The Lone Adventurer

By carlwhiteLeisure Games

The Lone Adventurer episodes

February 02, 2022 TLA Chapter 4 Into the Underpipes
Mina visits the Necropolis hoping to find clues, but runs into an unforeseen complication. Instead, she’s forced to take a perilous journey into the unknown, in search of answers that she hopes will explain the mystery of the Infernal Powder.
Links
Transcript https://docs.google.com/document/d/11T9fnLz-pXpvO1TjnC6xxzVkdrs6JD4BbTH6hiobTgM/edit?usp=sharing
CHAPTER 4: Mechanics
SCENE 8
Chaos Factor 6
SCENE ALTERED? 3 Altered (ceremony in progress)
FATE: Did Mina see the cultists' meet anyone? (50/50) 46 Yes
DESCRIPTION: who? 80 Partially 98 Watery
FATE: From the underpipes? Yes (piperunners)
FATE: Did the barrels exchange hands? (50/50) 46 Yes
FATE Does Mina know how the tipoff was received? (Very unlikely) 54 No
FATE is access restricted? (50/50) 94 Extreme No (encouraged)
Hunt for clues: Investigation +6: 26
FATE: Is there a clue to be found? (50/50) 94 Extreme No (area scrubbed clean, then ceremony)
Thread closed: investigate necropolis
Thread opened: investigate underpipes
Character added: Piperunners
Chaos Factor: 5
SCENE 9
Chaos Factor 5
SCENE ALTERED? 1 Altered (pipe flooded)
Into the Unknown: 3 Common, Discovery, Danger
16: 2 way junction
6/2 Shaft
11/4 Creature looking for food
12/5/12/2/4/9/6 Fire snake X 2
Initiative
Mina: 18 Dagger: +3 to hit (1d4+1) x2 (piercing) Each hit causes 1hp damage to Mina
Snakes: 19 Bite and Tail: +3/ 4 damage
FATE Melee range? (50/50) 13 Yes

ROUND 1
Snake 1 Bite 12 Miss, Tail 8 Miss
Snake 2 Bite 13 Miss, Tail 20 Hit 4hp (resistance to fire damage underwater)
Mina (34hp) Dagger 15 10hp Snake 1 (12 hp), 1 hp Mina (33hp)

ROUND 2
Snake 1 (12hp) Bite 18 Hit 4hp Tail 12 Miss
Snake 2 Bite 9 Miss Tail 12 Miss
Mina (29hp) Dagger 22 8hp Snake 1 (4hp), 1hp Mina (28hp)

ROUND 3
Snake 1 (4hp) Bite 12 Miss Tail 14 Miss
Snake 2 Bite 23 Hit 4hp Tail 10 Miss
Mina (24hp) Dagger 16 10hp Snake 1 (dead) Snake 2 (16hp) Mina 1 (23hp)

ROUND 4
Snake 2 (16hp) Bite 11 Tail 8
Mina (23hp) Dagger 13 miss

ROUND 5
Snake 2 (16hp) Bite 21 4hp Tail 5
Mina (Mina 19hp) Dagger 20 10hp (Snake 2 6hp) Mina 1 (18hp)

