So1um is a solo Role Playing Game designed & written by Matt Jackson
Roll 3d6 once each for Body (physical prowess & health), Mind (mental capacity & intelligence), Spirit (spunk & willpower). Count dice with even #s for each stat. If no even numbers are rolled, the stat equals 1. For Hit Points roll 2d6, count the evens and add this to Body score. Heroes begin with one cliché, roll 2d6, and gain one cliché for each even number rolled. If you wish, determine a past, looks, quirks, etc. Be creative and stuff.
Figure out why your character is there and where they are in their story. This is a short description of where our hero is and what’s happening. Imagine a starting point for your adventure. Are you stealing space station plans? Are you plundering a tomb?
To begin play, ask a question that has a Yes or No answer, it is important to keep it simple. Are guards present? Do I encounter a trap? For each question, roll a d6 and consult the table below. If the hero has an applicable cliché or an advantage, roll 2d6 and pick the best result. If the character has a significant disadvantage, roll 2d6 and use the worst result.
1- No, And
2- No
3- No, But
4- Yes, But
5- Yes
6- Yes, And
And amplifies, while But mitigates. No, And means things went really bad. No, But softens the blow a bit. Yes, But is successful but with a drawback. Yes, And is all kinds of awesome.
1- Nothing significant happens
2- An obstacle or something that aids the hero
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)
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 Spirit for the contest, adding one die to the roll if a cliché is applicable. If ONE die rolls equal to the Difficulty or higher, you succeed!
To randomly determine difficulty of a task, roll a d6:
1- Automatic
2- Simple
3- Easy
4- Average
5- Tricky
6- Hard
Resolve combat just like contests with each opponent making a single attack. Instead of beating a difficulty, each side rolls dice equal to applicable stats (adding one die if a cliché applies) and then compare dice rolls. The HIGH roll wins. If the die rolls are tie, the attack is a draw and no damage is caused.
If you succeed at a combat check, subtract one HP from the enemy. When taking damage, you may reduce the Body score instead of HP. Any subsequent Body contests use the current score. When Body or HP reach zero, death occurs. Heal HP at a rate one per eight hours of rest, one Body at a rate of one per day.
Useful gear allows you to reroll one die once when performing a task for which the piece of gear was intended. Dice are then compared again to determine the outcome of the contest. Characters can only benefit from one piece of gear, weapon, or armor per check and are only allowed to reroll one die once per check. Note that in combat it is assumed all are properly armed/armored and this rule would not be applicable.
The veteran warrior, Nimble-fingered rogue, Sneaky little bastard, Spellbinder of the elemental flames, Priest of Asaradin, Sticky fingers, Smuggler with a heart of gold
Alessandor the Blade B:2 M:1 S:1 HP:2 Cleric of Pastorin, Master of the Duel
Byran Spellslinger B:1 M:3 S:2 HP:1 Mage of the Forgotten Water Splendids, Adaptus of the Gilded Staff of Dur
Goblin B:1 M:1 S:2 HP:1 Sneaky little bastard
Beholder B:2 M:4 S:3 HP:4 Spell-casting eyeballs
Owlbear B:4 M:1 S:3 HP:5 Grapple, Berserk
Squidhead B:2 M:5 S:4 HP:6 Mind control, Illusion magic, Madness
Troll B:4 M:1 S:2 HP:4 Regeneration
Zombie B:1 M:1 S:1 HP:1 Silent, Infection
by matt jackson - msjx.org
licensed under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 inspired by tinysolitarysoldiers.blogspot.com & others many thanks to Carsten, Bruno, Bryan, Josh + Noah