologies!)
EDIT: Here is the DriveThru PWYW link for the beta, so you don't even have to email me to get it, unless you want to access the collaborate Gdoc version and make comments there! http://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/168609/ALONe-A-Solo-Game-Engine-BETA
My name is Nathan Rockwood; I was pointed at this forum by one of its members who reviewed a product I Kickstarted, The GameMaster's Apprentice. The deck of cards can already be used to run solo games, as an oracle/engine/source of random ideas, but I've been using a slightly more elaborate system to solo-test the newer decks of cards, and I'm hoping to release it after I finish fulfilling all parts of my Kickstarter and have time to really polish it up.
But in order to do that, I need to get feedback from people who aren't actually, literally just me, since so far the problem with getting feedback is that I'm the only one who has played the game...
Because you need the GameMaster's Apprentice to actually play as written, I'll also provide a partial-length PnP friendly deck so you can print-n-play, for free! Of course, this would also let you test out the GMA deck for other purposes without having to buy it.
If you want to help, please shoot me an email at larcenousdesigns@gmail.com, and I'll send you the beta links, or feel free to ask questions here!
(I'm putting this in the Discussion section, but if it should be in someplace else, mods, please feel free to move it, and my apologies!)
EDIT: Here is the DriveThru PWYW link for the beta, so you don't even have to email me to get it, unless you want to access the collaborate Gdoc version and make comments there! http://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/168609/ALONe-A-Solo-Game-Engine-BETA
My name is Nathan Rockwood; I was pointed at this forum by one of its members who reviewed a product I Kickstarted, The GameMaster's Apprentice. The deck of cards can already be used to run solo games, as an oracle/engine/source of random ideas, but I've been using a slightly more elaborate system to solo-test the newer decks of cards, and I'm hoping to release it after I finish fulfilling all parts of my Kickstarter and have time to really polish it up.
But in order to do that, I need to get feedback from people who aren't actually, literally just me, since so far the problem with getting feedback is that I'm the only one who has played the game...
Because you need the GameMaster's Apprentice to actually play as written, I'll also provide a partial-length PnP friendly deck so you can print-n-play, for free! Of course, this would also let you test out the GMA deck for other purposes without having to buy it.
If you want to help, please shoot me an email at larcenousdesigns@gmail.com, and I'll send you the beta links, or feel free to ask questions here!
Saturday, December 12, 2015
Originally shared by Evandro Novel
Originally shared by Evandro Novel
Here is how I intend to use Dungeon Squad II by Jason Morningstar as a much simpler alternative to standard OSR combat. In Dungeon Squad II, each monster (and each “problem” in general) has a 2-6 Challenge number. You roll a single D6: “When you fight a…
http://solounmondodicarta.wordpress.com/2015/12/12/osr-to-dungeon-squad-ii-conversion
Here is how I intend to use Dungeon Squad II by Jason Morningstar as a much simpler alternative to standard OSR combat. In Dungeon Squad II, each monster (and each “problem” in general) has a 2-6 Challenge number. You roll a single D6: “When you fight a…
http://solounmondodicarta.wordpress.com/2015/12/12/osr-to-dungeon-squad-ii-conversion
Friday, December 11, 2015
Sunday, December 6, 2015
Taking steps towards a new adventure...
Taking steps towards a new adventure...
http://ubiquitousrat.net/?p=3001
http://ubiquitousrat.net/?p=3001
Friday, December 4, 2015
My old hard drive died a few months ago. I completely missed all of SGAM2015 though I now see from my notifications that it was a lovely time. My mission for the day, however, is to find the rules for MORNING COFFEE SOLO VARIATIONS. I know it was someone in this group who was tinkering and I liked it but I had it copied over onto the other PC. Any takers?
Tuesday, December 1, 2015
Alright, so while I work on concluding the Braunstein game, I'll present you guys with these tips that I created.
Alright, so while I work on concluding the Braunstein game, I'll present you guys with these tips that I created.
https://solorpgvoyages.wordpress.com/?p=321
https://solorpgvoyages.wordpress.com/?p=321
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)