Solo Rules {{{1 MR = [(20 x avg dmg) - 35] / 17 = [(20 x 16.5) - 35] / 17 = 17

• Stats: 3d6 for all stats except CON, which is 11 + Adds. CON cannot be raised like other stats (spending 10 x current stat to increase it by 1 point), but goes up as adds increase.
• Adds: ALL stats (except CON) give +1 Add for every point above 11, and -1 Add for every point below 10. The net total of all Adds is your Personal Adds.
• Combat: Use Adds only. Combatants (good guys & bad guys) each roll 2d6 + Adds. Whichever side has the higher roll wins the difference in hits on the other side. Doubles count as spite damage. This is extra damage, in addition to whatever the round result is. If you're on the winning side, that's 1 more point of damage you've inflicted. If you're on the losing side, that's 1 point you've managed to dish out to the winners that round. Note: when using 3d6, "doubles" is when any two dice match out of the three (this still counts as 1 spite damage). When a player rolls triples, that counts as 3 spite damage. The problem with this is the infamous "death spiral:" once one side starts winning, they always win. Maybe keep adds constant? This would keep the odds constant throughout the battle. Another problem with combat is the 2d6 roll. It's good in that it keeps the damage from being ridiculous (12-2=10 vs a 3d6 spread of 18-3=15), but the odds are bad. There is no 50% chance with a 2d6. It's also inconsistent with our use of 3d6 for saving rolls. It would be nice to be the same roll across the board. But then the damage becomes an issue. Which leads us to...
• Monster Rating: Traditionally the adds are half a monster's MR. But with a 3d6 roll, lower-level "fodder" monsters will get killed in 1 roll. (And so will lower-level characters). Making MR 3 times the adds might make them last longer than the heroes, though. Make MR = CON = 11 + adds. This reflects both the nature of adds and that of combat rolls (which are essentially another saving roll). Should this be a starting value, with increases from spending AP like any other stat? Or should it be a constant rule, increasing only when a stat add is increased?)
• Magic & Missiles: These are essentially one-sided attacks. Roll combat as usual. But if the attacker (with magic & missiles) loses, they take no damage. Their attacks can leave them open to counterattacks. Same rule applies to the combat roll, only this time they can deal no (more) damage if they win the round. (Think about making these rolls with disadvantage for the defender.)

~~What about group combat? How does magic & missiles play into that? On the one hand, if the attacker hits, their damage essentially counts double if it's bundled into the group attack; on the other, the rest of the team suffers if the attacker's roll isn't counted towards the group total. One solution is to count these as extra damage, with the limited ammo (WIZ points and number of arrows) acting as a counterbalance. Another is to hand-wave all that in group combat and not allow individual attacks at all. It's tempting to ignore WIZ points entirely and make casting magic spells a roll vs. WIZ (after all, where's the fun in a wizard once he runs out of magic?). Same for archers: make it a roll vs. DEX to hit a specific target, when the need arises. If damage needs to be taken into account, roll one-sided attacks as described above. For spells that can scale with WIZ use, up the difficulty of the saving roll. But what about spells which scale damage or effect with WIZ consumption? Making it more difficult would not result in more damage (without making an extra damage roll). Solution: Add spell level to saving roll target. casting roll, making it easier or harder depending on the situation. It makes sense for a 5th-level wizard to find it trivial to cast a level 1 spell. ~~

But this is getting too complicated. Make all magic free-form. Describe the intended effect and assign a difficulty level to it. Use existing spell lists for inspiration. Roll vs. WIZ. Wizards routinely cast magic in battle; that's what they do. Anything beyond garden-variety magic missiles requires a roll, and failures subtract the difference between the roll and target from the player's WIZ. Once they reach zero, they can't cast any interesting spells until they recharge fully (1 WIZ per turn, passively). Archers can't shoot arrows during melee combat. Othwerwise roll vs. DEX. Or just treat failures like stunts.

• Stunts: For mid-battle stunt attempts, treat these as magic and one-sided attacks. If the stunt succeeds, do appropriate damage directly to the enemy. If it fails, take the difference between the player's roll and the target number and subtract it from the normal combat roll that round.
• Saving Rolls: 3d6 + stat adds, 11 or higher succeeds. For harder feats, increase the target number. For 50/50 chances, use the stat itself as a target. Use the following table as a good rule of thumb for relative difficulty levels:

