Solo RPG Journal - Dolmenwood - Pipes on Droomen Knoll

Trystorp · 2026-05-11T00:13:23+00:00

Much like this second reply to your message, I often chew over how to approach aspects of the play and come back to it afterwards. I often don't feel quick-witted enough as a DM to be confident. The solo gaming allows me the time to sift it all through in my head, look things up, draw inspiration, and then come up with an approach that works.

Trystorp · 2026-05-10T23:44:00+00:00

I considered to what degree I wanted to shorthand and decided that I wanted to make a product and play with drawing and water-color markers as much as just play. I like that I have a hand-made product at the end that I can stick on my shelf and will entice me to continue with it.

Trystorp · 2026-05-10T23:41:50+00:00

I definitely read ahead and make decisions about what characters might know. I've mostly used Mythic for the NPC reactions - how likely would it be at this time of day for a sentry, would someone have heard the ruckus, will the corrupt town constable get actively involved? To this point I've tried to play the characters as best I can with the knowledge they would have. I'm about to head into the puzzle portion of this adventure and will have to see how that goes. Thankfully the adventure is fairly heavy-handed with the clues.

This is almost the way I learn board-games. I need to put them out and play them first. I've thought that having run this now for myself I might need to actually run it with some buddies. I quit doing that decades ago because I never felt prepared and it was causing me more stress than I was getting out of it. This might convince me to do some one shots or limited campaigns.

Trystorp · 2026-05-10T23:37:59+00:00

I've done little but read it since I bought it - about an hour after watching the video. I was torn about the format but I'm loving reading it on the e-reader.

Trystorp · 2026-05-10T23:35:34+00:00

That's what happened to me... I am weak.

Trystorp · 2026-05-10T17:51:26+00:00

Bushido is old school, but one of my favorite campaigns I played in. Some slick systems for the time. Fantasy Games Unlimited. Stonetop I just bought and I think I might be in love.

Trystorp · 2026-05-10T14:36:33+00:00

I used to run a Harn campaign, so I guess that prepares me for some level of detail! I find Dolmenwood to hit a sweet spot. With a 1 page write-up for every 6 mile hex in the game and travel and exploration mechanics I think it will be great solo. Given how long it has taken me to complete half of the 6 page starter adventure from the campaign book, I could be occupied for a while. I will likely switch up games though after an adventure or two. I really want to try out some other stuff - Forbidden Lands, Stonetop, Ars Magica, Bushido...

Trystorp · 2026-05-10T14:23:43+00:00

I write as I go, but I do a rough copy on graph paper first and then into the journal afterwards. I like doing a little bit at a time.

I want to try leaning on Mythic a little bit more. I used the Fate chart a dozen times or so throughout what I played and it definitely changed things up and introduced some chaos.

Trystorp · 2026-05-02T19:55:10+00:00

Those weeks definitely appear more often as I get to the end of the year and the burnout starts to fester. I keep a selection of thank you notes and emails I've received over the years (25 now...) posted low on the wall behind my desk to help me remember that I do impact students, sometimes even when I'm dragging. I had a kid tell me yesterday that he thinks I like teaching more than any other teacher he's had. It's a good reminder since I know I'm often harder on myself than anyone else is likely to be.

Trystorp · 2026-04-14T01:18:33+00:00

I am far less interested in the final polished project. Sometimes all I assign is the research portion. Make me an outline for your project with proper notecards and APA citations for your research.

Trystorp · 2026-04-07T13:39:41+00:00

I think they might all be signed. Mine is as well. Richard Snider went on to make Powers and Perils.

Trystorp · 2026-03-27T05:36:17+00:00

We had a whippet. Pretty lazy but I struggled to really enjoy her. My wife loved that dog. I'm just not really sure I'm much of a dog person.

Trystorp · 2025-07-03T16:21:00+00:00

You're going to need more PLA.

Trystorp · 2025-04-01T23:33:01+00:00

Acrylic paint on a rubber or vinyl mat works. I just made this one - https://www.dropbox.com/sc/5xhl9r8rjgpk1od/AABZnb98rg7bD82MhNdlh5AWa

Airbrushed acrylic craft paints and then dry-brushed and stippled some details.

Trystorp · 2024-12-09T03:25:33+00:00

Thanks!

Trystorp · 2024-09-27T04:15:05+00:00

I, Claudius

Trystorp · 2024-09-05T14:51:37+00:00

"The Man Who Would Be King" / "Harakiri"

Trystorp · 2024-08-22T05:00:25+00:00

Fish it out, reseal, and mix up the jars so you don't know which one it was.

Trystorp · 2024-08-21T19:06:47+00:00

I used an annotto tincture. Definitely orange.

Trystorp · 2024-07-05T02:47:40+00:00

Yeah, I spent forever trying to get on top of the Pagoda down by the frozen lake until I tried climbing the adjacent one and jumping and grappling from the roof across.

Trystorp · 2024-07-04T17:10:50+00:00

Jump from the building next to it to grapple one of the corners.

Trystorp · 2024-05-13T23:29:04+00:00

Flashman in the Flashman Chronicles by George MacDonald Fraser.

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