so1um

So1um is a solo Role Playing Game designed & written by Matt Jackson

View the Project on GitHub

So1um 0.2

Create your hero.

Roll 3d6 each for Body, Mind, Will. Each starts at 1 and each even number rolled is a +1. Hit Points equal the Body score. Characters begin play with one cliché, roll 2d6, and gain one cliché for each even number rolled. If you wish, flesh out a background, looks, quirks, etc. Be creative and stuff.

Determine goals & the first scene.

Figure out why your character is there and where in the story they are. Are you plundering a tomb? Rescuing the princess? This is a short description of where our hero is and what’s happening. Imagine a starting point for your adventure.

Begin asking questions.

To begin play, ask a question that has a yes or no answer, it is important to keep it simple. Do I encounter a trap? Are guards present?

For each question, roll a d6 and consult the table below. If the hero has an applicable cliché or an advantage, roll 2d6 and choose the result. If the character has a significant disadvantage, roll 2d6 and use the lowest result.

1- No, But
2- No
3- No, And
4- Yes, But
5- Yes
6- Yes, And

And & But Results.

And means better than expected, a good thing, But means there is worse or a drawback. And can also mean a good interpretation on the roll below, But can be a negative interpretation on the roll below.

1- Nothing significant happens
2- An obstacle, something to overcome
3- A unique feature or situation
4- A unique feature or situation
5- NPC (1-3 friendly, 4-5 neutral, 6 not friendly)
6- Monster (1 friendly, 2-3 neutral, 4-6 not friendly)

You can use the above method to determine the outcome of encounters, or use the optional rules that follow to expand the depth of the system.

Contests.

When your character comes into dangerous or risky situations Determine Difficulty (either via narratory license or dice, see below). Use dice equal to Body, Mind, or Will for the contest, adding one die to the roll if a cliché is applicable. If ONE die rolls the Difficulty or higher, you succeed!

Determine Difficulty.

To randomly determine difficulty of a task, roll a d6:

1- Automatic
2- Simple
3- Easy
4- Average
5- Tricky
6- Hard

Resolving Combat.

Resolve combat as if two characters were facing off using the stats listed for monsters, where the high roll wins the round/combat. All attacks cause one damage, tick off HPs as damage is inflicted.

Taking/Causing Damage.

If you succeed in a contest, subtract one HP from the enemy, if you fail, subtract one of your HPs. When you reach zero, you are dead, dead, dead…

Example clichés.

The bravest warrior, Force-Aware monk, Nibble- fingered rogue, Sneaky little bastard, I can feel the magic, Spellbinder of the elemental flames, Cleric of the Light of Assaradin, Sticky fingers

Sample Characters:

Alessandor the Blade B: 2 S:1 W: 1 HP: 2 Cleric of Pastorin, Master of the Duel
Byran Spellslinger B: 1 S: 3 W: 2 HP: 1 Mage of the Forgotten Water Splendids

Sample Monsters:

Bulette B: 4 M:1 W: 1 HP: 4 Digger, Jump
Gobin B: 1 M:1 W: 1 HP: 1 Sneaky little bastard
Owlbear B: 3 M:1 W: 1 HP: 3 Grapple, Berserk
Squidhead B:2 M:3 W:3 HP:2 Mind control, Illusion magic, Madness
Zombie B: 1 M:1 W: 1 HP: 1 Silent, Infection

by matt jackson - msjx.org
licensed under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 inspired by tinysolitarysoldiers.blogspot.com & others