Solo Roleplaying with Dragonbane

One of the great things about playing a tabletop roleplaying game (TTRPG) is spending time with family, friends, and/or soon-to-be friends. But with a little planning and work, you can play a TTRPG solo and enjoy the creative, storytelling aspects of the game to craft a fantastic, thrilling tale of heroism with your hero or heroine fighting to succeed and to survive against terrible odds.

Now I haven’t really played a TTRPG solo. But I have enjoyed playing both sides of numerous “practice” encounters while acquainting myself with the rules of a particular TTRPG and while planning an adventure for the other players at the gaming table. While I look forward to once again playing a TTRPG with a group, I can absolutely see myself enjoying a solo TTRPG gaming experience.

There is a surprising amount of information available on playing TTRPGs solo, as well as a number of available products to help facilitate solo play. And there are games specifically designed with solo play in mind.

Dragonbane is a fantasy TTRPG published by Free League Publishing that has its own set of rules for solo play. I have all of the currently published Dragonbane products by Free League Publishing and I intend to play the game sometime this year, hopefully in the not-too-distant future.

On a couple of previous occasions, I have shared some links relating to the Dragonbane TTRPG (https://gregorymaness.wixsite.com/website/post/dragons-and-demons and https://gregorymaness.wixsite.com/website/post/playing-the-hero-or-playing-the-villain). The game and its “Mirth & Mayhem Roleplaying” style promises to be the right balance of serious and whimsical. Well, at least that seems like a great combination for me as I try my hand at solo roleplaying. Is it for you? Only you can answer that question. But if you like the fantasy genre and you find the idea of playing a TTRPG by yourself intriguing, you might want to check out Dragonbane. Particularly if you also think that you might enjoy playing in a more traditional group game.

Below are links to a few Dragonbane videos from a couple of YouTube channels that post videos pertaining to solo roleplaying, Geek Gamers and Me, Myself and Die! Geek Gamers has published a book pertaining to solo roleplaying (in addition to their video content) which I recently picked up from Modiphius Entertainment. And Trevor Devall of Me, Myself and Die! puts out some entertaining, fun, and interesting video content. Check out the videos via the links below and explore both channels as you see fit. Perhaps you may conclude that Dragonbane is not exactly what you are looking for in a solo game, but you might just find a game that is.

“Dragonbane: Bestiary”

“Dragonbane Bestiary--a gift to soloists and all GMs”

“Dragonbane Solo”

“FGP: I Learn to Play Dragonbane”