Recommend me an adventure to run as a 1 on 1 session!

[legopaidi]

Hi people!

I'm thinking of introducing my brother to the game with a 1 on 1 session and I was wondering if there's a published adventure that could work well in this setup.
For example would the Marsh Bell work with just 1 adventurer? If not, what are your suggestions, if any?

[Stormcrow]

One-on-one adventures in any role-playing game are usually a much more personal and character-driven affair than party-based adventures. I suggest finding out ahead of time what sort of character your brother wants to play, what part of Wilderland he would like to explore, and what his character's personal goals might be. Then whip up something quick and easy to get him started: drop strong hints about interesting things to do in the area he's interested in, but only subtle hints about his character's personal goals. Don't try to get him involved immediately in a big quest. Put up an orc-filled tower, a haunted hill, a bandit camp, or anything that can be dealt with quickly; character generation done properly takes a while, and won't leave you with a lot of time for adventuring afterward. Save the longer adventures for another game.

As a matter of fact, this is how I prefer to run party-based adventures too. I don't like shoehorning characters into published adventures. Players want to explore Wilderland and get involved all on their own; I let them choose what interests them.

[Dankers]

Hi people!

I'm thinking of introducing my brother to the game with a 1 on 1 session and I was wondering if there's a published adventure that could work well in this setup.
For example would the Marsh Bell work with just 1 adventurer? If not, what are your suggestions, if any?

Hi Legopaidi,

I've run the Marsh Bell and most of the adventures in TfW as 1 on 1.

The Marsh Bell is a great introductory adventure though you may wish to add an NPC or two to help give the feeling of a fellowship and give you an in-game voice to offer suggestions. I introduced an NPC by having my player rescue a would-be adventurer from the dreaded gallows-weed before finding Balin's camp and facing the Troll (and definitely describe the Troll as already being wounded - and to keep up an extra level of suspense have the Troll retreat into the swamp after a few rounds leaving the player with the impression that the Troll will regroup and possibly strike again).

Of Leaves and Stewed Hobbit was incredibly enjoyable but also one of the most difficult - if you're looking for an adventure that absolutely sings Tolkien-goodness this one really hits the mark. You could easily tone down the battle at the ring fort and simply say the goblins abducted the hobbit while everyone slept. Either way, you probably need more than one session to complete it.

Kinstrife and Dark Tidings was also excellent. And I didn't feel at any time that my player was out-matched or disadvantaged by being alone. Although personality skills are vitally important in this story as are social encounters. I think this was one of our favourites, but if your player prefers fighting Trolls and Goblins over solving mysteries and gaining people's trust, then stick to Marsh Bell or Of Leaves and Stewed Hobbit.

You'll also have to consider how the player is going to recover Hope points without a Fellowship Pool to draw from. There are some house-rules for this in my sig (also in Rich's most excellent compilation of house-rules). But to keep it even simpler just have the player make a Wisdom test - at your discretion - to regain a point of Hope.

I'm positive you'll both have a great time whatever story you decide to run.

Cheers,
Dankers

[legopaidi]

Thanks to both of you guys!

I think I'll go with the Marsh Bell actually since it's very good at introducing new players to the game and its mechanics.

[killianred]

I have also been considering a one on one with my granddaughter, but figured it wouldn't flow with the way TOR was set up. Am thinking about it again now