ROUND 6
Snake 2 (6hp) Bite 20 4hp Tail 15
Mina (14hp) Dagger 18 3hp (Snake 2 dead)
Bonus action: Healing surge 11hp (25hp total)
22 min
January 28, 2022TLA Chapter 3: The Missing Link
This episode sees Mina find some sanctuary, but that doesn’t mean her troubles are over. She faces a dangerous setback and a night of chilling nightmares before the dawn.
LINKS
Transcript https://docs.google.com/document/d/1w4TEp_aJN-4FtEd7p9_M5Sg6TX1wWKpd9FHKtzSItKU/edit?usp=sharing
MECHANICS
Scene 5: Studying the Folder
Chaos Factor 7
SCENE ALTERED? 3 (Altered) 65 Attach 91 Weapons (folder is trapped: Glyph of Warding)
Exhaustion Level 2 (Disadvantage on Ability Checks, Speed halved)
Glyph spotted? Arcana (+6) vs DC 17 at Disadvantage: 10 (fail)
Glyph deals 5d8 (24) thunder damage: 14/38 HP
FATE: does she attract attention? (50/50) 46 Yes
FATE: danger? (Unlikely) 68 No
FATE: thrown out? (50/50) 91 No (Innkeeper investigates
http://chaoticshiny.com/chargen.php
Innkeeper: Caelia, gnome, curious, suspicious
Any tracking or scrying magics spotted? Arcana +6 vs DC 16 at Disadvantage: 15 (fail)
Any clues spotted? Investigation +6 Vs DC 16 at Disadvantage: 12 (fail)
FATE: folder destroyed? (Likely) 17 Yes
DESCRIPTION: where did she first find the cultists'? 94 Softly 42 Hard (monastery)
FATE: does she manage a long rest? (Likely) 94 No
EVENT: 25 Dominate 17 The Spiritual
FATE: nightmares? (50/50) 47 Yes
Scene 6 Nightmares
Chaos Factor 8
SCENE ALTERED? 3 altered (wakes up, another nightmare)
Nightmare Generator
Falling
Chased
Burned
Trapped
Shamed
Bereaved
Isolated
Confused
4, 2, 6, 5
FATE: does her father leave her a message? (50/50): 29 yes
DESCRIPTION: 69 Ruin 5 Inside (mausoleum)
Scene 7: Montage
Chaos Factor 7
SCENE ALTERED? 6 Interrupted
Event focus: Close a Thread: Explain the explosion in the sky
FATE: Does Mina get 2 days to recover? (Likely) 77 Yes, Random Event
Event focus: Move towards a thread: Resolve trouble with the Whisperer
26 min
January 28, 2022 TLA Chapter 2 The Visitor
In this episode Mina returns home only to find an unwelcome visitor waiting for her, with a truly nefarious proposition. Will Mina betray her own House, or will she risk conflict with a group capable of penetrating one of the most secret organisations in the city?
LINKS
Transcript: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1BJ6rM2nlHck4PTZekyKmpIKlEPOADiJgIcW4N2Koxb8/edit?usp=sharing
MECHANICS
SCENE 3: Return to the Rookery (CR 7)
SCENE MODIFIED 7
Altered (Lab disrupted)
FATE has someone been here? (50/50) 3 Exceptional yes (they are still here)
FATE The Whisperer? (Somewhat Likely) 100 Exceptional No
FATE A rival House? (50/50) 17 Yes
Description: Who? 74 Naturally 6 Average (nondescript)
Event: 96 Guide 36 Bureaucracy (fraud)
FATE Blackmail? (Likely) 37 Yes
FATE: over tonight's events? (Likely) 74 Yes
SCENE 4: To Arms
SCENE MODIFIED: 7 Altered (The box is real)
FATE: Is the box still there? 48 Yes
25 min
January 20, 2022TLA Chapter 1 Night Flight
In this episode Mina finds herself on the run from a pack of mech-fixated maniacs, and we learn who sent her to investigate them, and why.

Links
Transcript https://docs.google.com/document/d/1EqdqyTweQpTiPuKanq7kYbkstQfMbUx5CjmYmwgyvDE/edit?usp=sharing
Level Up Monstrous Menagerie: https://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/376472/Level-Up-Monstrous-Menagerie-A5E#:~:text=The%20Monstrous%20Menagerie%20provides%20nearly,khalkos%20and%20the%20phase%20monster.
Mythic GM Emulator: https://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/20798/Mythic-Game-Master-Emulator
Kobold Fight Club: https://koboldplus.club/#/encounter-builder

Game Mechanics
SCENE 1: Night Flight
MINA Cast Feather Fall (reaction)
FATE Do enemies follow? (Likely) 04 Exceptional Yes (1d6+2=7 enemies)
DESCRIPTION What do they look like? 20 Crazily 67 Modern
FATE Members of a Machine Cult? (Likely) 51 Yes (Level Up MM pg 472)
FATE Does Mina land on Rooftops? (50/50) 57 No (streets)
FATE Streets busy? (unlikely) 11 Yes, and Random Event
EVENT NPC Action (Machine Cultists) 17 Antagonistic 86 Hope (Threaten)
FATE Do all enemies land safely? (50/50) 42 Yes
FATE Do enemies attack? (A sure thing) 64 Yes
FATE Any into Melee range round 1? (Unlikely) 46 No
Kobold Fight Club 7 Cultists (Deadly)
INITIATIVE
Cultists 20
Citizens 18
Mina 7

NPC Tactics

NPC opponents have an Aggression rating of 1 to 6, with most starting on 4.

To find an opponent's tactic for the round, roll 2D6 of the same colour and one of a different colour. If the single die comes up a 1, 2 or 3, continue the same tactic from the previous round. On a 4 or 5, total the two same-coloured dice and add Aggression, then pick from the Tactic table. If it shows a 6, roll it again and pick an action from the Twist table.

