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solottrpgchronicles · 1 month

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3b. Trust - Dead Letter Society (Ava)

Toronto, February 10, 2024

Emile comes across as young and inexperienced in his letter; I don't even know this kid, and I'm worried about him already. Thankfully he doesn't seem recognizable from that video, but he still needs to be careful.

I find it suspicious that his first encounter with a mutated monster happened shortly after receiving my first letter. Perhaps I'm being excessively paranoid, but lately something feels amiss with the DLS. I don't know any other organization involved in the supernatural and with the same means as the DLS.

Furthermore, today I found out that Mr. Finch is sending them a copy of all my correspondence.

I don't understand why they deem it necessary - I've always been a role model, a perfectly behaved member of the Society. There is no need to monitor my actions, unless...

I've been trying to think of where I've heard of similar mutations before, but I can't focus. My mind is racing, thinking of how I've been unable to make any real progress on the issue at hand. It's so frustrating.

I could devise a way to send correspondence discreetly and away from prying eyes, plan how to travel to Algonquin without being followed, but it would only serve to alert the DLS even more. For now, it's best if I pretend like I know nothing while keeping an eye out.

On the other hand, what if Mr. Finch has a legitimate reason to send my correspondence to the DLS? It's unlikely, but he's been by my side for so long that some wishful thinking might be justified.

Either way, Emile is not the only one who needs to exercise caution.

Signing off,

Ava Bennett

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This is a playthrough of a solo TTRPG called "Dead Letter Society", by Rori Montford.

You can check it out on itch.io: https://montfordtales.itch.io/dead-letter-society

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solottrpgchronicles · 2 months

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5a. Magic Sheep - The Last Tea Shop

Shop name: The Vagrant Tea Leaf

Supplies: sea salt, ginkgo leaf, giant puffball

Days: 21

Visitor: a hero

The shop was enveloped in an ominous, dark mist; watching its finger-like tendrils through the windows sent shivers down my spine.

A tall, broad-shouldered customer hurried in and closed the door swiftly behind them, their eyes darting around nervously, as if they were afraid of being followed.

"Are you alright? Don't worry, you're safe here." I said in a reassuring voice, trying to put them at ease. I invited them to sit, but their eyes were still full of concern.

The situation definitely called for my special Comforting brew.

"So, what's the last thing you remember?" I asked, hoping to distract them.

"Who, me? Right, there's no one else here..." They hesitated; "The last thing I remember is the wrath in Manannán's eyes when he vowed to follow me into the Otherworld and punish me there too. I'm doomed!" They anxiously tugged on their long hair. Perhaps my question wasn't well thought out, but now I was intrigued.

"I was passing through this village, and the inhabitants recognized me as a local hero; they asked for my help with retrieving seven magical sheep from a distant island. They claimed those were Manannán's sheep, which granted infinite wool, so they'd never be cold again.

I wasn't entirely convinced, but I thought I might as well investigate. If what those people said was true, this god was pretty selfish to keep such precious sheep to himself. And to what end? Gods don't feel cold.

To my surprise, no fisherfolk or sea captains wanted to venture to the island - they all thought it was too dangerous.

I had almost given up when a giant sea turtle appeared and spoke to me, offering to bring me to the island and back, if I was so keen; I had never seen such an incredible creature up close. At this point I was starting to think the villagers might be onto something, and I accepted the turtle's offer.

Upon reaching the island, I found the seven sheep immediately. As I herded them towards the sea, I saw that the giant turtle had been replaced by a colossal, godlike entity - Manannán himself.

The very last thing I remember are his vengeful ocean-deep eyes, and his thunderous voice. I felt myself fall to the ground lifeless."

I poured a cup of Comforting Brew and handed it to them. "Thanks for sharing your story, and I'm sorry, that sounds incredibly scary. Don't worry, deities have volatile moods, but they tend to lose interest quickly. I'm sure Manannán won't follow you here."

I watched them carefully smell and then take a sip of the tea. "Let's talk about pleasant memories this time. Where did you live?" I asked.

"I lived in a village by the edge of a vast lake," They sighed, visibly more at ease already; "it looked like many other villages, but it held a special place in my heart. Kind people who looked out for each other, a slow and quiet life... When I was younger, I was so eager to prove myself and set out on adventures! Now, however, I'm grateful I grew up there, of all places; my childhood memories are the happiest of my life."

I let them finish the tea in silence. They were still smiling to themselves when they got up to leave.

They looked with interest at all the paintings I had collected so far, but didn't seem to recognize any of the people portrayed in them.

As they opened the door, the dark mist receded slightly, perhaps sensing the hero's unyielding spirit.

I smiled as they walked away and disappeared.

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This is a playthrough of a solo TTRPG called The Last Tea Shop, by Spring Villager.

