Sunday, July 23, 2023

Willow Valley: redux!

So last year I did a series of solo ttrpg play on YouTube that were moderately successful. Last week Erik Tenkar did a video about solo play and he called me out for being 'the solo guy' in a group and not posting anything in ages (it has been ten months actually). This got me really thinking.

Sidebar:
I have had a rough two-three years for those who know me. Drastic life changes, personally and professionally and this last year especially I have been frankly floundering. My pals don't really know this but have probably started easily six to ten solo games with various systems, oracles, and tools. All have survived no longer than a handful of sessions before they petered out. This last year I have bought so many gamebooks, tried so many systems and tools. Nothing just felt right to me.

Back to Erik's message, and it really got me thinking. I LOVED that game that I posted on YouTube. I did somethings on there that appeared to really help others understand and get into solo gaming (I think this is because I live by the mantra KISS and I applied it to how I played solo). So I spent this weekend rewatching those videos, noting what worked, what did not, what I liked and what I did not, and I have decided I want to go back to Willowford. I began putting all my old notes, books, and resources together and I realized somehow I had managed to lose not only the printed map of Willow Valley, but also the file I used to create it. So, I spent a good portion today redrawing the entire thing, but that's ok because I am posting it here for others to use. I have made a few changes, mainly adding two more rivers and a small lake on the right side of the map.  This is a recreation of the map from the White Box Omnibus by Mr James Spahn. Nothing wrong with the provided map, I just prefer this one.  ;-)

Now that I have all my tools, I am hoping to start recording soon. No promises, but I am hoping to start up 'Season Two' of Doom Comes to Willowford!

4 comments:

  1. I'm happy you are gaming matt, and I'm here for you if you need me. This map is amazing as always. I gotta send you some FF books, I think you will enjoy them.

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  2. I really enjoyed the YouTube videos. I watched all of them at least twice. I really liked the "tools" ones as a kick to my imagination. I picked up Into the Weird and Wild on your recommendation from your earlier solo forays, and have enjoyed it as well.

    Thank you for sharing what you have done in the past, and anything you choose to share in the future.

    Thank you for being you.

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  3. I really like the map. I haven't watched the videos but need to.

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