2 Quick updates today;

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/

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 ;)

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/

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. :)

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.

For the dice lovers out there.

For the dice lovers out there.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1S-GuTa7xKU_t2HJ8Ne9fyFcFfjlD0lLF27C2cMRhbgY/edit?usp=sharing

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

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

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.

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.

I've just started up a solo campaign using USR and a generic fantasy setting that will I'll crib details from everywhere. I'm using 9Qs and Storycubes as my engine, along with a solid helping of random generators.

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!

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

I got all the Dark Sun material for the second edition of AD&D. I'm just figuring out how it;should I use the modules? I love the setting in the lore but absolutely hate the meta plot.

Taking steps towards a new adventure...

Taking steps towards a new adventure...
http://ubiquitousrat.net/?p=3001

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?

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

Has anyone tried using roll20 or any similar virtual tabletop to solo combat heavy games like D&D or pathfinder?

We got more participation in each event type than I had anticipated, so I can say with confidence that SGAM2015 went beyond expectations! :)

We got more participation in each event type than I had anticipated, so I can say with confidence that SGAM2015 went beyond expectations! :)

Thank you +Aleksandar Battreps, +Steven Lincoln, +Zach Best and +Chris Stieha for stepping up as moderators. Also, thanks to Chris Stieha and +Peter Schweighofer for providing their free work as promotion (RND and Scweig’s Themed Dungeon Generator). +Geoff Osterberg for the snazzy description he came up for the SGAM2015 community.

Thank you everyone else who participated in SGAM2015 whether with your actual play reports or cool tools. You made it a success!

Originally shared by Alex Yari

We got more participation in each event type than I had anticipated, so I can say with confidence that SGAM2015 went beyond expectations! :)

Thank you Aleksandar Battreps, Steven Lincoln, Zach Best and Chris Stieha for stepping up as moderators. Also, thanks to Chris Stieha and Peter Schweighofer for providing their free work as promotion (RND and Scweig’s Themed Dungeon Generator). Geoff Osterberg  for the snazzy description he came up for the SGAM2015 community. 

Thank you everyone else who participated in SGAM2015 whether with your actual play reports or cool tools, you made it a success!

Originally shared by Leonardo Myst

Originally shared by Leonardo Myst

Emulating Facebook and Mobile style games to a solo RPG adventure.

First, make a list of "collectable" heroes.
Randomly select one to start with.

Determine a party size. Three is usually good.
Create enough minor characters to fill party. These could be soldiers, special agents, etc, that have basic abilities (brawling, guns, melee-blunt, melee-slashing).

Make a Boss List.
Make a Random Boss Chart, using no more than half the List.
When a Boss is used, replace them on Chart with next Boss on List, cycling through them.

Determine appropriate Minions for Boss (ie. Gangsters, Thugs, Robots, Soldiers, Zombies, Ninjas, Cultists, Henchmen, etc.).

Each adventure would consist of 2 to 3 encounters. (Randomly roll 1D6- 1-3: 2 encounters, 4-6: 3 encounters).
For 2 Encounters, Encounter 1 would have 1D4+1 minor or major minions, Encounter 2 would have 1D4-1 minor or major minions and Boss.
For 3 Encounters, Encounter 1 would have 1D6 minor or major minions, Encounter 2 would have 1D4+2 minor or major minions, Encounter 3 would have 1D4-2 minor or major minions and Boss.

After each Encounter, draw a card.
Ace = random new minor character (for minion encounters) or random new hero (for boss encounter)
Face cards = random new minor character
Other non-face cards:
Spade = weapon (minor minion encounter: valuex1 damage, major minion encounter: valuex2 damage, boss: valuex5 damage)
Heart = healing (minor: valuex1, major: valuex2, boss: valuex5)
Clubs = armor (minor: valuex1 defense, major: valuex2 defense, boss: valuex5 defense)
Diamonds = money (minor: valuex2 in dollars, major: valuex5 in dollars, boss: valuex10 in dollars)

Values of weapons, armor, healing and money rewards may need adjusting to match game system used.

Hero party gains XP at end of adventure. Adventures with 3 Encounters give 50% more XP than those with 2 Encounters.

Heroes and Minor characters regain a quarter of their max health (rounded up) between adventures.
Heroes and Minor characters regain half their max health (rounded up) for each adventure they sit out on.

Heroes (not Minor characters) with full health that sit out on adventure can go on missions.
For missions, choose type of reward (weapon, armor, healing, money) and at end of the adventure they sit out on, draw a card. No matter the suit, it will be the reward chosen at valuex2. Ignore and redraw face cards and aces.
Healing can be applied to any character or saved until needed.

Dribbling with excitement about RQ Classic Edition, I couldn't resist rolling up a character to play in Glorantha...

Dribbling with excitement about RQ Classic Edition, I couldn't resist rolling up a character to play in Glorantha...
http://ubiquitousrat.net/?p=2993

I do not know if you are members of Mythic yahoo group, but Tana Pigeon is preparing Mythic Variations II and there is a lot of discussion what should be in this book. If someone here is interested, go over there and join with the ideas :)

I do not know if you are members of Mythic yahoo group, but Tana Pigeon is preparing Mythic Variations II and there is a lot of discussion what should be in this book. If someone here is interested, go over there and join with the ideas :)


https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Mythic_Role_Playing/info

So lately I've been struck with the idea to start up some kind of "roving justice," campaign. I like the idea of playing somebody who rides around righting wrongs, or perhaps just troubleshoots problems, hopefully not in the Paranoia sense. :)

So lately I've been struck with the idea to start up some kind of "roving justice," campaign. I like the idea of playing somebody who rides around righting wrongs, or perhaps just troubleshoots problems, hopefully not in the Paranoia sense. :)

I'm leaning towards a fantasy genre on this one. Has anyone done something similar solo-wise? I envision playing as somebody I'll tentatively call his "lord's voice," empowered to investigate issues of pressing concern. (Why isn't the tribute from so-and-so here?)
I think this would probably end up being pretty episodic. I don't like over-prepping and the paralysis which can result, so a sketchily defined kingdom/barony/whatever might be a good starting place.
I figured I'd ask here first though just to see if anybody else has had success with this kind of thing.

This week we'll try something a little different in the form of the idea generator at http://ideagenerator.creativitygames.net/ and the http://www.headlinesmasher.com/generator generators. They're both interesting tools, though the latter is more on the funnier side (with headlines such as “Selfies Are Killing Your Sperm Count”).

This week we'll try something a little different in the form of the idea generator at http://ideagenerator.creativitygames.net/ and the http://www.headlinesmasher.com/generator generators. They're both interesting tools, though the latter is more on the funnier side (with headlines such as “Selfies Are Killing Your Sperm Count”). 

I think the images are self explanatory, and the headline seems fit for a finale. :)

Originally shared by Alex Yari

This week we'll try something a little different in the form of the idea generator at http://ideagenerator.creativitygames.net/ and the http://www.headlinesmasher.com/generator generators. They're both interesting tools, though the latter is more on the funnier side (with headlines such as “Selfies Are Killing Your Sperm Count”).

I think the images are self explanatory, and the headline seems fit for a finale. :)

Originally shared by Evandro Novel

Originally shared by Evandro Novel

I am thinking of maybe getting a few skyfighters and give a try to White Star starship combat: it looks simple enough to be fun :)

This week's 3 ingredients for SGAM 2015's solo play! Better late than never!

This week's 3 ingredients for SGAM 2015's solo play! Better late than never!

Originally shared by Alex Yari

We're a bit late for this week's 3 story cubes, sorry!

Feel free to be flexible with how you interpret these
The story cubes:

A flower
A high rise building (could be any tall structure)
A die!

For the major news headline, other than the recent unfortunate events, there wasn't anything that captured front page headlines. I've chosen this instead:

Gene drive gives scientists power to hijack evolution

http://www.statnews.com/2015/11/17/gene-drive-hijack-evolution/

Feel free to interpret this loosely while keeping the spirit of meddling with nature. It doesn't have to be strictly  modern or science. 

Enjoy!

Has anyone had experience with playing Burning Wheel or Torchbearer? How would the Beliefs come into it, does anyone have any ideas?

Has anyone had experience with playing Burning Wheel or Torchbearer? How would the Beliefs come into it, does anyone have any ideas?
Thanks.

Originally shared by Adventure Girl

Originally shared by Adventure Girl

#Boys   React to #Girls  Playing #DungeonsandDragons  

This was fun to watch, seeing how boys & girls reacted to the game.  Especially as I am a female player learning how to play #Solo   #DnD  

#DnD   #TabletopRPG   #Roleplaying   #Games  
https://www.youtube.com/attribution_link?a=L95ZDEw8bJI&u=%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DWdYxlY3jNDw%26feature%3Dshare

Originally shared by The Escapist

Originally shared by The Escapist

Want to Find Yourself? Try Playing Dungeons & Dragons - http://bit.ly/1M1PmAB #dnd #rpg 
http://bit.ly/1M1PmAB

Originally shared by Chris Stieha

Originally shared by Chris Stieha

And today I release the first issue of RND: the randomly created adventure zine.  Inspiration through images and maps!
The PWYW pdf is available at: http://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/165859/RND--issue-1
Print + PDF copies available at: http://thunderbunnypress.com/
I use 28lb paper with 110lb cardstock, which is awesome, but means that postage is expensive.  This weekend, I am going to try different cardstock to try to decrease postage costs.  Feel free to wait.  If you buy a print copy, I'll email you a link to a google folder within 24 hours.

