Commencing with Chapter 1 of Dolmenwood, following on from the RPG Intro and Char Gen. Brackenwold Nights follows the breggle Clover trying to solve the problems of others.
Dolmenwood solo - intro | stones search - part1, part 2 | all season 3 | all rolling solo
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Starting with Dolmenwood
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Adding to initial introduction of Dolmenwood.
It's quite different to solo through Dolmenwood compared to other RPGs I've soloed. Mostly because Dolmenwood is a detailed setting with information for the towns, hexes, factions and monsters all statted up. There's also detailed encounter tables plus sample encounters (d4 and maybe d4 lairs) for each entry in the Monster Book.
So there's not too much coming up with ideas or interpreting tables for locations, hexes and named NPCs. Although there is still some of that! This is in contrast to games such as Starforged, WFRP 2e and Electric Bastionland where lots of time was spent creating content for the game as well as playing the game (although that is still part of playing an RPG solo!).
Another comparison would be with Ultraviolet Grasslands, which also has a detailed setting. But those details are far less granular, you have to do a lot of the work still to flesh out the many ideas!
The second difference is that I'm already very familiar with the rules. I'm running a weekly group game (with a cheese theme) and have also played lots of Old School Essentials (on which the Dolmenwood rules are based). This means I get to do a lot more "adventuring" than normal at the start of the solo game.
I loved Dolmenwood before starting this, so don't be surprised that I really enjoy Dolmenwood solo. I love the quirkiness of it, the rooting in familiar mythology and the many random tables and procedures that help support play!
I'm using exploration deeds for XP and a few house rules such as chance stats go up when levelling and Max HP at 1st level. More about those next time.
Solo Tools - Tarot and Custom Tables
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Following on from Solo Tools notes.
I'm using Chaos Solo Engine to play this. There's several articles on that already if you're interested in finding out more.
I like to use Spark Tables and other random tables for ideas when playing solo. Especially custom ones for the game or setting being played. So I created some d20 inspiration tables with a Dolmenwood Theme. I started with the classic Action / Theme / Descriptor / Focus tables and am posting some of them on Rand Roll.
I've also used Tarot Cards a couple times to inspire characters (usually new Player Characters). I did this in the Starforged Solo and it's equally applicable here, usually taking a two card draw (one normal, one reversed).
Brackenwold Nights 1 - The Stones of Sister Emelda
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Starting Threads
- Find first job for Shankwold Scholars, Clover's new venture
- Decide on what breggle lore Clover is focused on
- Map first stone for Sister Emelda
- Locate the Shrine of Saint Pastery for Emelda
Starting Extras
- Berrild Crumwaller, breggle sister of Clover, last living close relative, married to a human
- Drerdl Forlocke, breggle cleric, friend of Clover who introduces him and Sister Emelda.
- Friends of Clover - based at a nearby tavern.
- Samwise Fraggleton - a local human who can guide Sister Emelda to her first stone. Hobbitlike
The viewpoint character is Clover Shankwold, breggle bard.
Journal and Musings of Clover
My friends at the Wyrm have finally got to me. I've created a little project I'm claling the 'Shankwold Scholars'. I'm always solving problems for my friends so it's time to think bigger. One day I'll be ready to find out what happened to mother and father in the Mulchgrove. But for now I'm ready to solve my first 'problem' and meet my first 'stranger in need'...
11th of Iggwyld. Met Sister Emelda at the Wounded Wyrm and agreed to find three people to accompany her to a dangerous stone deep in Dolmenwood, somewhere near Prigwort. I'll also accompany her to Lankshorn to visit the Church of St Pastery and another stone on the way. Gave me 10 gold of the 100 we agreed.
12th of Iggwyld. Visited the Poppy Cock alone. They laughed at me like normal for believing in the Breggle Saint. Asked around for anyone willing to enter Dolmenwood to look at a stone, on the cheap. No luck but Gil said she might find me one.
Said goodbye to Berrild.
13th of Iggwyld. Met Sister Emelda and her guide this morning. Samwise Fraggleton is from Brackenwold and had two dogs with him. Strangely for a human, he goes barefoot with his hairy feet.
We also had a surprise companion, as another Church member joined us. Sister Moss is a warrior with big ambitions who heard of a holy mission deep into Dolmenwood. Hmm...
We made good time toward the Woodcutter's Encampment but had a strange dinner at Ferneddbole House. The Jollie Oistice welcomed us but was a distracted host. He wasn't interested in talk of the Drune or saints, but perked up at stones, talking of how they are gateways to other realms.
