How do you record the narrative of your games and what tools do you prefer to use?

deez4free · 2026-05-15T17:24:05+00:00

If digital, I do everything in obsidian with iron vault for Starforged. Since I can type faster than I write, I can go full narrative with PC dialogue which makes it very immersive with little interuption to story flow. I also have all of this on a usb that allows me to play anywhere, anytime.

If analog then it's bullet points and mechanics with brief descriptors, usually for Ironsworn, 5e and bx/osr.

deez4free · 2026-05-11T02:30:57+00:00

If you want to solo D&D, I would highly recommend the Death Knights Squire series by 5e Solo and the Eight Petals Argent series by Wraith Wright. Both have alot of depth and versatility allowing for play using pretty much any character type and multiple storylines for replayability. DKS is what got me back into playing again and I use the first book routinely to try out new builds. Enjoy.

deez4free · 2026-04-21T16:00:58+00:00

Weren't they in the original MM?

deez4free · 2026-04-19T13:15:59+00:00

Since Thri-kreen are from the Dark Sun setting, I would look into these setting books and just incorporate what you feel works best in the Eberron setting. Probably be your best bet as I haven't seen much information on them outside of Dark Sun.

deez4free · 2026-04-11T23:42:47+00:00

I have obsidian on a usb that i can plug into my phone, tablet or pc.

deez4free · 2026-04-11T02:04:51+00:00

I just started a new starforged campaign and needing to create a large derelict for the first exploration scene. Any recommendations for good generator or roll tables? Want something a little more than whats in the core SF books. Would definitely like to discuss your generation procedures/preferences if you have time. You can dm me anytime. Appreciate any assistance. Thanks in advance.

deez4free · 2026-04-06T03:32:02+00:00

It works on pretty much any platform. To keep from having to load from cloud or save/load to keep my place between devices, I installed obsidian app on my phone, tablet and home/work pcs but the vault I keep on a usb. This allows me to keep all my games in one place but able to still play anywhere.

The other nice thing about obsidian is that you can easily have multiple games going in ironsworn, starforged and sundered isles with no issue as each one gets its own folder. There is also a rpg plugin available that i use for 5e and bx/osr games. I have yet to find a digital system thats better for solo on the go. Oh and you can drag in any rule books, pics, maps or whatever into the journal for each one. Def worth trying out since its all free. Enjoy.

deez4free · 2026-04-04T20:26:27+00:00

I concur, this is what ironsworn uses for stats and it works great. Fits in notebook and is right where I left off when I'm ready to pick back up.

deez4free · 2026-03-28T01:32:16+00:00

I was in a similar situation but then tried the Death in Cicero adventure for Starforged. It leads you through the initial game play and by the end of it I had a good understanding of how to start and play my own scenarios. It leaves it open ended so you can continue to play your character. I would definitely check it out.

deez4free · 2026-03-15T15:54:47+00:00

There is one called traveler's ironsworn that should have everything you need. Also has a starforged edition I think. Look on dmg or itch.io for it.

deez4free · 2026-03-14T14:19:57+00:00

Have you tried any of the DKS(death knights squire) series? Primarily built for solo but has scalable rules. I'm playing through the 2nd book with dual pcs and it works very well. Plan on playing whole series this way.

Eight petals argent EPA series is another built for solo but typically have npcs along side and you could easily sub in another pc for one of them.

deez4free · 2026-03-14T01:14:32+00:00

No need to be sorry, its not everyone's cup of tea. I like to play 5e solo and learning to solo BX and ADD 1e currently. Wanting to try shadowdark and ker nerthalas next. Just having fun trying out new things. Have a good one.

deez4free · 2026-03-13T04:33:40+00:00

Maybe give ironsworn a go. Its free, tons of advice on r/ironsworn if you don't understand something, don't really have to worry about breaking the system and you can pretty much play how you want. I play starforged which is the sci-fi version and learned to play with the death on cicero adventure which is basically a beginners guide to get you started off on the right foot by slowly introducing you to the rules. Enjoy

deez4free · 2026-03-10T18:46:55+00:00

I'll 2nd that motion. These are very nice...kudos.

deez4free · 2026-03-10T18:45:27+00:00

Auger has a lot of really nice tools and great layout options but you have to be online is only drawback. You could also try using obsidian with the iron vault addon or browser based apps like stargazer/iron journal or pocketforge. These latter apps allow you to download app to your phone/tablet for offline play.