I'm also interested in trades.  Email me at my gmail account bmarkslash7 or message me.

Thanks to Alex Yari , Dyson Logos , and Kevin Crawford for inspiration and help.
http://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/165859/RND--issue-1

Went missing over the weekend - but I'm back now :)

Went missing over the weekend - but I'm back now :)
https://malciggrpg.wordpress.com/2015/11/09/day-9-post-6-distractions-solo-war-gaming/

Sharing from Story games. Musings on oracle mechanics.

Sharing from Story games. Musings on oracle mechanics.

Originally shared by Nick Carter

Working on consolidating/speeding up the "Oracle consultation" portions of creative processes. This has most impact on [multiplayer] gaming prep and [solo or multiplayer] in-game improv of narrative/NPC dialogue (plus: answering player questions regarding perception of environment; PC discovery of clues/synergistic dot connecting of same clues during investigation puzzles; partial villain reveals or villain scheme reveals: cooking up magic item details... The lists are endless, really) but can also be a large portion of player character creation, as with vision cards/accompanying questions in Everway or similar games.

At this point oracles are a huge part of my storytelling/gaming process. Another word for them might be "muses" but I enjoy the word "oracle" more.

I enjoy them so much, in fact, that I've accumulated a bit of a glut of these randomized wells of inspiration. Her are a few that I enjoy most: GM's Apprentice, Fate Deck, Rory's Story Cubes, Everway's Fortune Deck (and Vision cards for plot/character development), Storymatic.

Some of these provide very specific story elements to incorporate (or reinterpret) into your ongoing narrative and world creation/refinement, like various fields on GM's Apprentice cards or Storymatic prompts. Others are primarily symbolic and require a lot of deeper reading into based on assumptions and hunches about your setting/characters/events, like the Fortune Deck or Rory's.

There are even endless lists in lookup tables for obtaining specific kinds of inspiration/story elements that are really great. Several games and related products use these as their primary mechanisms: Fiasco has playset lists for determining the two-way relationships between each adjacent player at the table, and uses the tilt table similarly; Engine Publishing's first couple books are packed with awesome snack-size plot and character ideas to build into full meals for your campaign, and provide several paths to get there: genre-divided lists of plots/characters, lists of tags that have been applied throughout these primary lists as a means to regroup them, and across the bottom of pages throughout the book Masks is an ongoing list of names to choose from that works beautifully. The folks at Engine provide great depth of insight into both the construction/thought process behind how the lists were made and how to generate your own similarly unbiased lists, providing enough info to be useful and inspiring while still maintaining brevity enough to cruise through. Even better/possibly more useful: actionable ideas on how to best remix the ideas presented in the books. So useful and appreciated!

I also heavily lean on less specific oracles for resolution or answering questions from players or that I have myself. Many of these rules were defined as a means of bridging narrative and game rules in the first place: Mythic's plot thread/character lists, chaos factor and Fate Chart/modified scenes/random events; Fate Core or FAE have the fractal/fuzzy rolls/skills or approaches/Fate points; Cortex Plus accumulates stress as a growing pool of dice on an opponent that can be seized upon by other characters in a way that can feel less artificial/truer to real world experience than a dwindling, quantified health or hit point total; Primetime Adventures uses improv theater's most sacred go-to prompts: "yes/no but/and..." which prove easily as useful a tool while gaming/writing.

And I keep accumulating still more oracles in search of something new. I really don't need to. There's a vast trove of inspiration among my existing tools, requiring varying amounts of effort to incorporate into ongoing stories or as inspiration for new ones.

I'm going to draw another analogy here from creative oracles to sound synthesizers: there tends to be an immense collection of great-sounding presets ("patches ") on any newly-acquired synth, but among many synth enthusiasts using these factory patches unmodified is blasphemy, akin to "biting rhymes" or outright plagiarism, and so a desire to tweak or roll your own from scratch often dominates the thoughts of these people.

So once I have a new, streamlined process nailed down - from conceptualizing a campaign setting, central plot events and background ones, characterization of governments, societies and individuals... To individual chapter/session planning, to off-the-cuff scene building, arbitration of scene resolution (sometimes you just don't want/need to roll those dice!) and record keeping for both fiction and mechanical purposes - I will definitely be sharing/looking for feedback. I'm hoping I can bring something useful to others while speeding up and bringing clarity to my own solo gaming.

I may make mention of whatever [quite possibly syncretic] gaming rules I settle on, but the focus will be on fiction rather than gamism or simulation

Sort of a epilogue (for now) of the "Games I'd Like to Play" series.

I've really been enjoying everyone's posts for SGAM. My project is almost finished.

I've really been enjoying everyone's posts for SGAM.  My project is almost finished.

Originally shared by Chris Stieha

Test print looks good.  Almost ready...

Alex Yari Dyson Logos Kevin Crawford

They are here! Modern Urban City Dressing Tables!

Latest from my blog for the Fortunes Wheel game:

Latest from my blog for the Fortunes Wheel game:
Kickstarter in its last week
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1613337354/fortunes-wheel

These give the bare bones of a story - a location, some events and an encounter that can be done as improvised play with the system.

Hello everybody, since I am objectively having a hard time making something playable out of PZ8 The Giant Spider from Outer Space, I am afraid I will have to turn to something more complex / evolved.

Hello everybody, since I am objectively having a hard time making something playable out of PZ8 The Giant Spider from Outer Space, I am afraid I will have to turn to something more complex / evolved.

Months ago, Thaumiel Nerub  suggested me "Better than Any Man". I read most of the book and I liked it, but I now think I want a more contemporary setting (i.e. closer to the actual XXI century world). 

Here are some candidates I am considering:

* Lady Blackbird: I already made some prep for this, but never actually started playing. 
https://solounmondodicarta.wordpress.com/?s=blackbird
I love the setting and I like the idea to have a great team of adventurers ready to go. Still, the system is way too complex to play solo (I want to keep book keeping to a very small minimum).

* Into the Odd: I recently bought the pdf. In order to use it for my purposes, I would probably have to simplify things even more. I like the idea to have encounters involving, let's say, 10 figures. I don't want to have to manage 20 counters (HP+STR for each figure).

* Strange Aeons: this is a Lovecraftian skirmish system (I like the idea). The most interesting thing is that they recently published a "Solo Deck" which should make it possible to play solo. If anyone knows more, I would be grateful for any additional information on the rule-set and the Solo Deck.

* Pulp Alley: I used this rather extensively. It has some very cool features (e.g. the generic scenarios), but I should buy some of the Campaign supplements in order to understand how to better connect the different encounters. Moreover, it also needs excessive book-keeping and I should extensively revise the rules to make them quicker.

Suggestions for an interesting setting (XIX-XXI Century, let's say from steampunk to near-future sci-fi)?
Suggestions for a very light, generic skirmish or rpg system? Ideally, I would like to be able to manage creatures of all kinds: I have a bunch of vehicles, plastic monsters and robots that I would like to use. In the style of OnePage WarStuff, recently mentioned by James Smith as well: 
https://solorpgvoyages.wordpress.com/2015/11/02/sgam-2015-lets-play-braunstein-part-1-the-beginning/
https://onepagerules.wordpress.com/portfolio/warstuff/

At the moment, I think I would go for LBBB "Lady Blackbird in Bastion":
* Come up with an Into the Odd skirmish system (basically, by converting the ITO HP/STR system to a simple set of conditions: sound, wounded, apparently-dead)
* Convert LBB characters into ITO characters
* Play the LBB scenario using the simplified ITO rules (I would use the LBB universe, detailing it with the Oddpendium tables http://goo.gl/AdxmrJ )

I am not sure this makes sense.

I am not sure I understand completely, but any alternative to hex maps sounds interesting to me....

I am not sure I understand completely, but any alternative to hex maps sounds interesting to me....

https://tsojcanth.wordpress.com/2014/11/24/pointcrawls-and-random-exploration-words-plus-a-game-mechanic-supporting-solo-gaming/
https://tsojcanth.wordpress.com/2014/11/24/pointcrawls-and-random-exploration-words-plus-a-game-mechanic-supporting-solo-gaming

More Superhero Sandbox Stuff.

Day #2 – Post #2 – Chronicles of Arax – Character Creation.

Day #2 – Post #2 – Chronicles of Arax – Character Creation.

My thoughts on character creation in the free RPG gamebook Chronicles of Arax.

Up for discussion and use! Please :)
https://malciggrpg.wordpress.com/2015/11/02/day-2-post-2-chronicles-of-arax-character-creation/

Day #1 – Post #1 – Solo Shadowrun – The Concept

Day #1 – Post #1 – Solo Shadowrun – The Concept
https://malciggrpg.wordpress.com/2015/11/01/day-1-post-1-solo-shadowrun-the-concept/

Happy November, guys. Here's a rules set if you're interested in doing something for Extra Life

Happy November, guys. Here's a rules set if you're interested in doing something for Extra Life
https://solorpgvoyages.wordpress.com/2015/11/01/stay-alive-the-extra-life-inspired-rpg/

More ideas on the Superhero Sandbox, with two new pieces of the equation.

More Superhero Sandbox thoughts on one bit of important color I missed...