Then some strange creatures, probably faeries appeared. A mismatch of insect, a ball and brushes, they threw food at us while our host looked on. We fled to our rooms and vowed not to return here.
The one time I've left Castle Brackenwold in my life was a trip five years ago to the Woodcutter's Encampment. We visited Marrowbold's Smoke Shop and Berrild bought me my pipe. I've dreamed of returning here for ages, and buying one of the legendary pipes.
14th of Iggwyld. Snow fell overnight and I worry about the Cold Prince with this weather in late Spring.
We reached the Woodcutter's Encampment, which has the amazing shop Marrowbold's Smoke Shop. Sister Emelda mapped her first stone, the Kissing Stone but said the locals were rude. Sisters Moss and Emelda also insisted we all prayed at the Church of St Foggarty.
We went downriver to Dreg, place of thieves and vice. Entertained some sailors who recommended the Mermaid's Arms to stay.
We tried foraging beyond Dreg for some food, but found two huge wolves instead. Sister Moss blinded one with a holy prayer and the other fled. We returned to Dreg and the Mermaid soon after.
Samwise told us this evening that he will go to the Jaunty Horn tomorrow, but no further. He's had enough danger and we should be able to find this stone from there.
15th of Iggwyld. Sang for my supper last night in the Mermaid's Arms, and got breakfast thrown in this morning. The Sisters took us to another church where Mother Shandra blessed us.
Four wolves followed us along the Ditchway, until we got to the Jaunty Horn. Not as big as those yesterday, but getting suspicious...
After a noisy lunch we left Samwise at the Inn and went south to the "mushroom-covered stone". We wandered through a maze of trees to find large toadstools and a block of stone. I remember little else as I was overcome by holy visions of a saintly breggle with healing hands. She had wounds herself but healed a wound I had in my side.
When the vision went, we were back outside the maze. Sister Emelda had met a sorcerer with bramble-like servants and been told to leave. But she was happy to add a second stone to her map. Sister Moss also had a vision, but wouldn't say what it involved.
Back at the Jaunty Horn, Samwise had already gone. We camped out in the forest as we're low on coin.
I can doubt it no longer. There IS a breggle saint and she wants me to find out the truth about them. The Pluritine Church has always tried to keep the breggles down. Once I'm done with Sister Emelda, this might make the next problem to solve for Shankwold Scholars. Then if no-one else will spread the word of the Breggle Saint, maybe it will have to be me...
16th of Iggwyld. We'll never find out what vision Sister Moss had.
We lit no fire as all was wet, but some strange creatures awoke us. They were large creatures made from the roots of...turnips! Sister Moss tried to fight them off, but got dragged beneath the earth. We fled all the way back to the Jaunty Horn.
Returned to our camp this morning. Stuff strewn around but no sign of the Sister. We made a crude cairn and Sister Emelda said some words for our comrade. She insisted we carry on, as Sister Moss would have wanted that.
We joined a merchant travelling to Lankshorn. Sister Emelda went to the Church of St Pastery and I went to sell armour of Sister Moss, that she'll never need again.
I only knew Sister Moss for a few days, but she was a brave companion. believe she would have risen high in the Order of St Faxis and hunted down the Drune. But ambition is worth little if it takes you to an early grave in the Dolmenwood. I will remember her in a song...
17th of Iggwyld. We decided to rest a few days at the Hornstoat's Rest and posted some notices for others to join us on our travels. Sister Emelda found some stones here called the Nuncle-Stones.
18th of Iggwyld. No interest today. No one died though. I spent time at Bogway's tavern and Sister Emelda went to the Vicarage.
19th of Iggwyld. Two humans and a breggle showed interest today. After discussions one of them agreed to join us. Roose Bookbinder is another warrior of the Pluritine Chuch. A quiet chap who insists on not being called 'Brother Roose' until he receives a divine sign. He carries a burden with him. (I drew Tarot cards for Roose, getting the 9 of Swords and the reversed 5 of Swords).
At the Hornstoat's Rest many locals were missing. This was because Lord Malbleat visited us with guards and a female longhorn in tow. He's a breggle with a nasty reputation but he seemed fine to me. Asked that I entertain him and a I sung of breggle deeds and the Breggle Saint. He was so impressed he insisted I come play for him in Redwraith Manor soon! I'll await the invitation at Castle Brackenwold!
The locals seemed wary of me after that. Lord Malbleat gave me a trinket that may have belonged to one of them once.
20th of Iggwyld. Sister Emelda heard of another stone west of Lankshorn so we're investigating that.