You can check it out on itch.io: https://springvillager.itch.io/last-tea-shop

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solottrpgchronicles · 2 months

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2c. Fresh Paint - Fox Curio's Floating Bookshop

Bookseller: Merry the capybara

Town: Thistledown

Date: 2nd of Bloom

Total customers: 44

Books: 470

Coins: 155

Dear Diary,

I opened shop for the first time today.

The locals must have been waiting to check it out; despite the relentless rain, many of them walked in.

I'd rather chill in a corner and mind my own business, but it was clear that at least some of the customers wanted to exchange a few words.

For instance, there was a riverstrider otter named Hunch who can't wait to go back home to his kids after Thaw week is over; he ended up buying a pop-up book about otters holding paws; he's sure his kids will love it.

Another interesting encounter was with Attie, a snake who earns her livelihood as a fisher. Apparently, she plunges headfirst into the water to catch fish with her fangs. She clarified the fangs are not venomous, and I'm thinking she must get questioned about it a lot. Poor Attie, her job sounds exhausting. She ended up buying Tales of the Great Sea upon my suggestion; I hope it'll help her relax in her free time.

The day progressed smoothly until a pompous lizard in a top hat walked in, scrutinizing every detail of the decor. He strode towards me, extending his paw in greeting. Introducing himself as Rigo, the proprietor of "Quill Your Inks" in Thistledown, he bombarded me with ideas for redecorating my shop. Insisting on a fresh coat of paint to replace what he deemed "garish orange," he pointed out the patchy areas while I nodded along, suddenly feeling drowsy. Perhaps I was having a hard time digesting my lunch.

Rigo left empty-handed, and now I was itching to fix the patchy orange walls.

As the rain intensified into a thunderstorm, I decided to paint over the patchy spots while keeping the shop open. There were a few cans of paint in the back, but they were yellow - so I decided to paint sunflower shapes over the ruined spots.

I'm not sure they actually look like sunflowers, but the result is still quite charming.

I was evaluating my painting skills when the strangest customer I've had all day walked in.

And elderly rat in a flowery dress, matching purse and grey gloves greeted me with a serene smile, completely unbothered by the miserable weather outside. She headed to the Fantasy section and picked The Heir of the Frozen Lands.

As she handed it to me over the counter, she proceeded to ask about my life in Thistledown so far, commenting that despite my extensive travels, I would surely grow fond of this small town in no time.

I was taken aback by her words - alright, she must have figured out I'm not from here because she hasn't seen me around before. But how did she know I'm well travelled? Was she just guessing?

"Remember to write a letter to your old friends every once in a while though, no matter how much you want to move on. What happened is not their fault - you know that, right? Be good, and have a good life. We'll be watching over you!"

I watched her leave, speechless, realizing I didn't even get her name. How did she know all that? And, "we"? Who's "we"?

Gosh, I need a vacation already.

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This is a playthrough of a solo journaling TTRPG called "Fox Curio's Floating Bookshop" by lostwaysclub.

You can check it out on itch.io: https://lostwaysclub.itch.io/floating-bookshop

#indie ttrpg #itch.io #journal entry #journaling #playthrough #ttrpg #solo games #solo ttrpg #tabletop role playing game #tabletop roleplaying #capybara #animalfolk #bookshop #bookstore #fox curio's floating bookshop

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solottrpgchronicles · 2 months

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1c. Start Anew - Fox Curio's Floating Bookshop

Bookseller: Merry the capybara

Town: Thistledown

Date: 1st of Bloom (Rinse holiday)

Coins: 100

Books: 500 (full inventory)

I didn't bring much with me. How could I? If I had to move with all the possessions I accumulated in the past few years... No, it would be impossible. Besides, the suddenness of it all left no time for proper planning.

"Congrats," the letter read; "You are now the owner of Fox Curio's Floating Bookshop", as if I was supposed to know what that meant. Attached to the letter was a single rusty key, accompanied by some yellowed documents.

At first I thought that unexpected letter was pretty suspicious, but then again, I urgently needed a place to live in and an occupation to focus on - this was actually perfect, given my circumstances.

So, with my heart full of hope, I took possession of this strange, floating bookshop on the River (the animalfolk around here must believe it's the only one). For now, the raft is moored to a town called Thistledown.

I've only glanced briefly outside - it looks like a surprisingly bustling town. I'll explore it later, during the festivities.

For now, I need to rearrange all the dusty furniture in here; maybe even stack the books on the shelves, so that I'm ready to open shop tomorrow. I noticed there are several claw marks on the floor, but I can't do much about that now.

There are so many good books in stock... I feel a bit sad thinking I'll have to sell them.

