The FREE Solo Fantasy RPG Ironsworn by Shaun Tompkin
Hi Everyone, If you are alone and/or stuck for something to occupy yourself with, when you are waiting for your models or your scenery to dry, take a look at "Ironsworn" by Shaun Tompkin. There is a core rulebook and assorted guides to playing it, plus a character sheet. It comes in PDF, soft and hardcover versions. You need two ten-sided dice and a six-sided dice, or use an online dice roller on the net.
The built-in setting is a Viking-type land, but this would suit any homegrown setting or fantasy module you care to drop it into. It uses an easy dice mechanic. The 2 x d10 "Challenge" dice and the single d6 "Action" dice with possible points modifiers, generate actions and outcomes.
For example -
Roll all three dice.
You score a strong hit, if your "Action" Dice plus modifiers beat both of the single scores (not added together) of the "Challenge" dice.
Eg. An "Action" dice roll of 6 + a situation modifier of 2 for a score of 8, beats both a "Challenge" dice roll of 7 and 5. Result - A strong hit. (Meaning a Success with a bonus).
"Action" dice roll of a 2 + a modifier of 1 for a score of 3, beats only one of the "Challenge" dice rolls of 9 and 2. Result - A weak hit. (Meaning a Success, but with a complication thrown in).
"Action" dice roll of a 2 + a modifier of 1 for a score of 3, beats none of the "Challenge" dice rolls of 9 and 3. Result - A miss, the "Action" dice must beat the "Challenge" dice not just draw with it to win. A miss means just a complication - usually rolling on the "Pay the Price" table or losing health or supplies..
Dice outcomes can be modified by bonuses generated through the game too. It may sound complicated written down like that, but it gives smooth gameplay. There are much clearer diagrams in the downloads.
There are lots of tables to aid in World history generation, "Oracle" tables to give outcome generation, scene setting, names, plots, simple movement tracking and journey time, character generation etc. Health and stores are tracked, which interact with the storyline and dice rolls. A large-scale setting map is provided.
Youtube
There are a few actual play sessions posted on "youtube" to spark your imagination and show the game mechanics, including one shot games and campaign sessions.
More Goodness
There is an expansion pack on Drive through rpg called "Ironsworn, Delve". - "Expeditions into perilous places, more foes and encounters, an array of new oracles (Tables), expanded setting info, mysterious objects of power, campaign threats, and much more!"
I have not tried it yet, but am looking forward to doing so.
Support
There is setting support available on Roll20.net/. but I am not familiar with using Roll 20 so cannot give you the exact link.
This is a boon for the solo player. Well worth trying out. Tell me if you like it in the comments.
There is a space version coming out in 2021, Ironsworn: Starforged. so keep looking out for that one too.
There is a small homebrew RPG on Youtube already.
You can subscribe and see where it goes. I am a fan of both sets of rules.
Stay safe.
Ivor Cogdell.
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