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poisedpen · 5 months

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✒ Solo RPGs

About a month ago I went down a rabbit hole and came out the other side absolutely obsessed.

A singular post on r/fountainpens notified me to the existence of Solo Journaling RPGs- literally, tabletop experiences that you play by yourself. Some of these games have physical components, but many are played entirely with a pen and a piece of paper.

Needless to say, I was absolutely thrilled at the concept of being able to scratch that TTRPG itch without the social drain, impossible scheduling, AND with the bonus of using up my enormous stores of fountain pen inks. Since the middle of November I have tried three separate Solo RPGs, with one being a longer experience with a physical book with rules and tables...with the other two finished experiences being short, one-to-two page PDF's that can be played out in several hours.

✒ Experiences so far...

During my first attempt I tackled a larger-than-anticipated RPG called Apothecaria. In this game, you are sent a letter by a witch who wishes for you to take her place making potions in the town of High Rannock. You gather reagents, explore, make potions, and develop your reputation and relationships with characters in town. Very Stardew Valley inspired, but with a fun, witchy twist. There is also a cute animal version called Apawthecaria, as well as a few expansions for the main game, which I have yet to look at.

I was excited to start but otherwise clueless about the typical pacing and play of journaling RPGs, and soon found that I was writing way too much information!! My hand got tired, and I put it aside for the time being. I will have to revisit it soon, as it is DISGUSTINGLY cute and fun, but for now I have focused my sights on smaller experiences.

During my second, I played a cute little experience called Last Tea Shop. The game has since released a "full" version with more mechanics, but I found the classic version to be exactly what I was looking for on a lazy saturday night. It took me about 4.5 hours to complete thanks to several distractions, but the playtime was probably closer to 3.

I found this to be a strangely emotional little experience, which probably should have been expected since you are playing as a shopkeep at the edge between life and death. I will admit to shedding a few tears by the end of my journey- but they were happy ones. I will be returning for the full version sometime after I have let the experience settle.

My most recent experience-- as of maybe 30 minutes ago, to be precise-- is a lesser-known RPG called Axe Wielding Priest. This was a wonderful switch up from the cozy games I have tried so far, and as a person who adores a good (but understandably controversial) "sanity" mechanic in a game, it scratched my itch for madness.

There are some warnings in the description for blood, self-harm (flagellation), violence, and paranoia, but I thoroughly enjoyed the 2 hours I spent exploring the mind and history of my character.

✒ Conclusion

I am absolutely obsessed. I'm always itching to come up with stories, but have burned many a role-playing partner by being flaky or losing interest. These offer a few overarching mechanics and rules and otherwise let your mind run free. That sense of loose structure is exactly what I need as someone who struggles with ADHD, but also enjoys coming up with solutions within a set boundary.

There are "old-school" solo RPGs out there, as well as others that aren't just acting as a tool for creative writing. I will be trying some of those out as well as the time comes, as well as the games that use physical maps and movement around a grid.

#solo rpg #reviews #Last Tea Shop #Axe Wielding Priest #Apothecaria

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howletswing · 2 months

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Hello! I'm Sierra (she/her).

I majored in English with a concentration in writing for my undergraduate degree, but now a few years later I've completely switched things up and I'm getting my degree in music therapy after realizing I'd rather just write for my own enjoyment. I'd gotten out of the habit of writing everyday until I found solo journalling games, and I've been down the rabbit hole with them ever since. Apothecaria was the first solo game I ever played.

I've always wanted to play TTRPGs with a group, but every time I join one, it breaks up before we even start playing. This has happened 4 times now! Another reason why I've gone the solo route.

I taught ESL for 6 years, and ever since then I've been very interested in figuring out new ways to learn and teach. I find that humans are so often motivated by stories, and I've been working on trying to create my own games that incorporate learning and storytelling elements. It's by no means an original idea, but I'm curious how this concept might work for solo players. I'm always reading and playing various games and studying their mechanics to find what might work for me!

#solo rpg #cards #playing cards #games #solo games #creative writing #apothecaria #ttrpg #writing

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psystirene · 3 months

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this week in apothecaria. local witch just wants a break for once. stop interrupting her quiet time!!!

