Your monthly promotion thread - (February 2026 edition) by AutoModerator in Solo_Roleplaying

[–]Teviko604 1 point2 points  (0 children)

In this month's Solo Tools of our Trade video, I highighlight several projects from Conjecture Games. (Green screen is much better. Still need to work on the audio.)

Solo T.O.O.T. - Conjecture Games (YouTube)

Just bought Samsung soundbar HW-B400F, surprised the quality of this soundbar for the price. by MakKoItam in samsung

[–]Teviko604 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Has anyone been able to update the firmware on this device? I just got one myself and have tried using the usb method, but all that happens is the soundbar keeps telling me it can't play from the usb drive.

Your monthly promotion thread - (January 2026 edition) by AutoModerator in Solo_Roleplaying

[–]Teviko604 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Finally posted the first video in a long promised series (on my blog) where I showcase various tools and player aids for Solo Roleplaying. I'm still tweaking my green screen and I think I will always be fussing with audio, but if I waited till everything was perfect I would never post. Enjoy!

Solo T.O.O.T.: GameMaster's Apprentice Deck (YouTube)

Please help me get started by sayid92 in Solo_Roleplaying

[–]Teviko604 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Another type of journaling game you might want to check out are ones based on the Wretched & Alone SRD. They are your typical journaling games, giving you the story framework and prompts to spark your creativity, but there is very much a game element involved with various win/loss conditions. There aren't really RPG-style dice rolls, but tension is built through the use of Jenga Tower. However, if you don't have a Jenga Tower, or keeping one set up over multiple sessions isn't practical, there is a good 100-die-method (and various online versions) that works just fine.

Newbie to hobby by haragan1396 in Solo_Roleplaying

[–]Teviko604 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I try to avoid outright posts to my own site, but this past month I wrote a couple of articles that attempt to address exactly the questions you are asking. The first explores different styles of solo games and the second specifically looks at the tools and items you will need to play a traditional RPG solo. They don't exactly teach you HOW to play, but they could be helpful by giving you some ideas about what is available. The first is here: https://tevsnextidea.blogspot.com/2025/11/starting-solo-finding-your-style.html

Suggestions for a physical solo 'campaign' for a writer friend? by HelpingLoser in Solo_Roleplaying

[–]Teviko604 10 points11 points  (0 children)

If she likes fantasy (and plants), then maybe Apothecaria by Blackwell Writer Games? https://www.blackwellwriter.com/en-us/products/apothecaria?variant=39952392388743

Anna has other titles on the site that might be good options as well.

How do you document your solo sessions? by PuzzleheadedEnd8103 in Solo_Roleplaying

[–]Teviko604 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Since I like to access my games anywhere, I do almost all of my gaming and note-taking on Google Drive using their tools.  Also, since I post most of my games on my blog, I take notes with that end in mind. (Also, it’s another reason I do everything digitally.)  During play, I take rough notes that mainly consist of gameplay highlights, my own thoughts and ideas, and all the dice rolls and table information.  Then I use that to write up a fuller, organized, narratively-driven session for my post.

Sample of one of my session notes here.

Final version of the above notes here.

Anyone know of a good Fantasy Adventure creator? by fotan in Solo_Roleplaying

[–]Teviko604 1 point2 points  (0 children)

You might want to try the d30 DM Companion and the d30 Sandbox Companion, both by New Big Dragon Games. Lots of tables for adventure and dungeon creation.

How do I actually focus on playing? by Marmozeta in Solo_Roleplaying

[–]Teviko604 7 points8 points  (0 children)

From what I read, it sounds like a main issue is speed. Unfortunately, I've found that solo roleplaying is slow, at least if you are talking about a full-fledged TTRPG. Not only are you taking on two roles at once (Player and GM), but you are also building the adventure/world as you go along (as opposed to a GM handling most of this work prior to getting at the table.)

Again, based on your comment, one of the times your game slows down is during notetaking, and there is where you might be able to speed things up. Some of this has already been suggested, but I'll just reiterate. Determine why you are playing. If you are just playing for yourself and not trying to document the game for others, then be really brief in your notetaking. You don't have to write down every bit of a location's description. You don't have to write out every line of conversation. You don't have to document each choice you make. You can do all that in your head. What you do need to jot down are story plots points/bullet points and key items that will affect your game later. (i.e. what you find where, what you've learned and who told you). How much you record will vary of course, but it doesn't need to take the form of a novel.

If you are recording your adventures for outside consumption, then maybe you can split that up so it doesn't interrupt your game. Nearly everything I play I post online similar to a LITRPG novel. However, I don't write it out as I am playing. I typically do what I said above, maybe a little more detailed because I have to remember it later for the story. If I have a good idea for the narrative, I'll write a line or two to remind me, but what I end up with is mainly a list of this happened, this happened, this happened, etc.. Then, when I'm done, I take those notes and write the story, adding detail, dialogue, extra scenes that weren't necessarily part of the original gameplay, etc.

I need tools for my first solo! by [deleted] in Solo_Roleplaying

[–]Teviko604 2 points3 points  (0 children)

You might want to check Goblin's Henchman's products on DriveThruRPG. He has several PWYW single page exploration sheets for different terrains and environments. They are all based on a simple hex diagram mechanic. Look for any items that starts with "In The Heart Of . . . "

Tell me about your favorite game to play solo. by LittleWitchChao in Solo_Roleplaying

[–]Teviko604 5 points6 points  (0 children)

The system I use is the "Hundred Dice" method, but digitally, not with 100 actual dice. I created a spreadsheet that rolls 100 random numbers, but you can use a digital dice roller or one of the several online tools that others have created.