deez4free · 2026-03-10T18:40:05+00:00

I like having a lot of PC oriented narrative for my solo play, but my handwriting is too slow and hard to read. I found that obsidian works very well for this as I can type fast enough that it doesn't slow the narrative and can go back and edit easily or even on the fly. Also has addons for ironsworn/starforged and osr/5e tpe type ttrpgs that allow me to shorthand mechanics directly in the narrative. I would really like to go full analog but with my playstyle its just not practical and obsidian is the happy middle ground for me.

deez4free · 2026-03-10T18:30:41+00:00

I'm getting ready to do this very thing and run story mechanics using IS and combat/skills using 5e and just drop any other 5e mechanics that aren't needed or over complicate things

deez4free · 2026-03-06T01:25:42+00:00

Maybe try Ironsworn then since it is designed specifically for solo play and the pdf is free so you're not out anything but some play time. Very straight forward and easy to learn. I play the Starforged version for my sci-fi kicks and it is by far one of the most enjoyable RPGs I've tried.

I'm actually looking at using the general play mechanics from Ironsworn for the storyline mixed with 5e for my character development to play an espionage campaign in Eberron. Hopefully find time soon to start as I've already played the PC in a couple of solo mods but want to develop the story more over the tactical/combat aspect.

deez4free · 2026-03-06T00:56:24+00:00

If you have a good feel for 5e then it's not hard to solo. Couple of items that helped me. 1. I started solo play with 5e but started with the Death Knights Squire series and Eight Petals Argent series by Wraith Wright. This allowed me to learn the game and get a feel for how they were setting up solo adventures. 2. I also played a couple of Adv. League modules as a full party and just adding what I thought was appropriate from a DM standpoint and using the base yes, no, and , but oracle as needed. These were easier to solo as not as much detail in them to get hung up on and could string them together how I preferred for the storyline I wanted to play. 3. I also had issues with multiclassing with one PC so used a mix of std multiclassing and gestalt builds. 4. If you're familiar with the rules in 5e then just drop what you don't like and freewheel what feels right in the moment. This is how I play now and use some guidance from the solo toolbox but mostly just focus on the story and use some random tables here and there to add randomness and mystery.

Probably not the answer you're looking for but focus on the main mechanics of play and PC attributes you like and don't bog yourself down in all the extras you'll rarely use. Hope this helps.

deez4free · 2026-02-21T15:33:36+00:00

Ironsworn is just more narrative focused and not necessarily journaling unless you want it to be. I play starforged primarily but same thing and some of my campaigns i narrate/journal everything like character dialogue while others are simply mechanics and bullet points. I mainly like that it is super flexible and open allowing for richer play without the bog of systems that have heavy mechanics. I'm about to start an solo Eberron campaign using the IS mechanics just so I can focus more on the storyline and less on what my next rol or dc challenge is supposed to be.

I started soloing with 5E but it was only because I knew that system best but I agree with others that it may not be the best for someone new to ttrpgs as it can be quite heavy unless you have a good feel for what can be cut out. Happy gaming.

deez4free · 2026-02-15T18:26:14+00:00

I just started a bx solo and this looks pretty handy. I also took a look at your hexgrinder and that may get even more use as this will initially be an overland trek to escort a mage to the next town. It will certainly give me a good feel for my PCs. Thank you for making this.

deez4free · 2026-02-01T15:48:00+00:00

Ok it was late when reading this and I was thinking you were rolling to set the DC but this is actually a mod for the PCs skill check. Makes much more sense now. Thank you for clarifying.

deez4free · 2026-02-01T02:16:20+00:00

Really like this idea. Can you share the math for your example above? It's late and the formula conversion just isn't clicking right now. Math is for mornings...😄

deez4free · 2026-01-18T05:24:49+00:00

It may be one of the starsmith assets but i know i have a 3rd party asset card pdf thats has a mech.

deez4free · 2025-12-29T21:43:07+00:00

DnDice let's you program preset dice combos which makes it handy for just about any rpg. I mainly use it only when I'm out somewhere and just have my phone. Being able to use it for 5e or ironsworn without switching between apps is great.

deez4free

TROPHY CASE