• Adventure Points (AP): Every time a character rolls vs. a stat for a Saving Roll, they receive the total of their dice (no adds) in AP for that stat (i.e., AP is tracked separately for each stat). This reflects the fact that characters get better at the things they practice most. Additionally, there is a Generic Adventure Point (GAP) pool which characters receive from combat and general adventuring. These can be drawn upon to raise any stat, in combination with (or independent of) stat APs. The cost is 10x the current stat value to raise it 1 point. So if a stat is currently 9, it would cost 90 AP in that stat (or GAP, or a combination of both) to raise it to 10.
• Surge Table: List 6 verbs and 6 nouns. Roll on this table if the surge count puts an oracle roll beyond 6 (or -6). 1d6 each for a noun and a verb. Interpret as best makes sense, or ignore. Cross items off when they are used. Only count unused items on following rolls. The next time a roll goes off the end of the list, wrap around back to the start to the first unused item, then add another item to the bottom of the list. This way the player can add elements which take current events into account (even if they don't get used right away), without giving them immediate control over the narrative.
• Oracle Rules: (2d6-7): -5,4: No, and... -3,2,1: No 0: Add 1 to Surge Count, then roll again. +1,2,3: Yes +4,5: Yes, and...
• 3d6: 3-4: Surge & roll again 5-9: No, and... 9-10: No 11-12: Yes 13-18: Yes, and...
• Surge Count: When consulting the oracle, factor this number in. If the result is positive, add the surge. If it's negative, subtract it. If the total ends up going beyond 6 (or -6), roll on the Surge Table and interpret the result.

2023-03-06: Setup {{{1 I've been hired to rescue the local Mayor's daughter from the bandits who kidnapped her.

• Does the Mayor know why the bandits kidnapped her? +1, yes
• Is it for ransom? -1, no
• Is it to force the Mayor to do something? +3, yes
• Is it to stop the Mayor from investigating/pursuing the bandits? +4, yes and ...to stop him from exposing their leader.
• Is the bandit leader a member of high society? -3, no
• Are the bandits actually a secret cult? -1, no
• Is he a sorceror? -4, no, and ...he is in fact violently opposed to the use of magic.

So: the bandit is a lowlife with delusions of grandeur, on a personal mission to eradicate magic. He kidnapped the mayor's daughter to stall him from pursuing them, but also out of spite because the mayor's daughter is magically gifted.

• Does the mayor know the location of their hideout? 2, yes

So: Gronk gets the location from the mayor and sets out.

• How hard is it to locate their hideout? 3 attempts

First Attempt {{{

1. Am I attacked? 2, yes
2. By the bandits? 2, yes

2 Bandits (MR 8, 1d6+4 each): {{{2

Gronk: 14 Bandit 1: 8 Bandit 2: 8

Bandits: 19 (1s) Gronk: 10 Gronk takes 19-10-2 = 7 damage

Gronk: 7 Bandit 1: 8 Bandit 2: 8

Bandits: 15 Gronk: 19 Bandit 1 takes 19-15 = 4 damage

Gronk: 7 Bandit 1: 4 (1d6+2) Bandit 2: 8 (1d6+4)

Bandits: 13 Gronk: 7 Bandit 1 takes 1 dmg

Gronk: 7 Bandit 1: 3 (1d6+2) Bandit 2: 8 (1d6+4)

Bandits: 16 Gronk: 16 Draw

Bandits: 15 Gronk: 16 Bandit 1 takes 1 dmg

Bandit 1: 2 (1d6+1) Bandit 2: 8 (1d6+4) Gronk: 7

Bandits: 9 Gronk: 16 Gronk kills Bandit 1 and does 5 damage to Bandit 2

Bandit 2: 3 (1d6+2) Gronk: 7

Bandit: 8 Gronk: 20 Gronk handily dispatches the last bandit. 8 AP. }}}2

Gronk searches the bandits.

• Does he find any treasure? (likely) -1, no
• Did the bandits have a nearby camp? (likely) 4, yes, and... ...he also finds a couple of healing salves (2d6-7 CON, 0 = full heal) (x4)

He rests and uses 4 salves (2, 1, 1, 2) for 6 CON (13)

Second Attempt {{{

• Am I attacked? 2, yes
• By the bandits? 0, interrupt
• Big (+) or small (-)? -4, very small

A large bandit (MR 16) emerges from the woods, draws his flail and starts approaching. Suddenly the air is filled with angry chattering -- the oafish bandit has trodden upon a pixie nest, and they all come out in a swarm, attacking both of them. They find themselves joining up to save their own lives.

32 Pixies (each MR 1; 4d6 as a swarm; no adds, but each rolls for spite damage) {{{2

32 Pixies (4d6) Big Bandit: 16 (2d6+8) Gronk: 13 (3d6+5)

Pixies: 18, 6 spite G&B: 30 They manage to crush 12 of them before as they're still exiting from their nest; however the bandit takes a couple of hits (6 dmg)

20 Pixies (3d6) Big Bandit: 10 (2d6+5) Gronk: 13 (3d6+5)

Pixies: 7, 5 spite G&B: 27 Bandit takes 5 spite, but the remaining pixies are exterminated. (32 AP) }}}2

• The Bandit is at 5 CON now. Does he continue trying to fight Gronk? (--) 0, interrupt

As the bandit opens his mouth to speak, an arrow zips through the air from the depths of the forest.