At the Trothstone there was a longhorn wedding in progress. Bethla Shankhollow , Lord Malbleat's longhorn companion recognised me and insisted I play. So I sang the traditional wedding songs and of the Breggle Saint.
Bethla was happy and offered to send a squire with us on our journey. He and Bethla both serve Lord Ramius, which is odd considering her company last night. High Wold politics!
So Squire Crewwin Pillicorn joined us, a fine breggle warrior keen to prove his mettle.
This afternoon we visited an orchestra of animals near Lankshorn. Squire Crewwin paid for us all and we got a mixed performance. But there was an old picture there that I deciphered, that may have something to do with the Drune.
We camped out in the fields and had a pleasant evening.
I promised Sister Emelda to find her three companions. Roose is one and now Squire Crewwin is the second. With myself that makes three, to which the Sister had to agree. She didn't have the gold, but I already knew that. She's got until we get to her stone to get the money. Or maybe I can swing it around so she helps me with a horned saint...
21st of Iggwyld. On the way back to Dreg we had a lively discussion about the Breggle Saint. The others are sceptical, except Squire Crewwin who seems to believe anything I say!
We avoided a group of small faeries the Squire told us are woodgrues. They were gathered around a pile of dung!
Dreg is lively as ever. A fellow at the Spawning Salmon told us of fairy brews in Prigwort and we also heard of Brother Hogbeard and his vigilantes here in Dreg. Strangely we met some of these vigilante fellows late on our way back to the Mermaid. They were dragging a man out to the woods for some "justice", but backed down when we confronted them. Insisted we'd regret it!
22nd of Iggwyld. Brother Hogbeard and his lackeys found us this morning in Dreg. But Sister Emelda drew a crowd and I distracted everyone with a song. I was surprised to see my friend Lillibeth from Castle Brackenwold in the crowd, but she's a wandering scoundrel you might find anywhere! She joined in with a drum and shouted about a relic she had.
We lost Brother Hogbeard as we took the crowd to the Church. The Reverend Mother welcomed our arrow "relic" and gave us a sermon. Then it turned sour when I asked for donations for our holy mission. They chased us out onto a boat and that was the last of Dreg. Lillibeth got lost somewhere in the crowd.
We did has a surprise as one of Hogbeard's chaps was so taken with my music and our mission he's decided to join us! Gave name of Henrick Dunwallow, a weaver by trade but ready to see the world. We'll keep our eyes on him for the moment.
Got some more pipeweed at Marrowbold's Smoke Shop. Squire Crewwin also got some, showing surprisingly good taste. Sister Emelda has heard of another stone in the woods nearby, so we're camping out again.
Lillibeth is one of those friends you love and hate. One day she's cold, another day friendly. One day a fool and another wise. She comes and goes at the Wyrm. I don't normally get attracted to humans, but she's got something about her...
23rd of Iggwyld. We got a little lost in Hag's Addle, but met the local vicar and his dog from the Encampment. He sent us in the right direction and we've camped with a fire at the edge of the Louping Wood.
24th of Iggwyld. Some female doerlings woke us up in the night and moved us on. We were near their holy place and insisted we leave. Not wanting trouble we were gracious about it.
We had a gentle today and rested by the "Luncheon" Arch. Squire Crewwin had bought some food to leave under it.
25th of Iggwyld. Everyone had a good sleep and there was an amazing breakfast waiting for us under the arch. Bless the Breggle Saint!
Next Expected Scene - Accidently reaching Fog Lake.
Characters of Shankwold Scholars
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Clover Shankwold
A tall breggle with long floppy ears , russet fur and wearing tweed. Often smoking a pipe from a drooling mouth. He is always solving problems for friends. Has lived all his life in Castle Brackenwold, leaving once to go 20 miles to a village.
Neutral breggle male beekeeper, Level 2 Bard. Seeks to recover ancient breggle lore. Warbling speech, 148 lbs, 6'3", 23 years, owed 90 gp by Sister Emelda.
STR 7 (-1), INT 12 WIS 14 (+1) DEX 13 (+1), CON 11, CHA 13(+1), HP 9, AC 14, Speed 30, XP 2240
Abilities - Counter Charm, Enchantment (2/day, 4 lvls, mortals), Horns (d4), Fur, Languages (Caprice, Gaffe, Woldish), Skills (decipher document 4-6, legerdemain 5-6, listen 6, monster lore 6)
Equipped Items - shortbow & arrows (2), shortsword (1), leather armour (1), 8 sp
Stowed Items - backpack- twine, oil flask, sack, marbles, flute (1), cherry wood pipe (1), tinderbox, waterskin, ruby ring (25 gp), pipeleaf - shaggy pony (4), witch's shag (11).
