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SoloDark

Abstract

SoloDark is the official solo gameplay supplement for Shadowdark RPG by Kelsey Dionne (The Arcane Library, V1). It is not a standalone system — it requires the Shadowdark RPG core rules. As a solo player, you fill both the player and GM roles, using randomized tools to answer questions you would otherwise need a GM for. Party size recommended: 2–4 characters; single-PC play works at higher level.

Oracle Procedure

SoloDark formalizes yes/no adjudication with a d20 oracle:

  • 1-9: No
  • 10: Twist
  • 11-20: Yes

Odds are applied by rolling with disadvantage (unlikely/certainly not), straight (even chance), or advantage (likely/certain). Interpretation adds extra texture:

  • Odd totals (except natural 1) add a "but" turnabout.
  • Natural 1 or 20 produces extreme outcomes.
  • Twist results call for a prompt roll.

This gives solo sessions uncertainty without replacing core Shadowdark checks.

Prompt Engine

Prompts are a d100 verb+noun pair table used when binary oracle output is too narrow. This supports fast content generation for:

  • room discoveries
  • NPC intent
  • consequence framing
  • off-script travel events

Modified Rules (SoloDark Delta)

Initiative

  • Group initiative: one PC vs one enemy roll for each side.
  • Player chooses intra-party action order each round.
  • Chaos Mode optional rule: reroll initiative every round.

Light

  • Light duration shifts to 10 rounds per source (in-game pacing) instead of real-time torch tracking.

Luck

  • Natural 20 grants 1 luck token.
  • Max luck tokens equals party size.
  • Luck cannot reroll non-gameplay rolls (oracle checks, talent rolls).

Startup Workflow

  1. Create standard Shadowdark PCs.
  2. Apply Fortune's Favor (new PCs start with 1 luck token).
  3. Enter a keyed dungeon or generate new material via prompts.
  4. Use oracle first for unknowns, then prompts for interpretation.

Practical Use Notes

  • Works best as a procedure layer, not as a replacement for Shadowdark exploration/combat loops.
  • Party-size recommendation (2-4 PCs) matches survivability and bookkeeping constraints.
  • The included resource appendix points to monster, encounter, dungeon, wilderness, and NPC generators for long-form solo campaigns.

See Also