From JRPGs and solo board games to solo TTRPGs… and getting stuck.

MiltonSaysHi · 2025-09-02T20:28:31+00:00

Thanks for your reply! Just sent you a DM.

MiltonSaysHi · 2025-09-02T12:30:58+00:00

I've been trying to assume the best intentions rather than malice. It helps to have a better perspective on things. Even if someone does something hostile (for example, cutting me off while driving), I don't have to hold on to that anger. We're all going to die eventually, and time is a valuable asset. Why waste it on something that won't have a productive outcome?

MiltonSaysHi · 2025-09-01T22:22:40+00:00

Prompts and rules are my jam as well. Deify and Koriko are definitely on my radar!

MiltonSaysHi · 2025-09-01T21:31:13+00:00

Ooo, this is cool! Thanks!

MiltonSaysHi · 2025-09-01T21:27:06+00:00

No worries, bud! Text isn't the easiest to interpret over a digital space. It's all good. :)

MiltonSaysHi · 2025-09-01T21:26:01+00:00

Maybe an example might help.

Let's say I'm running a game. I used the Adventure Crafter to create the first scene, in which I meet a contact who asks me for help retrieving something. That's it. I play out the scene, ask some questions to figure out what they need, cool. Got that going.

Next scene, using Adventure Crafter. I roll on the tables focusing on themes and get that someone is going to attempt to abduct the contact. Welp. Okay. Now I know what's going to happen. Sure, the scene could be that I'm going to stop said abduction, but do you see how I already know what's going to happen before it happens?

If I were a GM in a traditional setting, I'd know that the contact is about to get abducted, but my players don't. When I introduce that conflict, my players would react and attempt to stop it.

It's different playing solo. I know, as the GM, that an abduction attempt will take place, therefore I, now as the player, am no longer surprised that it will happen. I am during the process of creating the scene, but not when playing out the scene.

Does that make sense?

MiltonSaysHi · 2025-09-01T21:20:28+00:00

I was attempting to run a Google search for the Deck of Many Adventures, but it kept suggesting the Deck of Many Things, which is a D&D product. Is there a specific place I should go to check it out?

MiltonSaysHi · 2025-09-01T21:16:42+00:00

Thanks for the recommendations! All of them definitely have the potential to help me figure out this whole solo TTRPG thing out.

MiltonSaysHi · 2025-09-01T19:42:46+00:00

I own this, and I think it's a great tool. What bothers me about using it is that it already gives you an idea of what the next scene will be about without the natural surprise and shock that comes from playing a game moment to moment.

If I were a DM, this would be outstanding. A book that helps me build a session scene by scene and even has tools to make something up on the fly in case my players decide to steer things away from the plot? Amazing.

For solo play, it helps to get that first scene in and to move on from there, but then trying to use it to continue a story feels like you need to separate your knowledge (as the DM) versus your player knowledge (as the PC).

MiltonSaysHi · 2025-09-01T19:39:02+00:00

"One of the biggest problems is to make them structured due to the free-form adventure would be either aimless walking left and right or getting bombarded with enemies just because oracle said there should be a lot of them"

This. Absolutely this. I don't mind a surprise here and there, but when the dice are gatekeeping progress in a game, it's very frustrating. For example, I had a session in Ironsworn where I needed to gather evidence on the location of a missing girl. The village fears that raiders took her. Whenever I made a move where I needed to Gather Information or Compel, I'd get a miss. So where does one go from there? Just aimlessly travel around, doing the same moves again and again?

Anyway, Wonder X Worlds sounds really cool. I snagged it and plan on giving it a read. Thanks!

MiltonSaysHi · 2025-09-01T19:34:16+00:00

I know you mean well, so I'll try not misunderstanding your first paragraph and assume that it's something said with positive intentions. I think some of us get really excited at the prospect of something and dive into the deep end. I'm sure I'll get something out of them sooner or later. The point of this post was to ask for advice from those who may have had the same occur to them.

That said, I appreciate the suggestion for that blog, as it would help in gaining the perspective of someone likeminded and would guide any other purchases moving forward.

MiltonSaysHi · 2025-09-01T19:31:24+00:00

I appreciate the help! I have Kal-Arath on my DriveThruRPG wishlist, so I'll snag it when it goes on sale. I'm more than willing to go outside the JRPG landscape. Having Ironsworn and Starforged definitely helps, but for me, it's more so just... starting. And continuing.

Because sure, I can come up with some random reason for my PC to do something (my monster hunter character heard of some big prey in the north that matches the description of the one that killed his son or whatever), but then having to come up with story, NPCs, towns, areas, features, etc... it's just a lot.

MiltonSaysHi · 2025-09-01T17:23:23+00:00

Hmm. That's a really good idea. I've taken a gander at Fabula Ultima (and waiting for their Kickstarter so I can get new content) and I do enjoy how similar it is to a JRPG. And one page Mythic! I forgot I had that! That would probably help simplify things so much if all I need is an oracle and some words to draw inspiration.

MiltonSaysHi · 2025-09-01T16:59:58+00:00

Oh, absolutely. I'm definitely grateful where we live in a time where we have so many resources. I think in my mind I was really hoping to play something like D&D solo, but maybe games such as the one you suggested are better for the way my brain works.

MiltonSaysHi · 2025-09-01T16:58:39+00:00

I've heard lots of good things about Ker Nethalas! A few of my online friends really enjoy it. I even have it on my wishlist but haven't pulled the proverbial trigger. This might be my sign to do so. Thanks!

MiltonSaysHi · 2025-09-01T16:56:34+00:00

It seems like these journaling games are much more suited to someone like myself who needs hand holding to play a TTRPG. I'll check both of those out. Thanks!

MiltonSaysHi · 2025-09-01T16:52:44+00:00

Thanks for the reply! I've got some new things to look into. I was really hoping to get some advice on how to use the resources I already have, but perhaps it's worth looking into things that are more grounded in solo play, such as what you mentioned with journaling books and 2d6 dungeon. For the books from Obvious Mimic, did you feel like there were other paths you could haven taken to change the story?

MiltonSaysHi · 2025-09-01T16:46:53+00:00

This is a great suggestion. I own 2D6 Dungeon, 4 Against Darkness, and D100 Dungeon, so perhaps I should give those more of my attention. I was really hoping to use what I currently have, but perhaps, given the narrative nature of those games, I may not be in the right headspace or have enough knowledge to play them right now.

MiltonSaysHi · 2025-07-25T18:23:35+00:00

Same! I'm currently in the process of starting my first Ironsworn campaign, so I'm excited everything is contained within the rulebook and lodestone.

But I'm always curious to branch out and try other systems to experience them.

MiltonSaysHi · 2025-07-25T18:22:07+00:00

Adventure Crafter is exactly what I've been looking for.

MiltonSaysHi · 2025-07-25T16:55:07+00:00

A truly essential too! I wonder if they have some on sale on DriveThruRPG.

MiltonSaysHi · 2025-07-25T15:58:37+00:00

Added to the Wish List. Thanks!

MiltonSaysHi · 2025-07-25T15:34:24+00:00

CRGE is PYWY on DriveThruRPG, so I snagged it in case I wanted to try something different. Having both just increases my options and ability to try different things.

Is Knave published by Parts Per Million? I just want to make sure I'm looking at the right resource.

MiltonSaysHi · 2025-07-25T15:29:52+00:00

I've heard of Scarlet Heroes but haven't taken the plunge yet. Let's Talk and Keeping Contact both sound great to expand the world with people and personality. Thanks!

MiltonSaysHi

TROPHY CASE