I AIN'T DEAD & BOLD COMMITMENTS

I AIN'T DEAD & BOLD COMMITMENTS

New post to ONE PLAYER MANY STAGES
A big commitment from me - I'm going to need your support :) 
https://malciggrpg.wordpress.com/2015/10/30/i-aint-dead-bold-commitments/

Originally shared by Zach Best

Originally shared by Zach Best

A little early, but with the Halloween weekend I wanted to make sure that the first week of 3 Ingredient Solo Play! for #SoloGamingAppreciationMonth2015 was available ASAP.

The first three ingredients are:
 (1) an airliner,
(2) a bindle (hobo travel sack on a stick), and
(3) a rat. 

The bonus world event is:
22 Shipwrecks Found in the Same Location 
http://news.discovery.com/history/archaeology/22-shipwrecks-found-in-single-greek-location-in-greece-151028.htm

In your play report please note that you are using the Week 1 ingredients, and I will try and maintain this post with links to those play reports.

My collection of charts, tables, links, and ideas on how to make this work.

Reminiscing about two of my favorite Supers games, setting the stage for thoughts on Solo Supers Sandbox Hexcrawl thing.

Newbie here. Old hand GM since 1977, owner of Mythic for years, but new to solo.

Newbie here. Old hand GM since 1977, owner of Mythic for years, but new to solo.

Here's my question: how do you decide where to start?

I don't mean "how do I start playing Mythic" or "how do I choose a game". I mean, "how do I decide, from the myriad of possibilities, where to start solo roleplaying?"

I have two ideas in my head: a fantasy character searching in a deadly dark ancient world; and, a desire to send a character searching the stars. But those seem vague and unformed. If that makes sense.

Advice welcome.

Originally shared by Kyle Maxwell

Originally shared by Kyle Maxwell
https://skaldforge.wordpress.com/2015/10/27/rooted-in-make-believe/

Has anyone tried the Mythic RPG system with or without the GME? It looks simple and narrative enough with its descriptive attributes. It looks a bit boring to me but perhaps the appeal is that it gets out of the way and works natively with the GME?

Has anyone tried the Mythic RPG system with or without the GME? It looks simple and narrative enough with its descriptive attributes. It looks a bit boring to me but perhaps the appeal is that it gets out of the way and works natively with the GME?
#mythicrpg

Does anyone else use solo play as a means of play

Does anyone else use solo play as a means of play
testing modules and settings before introducing them to groups for play testing? Any tips on how to go about this?

Not long now to #sologamingappreciationmonth2015 come over to the SGAM group and pledge your participation!

Not long now to #sologamingappreciationmonth2015  come over to the SGAM group and pledge your participation!

I'll be helping to collect links for those that have pledged so we can see everybody's hard work.

We've created a pledges sub group just for this purpose, so what are you waiting for!

Great article on how to play solo published adventures. Here's an example using his rules: http://thelonecrusader.com/the-mad-manor-of-astabar-a-solo-dd-session

Great article on how to play solo published adventures. Here's an example using his rules: http://thelonecrusader.com/the-mad-manor-of-astabar-a-solo-dd-session
http://thelonecrusader.com/how-to-play-through-a-published-adventure-on-your-own-without-a-dungeon-master

The Czege Principle and "Parlor Narration" are the Scylla and Charybdis of solo…

https://plus.google.com/112251975491108478221/posts/KBvA6UUDVjo

Trying out the ideas I had for a story point system.

In +Brian Mathers' actual play post, the topic of party size for solo adventuring came up in the comments. Rather than completely hijack his thread, I decided to start a new one.

In +Brian Mathers' actual play post, the topic of party size for solo adventuring came up in the comments. Rather than completely hijack his thread, I decided to start a new one.

Since in fantasy games I tend to run parties of 6 PCs, I needed a way to keep from having to shuffle papers all the time. At first I just kept everyone's hit point tally on a separate sheet of paper, and eventually turned this into a table for AC, HP, and to hit & damage bonuses for their main weapons, with characters listed in marching order.

In recent years I've made stripped-down character sheets at 4, 6, or 8 to the page. These actually started as simple combat minders for 3rd edition D&D encounters in social play. All the relevant combat stats were filled in, and the pages were cut into little cards. The PCs had them too, but only needed to write their names on them. When initiative was rolled, everyone wrote their initiative number on the top, and they were sorted into a pile in initiative order to play out the fight. It made it easier to deal with hesitations and held actions this way too.

I realised that if I didn't cut the page up, they were useful for solo play. The link below is to my dropbox folder where I have collected all the ones I could find this morning. I left them as Word files so you can modify them if you want to use them. There is a PDF of one filled in as an example (showing the unfortunate events of part 36 of my LotFP campaign), which shows how I fill in spells, personality notes, NPC loyalty, ammunition tracks, etc.). After I uploaded them all I realised that docx files may not work for everyone. If you want them in a different format just let me know.
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/oxs5p095yqp9hh7/AAD-TOBKjzH_XMUW-cAlJnxea?dl=0

Since I'm trying to keep everything on my tablet to avoid pulling out my RPG books, I did a search for a random terrain generator for adventuring. I found this one. It looks really good and has Plains, Forest, Hills, Mountains, Marsh (Swamps) and Water.

Since I'm trying to keep everything on my tablet to avoid pulling out my RPG books, I did a search for a random terrain generator for adventuring. I found this one. It looks really good and has Plains, Forest, Hills, Mountains, Marsh (Swamps) and Water.
I'll probably replace my 1st edition D&D terrain generator with this one, since I never had a need for Scrubs and I prefer Deserts to be pre-placed, taking up large areas.

There's also a chart for random encounters included, which could be useful if you don't already have a go-to chart.
http://redbox.wikidot.com/forum/t-386081/jg-tables

Okay, thinking about a system that might produce superhero stories, but totally untested.

So I was watching the trailer to Sword Coast Legends and I had a thought: It would be totally cool if people use this to make solo games.

So I was watching the trailer to Sword Coast Legends and I had a thought: It would be totally cool if people use this to make solo games.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ByNCxY3QDag

Heya, just thought you would be interested with my latest blog post in which I interview myself about Solo Engines and Fate Solo.

Heya, just thought you would be interested with my latest blog post in which I interview myself about Solo Engines and Fate Solo.
http://soloroleplayer.com/rpg-toolbox-recommendations/interview-kenny-norris/

Hi, all.

Hi, all.

I love  superhero RPGs, and I'm looking for a way to do them solo. The freeform nature of many of them means that it's quite difficult to harness them with a solo engine. The problems tend to be two-fold: the actual resolution of tasks (there are so many options), and the story structure. 

Does anyone have suggestions for a game or a game/solo engine pair? (I generally use Mythic when necessary, but I'd consider a different engine if it had recommendations.)

I'll take suggestions in both the improvised adventure and adapting a pre-written adventure spaces.

I've had some luck with ICONS and the Mythic engine. That leads me to suspect that FATE games would be a reasonable fit, but I only own Base Raiders and while others seem to have great success using FAE for superheroes, I can't wrap my head around it.

Marvel Heroic Roleplaying has so many dice and rolls and things to keep track of that it was a chore. (It's a great game, and I love playing it, but not as a solo thing.)

Champions suffered because I was busy falling out of love with the Hero System.  I think in the fifth edition and earlier, it's a bit crunchy, too.

I think Supers! might hit the sweet spot, probably with Mythic, but I'm open to suggestions.

I like  _Mutants and Masterminds_,/DC Adventures but it just feels too crunchy if I'm also handling the solo stuff.

I own DC Heroes and Truth & Justice but haven't tried them. 

For story structure, I'm intrigued by what I've heard of With Great Power, but I didn't buy it when it was available. I'll get the new edition when it's available. (Hmmm. On reflection, Capes might work, but we only played one adventure, and I remember it only dimly.)

Given that there are to be two superhero games powered by the Apocalypse engine (Worlds in Peril is already out and Masks is still in its Kickstarter but it's already had pledges for several times its goal)... Does the tight restriction on moves help or hurt solo play? (I've never played or read a PbtA game, so I don't know.)

 Anyway, the point was to say hi and ask for suggestions.

Originally shared by Kyle Maxwell

Originally shared by Kyle Maxwell
https://skaldforge.wordpress.com/2015/10/16/solo-rpg-play-using-scarlet-heroes/

A blog post about solo roleplaying that I found.

A blog post about solo roleplaying that I found.

Originally shared by Sophia Brandt

...therein lies the proverbial "key to the solo RPG kingdom: every player character, non-player character, animal, semi-sentient being, etc., will tend to act with its own best interests at heart. That’s exactly how you determine the actions of the various characters and NPCs in your solo dramas: they will act according to their personalities and motivations, and usually in their own self-interest."
https://fourcolorglasses.wordpress.com/2010/08/15/solo-roleplaying-not-just-possible-practical/

I've been playing Scarlet Heroes solo. When I'm traveling, it just works great. I think perhaps I should pick up a hard copy, though, because flipping around on my phone (with moleskine in hand) is getting to be a pain. Does anyone know how large it is?

I've been playing Scarlet Heroes solo. When I'm traveling, it just works great. I think perhaps I should pick up a hard copy, though, because flipping around on my phone (with moleskine in hand) is getting to be a pain. Does anyone know how large it is?

solo traveller

solo traveller
http://www.freelancetraveller.com/features/rules/alone.html

A chrome extension for generating tables/rolling for images on pinterest.

A chrome extension for generating tables/rolling for images on pinterest.
http://www.lastgaspgrimoire.com/random-acts-of-kindness/

Originally shared by Chris Stieha

Originally shared by Chris Stieha

As a joke, I wrote this microrpg for Alex Yari , but I want to share with everyone.  Feel free to add on!