Oh well.

~~~

I went to the Rinse festival.

The locals have some interesting traditions, definitely not for the faint of heart. Apparently, it's customary to go for a swim - something I normally enjoy as a capybara - except it's the week of Thaw and the River surface is still covered in ice. The locals had to drill holes in it so we could swim.

I bet they thought I wouldn't dare dip even just my paws in the frigid water, since I'm a foreigner. I proved them wrong, swimming and resisting the discomfort; my bristly fur protected me somewhat, and without my glasses everything feels blurrier, even physical sensations, which played to my advantage in this case.

While swimming I was told to reflect on a dream I want to achieve this year, as well as something I want to wash away. All I desire is a simple, quiet life; I've felt too many emotions, and I'm quite tired of them.

I especially want to wash my persistent nostalgia away. The past won't come back, so I might as well stay in the present and appreciate it. I'm starting a new life and it deserves celebrating.

After the swim we gathered around the fire. A weasel who introduced herself as Mia handed me a delicious drink made of apples and honey; it was piping hot, just what I needed. She sat next to me, chatting excitedly about Rinse and asking about me; she was really nice and ended up gifting me a whole bottle of that excellent drink as a token of good luck for the new year.

Standing next to the fire, I realized how much more precious the warmth felt now after my earlier chilling swim experience. I imagine that's what Bloom will feel like, after the endless chill of Brink.

Farewell, cold weather!

I'm ready to start anew, surrounded by warmth.

---------------------------

This is a playthrough of a solo journaling TTRPG called "Fox Curio's Floating Bookshop" by lostwaysclub.

You can check it out on itch.io: https://lostwaysclub.itch.io/floating-bookshop

#indie ttrpg #itch.io #journal entry #journaling #playthrough #ttrpg #solo games #solo ttrpg #tabletop role playing game #tabletop roleplaying #capybara #animalfolk #bookshop #bookstore #fox curio's floating bookshop

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solottrpgchronicles · 3 months

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4a. Abstract - The Last Tea Shop

Shop name: The Vagrant Tea Leaf

Supplies: sea salt, ginkgo leaf, giant puffball, cloud dew

Days: 16

Visitor: an artist

It was the first day of sunshine in a while. I nearly abandoned my post to step outside the shop and bask in the warm light when a visitor walked in.

She looked at peace, as if she wasn't troubled by what she was leaving behind; perhaps the weather was just too nice to feel sad.

We exchanged a smile as she took a seat. She then gazed happily at her surroundings, studying every little detail.

It was a good day to try out my new Tea of Mirth, so I grabbed some cloud dew from a jar and began brewing it.

"I've never met a visitor as accepting of their fate as you," I remarked. "There must be something you left unfinished though, right?"

"Ah, indeed. I'm an artist, so it was practically impossible to depart the mortal world without any unfinished business. You see, I used to make decorative chess sets - quite niche, isn't it? But a surprising amount of people seemed to love them. They'd visit my shop to commission the most disparate themes or purchase one of my already made sets. Each piece was hand-painted in intricate detail; it took me a considerable amount of time to complete a full set, but the work felt fulfilling and I loved immersing myself in it.

However, after some time, I found myself growing restless. Day after day, I worked tirelessly, but I was either fulfilling commissions or replicating popular pieces from the past. My hands moved almost mechanically while working, and my mind wandered.

I needed a new challenge.

That challenge presented itself when an architect reached out about her ambitious project: a chess-themed neighbourhood, with two rows of buildings placed at opposite ends of a park, each building designed to resemble a chess piece. She wanted me to collaborate on planning the art for the buildings.

I accepted immediately and, for a while, I was content and fully immersed in my work once again.

I'm confident it would have turned out pretty great in the end; however, on a stormy day, while I was working onsite, lightning struck me. It was unfortunate, but when the project is complete that accident will probably make for an intriguing story, and attract more tourists."

I handed her a cup of my Tea of Mirth, steaming hot.

"What an incredible job you had," I commented, smiling warmly. "Did you ever come to any sudden realizations during your years as an artist?"

She took a sip of the tea and chuckled. "Actually, yeah. I mentioned my pieces were intricately decorated, but I didn't specify my style was pretty abstract. Sometimes clients would admire my chess sets, but with a hint of puzzlement on their faces, as if they couldn't quite grasp the meaning behind them.

I found it funny, especially when they couldn't work up the courage to ask any questions - they'd just buy my pieces, pretending to understand them. I could have felt offended by their behaviour, or doubted my abilities, but that's just not my personality.

My favourite episode was when a customer walked in with their kid and bought a botanical themed set from me. I was talking about flowers that inspired me when the kid, with a skeptical look on his face, interrupted me and said, "Do you even know what flowers look like, miss?"

And, ouch, that stung a bit. A few days later I went on a hike; looking at the nature around me I thought, "Wow, that kid was right." My art was definitely abstract, but that's just the way my brain and my hands interpret the world. I've always been happy with my style, and other people seemed to appreciate it too, even when they didn't fully understand it. My art brought joy to a few people, and to myself - that's all I can ask for."

She was a slow tea drinker, and we kept talking about her memories and giggling for a good hour or so, but in the end, it was time to go.

Before saying goodbye, she stared intently at the portrait of the minstrel, my previous visitor, and said, "Hey, I had a portrait like this one in my home! I got it for pretty cheap at the charity shop."

I walked her to the door. She waved at me, still smiling, as the sunbeams took her.

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This is a playthrough of a solo TTRPG called The Last Tea Shop, by Spring Villager.

You can check it out on itch.io: https://springvillager.itch.io/last-tea-shop

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solottrpgchronicles · 3 months

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Banana Bird - Dream Factory

Explore

Urban

Symbol