As they take or inflict wounds, gain or lose the advantage in a fight, NPC opponents' Aggression will raise or lower. Experienced fighters will change only a small amount, while green, frightened or vengeful opponents will change more. Each time someone in the fight (either PC or NPC) suffers a setback, there should be a chance for Aggression to change. If the NPCs are nervous or demoralised, Aggression will drop when they suffer a setback and rise when a PC does. If they are angry or undisciplined, Aggression will rise when they suffer a setback and drop when a PC does.

If you don't want to bother with Aggression, roll 3D6 for a tactic. If you want a more straightforward fight, without unexpected moves, drop the Twist die.

NPC Tactic table
Panic - flee without caution, open self up to opportunistic attack
Surrender - throw down weapons and submit to opponent
Disengage - attempt to divert opponent's attention away from self
Retreat - move towards cover or out of range
Guard - defend only, no attack
Probe - attack cautiously, testing opponent's defenses
Wear down - draw the fight out and try to tire the opponent
Stand-off - wait for opponent to make the next move
Balance - attack and defend evenly, no particular strategy
Feint - try to trick opponent into defending against the wrong move
Reverse - rapidly switch from aggressive to defensive fighting to off-balance opponent
Taunt - try to anger or dismay opponent into making a mistake
Press - keep opponent on the defensive and hope their skill is inferior
Strike - try to penetrate opponent's defence with a fast attack
Charge - attack with ferocity, risking injury to wound opponent
Frenzy - attack wildly, risking death to wound opponent

Twist Table
Re-enforce - Call for help from allies/bystanders
Change - weapon/objective/ground
Disadvantage opponent - throw a burning candelabra, maneuver into uneven terrain, cut a curtain so that it falls over their head
Advantage self - take the higher ground, move so that they are not facing the sun, draw/pick up a second weapon
Bargain - try to persuade opponent to surrender/back out of combat/change sides
Trick - try to convince opponent they are about to suffer a setback or gain a false advantage
ROUND 1
Cultists Double Move (Difficult Terrain)
Citizens (aggro 1) 1 Twist (Trick)
9 Wear down
Divert/ distract
Mina Stealth (ADV) vs PP 10: 15 Success. Move away.
FATE: Cover nearby? (Likely) 10 Yes
DESCRIPTION What sort of cover? 24 Defiantly 93 Tranquil (bath house)
FATE: Does the airship crash this turn? (50/50) 57 No
Huge explosion (Infernal Powder)

ROUND 2
Cultists (aggro 6) Perception vs PS 11: 17 Success.
1 Same (Chase Mina)
Citizens (aggro 1) 4 Change Tactic
6 Retreat
Remove from Character List
Mina Crossbow 2 Miss, Move (into bath house)
FATE Notable occupants? (50/50) 71 No (bathers)
FATE Does the airship crash this turn? (50/50) 35 Yes
FATE Any cultists hit? (50/50) 99 Exceptional No (Bath house hit)
DEGREE (Motif) 1 Minimal damage
DANGER (Motif) 1 Easily avoided threats

ROUND 3
Cultists (Aggro 5) 5 Change Tactic
8 Probe
Mina Double Move
FATE Does she get clear? (50/50) 61 No (spotted in side alley)

SCENE 2: Street Pursuit (Chaos Rank 6)

SCENE MODIFIED 5 Altered (Fire is spreading rapidly)

https://www.hipstersanddragons.com/new-chase-mechanics-5e-dnd/

Chase Rules
Determine starting gaps (X) and gaps required to escape (X + 3, 4 or 5)
Quarry and pursuer roll for complication (DMG pg 254)
Quarry and pursuer select appropriate skills and roll, adding any move modifier
Success for quarry vs pursuer adds one level of separation (gap).
Success for pursuer vs quarry is no change
Success for pursuer by 5 reduces 1 gap.
Participants move and dash each turn, or lose a gap for each not taken
If a pursuer ends their turn with zero gaps they may attack (successful grapple will end the chase and return the scene to normal combat)
No opportunity attacks allowed during a chase
Participants can dash 3+CON mod times. Each additional dash requires a DC10 CON check, or add 1 level of Exhaustion

CONDITIONS Mina 2 gaps away from Cultists, needs +4 gaps (6)

ROUND 1
Mina Comp 19 (none)
Cultists Comp 20 (none)
Mina check Athletics 14
Cultists check Athletics 6
Result Mina 3 gaps away