#apothecaria #my art #this is just a silly don't mind me #oc: rahni moonweaver #oc: quill rincewind

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hexlyng · 1 year

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I've started playing Apothecaria, a really cute solo journaling RPG about being a village witch and brewing potions ⚗️🌿

This is my character Alma (and her familiar), who came to find a cure for her own curse, but ended up taking the role of the village witch herself instead.

Between working on commissions and personal projects, it's been really nice to do something creative only for myself now and then.

#alma the witch #apothecaria #ttrpg #solo ttrpg #own character #original #hexlyng art #character design #witch #hooded crow #mask

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galaxycryptidart · 1 year

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I've been thinking about Apothecaria alot again recently!

So here's a collection of my with Ophelia, her familiar Faust and love interest Byron

#my art #oc #apothecaria

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ree-set-art · 1 year

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The WIP was nice but nothing like the activity of the fall, yeah? Short of fooling around with last year's WIP (and applying to additional zines), I've been taking a break to play Apothecaria to fill in the time. It's let me play a little tabletop while exercising my scrapbooking/sketchbooking and graphic design. You get to play an apothecary witch in their hideaway, tending to people with magical illnesses...

Would anyone be interested in seeing pages of this when I'm further along? It should have some cute spot illustrations to keep it visually interesting.

Speaking of scrapbooking, I've also been playing a bit of Season: A Letter to the Future this year too. Talk about a relaxing romp... And perfect for those who like a little lore and spooky myth with their casual gaming.

#have you played either of these?#I'd like to hear your opinions #enjoy my tools of the apothecary trade #it exposes my age #apothecaria #season a letter to the future

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thebasilfox · 1 year

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In an hour, we'll be running through out next session of Apothecaria on twitch. Come along as Marsius helps curr another patient and continue their search for what happened to the witch who used to live in High Rannoc.

#small streamer #twitch #apothecaria #solo ttrpg

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anke-creates · 1 year

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For WIP Wednesday, have an update on how Bea is progressing. Sketch here

#WIP Wednesday #witches #portraits #Apothecaria

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mouse-witch · 8 months

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Week 0:

Many Felicitations,

I have arrived safely in Lastbarrow, and it is everything our administrators said it would be and more. I had no idea just how much of the world was out there. I know Professor Westcott tried to teach me how large mountains were, but nothing could prepare me for the sight of the one the village sits at the base of. It seems as if it wants to overtake the sky! I feel silly now for thinking they were no taller than the towers in High Rannoc, but the academy was the only world I knew of, and that world was the smallest it could be.

Still I shall try to forgive myself for being naive, Professor Ardunn always tried to remind me that inexperience was not the same as ignorance and I shall do well to remember it. The kindness of her guidance, stern as it was, has carved itself alongside the memories of the kindness of you all. And so I have resolved myself to write frequently of my time here. Mayhaps the correspondence will make the distance seem less so.

The village itself is welcoming, quiet, nestled between a swath of forest and hills leading up to a snowy mountain. And a river port on the northwest corner, which helps keep the local industry flowing. There apparently is a decent trade to be made among miners and loggers and any business adjacent to that. And while not boasting of any sites for tourists, Lastbarrow does see its share of foot traffic of the ley wanderer.

The administrators at the local hall of governance, they call them ‘Dorfhaus’s here, we’re very kind in pointing out key locations on the map AMIHR provided me, not just the cottage the last witch held, but the best places in the surrounding area to forage for reagents. They also pressed upon me how grateful they were of my coming, there hasn’t been a village witch in at least 30 years, and their doctor is close to retiring. It will surely take some time for me to fully establish and integrate myself, but their appreciation for my presence solidifies that it was a fortuitous moment when I nibbled on that artifact, no matter how much it pained me to leave my Nest.

I received little information about the prior witch who lived here, Sidonielle De La Rein, but her cottage was nice enough, even if it was beset with a plague of dust. Large stone hearth, a well that still runs clear, quilts tucked away in a cupboard that have been miraculously saved from moth-ravage, and best of all- a large hazelnut tree! Growing right through the glass kitchen.

