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So, a while back, I got sick and tired of my tabletop RPG group. They're nice people, but I just got tired of playing with them, because it was always the same old thing. And one of the players just didn't want to be there so started acting out and I was like, 'You know, I don't really have to come out here. I could have Sundays free to do other things.' So I quit going to the games, and eventually the rest of the group quit playing and meeting as a group.
But I miss playing. Not so much that I'd try online playing (Been there, done that, tasted the disappointment), and not so much that I'd ever go back to the Adventurers Guild night at my local game store. Eight people crammed around a table getting railroaded through a D&D module by a GM of disappointing skill and attrocious personal hygene is NOT my cup of tea.
But enough for me to try my hand at solo roleplaying. Which, I know, sounds weird and a bit sad, but can actually be quite engaging.
I dipped my toe in the water with One Deck Dungeon, but found it narratively unsatisfying. So I poked about a bit, watched videos on YouTube about Ironsworn, Gentleman Bandit and Alone Among the Stars. Found a couple of YT channels that were very informative and inspirational.
Eventually, I got myself together, and took a stab at it.
The first adventure I did was a classic dungeon crawl. I used playing cards to determine things like location, threats, treasures and healing opportunities. I used a d20 to resolve combat and success/failure of noncombat encounters. It was engaging and satisfying, and I started to use experiences in the game to expand the setting.
I've done a few adventures since that first, with different characters, and I haven't bothered too much with typical combat encounters. Instead, the characters meet fellow travelers, explore the world around them, find interesting trinkets/treasures and meet the occasional menace.
But as time has passed, I can see the cracks in the world I've built. And, once aware of them, I can't ignore them.
So, I'm back to square one. Doing some worldbuilding. Figuring out cosmology and setting and whatnot, and having a lot of fun.
But I still miss sitting down at a table with a bunch of people and playing a game.
But I miss playing. Not so much that I'd try online playing (Been there, done that, tasted the disappointment), and not so much that I'd ever go back to the Adventurers Guild night at my local game store. Eight people crammed around a table getting railroaded through a D&D module by a GM of disappointing skill and attrocious personal hygene is NOT my cup of tea.
But enough for me to try my hand at solo roleplaying. Which, I know, sounds weird and a bit sad, but can actually be quite engaging.
I dipped my toe in the water with One Deck Dungeon, but found it narratively unsatisfying. So I poked about a bit, watched videos on YouTube about Ironsworn, Gentleman Bandit and Alone Among the Stars. Found a couple of YT channels that were very informative and inspirational.
Eventually, I got myself together, and took a stab at it.
The first adventure I did was a classic dungeon crawl. I used playing cards to determine things like location, threats, treasures and healing opportunities. I used a d20 to resolve combat and success/failure of noncombat encounters. It was engaging and satisfying, and I started to use experiences in the game to expand the setting.
I've done a few adventures since that first, with different characters, and I haven't bothered too much with typical combat encounters. Instead, the characters meet fellow travelers, explore the world around them, find interesting trinkets/treasures and meet the occasional menace.
But as time has passed, I can see the cracks in the world I've built. And, once aware of them, I can't ignore them.
So, I'm back to square one. Doing some worldbuilding. Figuring out cosmology and setting and whatnot, and having a lot of fun.
But I still miss sitting down at a table with a bunch of people and playing a game.