ROUND 2
Mina Comp 3 (stained glass, STR check)
Cultists Comp 5 (slippery ground, DEX check)
Mina check STR 9
Cultists check DEX 12
Result Mina 2 gaps away

ROUND 3
Mina Comp 12 (none)
Cultists Comp 16 (none)
Mina check Athletics 17
Cultists check Athletics 1
Result Mina 3 gaps away

FLASHBACK
FATE Was she sent to the airship? (50/50) 39 Yes
DESCRIPTION Who by? 36 Foolishly 36 Flawless
FATE A faction rep? (Somewhat Likely) 65 Yes
FATE House Montisario? (50/50) 59 Yes

ROUND 4
Mina Comp 17 (none)
Cultists Comp 13 (none)
Mina check Athletics 3
Cultists CON check 17 (passed)
Cultists check Athletics 1
Result Mina 4 gaps away

ROUND 5
Mina Comp 12 (none)
Cultists Comp 10 (impassible obstacle, DEX check)
Mina check Athletics 4
Cultists CON check 16 (passed)
Cultists check Athletics 10
Result Mina 3 gaps away

ROUND 6
Mina Comp 14 (none)
Cultists Comp 1 (horse and cart, DEX check)
Mina check Athletics 14
Cultists CON check 19 (passed)
Cultists check DEX 3
Result Mina 4 gaps away

FLASHBACK
FATE Were they carrying explosives? (Likely) 43 Yes (Infernal Powder)
FATE Did Mina set the fire? (Somewhat Likely) 12 Yes
FATE Did they see her face? (Unlikely) 80 No

ROUND 7
Mina Comp 4 (barrels, DEX check)
Cultists Comp 17 (none)
Mina CON check 3 (1 level Exhaustion)
Mina check Athletics 14
Cultists CON check 9 (1 level Exhaustion)
Cultists check DEX 5
Result Mina 5 gaps away

ROUND 8
Mina Comp 4 (barrels, DEX check)
Cultists Comp 17 (none)
Mina CON check 3 (1 level Exhaustion)
Mina check Athletics 14
Cultists CON check 9 (1 level Exhaustion)
Cultists check DEX 5
Result Mina 5 gaps away

ROUND 9
Mina Comp 18 (none)
Cultists Comp 5 (Mina trick, INT check)
Mina CON check 5 HERO POINT 5 (2 levels Exhaustion)
Mina check Athletics 6
Cultists CON check 20 (1 level Exhaustion)
Cultists check INT 9
Result Mina 3 gaps away

ROUND 10
Mina Comp 7 (brawl, DEX)
Cultists Comp 11 (none)
Mina CON check 9 HERO POINT 7 (3 levels Exhaustion)
Mina check Athletics 12
Cultists CON check 8 (2 level Exhaustion)
Cultists check Athletics 3
Result Mina 4 gaps away

ROUND 11
Mina Comp 2 (crowd, STR check)
Cultists Comp 19 (none)
Mina CON check 14 (3 level Exhaustion)
Mina check STR 10
Cultists CON check 2 (3 level Exhaustion)
Cultists check Athletics 5
Result Mina 5 gaps away

ROUND 12
Mina Comp 2 (crowd, STR check)
Cultists Comp 1 (crowd, STR check)
Mina CON check 10 (3 level Exhaustion)
Mina check STR 16
Cultists CON check 2 (4 level Exhaustion)
Cultists check STR 9
Result Mina 6 gaps away, and free
22 min
January 20, 2022 TLA Session 0
In this preliminary, Session Zero episode, I talk about the what and the why of Solo RPGs, my goals and preparation for this 5th Edition D&D solo game, how I intend to approach the podcast, and the reasons behind some of the decisions I’ve made.

Links
Transcript: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1eQFxhCZ8tqDql3PwmYjcwWZM-AcWQOHE3PZayNAsYi8/edit?usp=sharing
Tale of the Manticore: https://taleofthemanticore.podbean.com/
1 PC 5e houserules: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1OGLf6d8k5nQEt2bBWRxScjMzhs2LTm8h7XcwTS8Pqs8/edit?usp=sharing
Me, Myself and Die: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtiBzkVoYrugJkrpW7_75Ag
The Bad Spot: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSHZfmwfiIxCpKrQFrr7YyQ
The Mythic GM Emulator: https://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/20798/Mythic-Game-Master-Emulator
Mina’s Character Sheet L1: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1p0CWxi4hF4uLQ131qY0YkhT_smHD7gbZMOwqrZ_W_Xs/edit?usp=sharing
Microscope: https://www.lamemage.com/microscope/
19 min