Solo d6 Fantasy: Session 10

Thoughts on the system, Solo d6 Fantasy: Expanded
I think this is an excellent option for solo play, it provides enough depth to provide an interesting session but remain lite enough that one can pick up, jump in, and start making adventures. I did not get into the magic, which if I play again, I will certainly ensure I add that back into the mix. I particularly liked the way damage is resolved in a single roll with the attack.

I thought I would not like the rolls being all player-facing (ie, the players roll to dodge attacks instead of the GM rolling to hit the PCs), but in reality I actually really liked it. Like REALLY liked it. From a player perspective this really feels like I am playing a game, I am rolling to see if I succeed vs the GM rolling to see if the monsters succeed. This may feel like a small thing, but especially in solo play this really made the game about the PCs. I

Thoughts on the adventure:
I thought this went smooth and mostly well. Wearing the GM's hat I attempted to make the encounters basically even or tough like I would GMing a group, but I think I under estimated the PCs a little and at no time did I really think the PCs were in jeopardy. If I play again, this is something I would like to directly change in my approach to encounters. Yes, I want the heroes to succeed, but I also want this to NOT be a certain thing. Like I like my 80s movies with a little tension and the good guys always, if barely, come out on top. 

Would I recommend?
Absolutely. If you want a lite solo RPG system that essentially covers everything, this a great option. Small package, very big game.

Solo d6 Fantasy: Session 9

Interesting ending. I am sure someone will cry how the boys essentially set the bandits on fire, but hey, all is fair in love and war. In the real world you would not leave people that want to kill you alive, unless you are just a stupid fuck. Then you would probably believe cashless bail is a good thing.

Solo d6 Fantasy: Session 8

As my friend Christian put it, "What a way for the elf Prince to go..."

I have said it before but the surprising twists and turn - the unexpected - is what drew me to DMing games, and due to the way in which I play solo RPGs, I have been able to continue this angle. So far, this little adventure, something like 5 locations, had really been interesting.

Update on the characters -

Solo d6 Fantasy: Session 7

Had some interesting things happening here, and in a direction I did not foresee with the goblin prisoners being tortured and even mutilated. Those bandits must be some bad mofos...

This is one of the things I like most about solo gaming, and one that shares a good deal with how I ran games for people. In my best gaming sessions I never fully fleshed out the encounter. I knew what would lead to the encounter, and then I just let fate, ingenuity, and off the cuff insanity take over and resolve the session. This meant I was often as surprised as the players as to the path the adventure takes (sometimes screaming towards). 

I find in solo gaming much of my enjoyment comes from the unexpected and interesting (sometimes deadly) turns that our story goes. I think that is one of the facets of solo gaming that the naysayers simply do not understand. I have often heard people say 'how fun can it be when you know what will happen, and that is exactly the crux of it. I really have no idea where the adventure will head, nor how well my heroes will do. Maybe they will be big heroes, maybe they will all die, maybe they will befriend a giant or demon. 

That level of the unexpected, keeps the game fun and interesting, and makes every single game unique.

Solo d6 Fantasy: Session 6

I was honestly a little worried going into this one after the last session. Three bandits AND a bugbear!? I thought for sure our goose was cooked, or perhaps at least Gort's ass might be. To quote someone else somewhere, I think he was more scared of us, than we of him!

I used a quick map to ink out the battle just for myself to easily track who was where, though I ended up not really needing it at all.

Solo d6 Fantasy: Session 5

The band enters the lair! I did modify the risk rule in the system due to the short dungeon. Now I will be increasing the Risk by +1 after every room instead of every three.

Exceptionally sharp readers might also notice the drawn map seems familiar, and they would be correct. I am utilizing the Bandit's Defilement map I posted earlier this month. I decided to redraw it here as I go along because, well, I like drawing maps.

I just realized I totally forgot about the campfire Vin could smell before they came to the lair. Oops...  I guess that is what happens when you play a session at work, on break, and do not play again until the following day. Oh well!

Solo d6 Fantasy: Session 4

Solo d6 Fantasy: Session 3

Clean up the mess and then head down the trail to the lair...

Solo d6 Fantasy: Session 2

Mort & Vin decide to inquire about adding a member to their crew, and then end up hiring Aranngort, a venturist that appears a little less sure of himself. Vin mumbles to Mort that at least he will take an arrow or two before falling and then they would not have to pay him...

Aranngort

They head out on the road...

And immediately encounter some trouble!

Solo d6 Fantasy: Session 1

 

Mort & Vin enter the village of Bramblgulf. In a chance encounter they met Pollard a local merchant who gives them a quest. I used the Solo d6 system as is as much as possible and only resorted to using the provided oracle when things got murky or I was just stuck.

Matt's Note:

I have decided that I am likely not going to write up much for the blog and probably just let the photo speak for itself. I may include things like thoughts on the system, or perhaps why I did something a particular way, but I want to keep the workload of these blog postings to a minimum. Some might enjoy reading them. I am also going to include some goofy AI artwork just because. 

As I was working through this, I decided I wanted to use the map I drew, something I rarely do much anymore. As it happens, the random rolls to determine the quest lined up almost perfectly so I decided to run with it.

Mortbello

Vinarys

Solo d6 Fantasy: Session 0

I took some time over a break at work to use the Solo d6 Fantasy system for a spin and created two characters for an actual play. I used the rules exactly as stated and based the character cards on the ones in the photo in the rules.

System is pretty robust and allows you to create unique feeling characters (especially with the trait table to help flesh out the character's personality) with just a few rolls and notes. One thing to note is that this is a player-facing rolling game, so all rolls are made by the players. This may sound logical given that this is primarily meant for solo play, but this is also FOR the characters, meaning all rolls are made on behalf of the characters. You roll to attack and you roll to defend from the monsters’ attacks. Which I thought might be a problem for me as I have never really enjoyed that sort of thing but I have to tell you, I love it! The fact also that a character can choose to dodge an attack OR block it (block using STR and dodge using FIN) allows a greater feeling of control and creative license to be tactical in the attributes you use. 

I will probably at some point create an additional equipment table as the included one is short, no doubt so it could be included in the small footprint of the game. The Expanded version includes excellent random tables for terrain, encounter activities, treasure, NPCs, a selection of common monsters….enough to let any solo play really bite into and create a solid gaming session.

I generated a basic quest presmise and starter village from the tables and after randomly roll some tables realized I could utilize one of the maps I have created. So Vinarys & Mortbello are set to head out for the first adventure!

Solo d6 Fantasy: Expanded

 

I discovered this little gem after spending some time away from gaming for a while. This is a great little system with enough depth to really get you into the game without weighing you down with needless pages of rules.

Solo d6 Fantasy: Expanded is available on itchi.io. I have created characters, played two sessions and I am having a great time. I may post some actual play in the future but for now, I just thought I would share this neat little game I discovered.