• Does it hit the bandit? 3, yes

He slumps to the ground, dead. Gronk dives for cover, scanning the woods for signs of the hidden archer.

• Does he spot the attacker? 2, yes
• Can the attacker see Gronk at the moment? 5, yes and... ...he's already shooting by the time Gronk spots him.
• How far away is he? Gronk can reach him in 1 round.

Archer (MR 16, 2d6+8) {{{2 Archer: 16, 2d6+8 Gronk: 13, 3d6+5

Archer shoots: L1SR vs DEX (11) = 18, misses Gronk charges at the archer, roaring.

Archer: 16 Gronk: 15 The Archer's blow glances off Gronk's +2 armor.

Archer: 9 Gronk: 14 Gronk does 5 dmg to the Archer

Archer: 11 (2d6+6) Gronk: 13 (3d6+5)

Archer: 10 Gronk: 17 Gronk does 7 damage to the archer

Archer: 4 (1d6+2) Gronk: 13 (3d6+5)

Archer: 5 Gronk: 12 Gronk kills the archer }}}2

Gronk searches both corpses.

• Does he find any treasure? -3, no
• Does he find any clues about the bandit leader? 4, yes and... ...according to a letter Gronk finds on him, it turns out the archer was the bandit leader's brother.
• Does the archer have roughly the same build as Gronk? -2, no
• Is there anything else on them? 0, interrupt ...two soldiers emerge from the wood while Gronk is searching the corpses.

The soldiers look at Gronk, then at the bodies. They tell him they've been sent by the province Duke to pursue these bandits. Gronk says he's employed by the mayor for that same purpose, and they decide to join forces against the bandit clan.

2 Soldiers: MR 20 (3d6+10)

The soldiers tell Gronk that they've been tracking these bandits to their hideout nearby.

The Hideout {{{

The party cautiously approaches the hideout.

• Is it a cave? -5, no and... ...it is actually a fairly well-defended abandoned fort that the bandits have repaired and built up
• Do the soldiers know anything about this fort? 1, yes
• Is there a secret entrance/escape route they can use to get in? 0, interrupt ...yes, but the bandits undoubtedly know about it. It lies at the bottom of a dry well, so not only will getting in be difficult, the ascent up the well puts them in a dangerous situation.
• Is one of the guards approximately the same build as the archer? -3, no
• What is the strength of the guards posted? 4, very strong (80% strength, MR 45 total)
• Do the soldiers have any kind of cunning plan? 2, yes

The soldiers dress Gronk up in the archer's clothing and tell him to play along. They approach the fort, carrying Gronk, and throw him on the ground face-down. "Come out, Bartholemew!" they shout. "We have your brother!"

• Do they believe it? (-) -1, no

Bart, the leader, looks out, sees Gronk lying there, and immediately sees through the ruse. "Do you think I'm that stupid?" he laughs. "Men, let's show our guests a good time." And they come out to attack in full force.

Bart the Bandit & Friends {{{2 Bart: 24 (3d6+12) Bandit 1: 16 (2d6+8) Bandit 2: 16 (2d6+8)

Soldier 1: 20 (3d6+10) Soldier 2: 20 (3d6+10) Gronk: 13 (3d6+5)

• Do the soldiers have any missile weapons? -1, no

Baddies: 53, 1 spite Goodies: 57

Bart: 24 (3d6+12) Bandit 1: 14 (2d6+7) Bandit 2: 14 (2d6+7)

Soldier 1: 19 (2d6+10) Soldier 2: 20 (3d6+10) Gronk: 13 (3d6+5)

Baddies: 53, 2 spite Goodies: 53, 1 spite

Bart: 24 (3d6+12) Bandit 1: 13 (2d6+7) Bandit 2: 14 (2d6+7)

Soldier 1: 18 (2d6+9) Soldier 2: 20 (3d6+10) Gronk: 12 (3d6+5)

Baddies: 49, 2 spite Goodies: 50, 1 spite

Bart: 24 (3d6+12) Bandit 1: 12 (2d6+6) Bandit 2: 14 (2d6+7)

Soldier 1: 18 (2d6+9) Soldier 2: 20 (3d6+10) Gronk: 10 (3d6+5)

Baddies: 47, 1 spite Goodies: 58, 3 spite

Bart: 24 (3d6+12) Bandit 1: 7 (1d6+4) Bandit 2: 8 (1d6+4)