I felt guilty going through her belongings, but it wouldn’t do to start this new chapter amidst such a level of mess. Besides there were few things that felt truly ‘personal’. There were journals of course, but the writing has faded from age. I managed to gather a few notes about easier ways of distillation, but even that was a chore in itself. All leftover ingredients were spoiled or dried to ash. But the jars were easily washed, and they’re lovely beside. Different colors and facets of glass, and intricately shaped pottery- I can hardly wait to fill them and arrange them precisely how I like.

The first night there was the apex of the moon cycle so I made a point to visit the Lunar Tower even though I was quite exhausted from cleaning. I couldn’t very well miss my first opportunity for attunement as a witch just because I wanted a quiet night in. I can almost hear Azura’s voice echoing across the Rutile Dormitory, telling how things ‘must be done’.

Once the cleaning was finished, I had plenty of time left in the week I gave myself to set-up, so I decided to use the days to take my time exploring the local scenery, remembering to note down areas particularly rich in reagents and other vegetation. I might not have collected as much as I would have liked to start out with, but anything is an improvement over nothing.

While I was out investigating the local crypt, which in fact was the first mine established in the region that was turned into an ossuary when the vein was depleted, I found some of the fairer folk use it’s halls as a reoccurring market. I didn’t think to find out the schedule, but I did trade a bit of ribbon for a wheel of cheese. I should like very much to visit again if I am not too busy.

I shall officially be operational first thing in the morning, and though I know I should settle down for rest, I cannot shake the anxiety I feel. If I still had whiskers they would be twitching like mad!

What if no one uses my services? I suppose that would mean no one was ill, which would be a blessing for them but a curse for me.

What if too many call upon me at once? I possess neither the capability or amount of hands for that level of work.

But I suppose my biggest fear is what if I don’t fit in? I know a witch is required for any township to thrive, but ‘needed’ and ‘wanted’ are two different things.

I know missing the comfort of the academy and those I know is expected, I felt similar after my transforming incident, but it doesn’t lessen the sting of unfamiliarity. I hope these letters will be a balm to that feeling, not just for me but for any you might be experiencing as well.

-Sincerely,

Tilly

#apothecaria #Tilly the mouse #the mouse witch #Lastbarrow

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ladylike-foxes · 2 years

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@wrenbee‘s character, Mila, from the solo journalling RPG, Apothecaria! I’m super in love with her 😍❤️

#Apothecaria #apothocaria rpg #original character art #character design #character sheet #character design commission #friend’s OCs #my art #other people's ocs #Mila the witch

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cirruscastle · 1 year

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It's my witch, Cyan, and her familiar, Thena, from the great solo ttrpg, Apothecaria

#apothecaria #solo ttrpg #painting #art #watercolour #witch #owl

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ousommeh · 1 year

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let me tell you about my character in apothecaria.

he’s a witch doctor from a big city in a tiny little town and he moved there bc the “cottage core life is the dream life” brain worm got to him but now he has to deal with tiny town people and their weird ass way to socialise. and he can’t be the whore he is bc now he lives in a diminute town and for once there’s not much to choose from and second he doesn’t wanna hear his halfling neighbour telling him how sad his mum would be if she knew the kind of life he’s living.

and then there’s his fiancée? he doesn’t know him but every tome he goes down to the lake he keeps finding this bottled letters on the shore, all directed to him from his future husband to be, and at first he wrote back just for the laughs but now he’s smitten bc whoever is behind those letters writes to him such beautiful words with si much love and longing

#i love them so much #apothecaria #rpg #solo rpg

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trashydm · 2 years

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The lovely @galaxycryptidart drew my Apothecaria character for me and I honestly couldn't be happier with it. They seriously got her vibe so well, were an absolute pleasure to work with and just make such cute art! Go check them out!!

#apothecaria #constance paine #solo ttrpg #tabletop game #worldbuilding

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sun-geekomancer · 2 years

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Village of High Rannoc

I used this village generator until I got something roughly about what I wanted. I had previously mentioned in other journal entries that there was a port to the river/lochs. So I had to have some access to water.

I had also mentioned a rather nice village square--so I wanted something with a population at least above 500. I added the square in via Clip Studio Paint.

I also decided my house in the one in the veeeery far lower right-hand corner. I'm going to print it out and label other buildings at a later date.