I was cheerfully walking out of school, holding onto my backpack; it looked more like a small bucket than like my usual backpack, though, and it was empty.

I turned around in surprise, and realized I had taken the bus to downtown - of course, I was supposed to go to the new bookshop's inauguration! My empty backpack was meant to carry all the books I intended to buy.

There was only one problem: I couldn't remember the name or location of the bookstore. I trusted that I would recognize it as soon as I saw it, but for now, I was at a loss.

The streets around me seemed to stretch, curve, and move in unusual ways as I walked. I noticed a strange symbol on several walls: a yellow outline connecting three shapes - a triangle, a pointy circle resembling an egg, and a semicircle.

My attention was drawn away when I slipped on a banana peel, causing me to fall backwards.

While on the ground, I noticed the same symbol flying in the air - except, it wasn't just a symbol at all - it was a bird! The infamous banana bird. Now I knew who had thrown a banana peel so carelessly on the sidewalk.

Suddenly back on my feet, I ran after the banana bird, without having decided if I wanted to catch it or talk to it.

The bird, though, seemed to understand my predicament, and led me through the streets towards the bookshop. The building featured a sign reading "Banana Bird Bookstore" and displaying the same symbol I had seen throughout the city.

Relieved after that strange adventure, I stepped in; the bookstore was full of wonderful strangers who greeted me warmly.

The banana bird perched on my shoulder as I began to fill my backpack-bucket with tons of books.

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This is a playthrough of a 24-word solo journaling TTRPG called Dream Factory, by me. :)

You can check it out on itch.io: https://fancynonna.itch.io/dream-factory

This game was a submission for the 24-word RPG jam: https://itch.io/jam/24wordrpgjam

#indie ttrpg #itch.io #journal entry #journaling #playthrough #ttrpg #solo games #solo ttrpg #tabletop role playing game #tabletop roleplaying #dream factory #dreams #dream journal #24 word ttrpg #itch.io game jam entry #oneiric

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solottrpgchronicles · 3 months

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6. Unravel (part 2 of 2) - The Lighthouse at the Edge of the Universe

Keeper: 2035

Date: Viridian 8, year 120572

Temperature: 9℃

Weather: solar winds

The plasma from the solar winds kept hitting the lighthouse rhythmically, like waves. I could sense the electricity in the air, the particles saturating it.

The winds were unyielding, strangely howling through every crack in the walls, as if attempting to spook me. I wasn't scared, though - I knew they would stop eventually, and everything would be calm and quiet once again.

Perhaps I was being overly daring in the face of the weather, but I decided to go outside and gaze at the sky through the telescope.

Initially, all I could see was plasma, but soon I began to distinguish a few gelatinous and translucent organisms - Space Blobs.

Most of them were spherical, even though they could take on any shape the pleased - flattening, stretching, morphing at will.

It seemed like they were travelling purposefully, and not just being carried along by the winds; perhaps they were searching for a new planet to inhabit.

I observed two of them exchange and incorporate small portions of each other's gelatinous matter; maybe they were engaged in an intense discussion, trying to see things from the other's perspectives.

Another one of them seemed to engulf small rocks and space debris; it was dinner time, after all.

I kept staring in awe as their soft, gleaming shapes drifted farther and farther away.

I yawned - it felt like I had been awake for two days straight.

My memory failed me when I tried to recall anything that had happened before I turned the light on today. In fact, I couldn't remember the day before either, or the one before that. There was something trapped in the back of my mind, something I had forgotten.

I yawned again - I took that, along with my memory lapse, as a sign that it was finally time to sleep.

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This is a playthrough of a solo TTRPG called The Lighthouse at the Edge of the Universe, by lostwaysclub.

You can check it out on itch.io: https://lostwaysclub.itch.io/the-lighthouse-at-the-edge-of-the-universe

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solottrpgchronicles · 3 months

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2b. Troublemaker - Dead Letter Society (Emile)

Montreal, Jan 30, 2024

Dear diary,

I'm in some serious trouble again.

You know how the Dead Letter Society strongly suggested I keep a low profile? Well, I couldn't just give up on my dream of becoming famous, so I ended up accepting the role of Mercutio in the new Romeo & Juliet theatre production!

I was super pumped for our big opening night - or, let's be real, *my* opening night, since I was the standout talent there. But then everything went south.

I kept peeking at the crowd through the stage curtains. My adoptive parents were there, and even some of their customers (thanks to my aggressive flyer distribution). Then, that damn vampire Celine walked in; I recognized her even if she was all dressed up.

She's the one who turned me. She made me even more incredible than I was as a mortal, so I guess I owe her for that. Still, she obviously wasn't there just for the show or a friendly chat. Something was off.

I tried to focus on my part, but she was staring at me like a creeper. I think she was messing with my head, compelling me, because suddenly I felt this crazy blood lust.

I didn't even make it to the intermission. I felt my eyes become irritated with hunger, my lips parched, and my canines longer and sharper, all of a sudden; I covered my mouth and bolted off stage, ashamed.

I thought I might find some respite in the back alley, but nope. I found a kid being attacked by what he called "dad," but looked more like a wild monster. My blood lust was still raging, so I attacked the creature and drank all its blood.

The kid was shook but strangely relieved. We exchanged nervous glances, and then the theatre's backdoor opened, and the crowd walked out. Celine led them, of course, screaming innocently in fake terror, pointing at me with my probably bloody mouth and the dead body.

People whipped out their phones, filming me - they're so gross. I froze, looking at my adoptive parents' shocked faces. They kinda knew about my... abilities, but not the full extent of what I can do now. My mom slipped a pocket mirror into my hands - some kind of amulet? I guess it was her way to say goodbye, for who knows how long.

I ran after that.

Now I'm in the countryside, hiding near a Sugar Shack. Perfect time to finally read that letter from my new contact.

