Solo gaming

Solo adventures

This is a preview of the core book solo section. It's unfinished and containes page references. However it could be a valuable resources for folks who are looking into solo playing TLB

When you play solo, you act as both a player, creating a character and exploring the Bay, and a Game Master, playing the NPCs and environment while arbitrating the outcome of the character’s actions.

Both Urban Legends and Wandering can be played solo. You can even mix both genres in a Long Form adventure. In either case, follow the advice in the sections Prepping the Session (p.xx) and Setting your Long Form Adventure [p.xx] to prepare your gaming session.

Next, create your character as you would for a classic group session.

To play solo, you will use the Oracle. It is a special set of Tarot Cards found only in The Lost Bay. The Oracle will allow you to talk to your Living Saint and ask them questions. To use the Oracle, you can use a normal deck of Tarot cards or dice (see Oracle [p.xx]).

The Oracle does not only facilitate solo play; it is an actual piece of Gear owned by your character. Add a new item to your Gear: Oracle. In addition to interrogating the Oracle, you can use it like any other Gear. Keep it with you at all costs, because if you lose it, you will not be able to dialogue with the Oracle anymore and will have to answer questions yourself.

A notebook, text editor, voice recorder, or other tool to track notes might be useful.

Gaming Loop

When you play solo, follow the gaming loop below.

1. Describe

• If you are playing an UL, read the chapter corresponding to the Beat you are playing.
• If you are playing Wandering, you might need to roll to generate a Scene or Dude.
• If you are playing a Wandering session, create a Rumor (p.xx).
• If you are using one, keep in mind the Long Form Seed and its possible Complications.
• Describe the environment around the character. What are its landmarks and salient features?
• Describe the other characters. Are they human, wildlife, or Weird? What are they doing, and what is their disposition towards you?

2. Act

Describe how you act and roll if necessary to determine the outcome of the action.

3. Change

Determine how your actions altered the environment around you. Answer one or more of the following questions. Use the Oracle if needed to spark an answer.

1. How does that affect your body and mind?
2. How does that affect the environment?
3. Do other characters change the way they relate to you?
4. Does that bring you closer to fulfilling your calling?
5. Do you learn something about the UL, the Weird, or the Bay?
6. What has become simpler or more complicated?

To answer the questions, pick one or more cards from the Oracle and read their descriptions or interpret them freely.

If you need help sparking more ideas, characters, or events, use the Scene and NPC creation tables in the Travel Guide (p.xx) or the Paraphernalia tables:

• Relationships [p.xx]
• Complications [p.xx]
• Gear [p.xx]
• Building Quirks [p.xx]
• Food [p.xx]
• Appendix N [p.xx]

Oracle

Use the Oraclle below or the digital version

Once you have finished the UL or ended Wandering because your character has solved the UL, they are dead, they have fulfilled their calling, or for any other reason, refer to the section Closing the Adventure (p.xx).