Welcome to the December Newsletter of The Lone Toad. The end of the year approaches, slowly at first then all of a sudden. Prepare yourself, traveler, for holiday parties, traveling, and family events.
This edition has 13 recommendations for various RPGS, supplements, and expansions. I apologize to your wallet in advance.
Are you enjoying the newsletter? Like it, please! I’m not desperate or anything and my self-worth isn’t tied to how many people like this…
Solo Games for the Holiday Season
If you are like me, the combination of family ‘things’ and work ‘stuff’ has put your regular group on pause for the year. Once you start feeling RPG withdrawals, consider picking up a Solo RPG.
That you are reading this newsletter means you have some interest in solo RPGS but to recap there are some huge benefits of diving headfirst into the hobby during the holiday period.
Play When You Want
There is no doubt that this time of year is a busy one. Many pray to the spirit of a resurrected god or decide to bring a living tree into our house to celebrate the winter solstice. There are lots of things going on in December. Instead of giving up on RPGs for the month, bust out your solo RPGs and get to playing. If you have only a few minutes, that might be enough to roll the dice once or move the story forward just a bit.
Play How You Want
Play long form, play bullet point, or just play in your head. Get in your TTRPG fix the way you want to. Especially in this month where it can be hard to get a consistent group going, Solo RPGs can be a great way to tell a story your way.
Play What You Want
Have a backlog of games to play that you couldn’t convince your group to play during the year or has an old man in a red suit broken into your house and left a new RPG book under a dead tree? Try them out solo during this month.
Suggested Games for December
Vaesen
Get some Nordic horror into your holiday solo game playing, especially with the newly released solo rule set. This Free League game uses the Year Zero Engine that powers many of their games. It’s an engine that is easy to solo, especially with the new solo supplement The Solo Thursday’s Child.
Want an even more wintery adventure? Try the amazing Seasons of Mystery for some additional scenarios.
Mouseritter
Escape from the confines of consumerism by imagining yourself as a mouse conducting epic quests with your trusty band. I mean your shield is a button, how adorable! With unofficial Solo rules, Einzelmaus by Mana Dawn Tabletop Games, you can easily dive into this world.
The One Ring
Go on a truly epic quest this holiday season with The One Ring RPG by Free League. The fully licensed LOTR campaign, this game focuses on the lands of Eridaor. With officially produced solo Rules, Strider Mode, written in part by Shawn Tomkin of Ironsworn/Starforged fame, The One Ring will give you hours of gameplay.
But more than anything else, be kind to yourself this season!
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Game Recommendations
Here are some more solo games you can try out this holiday season.
Do you have a solo-game you’d like to highlight? Message me and let’s chat!
The Last Tea Shop - Complete by Spring Villager
Take a break from ‘everything’ this season and play the Last Tea Shop. When someone dies they have the opportunity to have one final cup of tea. You play the proprietor of this Last Tea shop where you can get to know these people.
Two Minute Warning by Cezar Capacle
Does your family get into sports ball over the holidays? Join in on the fun in this solo RPG that aims to recreate the drama of the last two minutes of an American Football game. The game looks fantastic, made to look like a sports magazine!
Work in Progress
Journey to the Frozen South
I’m currently working on this game, which I have high hopes for. It was supposed to be done for a game jam due in early January but not sure if I will make it. See how we go.
It is a Jules Verne-style adventure to the South Pole where your greatest enemy will be the wind blowing your airship all around. Based on the Carta system, the game will focus on exploration and survival. It won’t be an easy adventure.
I’ll keep updating as I go, not sure when it will be finished.
Be sure to check out my other games at here!
Other RPG Stuff
Take a break from demon slaying in your Tales of the Burned Stone adventure to go fishing in this creative module by a friend of the newsletter Drakonspyre Games. Check out Gone Fishing Here
Kal-Arath promises to be an interesting OSR-style game that combines styles from RPG favorites such as Mork Borg, ODnD, and Black Sword Hack. Designed for solo, co-op, and group play.
Dark Delve is a cool rookie entry into TTRPGs. Check it out and help support a budding designer.
My review of Dungeon Hero, an easy-to-print and-play solo RPG. Another fun game for the holiday time.
Explore24
Explore24 is a new challenge for 2024, similar to Dungeon23. People set out to explore one hex a day through 2024. It’s a great fount for creative writing and can help develop those creative routines. Friend and fellow Incredible Soloist, Eric Dill of Darkonspyre has just started a newsletter to document his Explore24 journey. Check it out!
Next Month for Croaker RPGs
Over the next month, I’ll be working on Journey to the Frozen South and playing through a Mausritter solo adventure called The Road Less Travelled.
Be sure to check out the League of Incredible Soloists.
Thank you for Reading!
As always I write this because you all read it. Please like this newsletter and share it with others who may be interested.