~~~

Wow, Ava sounds really dull. Probably a stickler for rules, I can tell already.

The part about people turning into monsters was interesting, though. I texted my friend Lukas about it - he's always online and knows about everything that's happening in the world, somehow. Now that I'm up to speed with the news, I think the guy I killed might've been one of those transformed people.

Maybe helping Ava solve the mystery will prove I was just defending a kid, even though there's more to the story. If I can then reveal I'm a vampire, I could be the supernatural hero Montreal needs. No more hiding, just fame. Whoa.

Alright, let's do this.

--------------------

This is a playthrough of a solo TTRPG called "Dead Letter Society", by Rori Montford.

You can check it out on itch.io: https://montfordtales.itch.io/dead-letter-society

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solottrpgchronicles · 3 months

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3a. Secret Passage - The Last Tea Shop

Shop name: The Vagrant Tea Leaf

Supplies: sea salt, ginkgo leaf, giant puffball

Days: 11

Visitor: a minstrel

It's been a few days since the last visitor, and the insistent drizzle still isn't letting up.

While I'm lost in my daydreaming, the door opens, startling me.

"W-welcome!" I greet my new visitor. They're carrying a lute, so I assume they must be a musician of some kind.

Tired, yet exuding self-confidence, the visitor nods at me and sits down at the table.

As I brew a cup of Gumboot Tea for the mysterious stranger, I fire off my first question: "You look like someone who might have traveled a lot. Have you ever seen something unusual, and if so, what was it?"

"It must indeed show that I've traveled, and in fact, I feel so very tired. You could certainly say I've laid eyes on a myriad of peculiar folks, visited strange places, and encountered wondrous things. The oddest of all was perhaps that book…" They sigh, getting lost in their thoughts for a moment before resuming; "I was roaming the hallways of a castle, one night after a show. Truth be told, I sought the castle's kitchens, for I always feel a hollow pit in my stomach around midnight.

The surroundings were shrouded in darkness, and my only companion was a flickering torch. I stumbled over an unseen obstacle, my face nearly meeting the cold stone floor; right then, I heard the clanking of heavy armour and turned to see it sliding aside, along with the wall behind it. I had found a secret passage.

At that point, I couldn't resist, so I ignored the protests of my hungry stomach and ventured inside. I had only heard of secret passages in fantastic tales before; can you imagine the excitement I felt?

The passage led me to a chamber lined with bookshelves. A singular, small tome rested upon a reading desk at its center, open. Its pages were covered in intricate symbols, similar to runes.

As soon as I touched its pages, I was taken by a powerful vision: I suddenly had knowledge of everything happening within the walls of castle and outside, in the nearby town; I glimpsed into the lives of its denizens, witnessing their actions and emotions…

I was aghast. That was devilry of the highest order, and while I was tempted to turn the tale of my adventure into a song, my instincts urged me to put miles between me and that cursed place. Initially, at least. Then, I decided I couldn't abandon such a book."

"Fascinating," I comment earnestly, while bringing over the tea. "So, what did you do? Did you hide it?"

I hover around with my serving tray under my arm as they take a few sips and then reply.