Take three pictures and develop a problem based on those three pictures.
Flip a coin.
Heads: Problem solved! What did your character do?
Tails: Character dies!  How?

Extra: Instead of flipping a coin, roll 1d6:
1) Problem solved!  What did your character do?
2) Problem slightly solved!  How?
3) Problem solved, but character is changed!   How?
4) Problem not solved!  What happened because of failure?
5) Problem almost solved! What remains to be solved?
6) Character dies!  How?

Extra: Cthulhu horror for 1d6
1) Problem solved!  What did your character do and how much sanity did he or she lose?
2) Problem solved, but more sanity lost.  What tick does your character have?
3) Problem almost solved, but sanity took a hit.  What was solved?  What wasn't?
4) Problem not solved, some sanity lost.  What is closer to being unleashed onto the world?
5) Problem made worse.  Do I even have to mention that your character has lost some sanity?
6) Sanity has left the building.  How does your character respond?  What does it mean for the world?

A few days ago, I made these silhouette paper minis, about 8mm high, 1:200 scale. I printed them in different colors, so I potentially have 4 different factions. Today I went to a flea market and got a bunch of toys that fit the same scale (the coin at the center of the photo is an Euro cent). I now have cars (Speedeez or Micro Machines?), trucks, giant monsters, giant insects, dinosaurs. I plan to play with them a solo campaign that would likely be more skirmish than RPG. What kind of setting do you imagine for stuff like this? Why are XX Century soldiers fighting a war in which dinosaurs and golems play a role? I thought maybe something like Charles Stross's Laundry?Ideas welcome :)

A few days ago, I made these silhouette paper minis, about 8mm high, 1:200 scale. I printed them in different colors, so I potentially have 4 different factions. Today I went to a flea market and got a bunch of toys that fit the same scale (the coin at the center of the photo is an Euro cent). I now have cars (Speedeez or Micro Machines?), trucks, giant monsters, giant insects, dinosaurs. I plan to play with them a solo campaign that would likely be more skirmish than RPG. What kind of setting do you imagine for stuff like this? Why are XX Century soldiers fighting a war in which dinosaurs and golems play a role? I thought maybe something like Charles Stross's Laundry?Ideas welcome :)

I rarely use the SRV blog for off topic stuff, but with stuff like this, I feel that it's important enough to make an exception.

I rarely use the SRV blog for off topic stuff, but with stuff like this, I feel that it's important enough to make an exception.
https://solorpgvoyages.wordpress.com/2015/10/10/warning-beware-the-tpp/

This could help driving solo gaming too. Have you guys tried a pbta solo already?

This could help driving solo gaming too. Have you guys tried a pbta solo already?

Originally shared by T. Franzke

The top answer here perfectly explains how DW works. How not making a GM move when needed is breaking the rules.

I love it.
http://rpg.stackexchange.com/questions/65809/how-to-ask-nicely-in-dungeon-world

#SoloGamingAppreciationMonth2015 GroupIs looking for a new owner

#SoloGamingAppreciationMonth2015 GroupIs looking for a new owner

Due to life circumstances, I have not been able to do a good job hyping  #SoloGamingAppreciationMonth2015. Sadly, I might not even be able to participate, so I don't feel like I should be the owner of that group. I'm looking for an enthusiastic person to step up and take ownership of the group, the organizing and the hype job.

If that seems too daunting for one person, Chris Stieha has suggested that each sub event have an owner in the group. In that case, I would make each person a moderator of that group (though I'd still like someone else to own the group).

Any takers?

With #SoloGamingAppreciationMonth2015 approaching, I want throw out an idea and see what people think.

With #SoloGamingAppreciationMonth2015 approaching, I want throw out an idea and see what people think.

I can make one page encounter maps, like the one in the photo.  The map contains the locations of encounters and three icons for each encounter to help you describe it.  I'm thinking of making one for SGAM2015 and would like many people to use it, interpret it however they would like to interpret it, use whatever system they would like to use, and then post an actual play.  I'm interested in how the same inspiration would lead to different results.  The plan would be to send physical copies to people who are interested, because getting mail is fun.  I could be convinced to send a pdf, but that isn't as fun.

Thoughts?  Interested?

In the photo, icons are from game-icons.net (Delapouite and Lorc) and the map is from Dyson Logos .  I wrote the algorithm.  This should look familiar to Noah Stevens .

Originally shared by Adventure Girl

Originally shared by Adventure Girl

How to Play a Published Adventure Solo

How to try to avoid spoilers when reading an adventure solo, and how to deal with spoilers when you do stumble upon them.

#Tabletop   #TabletopRPG   #DungeonsandDragson   #DnD   #SoloRPG   #Solo   #SoloPlay   #Roleplaying   #Game   #Adventure   #Module  
http://thelonecrusader.com/how-to-play-through-a-published-adventure-on-your-own-without-a-dungeon-master

Originally shared by Adventure Girl

Originally shared by Adventure Girl

Fantastic #DungeonsandDragons  Random Encounter Generator, with page number references to the core rulebooks.

#DnD   #Solo   #TabletopRPG   #SoloTabletopRPG   #Roleplaying  
http://kobold.club/fight/#/encounter-builder

I was looking for some #DungeonsandDragons  3.5 edition Character Sheet Spreadsheets today, as I'm feeling a little lazy about completing my own (half started and incomplete at the moment).  Thought I would share here in case any of you need #DnD  3.5e Character Sheets:

This fascinating presentation by an AI researcher has some pertinence to solo RP'ing.

This fascinating presentation by an AI researcher has some pertinence to solo RP'ing.
https://youtu.be/v_yjOfmV9Tw

I feel like I'm on a roll...

A new blog post in which I think I've had another breakthrough (or breakdown...you be the judge).

I've been following the development of co-op board games for about a decade. Each year it seems like the gap between RPGs and board games is closing.

I've been following the development of co-op board games for about a decade. Each year it seems like the gap between RPGs and board games is closing.

Doom and Descent both required a player in the role of the enemy - basically a GM. Gears of War moved a step closer to solo RPG by randomly generating and playing the enemy with an "AI" deck. Level 7 is also solo capable.

The newest addition to my collection is Shadows of Brimstone. This one has customizable characters of several archetypes and is made for campaign play out of the box, including XP tracking and leveling up. Emergent story is a feature of the design. It seems to draw design inspiration from Arkham Horror too.

Now I'm wondering, has the gap closed completely? Is this in fact a solo RPG with board game components?

For those who wanna play Dread solo but want to use a different oracle than Mythic, I have made one for Fate Solo.

For those who wanna play Dread solo but want to use a different oracle than Mythic, I have made one for Fate Solo.
https://solorpgvoyages.wordpress.com/2015/10/01/fate-dread/

Part 3 of "What I'd Like To Play"

Neat die drop table shared by Matthew Schmeer

Originally shared by Adventure Girl

Originally shared by Adventure Girl

I am studying and learning how to play multiple characters in an RPG.

What do you do, play one single character, or many, when playing a roleplaying game solo?
http://thelonecrusader.com/how-to-play-multiple-characters-in-a-solo-adventure

An interesting discovery: Plot Wheels.

Giving this a shot this week. I'm traveling, so I packed my copy of Ruins of the Undercity in my backpack and planning to use S&W Core as the ruleset. I'm curious what sorts of artifacts you end up generating as part of your experience. That is, do you end up producing a narrative, or keep a generated map, or something else as the end result of an adventure or campaign?

Giving this a shot this week. I'm traveling, so I packed my copy of Ruins of the Undercity in my backpack and planning to use S&W Core as the ruleset. I'm curious what sorts of artifacts you end up generating as part of your experience. That is, do you end up producing a narrative, or keep a generated map, or something else as the end result of an adventure or campaign?

So following my birthday, and the present I received, I've settled on a superhero campaign.

So following my birthday, and the present I received, I've settled on a superhero campaign.

I now just have to choose what game I'd like it to be. I have a few ideas, but am currently undecided on which one to pick, here's the list:

Serious
A street level campaign, with three characters that I've had milling around for little while. One a techie, another a matter swordsman, and another an illusionist.

Lego superheroes
If you've played a Lego videogame you'll know where I'm coming from. I wouldn't use an established character, possibly the same three as above.

Emergent superhero
A normal bloke is present during an asteroid strike and should gain super powers, the only way to find out is try and see whether he can use a super power, with humourous results.

Superhero school
Like Hogwarts but for superheroes. My character is the son of the city's greatest hero so should inherit great powers, only they haven't developed yet. Quite similar to the above, but with developed heroes and a general acceptance of supers. I think I favour the year zero approach above.

So the question is - which one to choose?

Has anyone considered using this for their oracles?

Has anyone considered using this for their oracles?
http://hdm.wikia.com/wiki/Alethiometer

Writer's block on my solo game. So, under the creed of Write or Die! I started playing Channel A solo. It's also a great idea generator and word randomizer. :-)

Writer's block on my solo game.  So, under the creed of Write or Die!  I started playing Channel A solo.  It's also a great idea generator and word randomizer.  :-)

http://www.feartheboot.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=21&t=25468
http://www.feartheboot.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=21&t=25468

Part 2 of "What I'd LIke To Play"

Starting a new series on, just like the title says, games I'd like to play.