Sister Emelda Swinney
A brooding human in a nun's habit, with large ears and many pimples. She is recently arrived in Castle Brackenwold and plans to map the stones of Dolmenwood.
Neutral human female cobbler, Level 2 Friar, 5'7", 136 lbs, 31 years, Believes prayer redeems evil deeds
STR 9, INT 14 (+1) WIS 13 (+1) DEX 8 (-1), CON 10, CHA 9, HP 7, AC 11, Speed 40, XP 2464
Abilities - Armour of Faith (+2), Culinary Implements, Decisiveness, Herbalism, Holy Magic (2 x 1st), Languages (Liturgic, Sylvan, Woldish), Leadership, Poverty, Skills (Survival 5-6 when foraging), Spirited, Turn Undead
Equipped Items - sling and 20 stones, ladle, dagger, 1 sp
Stowed Items - backpack (rope, old note from mother to return soon, silver pendent of St. Pastery, cooking pot, bedroll)
Roose Bookbinder
A withdrawn priest from far away. Had found the Church once more after losing his family to violence.
Neutral human male hunter, Level 1 Cleric, 28 years, scraggly hair, prominent scar, sheepskin cloak,
STR 9, INT 5 (-2) WIS 10 DEX 18 (+3), CON 15 (+1), CHA 7 (-1), HP 7, AC 19, Speed 20, XP 1100
Abilities - Decisiveness, Detect Holy Magic Items, Holy Magic, Languages (Liturgic), Leadership, Spirited, Turn Undead
Equipped Items - plate armour, mace, shortbow and arrows, 5 gp, 1 sp
Stowed Items - backpack (marbles, small hammer, bedroll, cooking pot)
Crewwin Pellicorn
A young breggle squire who serves House Ramius and keen to prove himself.
Neutral breggle male blacksmith, Level 1 Knight, black glossy fur, buckteeth
STR 12, INT 9 WIS 7 (-1) DEX 10, CON 10, CHA 14 (+1), HP 8, AC 14, Speed 20, XP 800
Abilities - Chivalric Code, Fur, Horns (d4), Horsemanship, Mounted Combat, Strength of Will
Equipped Items - chainmail (2), shield (1), mace (1), lance (2)
Stowed Items - backpack- tinderbox, bloodstained jester's hat, lantern, rope, crowbar, clay pipe, barley blend (25)
Henrick Dunwallow
Retainer - human weaver, hp 5, jaunty cap, STR 11 DEX 12 CON 17 INT 12 WIS 14 CHA 7, former zealot of Brother Hogbeard.
Threads and Extras
dolmenwood | tools | scenes | characters | threads & extras
Threads
- Map next stone for Sister Emelda
- Investigate death of parents 2 years ago in Mulchgrove (Clover)
- Find 90 gp to pay Clover for fist job (Emelda)
- Find proof of breggle saint
- Return to Smoke Shop with money - enchanted pipe (Clover, Crewwin)
- Find out more about the Drune (Emelda, Crewwin)
- Await invite at Redwraith Manor for Clover to entertain Lord Malbleat ☑☑☐☐☐
- Find way to strike at Drune (Crewwin)
- Solve mystery of the Tryptich. Might show Drune
- Face trouble planned by Brother Hogbeard
Extras
- Berrild Crumwaller, breggle sister of Clover, last living close relative, married to a human
- Bethla Shankhollow, f longhorn noble, favoured by Lord Malbleat. Interested in Clover, serves Lord Ramius, has own agenda
- Brother Hogbeard, friar of Dreg, several vigilantes, seek to bring "justice" to the village
- Drerdl Forlocke, breggle cleric, friend of Clover who introduces him and Sister Emelda.
- Friends of Clover - based at a nearby tavern. Wounded Wyrm Meadhall.
- Lillibeth, human f, con artist / charlatan, friend of Clover, travels a lot, plays instruments, changeable.
- Lord Malbleat - cruel breggle longhorn noble, favours clover to play and entertain
- Megwynne Marrowbold - Pipeleaf vendor, enthusiastic
- Samwise Fraggleton - human from Castle Brackenwold, guided Clover to Golokstone. Hobbitlike. Trades in dogs
Lost and Fallen
- Sister Moss (human f cleric 1), killed at night by a turnip-root monster.
Finishing Up
Hmm I'm not sure how they've survived so far...