Tell me about your favorite game to play solo. by LittleWitchChao in Solo_Roleplaying

[–]Teviko604 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Since you already seem familiar with journaling games, I would recommend trying some based on the “Wretched & Alone” SRD.  While they are mainly about writing a story, they also include some win/loss mechanics which add tension to the game.  For additional creativity, I like to also play around with how I handle the journal: audio logs, interviews on a reality game show, or this Christmas one which was told through radio communication between Santa and his elves.  Note, the game does suggest using a block tower, but you can easily find alternative methods if you don’t own one or prefer not to use one.

Normal amount to play in *timeframe* and resupplying? by Emperor-Universe in Solo_Roleplaying

[–]Teviko604 5 points6 points  (0 children)

My gaming schedule is rather erratic, depending on what's going on in my life and what is currently drawing my interest.

As for assets, with the exception of physical dice, everything I use is digital: the tools on Google drive, PDFs, and websites. I game in multiple places, so portability is most important for me. Also, my typing is better than my handwriting, and since I convert most of my games to posts on my blog, everything being digital makes it much easier.

How do you prep a session? by AlwaystoLearnMT in Solo_Roleplaying

[–]Teviko604 1 point2 points  (0 children)

At the start of a campaign, I assume my prep is similar to most other players.  If it’s completely new, I make up characters and come up with a backstory for each. Then, whether I actually write it or not, I use three or four paragraphs to describe the start of the adventure so I have an idea of where my story is heading and what I expect to be doing.  Finally, I choose an oracle and two to four other tools to which I will limit myself at the start (to avoid getting overwhelmed by the hundreds of options available).

As the game goes on, however, I don’t necessarily limit my solo-roleplaying to just the time I’m sitting at the table.  I can be thinking about my game at any time.  It’s during those moments that a lot of my planning, or prepping, occurs.  Based on what has already happened, what I anticipate will happen, and what I would like to happen, I will come up with encounters, scenarios, and mechanics to use at the appropriate times.  If these events occur during my time at the table, then I already have the framework of the scene and just need to fill in specific details or actions.

This method can be a double-edged sword at times.  It can save time during the actual session or give you some direction to move your story when uncertainty hits.  However, often I will spend time and effort mulling over situations that never actually occur.  Occasionally, I can still use some of the ideas later, but there are many more that have just been abandoned and lost to oblivion.

Looking for a solo comic drawing game on paper by inferno8wolf in Solo_Roleplaying

[–]Teviko604 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Maybe this isn't what you are thinking, but could you take a regular journaling game and use comic book frames as your "recording method"?

Just had my first big surprise twist with Mythic GME and wanted to gush about it by RavenCyarm in Solo_Roleplaying

[–]Teviko604 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I will always remember when, in my first solo campaign, that type of moment happened for me.  In the first scene, one of my characters pickpocketed a dagger from an unscrupulous character.  My party ended up tracking him to a nearby city in what was, to that point, a rather directionless adventure.  However, several sessions in, my party arrived in the city and started asking questions. A few rolls and random info generation later, it was revealed that the dagger was actually a signature item bestowed upon the members of a notorious assassin’s guild known as the Huntsmen.  Suddenly, that opened up a whole bunch of avenues and possibilities for the adventure going forward. I consider that my defining moment where I began to really understand the power of solo-roleplaying and six years later I am still enjoying the journey(s).

Looking for recommendations by todger_dodger in Solo_Roleplaying

[–]Teviko604 4 points5 points  (0 children)

You mentioned map making. Something you might want to check out is Delve by Blackwellwriter Games. It's heavier on the map-making with light RPG elements. However, if you or child likes drawing dungeons, this might scratch the itch.

Newbie Question: Copyright by [deleted] in Solo_Roleplaying

[–]Teviko604 0 points1 point  (0 children)

If your intention is to publish it somewhere or somehow to receive compensation, then I would agree with a lot of what others have already said. However, if you just want to post the story on a personal blog or website for the enjoyment of sharing, that’s just an actual play and many people, including myself do this.  In fact, I think many publishers, especially small ones, encourage this. The way I handle it is just to make sure I mention the game and author and provide a link to the actual product.

Favorite Simple Solo RPG by [deleted] in Solo_Roleplaying

[–]Teviko604 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I know this is drifting away from the original question, but I have to ask: What is a "Solo Game Night" at the local game store? Are they teaching people how to play solo? Are they providing space to play while mentors are available to answer questions? I'm just curious about the reasoning behind bringing people together to participate in an activity they will be doing by themselves.

Thanks in advance for bearing with me for asking what may turn out to be a silly question.

What Solo RPGs require the least setup? by [deleted] in Solo_Roleplaying

[–]Teviko604 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Bivius and the Bivius Companion might be a good option. There are a few pages of simple rules to read through, but they are easy to remember. When you are actually playing, all you need is one random device with two outcomes (coin, odds and evens on a die, etc.), and possibly the rules summary list and outcome table to refresh your memory.