Here's a neat way to generate a hook for your (fantasy) adventure:

Here's a neat way to generate a hook for your (fantasy) adventure:
http://www.rpgalchemy.com/dungeon-world-adventure-builder/
Fill out the blanks:
We are exploring ___ that lies ___ seeking the ___.
We are here to ___ guarded by ___ and ___.

Either curate several options and mix them and/or  alter them with the Aladdin technique by John Fiore:
https://plus.google.com/113913096608545423730/posts/2VCXxWkmVHQ
http://www.rpgalchemy.com/dungeon-world-adventure-builder/

Originally shared by Adventure Girl

Originally shared by Adventure Girl

Hi I'm new to solo roleplaying (and roleplaying in general), I'd like to play #Shadowrun   and #DungeonsandDragons  ( #DnD   ) solo, but I noticed in your community description you can do #wargaming   solo also?  How does that work?  

I've managed to get hold of a book of #Warmachine  Prime - Steam Powered Miniatures Combat.  Can this be played solo too?  I always assumed wargaming would be harder to do solo as you would be controlling both armies?

 I'd also be interested if anyone knows anything about this game and if anyone has played it.

And with that, the fans have decided. I'm considering doing another one next year. Should the motif for next year's Fan Voted Quarter Quell be "RPGs I haven't tried out yet" or something else?

And with that, the fans have decided. I'm considering doing another one next year. Should the motif for next year's Fan Voted Quarter Quell be "RPGs I haven't tried out yet" or something else?
https://solorpgvoyages.wordpress.com/2015/09/21/and-the-winner-is/

Thoughts and a minor epiphany on what it is we're actually doing here.

So guess what I chose for my birthday this week?

So guess what I chose for my birthday this week?

I think this might just be the decider for a couple of thoughts traveling round my brain at the moment.

So MoonSylver mentioned in his latest post the idea that as solo players we tend to be dreamers. I definitely feel like this is the case with me. My issue is often that i can dream up an idea in broad strokes but that i seem to lack the discipline required to "GM," it for myself. I don't know if I'm really creative enough for this hobby.

So MoonSylver mentioned in his latest post the idea that as solo players we tend to be dreamers. I definitely feel like this is the case with me. My issue is often that i can dream up an idea in broad strokes but that i seem to lack the discipline required to "GM," it for myself. I don't know if I'm really creative enough for this hobby.

That being said, I wonder if a solution is minimal prep. I'm curious, what solo genres can you run with minimal worldbuilding? I'm trying to find a place where a character or a concept just clicks for me. I have lots of big ideas but actually executing them is strangely difficult.

Any thoughts appreciated :)

I just finished making this box for the Inked Adventure cards, that I won from Sophia Brandt in her contest recently.  I can't wait to use them in my New Solo Career.

One of the areas I would really like to improve in my solo games is PC social interaction (yes, I do recognize the latent irony in that!). I feel like that pillar is the most meta in my gameplay and can really disrupt immersion.

One of the areas I would really like to improve in my solo games is PC social interaction (yes, I do recognize the latent irony in that!).  I feel like that pillar is the most meta in my gameplay and can really disrupt immersion.

What techniques do you folks use to keep you in the PCs' heads while still interacting with the system yet seems to retain that sense of surprise?

I seem to either bog down into a series of mechanical skill rolls or end up simply hand-waving interactions (which I don't particularly like).  Clearly, there are circumstances where the mechanics can help you out (e.g. opposed rolls, social combat, etc.) but, how can you keep the PC - NPC interaction dynamic and meaningful without raising the stakes?

Some thoughts about (hopefully) not getting overwhelmed.

Playing Dungeon World solo may now be easier with this nifty web app. Thank you Ray Otus .

Playing Dungeon World solo may now be easier with this nifty web app. Thank you Ray Otus .

Originally shared by Ray Otus

Based on some discussion in another thread I made a quick web app to give you a random GM move. (It has a "re-roll" button too.) Might make it look nicer later. You could put a link to it on the face of your smartphone and use it at the table.

http://www.jellysaw.com/dw/gm-moves.html

So military SF is a soft spot of mine, mostly thanks to the Honor Harrington series, which is weirdly addictive. I picked up Redemption from DriveThru RPG yesterday, and am now wondering how I might go about solo-ing something which seems pretty group-focused. I think where I run into trouble is playing multiple characters, I have enough problems with one other person in my head. :)

So military SF is a soft spot of mine, mostly thanks to the Honor Harrington series, which is weirdly addictive. I picked up Redemption from DriveThru RPG yesterday, and am now wondering how I might go about solo-ing something which seems pretty group-focused. I think where I run into trouble is playing multiple characters, I have enough problems with one other person in my head. :)

Has anybody done anything with this kind of focus? Are their any tips for keeping more than one PC viable? I've seen PC emulation used with multiple characters before, but find that whole concept a bit counter intuitive.
http://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/134505/Redemption-A-Game-of-Tactics-and-Consequences

in your solo games how many adventures you usually play with the same character?

Following my session, here are some thoughts about playing Fate solo.

Taking a page from a story game for solo play...making shit up!

Thoughts about the project I had been working on.

#SoloGamingAppreciationMonth2015 #SGAM2015

#SoloGamingAppreciationMonth2015   #SGAM2015  

This is what I've got for the description of the group. If anyone wants to tinker with it, offer some suggestions, or write it differently, please be my guest as I've been abusing the exclamation point!(!!!)

**

Welcome to the Solo Appreciation Gaming Month 2015 site on G+! This is a group effort to revive the efforts of +John Fiore to get people to show solo gaming a little love. The Lone Wolf Roleplaying community has voted to have the following activities this year:

-Freeformpalooza: Post your SGAM2015 RPG and wargaming actual plays! Do them your way!  

-1 Page DYI Tools Challenge: Got a great idea for a solo tool? Share it here, and get feedback!  

-3 Ingredient Solo Play:  For each week of SGAM2015, three Story Cubes will be chosen randomly for you to use in your solo games. They could be main themes, plots, NPCs, locations or anything you can think of. As a bonus, a major real life event will be chosen at the start of the month for you to include in your games.

After Alex Yari asked about solo gaming during his commute I've been kicking the idea around in my head. I don't have a long commute, and the commute I do have occurs behind the wheel, but I would like to get to the point where my solo gaming can be done comfortably on the couch rather than at my desk with my various tools laid out.

After Alex Yari asked about solo gaming during his commute I've been kicking the idea around in my head. I don't have a long commute, and the commute I do have occurs behind the wheel, but I would like to get to the point where my solo gaming can be done comfortably on the couch rather than at my desk with my various tools laid out.

The thought I've seized upon is adapting LARP rules. It is a bit foreign to me, having never participated directly, but I've read a fair bit about the hobby. LARPing by necessity requires the players to sort a lot of things out for  themselves due to the fact that they are creating the story to a degree that may exceed typical tabletop game. Additionally the game runner(s) may not always be on hand when the action takes place.

I haven't had a chance to try it out,  but it might work if I used something like this larp system I found called "You Are Your Own GM" in combination with Mythic GM Fate Chart (as the Objective Third Party thar YAYOGM calls for on occasion.)  I may use it to expand on my mini game I've mentioned before, "It Began Here".  

Because LARPs are played on the move in physical space, they typically involve conflict resolution mechanics that are intentionally quick, handy, and designed to be mobile.  I'm still kicking the whole concept around, but I thought I'd throw it out the the community to see if anyone else has any ideas for how to evolve this from an idea and into something useable for us all.
http://www.interactivitiesink.com/larps/broadway/doclib/Players/YaYoG%20Summary.pdf

Hi

Hi, 

I was thinking about this idea again of having actual persons act as the facade of an oracle for players. The idea is for the asking players to be unsure whether the result is from an actual oracle, or if the person acting as a facade picked the answer themselves.

I was thinking of adding a section to this group for players to ask oracle questions that can be answered by any member here. For example, a player could ask of the group:

"Is the door open?" and then receive yes or no.
"What does the door look like?" and then receive a Mythic style answer like  "Heal/Misfortune"
"Roll me a random event," and then get "NPC action -- Lie/Dreams " 
"Roll me a pair of story cubes or zero dice"  and get a link to an image.

Etc. 

The cool thing is that the person answering the question could at any point choose to answer the questions themselves, instead of passing the question to an oracle. This can keep the asking player wondering if their adventure is being partly driven by an actual person. 
I can add a section to this very group if this would make you more likely to use it, though I'm concerned about spamming other members with notifications. On the other hand, you can use what was called the "Un-Solo" g+ group for this purpose, if you're interested. 

Let me know what you think.

Playing on the go: Give me your strategies, recommended systems and tips

Playing on the go: Give me your strategies, recommended systems and tips

I'm finding myself with very little time to play nowadays. My only quiet time is often while on public transportation which unfortunately is also my time to catch up on other important stuff. This means that I usually can count on maybe 20 minutes of free time to get my RPG fix while on the bus or train with only my trusty smartphone.

The only RPG so far that has been a good fit is a micro game called Mythos Tales. I'm open to recommendations along those lines.

Still, I would love to be able to miniaturize other systems or supplements that I'm interested in such as d20 and it's settings, GURPS, AS&SH (OSR system), including less heavy systems that are still too heavy to play on a smartphone effectively.

Failing this, i'd love to try micro games that capture the spirit or feel of such systems.

Thoughts?

Here's the new group header, hope this is better

Here's the new group header, hope this is better

With the poll closed, we're now a step closer to making #SoloGamingAppreciationMonth2015 will happen!

