Solo RPG Fundamentals

Solo role-playing games (RPGs) offer unique storytelling experiences. Unlike traditional RPGs, solo RPGs rely on systems or prompts to replace the traditional game master, driving the narrative forward through personal choice and randomization mechanics.

When designing a solo campaign, the system should cater to self-guided exploration. Systems like 'Ironsworn' or 'Thousand Year Old Vampire' are tailored for solo play, incorporating mechanics that simulate game master decisions and narrative progression.

Worldbuilding in solo RPGs benefits from layered details. Establish broad strokes first, then add complexity. Use 'Mythic Game Master Emulator' for evolving narratives, or 'The Perilous Wilds' for dynamic locations that change with each visit, adding replayability.

Randomness breathes life into solo RPGs. Use dice, cards, or tables to create unexpected twists. Develop unique random event tables that align with your campaign’s themes to ensure variety and surprise in your story.

Solo RPGs thrive on the unforeseen. Introduce a 'Chaos Factor' to judge how off-course events can go. This unpredictability can lead to significant plot deviations, enriching the narrative and testing your adaptability as a player.

Journaling isn’t just record-keeping; it’s a storytelling tool. Journals in solo RPGs help track progress and decisions, but also serve to deepen the narrative, explore character psyche, and reflect on the journey's evolution.

While designing encounters and challenges, balance difficulty to keep it engaging. Incorporate mechanisms from 'Scarlet Heroes' for solo combat balancing, ensuring encounters are tough but not impossible, maintaining the thrill of risk versus reward.