"Hmm, marvellous tea. Yes, I deemed it prudent to steal and then hide the tome. Perhaps I should have followed my instincts instead and let it be; I might have lived longer, in that case.

Yet, as fate wanted, I had to perform again the following night - this was a private encore for the Sovereign and select kin; the night ended earlier than usual.

I feigned sleepiness, and soon after I sneaked out of my room. I recalled the location of the secret passage; identifying which floor tile to move was child's play. It seemed like a big flaw in design, but it certainly worked in my favour.

I infiltrated once again, grabbed the tome, and hastened away. I fled the castle using a makeshift rope woven from tied-together sheets.

After many days of traveling, I reached a vast lake and threw the accursed book into its depths, hoping no one would ever find it; perhaps the water damage would put a stop to the tome's evil magic.

Alas, the Sovereign noticed the theft, and it required little imagination to pinpoint the culprit. Admittedly, my scheme could have been more artfully devised... and now I find myself here."

They stare in the distance, theatrically, their soul clearly warmed up by the tea.

With a smile, I observe them stare at every little detail within the shop before leaving.

"I don't suppose you know my last customer?" I ask, as they stare at the portrait of the gambler.

"I do not, but I recognize the expression of someone who had a hard life. Well, I'll be off then, and thank you for the tea!"

They happily close the door behind them, grab the lute and play a song, the echo still lingering as they disappear in the warm drizzle.

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This is a playthrough of a solo TTRPG called The Last Tea Shop, by Spring Villager.

You can check it out on itch.io: https://springvillager.itch.io/last-tea-shop

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solottrpgchronicles · 3 months

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6. Unravel (part 1 of 2) - The Lighthouse at the Edge of the Universe

Keeper: 1035

Date: Viridian 8, year 9402

Temperature: 18℃

Weather: rainy, with dark clouds

It took me a bit of fidgeting before successfully turning on the lighthouse's main light; I was distracted by the thought of my blanket, now ruined after many years of proud service.

It was an accident: as I stood up from my chair, I didn't notice the blanket getting caught up in its legs, and now the thread is unravelling at the edges.

I knew I had to crochet more than one blanket; I have been using the same one for years, and I'm fond of the memories tied to it. It's been a loyal companion during many cold days.

Since it's a quiet, rainy night, I thought I might have time to fix it, except I couldn't find my old wool thread anymore. I'll have to procure more somehow, but for tonight, I decided to give up.

Now, staring outside, I can see threads of lightning forming through the clouds; they look like a net, or even a blanket, unravelling just like mine.

I can feel the energy of that thread warping the space around me. The ground is shaking, is it an earthquake?