With the poll closed, we're now a step closer to making  #SoloGamingAppreciationMonth2015 will happen!

The results suggest that the weakest response was received by the Solo RPG Design Challenge Revival, but there wasn't really that much difference between the various choices.

Here are two ways I can see things going:

- Include each separate event (leaving aside combinations)

or

-focus exclusively on the top three choices of the poll this year, then focusing on the next top three choices of this poll next year, and so on. 

I am completely sold on having different themes each week, though, for people to use if they want. I also think Freeformpalooza should be a permanent event, since people will always do their own thing if they want to.

What do you think? Should I set another poll with these two choices?

Below are the results of the original poll:

Total votes: 146   Voters: 38

Freeformpalooza (Anything goes acutal plays for RPGs and Wargames) 14%

One Page DIY Solo Tools Challenge (as its own event) 12%

3 Ingredient Solo Play (using Story Cubes + major real life global event) 12%

Shared Setting Extravaganza (create shared setting using Microscope or free equivalent) 10%

One Page Solo RPG Design Challenge Revival + DIY Solo Tools for RPG or Wargames included) 10%

One Page DIY Solo Tools Challenge + Solo Santicore (DIY Solo Tools creation based on Santicore requests) 11%

Solo Santicore (Requests for Solo tools as its own event) 9%

Solo RPG Round Robin (One player plays X scenes of an RPG solo, then passes it to another solo player) 8%

Arrange all or some of these options into weekly events that build on each other (we would need to brainstorm the what’s and how’s) 8%

Solo RPG Design Challenge Revival (as it’s own event) 6%


Previous discussion posts here:

https://plus.google.com/108749159622507269204/posts/ZvZ9UinnESK
https://plus.google.com/108395059461267285712/posts/JXHYrUWxkpx
https://plus.google.com/108395059461267285712/posts/XnaLsdw4unK

OK, I somehow deleted or lost my #WritingWithDice post. Sorry for any comments that were lost!

OK, I somehow deleted or lost my #WritingWithDice  post. Sorry for any comments that were lost!

Hi,

This is an implementation of something I've been musing and working on for a long while. It's built to provide a structure around writing fiction during those parts of a game when you are not engaging with creative aids (oracles, idea generators, etc).

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1hXMIYl-3qr4wAmxAqXx8rfcWfO82soBWpYhvZb_puzs/edit?usp=sharing

I'm looking for playtesters, so I'm putting this out there as an open source thing. If you have a chance to give it a test drive, let me know how you like it by making a G+ post.

Use the tag #WritingWithDice  in your post, if you don't mind. :-) Just makes it easier to search later.

Hi

Hi,

This is an implementation of something I've been musing and working on for a long while. It's built to provide a structure around writing fiction during those parts of a game when you are not engaging with creative aids (oracles, idea generators, etc).

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1hXMIYl-3qr4wAmxAqXx8rfcWfO82soBWpYhvZb_puzs/edit?usp=sharing

I'm looking for playtesters, so I'm putting this out there as an open source thing. If you have a chance to give it a test drive, let me know how you like it by making a G+ post.

Use the tag #WritingWithDice  in your post, if you don't mind. :-) Just makes it easier to search later.

I'm sure many are familiar with Scarlet Heroes by Sine Nomine Pub. But on page 118 the Urban Adventures section begins and I am amazed.

I'm sure many are familiar with Scarlet Heroes by Sine Nomine Pub. But on page 118 the Urban Adventures section begins and I am amazed.

You can create a whole campaign based upon a nefarious plot by rolling the dice on the table. It will send you from one encounter to another.

And it is a contest between the player and the villain with rules to see who wins based upon victories in the challenges/encounters.

Has anyone else seen other frameworks like this presented in other books?

I've been tinkering with MS Publisher (yes, I know, but it is VERY easy to use, especially someone brought up on MS products) and came up with these.

I've been tinkering with MS Publisher (yes, I know, but it is VERY easy to use, especially someone brought up on MS products) and came up with these.

Open to comments/suggestions (it's all fonts, so could be vector, but I don't know Inkscape well enough).

A few thoughts on mysteries in Solo RPG's along with a link to a great blog post with some amazing ideas on the same.

Hi!

Hi!

Just a friendly reminder that the poll for #SoloGamingAppreciationMonth2015 will be closing tomorrow at 5pm EST. If you haven't gotten your vote in yet, make sure to get it in now!

Previous discussion posts here:

https://plus.google.com/108749159622507269204/posts/ZvZ9UinnESK
https://plus.google.com/108395059461267285712/posts/JXHYrUWxkpx
https://plus.google.com/108395059461267285712/posts/XnaLsdw4unK
http://www.easypolls.net/poll.html?p=55d49596e4b0c3d16faa63ec

Trying to describe the Solo RPG process...

Thought this appropriate for this venue as well. ;)

Thought this appropriate for this venue as well. ;)

Originally shared by Nick Carter

My current collection of system neutral oracles/divination/resolution tools.

Not including Everway fortune cards and regular dice (which GM Apprentice supplants) and fudge dice (which them Deck of Fate replaces)

Also both Mythic GME and Primetime Adventures printouts in my badass GM screen.

Inspired by  Brian Murphy's question below.

Hello! I picked up Mythic years ago, poked at it some, but all my attempts at solo play devolved into novel writing. I want to give solo play another whirl, and it's clear y'all have collected a TON of resources.

Hello!  I picked up Mythic years ago, poked at it some, but all my attempts at solo play devolved into novel writing.  I want to give solo play another whirl, and it's clear y'all have collected a TON of resources.

Any suggestions on where a once-again newbie should start?

Hey all, I found a great site on converting modules to solo rpg. Here's another post the blog author posted on another site to recap the system used: http://theindiedragon.com/how-to-play-dungeons-and-dragons-by-yourself

Hey all, I found a great site on converting modules to solo rpg. Here's another post the blog author posted on another site to recap the system used: http://theindiedragon.com/how-to-play-dungeons-and-dragons-by-yourself
http://thelonecrusader.com/

The low-down on the bits and pieces I'm using for the "Star Trek" mash-up I'm working on.

As requested, a look behind the curtain...

Little Solo Challenge: So how could you use an old fighting fantasy book to seed and guide a solo rpg experience along a more freeform path?

Little Solo Challenge: So how could you use an old fighting fantasy book to seed and guide a solo rpg experience along a more freeform path?

Howdy Good Solo Folks, I just bought the Mythic Gaming Bundle and was wondering what parts/chapters correlate to the MGME so I can first read those parts for SOLO use.

Howdy Good Solo Folks, I just bought the Mythic Gaming Bundle and was wondering what parts/chapters correlate to the MGME so I can first read those parts for SOLO use.  
If someone can post or link to a screenshot of the Table of Contents of the MGME that would be great.

Recap of my idea for a "Star Trek Kitchen Sink Sandbox" thus far.

The old guy decides to try out this blarging thing that all the kids are talking about today...

Kenny the Roleplaying Sage interviewed me! http://soloroleplayer.com/rpg-toolbox-recommendations/interview-zach-best/

Kenny the Roleplaying Sage interviewed me! http://soloroleplayer.com/rpg-toolbox-recommendations/interview-zach-best/

Just wanted to share. I know he's interviewing Tana (and possibly one other as well). Was a really fun interview. Really made me think on a few things. Hope you all enjoy!
http://soloroleplayer.com/rpg-toolbox-recommendations/interview-zach-best

Quick poll

Hi Folks!

Just reposting the link for the  #SoloGamingAppreciationMonth2015 poll. Make sure to get your vote in and also provide feedback if you're so inclined. The poll will be considered closed by the end of 8/28/2015 EST time.

Finally, if you'd like to volunteer to spearhead some of the ideas in the poll, let me know. I'm guessing that much of the effort will be hyping the events, and helping to lead them when the time comes!

Thanks!



Previous discussion posts here:

https://plus.google.com/108749159622507269204/posts/ZvZ9UinnESK
https://plus.google.com/108395059461267285712/posts/JXHYrUWxkpx
http://www.easypolls.net/poll.html?p=55d49596e4b0c3d16faa63ec

So I'm still twiddling around with a Star Trek/sci-fi/kitchen sink/sand box thingie, which may end up being a BTB White Star generic space opera, or at least spawning a separate one off at any rate.... (Progress is slow due to work, RL, etc, though I THINK it over a lot, which is still progress IMO!)

So I'm still twiddling around with a Star Trek/sci-fi/kitchen sink/sand box thingie, which may end up being a BTB White Star generic space opera, or at least spawning a separate one off at any rate.... (Progress is slow due to work, RL, etc, though I THINK it over a lot, which is still progress IMO!)

One piece I'm starting to explore is Star Sectors, which I've never done before. I like the charts in "Starships & Spacemen" & "Where No Man Has Gone Before" (which is the two that I still would like to mash-up & use, unless I go the WS route), but wanted a more "hexcrawly" one to use them in conjunction with. I'm tinkering with this one...

https://plus.google.com/u/0/communities/111477905406133956099/s/star%20sector

...which I like a lot. Also noodling with the ones from "Stars Without Number", "Hulks & Horrors", & looking at the one from "Traveler" now.

I also plan on dragging in the old FASA RPG charts for planet creation too at some point.

I think I'd like to mix & match these at some point. And I've also been thinking a lot about one of my biggest Solo RPG "points of interest": keeping the surprise intact.

