C1 S1 - Why are we here?
This session played June 4, 2025.
Before I dig in, a quick word on notation. In my handwritten logs, things are, well, informal. Over time I have developed some formatting conventions to keep things somewhat readable, but my pages are incredibly dense, and that well-intentioned formatting not uncommonly falls by the wayside.
To make things a little more palatable here, I am going to try out a slightly modified version of Lonelog by Zeruhur, a solo roleplaying notation system that seeks to maximize legibility and searchability without slowing down the pace of the game (notetaking can be a real mood-killer). I’m adding my own indentation conventions, and am replacing the “->” and “=>” used for dice results and consequences, respectively, with “→” and “→→” since Squarespace autocorrects “->” to “→” and I definitely don’t want to spend my time re-correcting it. Additionally, I’ll limit the use of this notation to game mechanics, e.g. dice rolls. When I relay fiction, there won’t be any special syntax for that, and I’ll handle dialogue sort of like a screenplay format, the way I do in my handwritten logs. That’s it! Let’s get to it.
? SoloDark Oracle - Do I start in a settlement? → No
→→ Start in a random location
? Roll for starting hex:
d: 1d8: 2 → Column B
d: 1d20: 13 → Row 13
→→ Starting at hex B13 Unsafe Forest.
? SoloDark Oracle - Why are we traveling together?
d: 2d100: 30, 16 → CAPTURE INFORMATION
? SoloDark Oracle - Is this a personal quest?
d: 1d20: 19 → Yes, but
→→ … the information has value to someone else as well.
We are traveling together in search of evidence that proves Ryarn and Daeniel’s father has claim to the throne of their homeland.
? SoloDark Oracle - Why are Denton and Brolga involved?
d: 2d100: 40, 21 → AVOID FAMILY
→→ They are connected to the pretender to the throne!
We travel to the eastern coast following rumors of an ancient elven heirloom that will certify Ryarn and Daeniel’s royal bloodline.
LET’S FUCKIN’ GO.
B13 Forest (Risky) - Day 1 Morning
Party elects Brolga as navigator. This means it’ll be her INT modifier which determines whether we get where we’re going, or get lost. She has us following a narrow stream to stay close to game, and hopefully lead to civilization.
@ Party moves northeast.
? Random encounter check
d: 1d6: 2 → Clear!
@ Brolga wants to keep following the stream.
d: Brolga INT 15+2 = 17 vs DC 9 → Success!
C12 River (Risky) - Day 1 Afternoon
Brooks and streams gather into a widening river. Treees thin out. Foothills to the north and west; fields to the east.
@ Party continues northeast.
? Random encounter checks x2
d: 1d6: 5 → Clear!
d: 1d6: 5 → Clear!
To the north, the river floods out into inhospitable looking marshes. To the northeast, we see a small town with homes and small buildings on stilts built over thick swamplands. Buildings connected by docks and wooden walkways. Few lights burning as the daylight fades.
Looks pretty iffy. Denton votes we camp here beyond the border of the town and head in during the day.
@ Party consumes 1 ration apiece and sets up camp.
? Overnight random encounter checks x4
d: 4d6: 3; 4; 4; 3 → Uneventful!
C12 River (Risky) - Day 2 Morning
@ Party moves into town - D11 Skalvin.
Approaching from the southeast, we enter town in the Market District, Skalvin D9 Market (Neutral).