I can't remember anymore, what was I thinking, what was I doing here? Was there a yesterday, is there a tomorrow? When is now?

~~~

*Time warps*

----------------------------------

This is a playthrough of a solo TTRPG called The Lighthouse at the Edge of the Universe, by lostwaysclub.

You can check it out on itch.io: https://lostwaysclub.itch.io/the-lighthouse-at-the-edge-of-the-universe

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solottrpgchronicles · 3 months

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2a. Chasing That High - The Last Tea Shop

Shop name: The Vagrant Tea Leaf

Supplies: sea salt, ginkgo leaf, dried sage

Days: 7

Visitor: a gambler

The drizzle today creates a symphony of tiny hands knocking on the windows, the roof, and at the door.

Except then, a real knock interrupts the gentle sounds, and a weary woman enters. She takes a seat at the only available table, offering a hesitant greeting. I respond with a smile and set the kettle on—she looks like she could use a cup of my Comforting Brew.

"I hope the rain didn't bother you too much; when it's this light, I find that it helps me think. Did you realize anything on the way here?" I ask, unceremoniously as usual; with spirits, time is of the essence.

"Right, I did, in fact," she says, stroking her cheek, perhaps too tired to note the strangeness of the question. "I was a gambler, you see. I had a terrible addiction, and now I realize it was fear that led me to this, the absolute lowest point in my life.

I don't think I've been especially unlucky; I was the primary cause of all my problems, and this was one of them. I guess I had never found a purpose; I had a mediocre 9-5 job that felt like a noose around my neck, shallow relationships so I could avoid commitment, and superficial friendships just to fill my weekends.

I never let anything feel too important to me, nobody get too close—that was my way of protecting myself. I kept the world at arm's length, so I wouldn't feel the pain of rejection.

I stumbled upon gambling by chance. The first time I tried, I experienced a roller coaster of emotions unlike anything I had ever felt. The euphoria of winning was so good... I needed more of it.

By the time I was back home alone in my squalid 300 square ft apartment, I'd feel empty. I could have done something to make my life better, but no, the easy answer was out there. More gambling, more chasing that high.

Obviously, it didn't end well. I gambled just about all I had, and it turned out to be the most miserable period of my life.

I'm sorry I didn't have the resolve to stop or get help before my ultimate departure."

She seems like she's in need of a hug, but since I'm not the hugging type, I bring her the Comforting Brew instead. Close enough.

After a few sips, her jaw relaxes, and her hands aren't gripping the mug as tightly. What little sunlight is coming through the golden-tinted window glass reflects on her hair.

"Tell me about your journey to the tea shop," I try, picking a more neutral question.

She takes a sip and nods; "I remember I was crying in a dark corner for a while. I didn't know where I was, but I had the sense I had left the mortal world. Suddenly, I started to smell something in the air—sea breeze, rain, tea. As soon as I stood up to walk, a trail through the woods presented itself before my eyes, leading me to this cliff, to this tea shop.

The rain made me feel almost alive again."

I return her half-smile, glad the tea is doing its job.

As she stands up to leave, she stops to look at a painting on the wall depicting my previous customer, the old sailor.

"Do you know him?" I ask her.

"Actually, yeah, I think so... He reminds me of someone who helped me up and brought me to a hospital one time I had almost drunk myself dead. I'm not sure, though; I blacked out a lot that night."

With one last glance at the painting, she exits the shop. I see her disappear into the rain, and immediately after, a portrait of her appears right next to the sailor's.

---------------------

This is a playthrough of a solo TTRPG called The Last Tea Shop, by Spring Villager.

You can check it out on itch.io: https://springvillager.itch.io/last-tea-shop

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solottrpgchronicles · 3 months

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5. Echoes of the Past - The Lighthouse at the Edge of the Universe

Keeper: 1035

Date: Liminaember 12, year 9401

Temperature: -14℃

Weather: calm but cold

The breeze outside cuts like a knife. If you glance out the windows, it looks like a pretty decent day to be out and about. But, alas, during this time of the year, you have to be careful on dry, cloudless days - that's when your limbs can freeze off more easily.

So, after my usual maintenance checks, it was time for some reading, wrapped up in my favourite blanket. I need to remember to stock up on books and return the ones I have when the library's ship flies by next time.

I reached for the mug of hot tea on my side table, but I only grabbed air. I turned around in confusion, only to realize it was on the kitchen table instead. Strange... did I forget it there, still steeping?

But no, as I got up to take the mug, I saw I had already removed the teabag. I must have been lost in other thoughts and paid no attention to what I was doing.

Once I resumed my reading, I felt a gentle pull at the edge of my blanket and heard a childlike laugh.

Something in that sound made my eyes well up with tears, even before I consciously realized I had a very special visitor. Sometimes, quiet cold days can bring back echoes of the past, of the present in faraway places, and even of the future.

Focusing on the shimmer in the air, I started to see a shape - then the echo fully revealed itself to me.

It was a child, a 2 or 3 years old human child, who looked a lot like me. I gazed into those round, happy eyes and felt an unbearable nostalgia, an unexplained longing. For my own past, perhaps? Was this an echo of myself, a long time ago? I was somehow quite sure I had never had kids, even if I couldn't exactly remember, so that must be it.

I had been a kid of course, it would make sense since I'm human - I just didn't have any memory of it.

While I was puzzling over the apparition, the child and the shimmer around her disappeared completely, in the blink of an eye. Everything fell silent.

I know I didn't imagine it, though. I tried to continue reading, but my focus was entirely gone, tears streaming down my face. What's the point of dwelling on a past I can't remember? I'm just a lightkeeper, and I'll spend the rest of my life here - that's all I need to know.

I sipped my tea; it left a bitter taste in my mouth.

---------------------

This is a playthrough of a solo TTRPG called The Lighthouse at the Edge of the Universe, by lostwaysclub.

You can check it out on itch.io: https://lostwaysclub.itch.io/the-lighthouse-at-the-edge-of-the-universe

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solottrpgchronicles · 4 months