While mulling over the idea of generating star systems ahead of time, while keeping myself "in the dark" in their contents I had a minor epiphany:

Pregenerate a bunch of planets. Record each of them on index cards. Then for each sector you explore, generate your star maps, but you don't get to find out the contents of each star hex/whats on the planet(s) until you go explore them (pull out one of your cards).

You could even do up two sets, one with the bare bones facts that you would be able to tell from orbit (gravity, size, atmosphere, etc.)
 & another set of the juicy stuff, that you don't get to find out until you beam down ("Captain, the planet is full of zombies!")

In any case, no real point other than to re-share the idea of uses for pre-generated content. :)
https://imageshack.com/f/nmalkonostrefereeg

So I finally got around to trying the Mythic RP system yesterday, in part because I wanted to see if that would help with the trouble lino pang was having with Oracle creep. My thought was that if the Oracle and the system were one in the same perhaps they'd both fade to the background. I played for about an hour in an on the fly generic Zombie Apocalypse setting, and it was a great time.

So I finally got around to trying the Mythic RP system yesterday, in part because I wanted to see if that would help with the trouble lino pang was having with Oracle creep. My thought was that if the Oracle and the system were one in the same perhaps they'd both fade to the background.  I played for about an hour in an on the fly generic Zombie Apocalypse setting, and it was a great time.

As I usually do, I printed the relevant charts and tables out in booklet form, which makes for quicker referencing. Because character action mechanics and Oracle consultations worked basically the same, I didn't have to stop and consider which would be better I simply went with what ever felt most appropriate.

I also tried something else I've been considering for the MGME: playing cards. I removed all the Queens and Jacks from the deck. I would draw two cards and read them just as you would 2d10. Any time I drew a king I would set it aside, draw again to complete the resolution and then shuffle. With 4 kings it felt as though I was shuffling enough that each draw wasn't throwing off my probabilities too much, and I didn't notice any change in the feel when consulting the Fate chart. Also, I  had  history of my previous results (at least until a King made me shuffle) that I could check back on without having to right down every result.

The combination of Mythic RPG and the cards mechanic is an idea I've pondering for a while, as a way to make solo gaming more portable. There are times where I'm away from my home office but have the time and inclination to run through a scene or two but dice, books, charts, screens just aren't feasible. With a deck of cards a small notebook and the Mythic PocketMod, I do feel like I could do this almost anywhere..

Has it ever happened to you in a solo adventure  to use the oracle/solo rules too much to the detriment of the rpg rules you were using?

I was browsing the Microlite site and saw this.

I was browsing the Microlite site and saw this.  
A bit old but I want to try this out as soon as I can.
http://blog.retroroleplaying.com/2009/10/three-solitaire-role-playing-games.html

With all the discussion about Mythic and other emulators lately, I thought I should work on my ideas for an alternate Mythic Fate chart. This ended up being a bit too fiddly, so I thought of a way to simplify it. Long story short, I ended up creating my own version of an oracle for Mythic with a different system for handling Chaos. I've put a PDF up on dropbox for your perusal. It's very much a first draft, so forgive the inelegant presentation. Let me know what you think.

With all the discussion about Mythic and other emulators lately, I thought I should work on my ideas for an alternate Mythic Fate chart. This ended up being a bit too fiddly, so I thought of a way to simplify it. Long story short, I ended up creating my own version of an oracle for Mythic with a different system for handling Chaos. I've put a PDF up on dropbox for your perusal. It's very much a first draft, so forgive the inelegant presentation. Let me know what you think.
https://www.dropbox.com/s/4vfcb5m8wqg6rnw/MCSV.pdf?dl=0

A placeholder community for the #SoloGamingAppreciationMonth2015 event.

Alright, I'm working a bit on my own Solo Engine/RPG (long story short, Jack Cactus' game made me think of making my own), heavily based off Tiny Universal and Tiny Solitary Soldiers. Right now I have the basis of the engine, though I have yet to work out any potential bugs.

Alright, I'm working a bit on my own Solo Engine/RPG (long story short, Jack Cactus' game made me think of making my own), heavily based off Tiny Universal and Tiny Solitary Soldiers. Right now I have the basis of the engine, though I have yet to work out any potential bugs.

The main concept is this: Tiny Solitary Soldiers ran on 1d6 for Oracle questions. Tiny Universal worked on 2d6. This Engine I'm making will work with 3d6 for not only oracle-based questions, but also random events. The RPG itself will sort of be like Snakes on a Plane (your stats will also act as your health) if it had something like pips from D6.

I was thinking last night that it is a shame that Solo Tabletop Gaming Appreciation Month isn't a more regular event (having happened only once as far as I know, November 2011).

I was thinking last night that it is a shame that Solo Tabletop Gaming Appreciation Month isn't a more regular event (having happened only once as far as I know, November 2011).

If you didn't see it last time, it consisted of making a promise to undertake some grand solo effort during the month of November (11), grand being your own definition. For example I might put up some AAR posts for a change... But equally I could try and complete my solo skirmish system, or design a card game, or plan a series of posts about something relevant to my games or the solo hobby, just something to make November special.

So I thought, it's been 4 years, even the Olympics and World Cup manage to stage another in that time, why not have one again?

I'm not proposing any rules or taking 'ownership', just putting my hand up and putting it out there.

Any thoughts?

Edit: Alex Yari​ If we reach at least 17 plusses on this post, I'll promote an event on this group. I would also love to fold a solo design challenge into it for those interested, since we have some designers here.

If you edit your post to include this comment I can put it up as a sticky for a few weeks to see how many plusses it gets.

Posting Actual Plays on a wordpress blog: which do you find easier/better to read?

Posting Actual Plays on a wordpress blog: which do you find easier/better to read?

a) I put the mechanics in spoiler tags http://dieheart.net/gma-playtest/
b) I precede the mechanics with a double slash // http://dieheart.net/sweote-beginner-game-two/

The problem with a) is that when you read that post as a RSS feed the spoiler tags are visible again as
Spoiler
....lorem ipsum text
[collapse]

This is not pretty and also doesn't take advantage of the function of hiding stuff behind spoiler tags.

Thanks for helping me.

I've begun reading the first bit of Designers and Dragons, and reading about its start from War Games and how RPGs were brought about through people playing simple roles like a mayor or a student made me interested in trying out a War Game with the Braunstein IV scenario (where most PC roles are commanders of certain armies).

I've begun reading the first bit of Designers and Dragons, and reading about its start from War Games and how RPGs were brought about through people playing simple roles like a mayor or a student made me interested in trying out a War Game with the Braunstein IV scenario (where most PC roles are commanders of certain armies).

I'm pretty sure there's been someone who had a hand in soloing War Games (and the TSS Solo Engine's origins is basically to add simple narrative in between Skirmishes), so I was wondering how solo War Gaming would work, if it's any different from Solo RPing, and the overall amount of fun it would have.

I love the Mythic GME, but what irks me the most with the Fate Chart is that the chaos factor makes the phrasing of your questions so very important.

I love the Mythic GME, but what irks me the most with the Fate Chart is that the chaos factor makes the phrasing of your questions so very important.

I'm not talking about loaded questions ("will I find a +5 magic sword under this pillow"), but rather the polarity -- or positive vs negative.

Example: I'm talking to an NPC and want to convince her to do something for me. I can ask a yes/no question in two ways: "will she accept" or "will she refuse".

The likeliness is not a problem, because I can designate a 'likely' to question 1 or an 'unlikely' to question 2. Same thing.

But the chaos factor stays the same for either question, meaning a completely different distribution of the answers for both.

Now the problem is not the abuse of the system -- there's no point in " cheating against yourself", right? -- but rather breaking the flow of the story. Each time I pose a question, I have to think how I phrase it so that it makes sense with the current chaos factor.

How do you deal with this? Do you even use Chaos in your games? Or would you say that chaos can be either good or bad, so whichever way you ask the question is fine?

Hi, I am new to solo RPGs but I find them fascinating. I have a question: There have been a lot of references to Solo Nexus, a blog that apparently has a lot of great articles about solo Roleplaying. Everytime I tried to enter it said it is restricted and I am not allowed. Is there a way to access it or maybe an archive of old articles? Thank you very much!

A quick entry I typed up this afternoon. Mostly, I suggest using real life as a trigger/generator for progressing through in-game goals, which could even be run in real-time. Shout out to a few familiar folks in the crowd. ;)

My (early) draft for a Solo Story System which uses the Otherkind dice mechanic. (I don't know how I'll name the system, it's just a placeholder right now.)

My (early) draft for a Solo Story System which uses the Otherkind dice mechanic. (I don't know how I'll name the system, it's just a placeholder right now.)

I worked on it several months ago but somehow lost momentum. I somehow want to incorporate a cool solo mechanic into it that makes uses of randomizers (image generators, i.e. Rory's Story Cubes) obsolete. But I have no idea how.

We know that we can play almost every RPG solo but I want a system which already does incorporate a solo mechanic. So far, my system is a re-hash of Otherkind Dice and the system by Tiny Solitary Soldiers.

Anyway, although I'm NOT happy with it, I just thought I'd share in the hopes of a) getting feedback and b) inspiring other folks.

While on vacation this last week I visited a FLGS in Duluth, Mn. Among my other finds, I finally picked up two I've been wanting for a while, a copy of The End of the World: Zombie Apocalypse and Fiasco. While friends and family have shown an interest in playing Fiasco, I couldn't wait. So I made up quick solo play booklet and some simple solo play rules.

