Single-player Adventures

[jamesrbrown]

I wonder how many people cannot play The One Ring because they are the only player in their area. I also wonder how many people do not play very often because of the difficulty of scheduling gaming sessions.

If you fall into either category, would you be interested in single-player adventures for The One Ring? Not solo adventures, but single-player adventures where you are the only player-hero among Loremaster characters serving as your companions. You would be required to make all dice rolls (as your own Loremaster), but the text of the adventure would provide most of the direction and narration you would need to have an entertaining time by yourself.

Who's interested?

[Hermes Serpent]

TBH James if you have an internet connection of reasonable speed and reliability then being the only nerd in the village is not an issue. Although I have a lot of folks nearby to regularly game with, I can find a game to play via any number of on-line sites every day/evening of the week. It's almost like being a teenager again although I must admit all-nighter's are no longer attractive but a four hour session is easily do-able.

One Ring may not be the most popular of games available on-line but it's not too difficult to get a game. I know of at least one game that's been running since February via G+ Hangouts.

That said don't let me put you off the idea as I'm sure there are some people for whom a FTF game with one other is the only way they can get a game of One Ring.

[Mordagnir]

I game exclusively using virtual table tops.

Ironically, I'm now a grad student and I still can't find a gaming group where I live. When I was an undergrad, it seemed like there were gamers everywhere. Then again, I went to school at the University of Washington in Seattle and worked for Wizards of the Coast!

[Matchstick]

I wonder how many people cannot play The One Ring because they are the only player in their area. I also wonder how many people do not play very often because of the difficulty of scheduling gaming sessions.

If you fall into either category, would you be interested in single-player adventures for The One Ring? Not solo adventures, but single-player adventures where you are the only player-hero among Loremaster characters serving as your companions. You would be required to make all dice rolls (as your own Loremaster), but the text of the adventure would provide most of the direction and narration you would need to have an entertaining time by yourself.

Who's interested?

I think it would be very interesting James. It could also serve (possibly) as a solo tutorial in rules and/or running a game. It's a cool idea.

[Rich H]

Who's interested?

Sounds like some kind of format akin to the gamebook would lend itself to this, or a variation on the theme. I like the idea and I'm intrigued by it.

[jamesrbrown]

About a week ago, I started reading The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins (2008). I fell in love with the way she uses the first-person, present tense and I got the urge to attempt to write a story myself. At the same time, I have long wanted to write a single-player adventure for The One Ring, but unsure of my approach. I looked into the old solo adventures produced by TSR for Dungeons & Dragons, because I remember how fun they were to play as a kid. I also remember liking the Endless Quest novels, featuring the "choose your own adventure" method.

Reading The Hunger Games gave me the idea to write an adventure in first-person, present tense, featuring a Loremaster character that a player-hero joins in fellowship with. The player-hero can be from any culture, background, or calling. I started writing it a couple of nights ago and have a complete outline for a short (three-part) story. Before I get too far along in the process, I was wondering what kind of interest there may be.

Thank you for the comments so far. I also see the value in using something like this to teach players the game. Loremasters, who normally never get to play as a player-hero, might enjoy it especially. Hopefully, they can learn even more about creating and running adventures.

All ideas and encouragements are welcome.

[Trotter]

I would be very interested.
Stephen "Trotter"

[Mim]

I also look forward to what you develop James.

BTW, I still have the Middle-earth Quest solo book A Spy In Isengard. I never use it so if you'd like to read it for additional inspiration, PM me your address & I'll send it to you.

[Boronind]

I'm interested but clueless about how this would work. G+ and FTF are Quenya to me.

Yes, I'm one of those who can't seem to find a game and I feel woefully equipped to run a game. In addition, those RPG folks I know prefer to play Pathfinder and other "high" powered hack-n-pillage amoral mercenary fantasy adventures and furthermore don't really have an appreciation for JRRT's world and its sense and sensibilites.

I have all The One Ring Materials but have not read the Loremaster materials at all really. So I'm game for whatever JRB has cooking. What's next? Do tell....

[Rich H]

About a week ago, I started reading The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins (2008). I fell in love with the way she uses the first-person, present tense and I got the urge to attempt to write a story myself. At the same time, I have long wanted to write a single-player adventure for The One Ring, but unsure of my approach. I looked into the old solo adventures produced by TSR for Dungeons & Dragons, because I remember how fun they were to play as a kid. I also remember liking the Endless Quest novels, featuring the "choose your own adventure" method.

There were some great gamebooks and you really have only scratched the surface with those Endless Quest books, which weren't the best examples of what you could do with the format. Personal favourites of mine were the Way of the Tiger series, Grailquest series, Grey Star and Lone Wolf series - all exceptional pieces of work that had a massive influence on me when I was a kid. Fighting Fantasy was the daddy of them all but those were often lacking in both story and system, so although there were some gems they were largely disappointing.

I wrote a couple over the years as well - nothing major but I had fun structuring them and building the story, decision points, and routes through the plot. Fun times. ... I'd be happy to offer help/support if you needed any.