Soldier 1: 17 (2d6+9) Soldier 2: 20 (3d6+10) Gronk: 10 (3d6+5)

Baddies: 32, 1 spite Goodies: 55, 3 spite

Bart: 16 (2d6+8)

Soldier 1: 17 (2d6+9) Soldier 2: 19 (2d6+10) Gronk: 10 (3d6+5)

• Bart is deprived of his men and badly wounded. Does he retreat? 0, interrupt ...Bart produces a bomb and lobs it at our heroes.
• How strong is it? 4, very strong

The bomb explodes, doing 11 damage

Bart: 16 (2d6+8)

Soldier 1: 13 (2d6+7) Soldier 2: 15 (2d6+8) Gronk: 7 (3d6+5)

Baddies: 17 Goodies: 43, 1 spite

Gronk thrusts his sword and catches Bart square in the throat. 56 AP }}}2 Gronk and company enter the fort to find the mayor's daughter.

• Are there any more bandits inside the fort? -1, no
• Do they find the girl? -3, no

"Odd," says one of the soldiers. "The girl you seek is missing, and the fortress itself is strangely deserted." They search the fort for clues.

• Do they find any letters? 1, yes
• Is it from the bandits' boss' boss? 3, yes
• Is it signed? 1, yes

So: The letter instructs Bart to send a few of his men and bring the girl to Arrigo, who is apparently the man behind the bandit clan.

• Do the soldiers know anything about this Arrigo? 0, interrupt ...yes, but he is actually a member of the city council.
• Is he friendly with the mayor? -2, no

The soldiers know that Arrigo has a villa in the country; they suspect that she has been sequestered there to keep her out of sight. They set out for the villa.

• How long does it take to reach the villa? 2 stops
• Is there a convenient inn to stop at on the way to the villa? -4, no and... in fact they have to sleep outdoors.

}}}1 2023-03-10: To the Villa! {{{1

Gronk takes first watch. L1SR vs. INT: 13, fail

• Was there anything there to perceive? -2, no (lucky for him)
• Soldier 1 takes 2nd watch: -2, nothing
• Soldier 2 takes 3rd watch: -2, nothing

Day 2 {{{2

• Does anything interesting happen during the morning? -2, no
• In the afternoon? 4, very interesting
• Is it a patrol of bandits? 5, yes, and... ...they surprise the group!
• How strong are they? 2, 70%

Bandit Patrol: MR 40 {{{

Baddies: 41, 1 spite Goodies: 60, 3 spite

Baddies: 19, 0 spite Goodies: 63 }}} }}}2 }}}1 2024-05-30: To the Villa! Still! {{{1

Is there anything on the bandits' bodies? Yes Is it information? Yes

It's a note from Arrigo, saying to beef up security patrols. Oh, well. }}}1 2025-04-26: OMG Are We There Yet? {{{1

Fuck it, we're there.

The security looks tough. Gronk looks for a way to sneak in (L1SR vs IQ: 9, fail). He looks for a distraction, but finds nothing useful. They settle for trying to take them on in small groups. They defeat 4 groups of guards on their way in.

What happens next? Flee Daughter

The trio discover that the Mayor's daughter has escaped the bandit camp. Neither they nor the bandits know where she is. But our heroes must find her before they do.

2025-05-01: Finally, Finale {{{1

Our heroes catch up to the Mayor's daughter, and not a moment too soon. Arrigo catches up to them a moment later and everybody fights. Arrigo loses, and the Mayor's daughter is free to return home.

2025-05-02: A New Beginning {{{1

Gronk bids farewell to his soldier friends and heads back to the pub for some well-deserved grog. There he picks up a notice for an adventurer to explore a nearby tomb and fetch an important religious artifact. The archaeologist who's hiring Gronk would do it himself, except for all the ghouls, zombies, and skeletons. You know how it is.

Gronk enters and fights a skeleton, which almost kills him. He retreats and comes back the next day. He then finds a ghoul, which he easily dispatches. Behind the ghoul is a door. He inspects it, but finds nothing. Shrugging, he tries to open it, but finds that it is trapped. A trapdoor opens beneath him...

2025-05-04: Fall Down, Go Boom {{{1

Gronk finds himself in a hallway. There is a coffin here. He determines that he can't climb back up through the trapdoor, even using the coffin as a stepladder. He does notice that the coffin lid has started to move, and manages to get the drop on a skeleton that was trying to emerge from it.

Inside the coffin is a magical sword. It grants a +1 on rolls to disarm or avoid traps.

Further into the crypt, he finds a wizard guarding a door. He launches several fireballs at Gronk, and they fight mightily. They both collapse at the same time. While unconsious, the crypt's guardians dump him outside the entrance and the townspeople bring him back to the inn to recuperate.

2025-05-05: {{{1