Solo RPGing Experiment

There are plenty of games out there, wargames and role-playing games (RPGs) galore.   The hobby has been going strong for 50-odd years by my reckoning and really there's something out there for everyone's tastes.

Enter  COVID-19.   Suddenly the social aspect of gaming is all but gone.  Sure, we can play over Zoom, try Tabletop Simulator etc, but it feels like a pale imitation of the real thing.  I spent some time first looking for, then writing my own solo wargaming rules and during the process, stumbled upon solo RPGs. 

"Solo RPGs? How is that even possible?"  I wondered.

Evidently, there's been quite the movement in procedurally generated RPGs over the years.  I initially thought it would be something essentially random (and therefore, unsatisfying), much like I remember the random dungeon generator tables from 1st Edition Advanced Dungeons & Dragons, from way back during the 1980s.  Well, I was wrong.  Apparently, modern RGPs include sophisticated mechanics that tease out a coherent story whilst managing to surprise the player.  There are a number of different systems in use, one of which I was passingly familiar with being Powered by the Apcolopyse (PbtA), which lead me to discover Ironsworn.

Ironsworn is one such solo RPG, set in a fantasy, Viking-like setting (at least that's my early impression).  From the rulebook:

In the Ironsworn tabletop roleplaying game, you are a hero sworn to undertake perilous quests in the dark fantasy setting of the Ironlands. You will explore untracked wilds, fight desperate battles, forge bonds with isolated communities, and reveal the secrets of this harsh land. Most importantly, you will swear iron vows and see them fulfilled—no matter the cost.

To play Ironsworn, you create your character, make some decisions about the world you inhabit, and set the story in motion. When you encounter something dangerous or uncertain, your choices and the dice determine the outcome.

Well, with me be socially isolated and the allure of a game that I can play by myself without clutter... I thought I'd give it a try.

Why a Blog?

It occurred to me that I might want to share my experience with some people one day.  Who knows, I might get right into this.  Furthermore, the game is intended to be played as a Campaign, which is near impossible to be completed in a single sitting.  Using Blogger, I can pull the various elements together, track and edit my journey and hopefully look back a say "that was fun".  

There's the option of doing it by hand, however, my handwriting is terrible at the best of times.  In any event, I'm banging away on my work computer during my professional day, so hitting the keyboard isn't particularly daunting.  Let's see how this goes.