While on vacation this last week I visited a FLGS in Duluth, Mn. Among my other finds, I finally picked up two I've been wanting for a while, a copy of The End of the World: Zombie Apocalypse and  Fiasco. While friends and family have shown an interest in playing Fiasco, I couldn't wait.  So I made up quick solo play booklet and some simple solo play rules.

First, I put all the required dice into a bag. During set up I pull them out and roll them for the relationships, needs, objects and locations the characters share. After set up I put the dice back in the bag.

The first scene I choose whoever seems most interesting and put them in a scene together. I also choose a question I want answered during the scene. As I write out the scene in brief, I pull a random die when questions with unknown answers arise (using standard yes/no formation). If it is a white die then the answer is yes, if it's a black die then the answer is no.  It's quick and easy and hardly interrupts the narrative at all. Once it seems I'm getting close to answering the scenes arching question I pull another random die from the bag, assigning a positive or negative ending to the scene according to Fiasco's rules.

Now, since keeping the dice constant is important for my randomization process, I always put any dice drawn back into the bag. However I mark how many dice of each type the characters have on my solo booklet. When I have a total of 8 dice assigned, I stop and play through the Tilt as per the rules. I choose two Tilt items myself and randomize the other two. 

I have yet to make it through Act 2 in my solo play, so I can't say how I'll handle the aftermath but I imagine it'll be in list form since it's the closest I can get to Fiasco's montage closing.

Like most of my solo rule workups, this one more than bridges the game/writing gap. With Fiasco being a narrative game by design it makes the transition very well. It's also started the wheels grinding away on way to incorporate some of the mechanics into my other solo gaming projects.

So far I'm having a good deal of fun with it. I'll add the link to my solo booklet for anyone that might find it useful. For printing, I used the booklet option in Foxit Reader. 
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0ByVeZxlFO74FOWx2VTdjdEZodlU/view?usp=sharing

This might be of interest to the group here. The OP is asking for people's experiences in solo play. Want to share yours there? :)

This might be of interest to the group here. The OP is asking for people's experiences in solo play. Want to share yours there? :)
http://forum.rpg.net/showthread.php?762626-Is-solo-play-underrated

Well it's up - on-line and ready for public consumption...

Well it's up - on-line and ready for public consumption...
My solo blog; One Player - Many Stages
https://malciggrpg.wordpress.com/

I want you folk to see it first, have a dig & find that one link that doesn't work etc and let me know what you think, what you want to see more of.

I have some ideas - but need motivation! 
https://malciggrpg.wordpress.com

So a while back, I did a challenge where I played a solo game with only one Rory Story Cube as my driver, no engines or anything. Today, I share this challenge to you all.

So a while back, I did a challenge where I played a solo game with only one Rory Story Cube as my driver, no engines or anything. Today, I share this challenge to you all.
https://solorpgvoyages.wordpress.com/2015/08/01/the-one-cube-challenge/

My latest thoughts on how to adapt Cortext Plus for solo play are about random events. Sure you could just use the Mythic GME, but Cortex already has a mechanism for injecting random events into the game, it happens when you roll 1's, so really the GME seems mostly redundant.

My latest thoughts on how to adapt Cortext Plus for solo play are about random events. Sure you could just use the Mythic GME, but Cortex already has a mechanism for injecting random events into the game, it happens when you roll 1's, so really the GME seems mostly redundant. 

So here is my thinking. We add a Fortune Dice Pool which starts at 2d8+1d6 The 2d8 are variable dice , see below, but the 3rd dice is always a d6. This Pool is rolled against a stakes based on how likely you want the answer to be yes, a 50/50 question has a stakes of 12, lower stakes mean more likely and higher stakes mean less likely. 

Your question such that raising the stakes benefits the protagonist in some way, and failing to raise the stakes hurts the protagonist in some way.  

At the end of each scene evaluate weather things are going well or poorly. If things are going well then step up the lowest variable die in the fortune pool. If things are going poorly then step back the highest variable die in the fortune pool.  this will always give you a fortune pool between 2d4+d6 and 2d12+d6. 

Why the extra d6?

Because it allows us to get a 50/50 split. with only 2 dice in the pool 50/50 splits would be impossible.  I havn't tried this yet, but plan to in the next week or so, as time permits.

Title

I don't know about you, but without fun tables to inspire my solo gaming, everything falls apart.

Tables like this are a gold mine for me, and are generally much better than what I get out of mythic GME. Things that can happen, happen to you.

ruthlessly stolen from the walkthroughs for the discworld mud from the early 2000s.

accomplice -- help a cat burglar
aid a baker with ingredients
capture a native animal
beat up a few people at the bar
beat a corn maze
try to connive your way to a free show
remove a curse
explore an area of the city sewers
act as a courier for a big job
bring a ticket and bring back the object
perform a friendly service for a demon
feed a pet
kill someone else's pet
discover a doppelganger
deliver something locally
get secret access to something
help solve a discrepancy in weight argument
find a secret location to spy on something secret
look around and help people find stuff they lost
help fashion hooks for fishing and use them
buy a big fish and whack someone with it as a joke
buy a bunch of flowers for a friend
help a fortune teller find some missing cards
help someone move to a new residence
gather ingredients for sacrifice at an altar
help someone with injured feet get to a cobbler
investigate the reports of wandering undead
on a dare, find and kiss a frog
clean up a neglected residence
fix a squeaky gate or door
break someone out of jail
find the hidden entrance
find out what the shop really sells
prove yourself to the smart person or be embarrassed
help a potter with menial tasks
kill sacred monsters for sacrifice
find something that your friend lost while out
mend clothing with the other folks
inquire at the closed shop
play a musical instrument for someone
get rid of some vermin
clean out the mechanical sewer equipment
fix the wheel for the potter
play a practical joke on someone
help create signs for town cryers
pay for a message to be shouted by town cryers
buy a child's toy
lead the mime into a trap
count votes for an election
go fishing
knock out a loose tooth carefully
read lines with the patrician actor
use food to cleverly get vermin out of the way
help the artificer with a new clever design
polish armor and weaponry
comfort someone that is sad
bring beer to the tradesman that can't work without it
join an ad hoc sports game
buy a new pair of shoes
become a regular customer at a trade shop
act as a mediator to settle a debt
help a musician find the right sheet music in a mess
help someone get out of the well
participate in a friendly wrestling match
participate in a wine tasting
trade the secret item for a badge of access
rob a crypt
lead a ritual to bless combat with demons
sanctify a weapon in a difficult to reach sacred place
find a body, gather its equipment, and bury it
find, release, and defeat a bound demon
help load arms and armor on the equipment racks
taunt dangerous animals with rocks
act as bait for dangerous animals that are delicious
help find a missing hawk hood
give someone a hint that they maybe could use a belt
give a child a toy boat
learn some phrases in a new language
visit the various tents
give the spoiled kid a treat
paint a picture
knowingly drink the poison politely
avoid a few traps, and replace the idol with sand
play a word association game
find someone's favorite things that are lost
perform favors as quid pro quo
answer a bunch of riddles for a prize
teach someone to swim by throwing them in
get someone's nemesis to apologize
give someone a thoughtful gift
retrieve the important object from a difficult location
bury the corpse
sneak your way in through the fence
get letters of introduction to meet someone
steal something brazenly
perform as an actor in a scene
help a playwright with editing
complete an extremely aggravating task for a reward
that stranger's dog wants steak
get the silver ring for tolls
find the broken crystal ball
secretly broker a secret meeting
get the wagon's wheel repaired
feed the poultry
set out boards and straw in the barn for sleepers
get odd object for smith
repair farm implements
sneak into a hidden cave to get a ruby
repair a blade that is broken
help someone cheat at a coin game
help re-arrange mosaic pieces
stealthily abscond with the thieves' daggers
gather soap shavings to refill a thieves' toolkit
build a better mouse trap
convince a man he is needed at home
fight a huge bumpkin
talk to a unicorn
fix someone's shoes for them
give someone your hangover cure
go somewhere very dark and get the stuff
commisserate with the hill people
help make goat cheese
bring people together with bull mating
put out fire and cover tracks
recover a captive from the bandits
avoid the spikes by jumping in the cesspit
avoid the spikes by climing the tree
free someone from the net trap
get the object from the flying bird
gather herbs for the local druid
help with the lunar ceremony
find an awesome sea shell and give it to someone
find a buried toy in the sandbox
buy enough of something to get a food item named after you
trim a hedge to an artistic standard
feign injury to avoid a long line
help the smugglers get stuff past customs
give the hungry some bread
test the teleportation gate
clear the area of the evil plants
get access to the black market
get access to the post office
get access to the armor restitcher
get access to the hidden shop that sells curios
get access to the granary
get access to the assassins guild
get access to the wizards guild
find a hidden entry to the sewer system
find the hidden wolves trail
find the beast lair
find the hidden temple for a reward
find the hidden shrine
find the thieves guild front
find the secret house of death
find the mad hatter shop
find the secret restaurant
find out the secret password
find the hidden magic shop
find the trap door in the fountain
find the sewer system
find the hidden entrance to the crypts
find the hidden entrance to the assassins guild
find the hidden bandit camp
find the hidden assassins camp
find the nhim-phat shop FIXME
find the hidden entrance to the thieves' guild
find the place where they sell a special coveted object
find the secret temple of monks
find the back door cave entrance
find the thieves' guild common room
find the hidden unicorn trail