The Lone Toad Newsletter - May 2023
Do you play solo in First-Person or Third-Person?
Welcome, soloists to The Lone Toad for May! It’s been a big month for me, just launching Queenless. What is Queenless? My solo RPG based on Firelights where you try to save your hive by finding six jars of Royal Jelly.
But enough about Queenless, let’s get to the newsletter!
Are you enjoying the newsletter? Like it! Now! Do it! Please! I’m not desperate or anything and my self-worth totally isn’t tied to how many people like this…
Favorite Blog Posts from April 2023
Desert Citadel of the Blasphemous Reaper - An Into the Odd Solo Actual Play
I had a great time playing a two-session one-shot of Into the Odd using a random dungeon and randomly created character. Lucien, along with his companion Helene, trudged through the Citadel in search of riches. They found some, but they also found a lot of danger! Check them out below!
Desert Citadel of the Blasphemous Reaper - An Into the Odd Solo Actual Play, Part 1 - Meet our adventurer Lucien as he starts his journey into the Desert Citadel of the Blasphemous Reaper. Using the Into the Odd OSR Rpg.
Desert Citadel of the Blasphemous Reaper - An Into the Odd Solo Actual Play, Part 2 - Lucien and Helene go deeper into the citadel looking for further riches. How deep will they go? Will they risk it all?
Insight into my Solo Campaigns: First or Third-Person Solo Games
If you have read many of my solo actual plays you’ve probably noticed that I tend to favor the First Person perspective more so than the Third Person perspective. I was considering recently why that is and I think it comes down to my play style, and how I like to play my solo games. I think both perspectives have interesting advantages and some disadvantages.
For First Person, it works well for my style because I tend to play games with one sole character moving through the world. The first-person perspective firmly keeps the camera over the shoulder of the character and easily shows the internal motivation and thinking of that character. I find it’s also mentally easier to get into the head of that character if I’m writing it in the third person, sort of how you would play a character in a traditional game.
There are disadvantages to First Person. The biggest being it makes it difficult to control multiple PCs at once. While you still could have more than one, inherently one character (the one whose perspective you are using) will feel like the main character. Also as you’ll be tightly following one character, showing other parts of the world where that character isn’t, such as far-flung locations or different periods of time, may be difficult and a bit awkward.
I’ll write more about using Third-person in a future newsletter, and its advantages and disadvantages.
What is your preferred method of solo play? First-person? Third-person? Or maybe you are insane and write your solo games in the second-person? Let me know!
Cool Solo Game I Haven’t Played Yet
I have a few RPG games I’ve heard of but haven’t quite played yet. Hopefully, I’ll get some time soon. If you end up trying them out, let me know how they were.
Do you have a solo-game you’d like to highlight? Message me and let’s chat!
The Taming of the Slugiraffe - This is a super cool-looking solo game where you play a little monster thing that is trying to survive a dangerous world while you are also seeking out a Slugiraffe. Love the watercolor style art!
https://adapress.itch.io/the-taming-of-the-slugiraffe
A Wonderful, Awful Idea - Play a supervillain in this Pay What You Want Solo rpg.
https://serialprizes.itch.io/a-wonderful-awful-idea
Dead Record: Starter Material
A solo playable zombie tactical game with RPG elements. Sounds awesome! I need to print it out and give it a try.
https://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/346729/Dead-Record-Starter-Materials?affiliate_id=3323577
These Stars Will Guide You Home
A solo journaling game where you play a group of sailors exploring.
https://albi13.itch.io/these-stars-will-guide-you-home
Other RPG Stuff
Ever play a Solo RPG and the dice JUST WON’T COOPERATE? Watch this short funny video about it happening to someone. I feel his pain, let me tell you. https://youtube.com/shorts/-nPqM6pGdkw?
Get an academic breakdown of what makes Mork Borg such a successful game and how it inspired thousands of community creations:
Stoneburner is wrapping up soon. Jump on the Kickstarter if you want to support an amazing solo-friendly creator. https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/farirpgs/stoneburner
Interested in getting some free art because you don’t feel like paying Johan Nohr? Check out this extensive list of free-to-use art. https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/14gzKmj4NEDxKbQLmp_YxhbTbDY1XM4WDheH8c4WvCQs/edit#gid=0
Next Month on the Blog
So with some big (huge) news, the blog and Croaker RPGs is turning 1 year old next month! My first ever post was on 5 June 2022. I’ll be doing a bit of a retrospective and some stats about the blog, the games I’ve released, and other things for the next newsletter. Exciting!
Be sure to check out the League of Incredible Soloists! Always going great stuff!
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.
Thanks for including A Wonderful, Awful Idea, I hope you enjoy it! FYI, the blog links didn’t work for me. :(