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1b. Have You Heard? - Dead Letter Society (Ava)

Toronto, Jan 12, 2024

Well, I finally put an end to my procrastination — I wrote a letter to that Emile, whose address was provided by the Dead Letter Society.

One ought to expect more enthusiasm on my part; after all, he might help with the pressing matter at hand, or even contribute to my primary objective, if I'm lucky.

Nevertheless, having wandered the Earth for so long, I find it difficult to feel hopeful. Though I am associated with the Dead Letter Society, it doesn't mean I automatically trust them.

Above all, I've been preoccupied with the recent events. I now believe that keeping my jewellery store at the Eaton Centre isn't the brightest idea. The seemingly arbitrary transformations of individuals usually happen in close proximity to shops; the transformation is immediately followed by a rampage, as if they're obeying clandestine instructions in search of a specific target.

One of the mutated beings struck me, last week. Fortunately, I managed to run before anyone noticed my lack of blood or the near-immediate healing of my grievous wound.

I'd rather continue my investigation, but remaining in that place poses a threat — if not to me personally, to our shared secret. It might be mere paranoia on my part, but I wonder if this could be an intricate scheme to unveil the existence of vampires. If so, what would the mastermind behind this plot stand to gain from this revelation?

Mr. Finch made an interesting observation, while we were reviewing information about the cases: all those affected had visited Algonquin Park within the past three months. Initially, I dismissed it, thinking it was common for Canadians, especially for residents of Ontario, to visit Algonquin sooner or later.

Also, what about foreigners? If something in Algonquin is triggering sudden mutations, why haven't there been reports of incidents abroad? Unless other countries are keeping them a secret, but that seems somewhat unlikely.

This whole situation doesn't make sense to me.

What's worse, Georgie from the diner has a brother who experienced a mutation. I promised her to do everything in my power to help; except, I don't even know where to start. It's incredibly frustrating.

I don't even know why I, a creature considered monstrous and essentially immortal, concern myself with the existence of other supernatural beings. Do I worry about potential competition? Or is there still a lingering trace of humanity within me, causing my heart to ache for the common people?

Maybe I'm just tired of losing everyone. I've faced a fraction of eternity in solitude already, and it's not an experience I'm eager to repeat.

Signing off,

Ava Bennett

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This is a playthrough of a solo TTRPG called "Dead Letter Society", by Rori Montford.

You can check it out on itch.io: https://montfordtales.itch.io/dead-letter-society

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solottrpgchronicles · 4 months

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1a. Nothing But Saltwater - The Last Tea Shop

Shop name: The Vagrant Tea Leaf

Supplies: sea salt, quartz crystal, ginkgo leaf

Days: 4

Visitor: an old sailor

At the border between the land of the living and the realm of the departed, a trail of mist leads the weary souls to a towering cliff overlooking the ocean.

There, overgrown grass sways violently in the wind; the sun is perpetually hidden behind heavy clouds, creating an illusion of impending rain that never actually arrives.

At the very top of the cliff is a somewhat precarious two-story structure made of brick and wood: a tea shop.

Worn wooden panels in a faded forest green shade frame the windows and the door. The sign says "The Vagrant Tea Leaf".

Inside, a few lights punctuate the penumbra, showing shelves upon shelves laden with an assortment of teapots, mugs, and jars holding all sorts of teas; however, strangely enough, there's only one round table accompanied by two chairs, ready for visitors.

Random phrases are scattered everywhere – on chalkboards, scraps of paper pinned to the wall, and even etched onto the furniture. Some of the messages say "Watch your step," "Savour the flavour of your memories," and "There's always time for one last cup."

---------------------

A sailor walks in, takes off his cap, and looks around confused. It's time to start brewing my special Draft of Recall tea.

I tell him to sit down at the table, while I throw my first question at him. "Hey there, traveller. What's the last thing you remember?"

He gives me a wide-eyed look, like he didn't expect such a serious question right off the bat. But we've only got time for a cup of tea, and I'm not gonna waste it.

"Uhm…" He starts, messing with the cap in his hands. "I'm not really sure about all the details, you know? It all happened so fast… got lifted in the air, then bam, fell hard into the water. I think I sank like a sack of potatoes. But how's that possible? I spent my life at sea, and I wasn't even a good swimmer? Was I wounded? And then, no one came to help, maybe they couldn't. I hope they realized I was gone, at least."

He pauses, his voice shaky; "My life was nothing but sailing, seeing lots and lots of saltwater everyday, with wind and sun and rain on my face. I followed the captain's orders, and it suited me; I never liked making decisions. But, I was always on the sidelines, never the main character, even in my own story.

Do the crew even miss me, or anyone for that matter? I hope so. But they'll probably just say a prayer for me and move on."

The tea is ready, I bring it to him and sit down, giving a friendly smile. "What are you proud of?" I ask, after he takes a few sips.

He wipes his mouth with the back of his hand, even though there are napkins around. "I wasn't the brightest," he begins, taking a moment to think; "but I was a hard worker, and extremely loyal. The captain... Captain Farday, that's right. I knew his father before him, he was the one who first hired me when I was a young lad. I watched his son grow up. When he took charge of the ship, most people in the crew doubted him, but not me - I knew he had the heart and the brains to be an excellent captain, and I would have followed him to the ends of the Earth. Turns out, I was right - our journeys brought us a lot of fortune, and he never refused help to anyone, no matter who needed it.

Guess that's the one smart choice I made - I could've taken orders from anyone, but I picked a good one. I saw his potential, and I'm proud to have served under him.

I hope my service was at least half as good as all the life lessons I learned from him."

I let him finish his tea in silence.

When he's done, the sailor puts his cap on and heads out. Standing at the cliff's edge, he looks peaceful, as he spreads his arms and takes in the smell of the ocean, before the mists carry him away.

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This is a playthrough of a solo TTRPG called The Last Tea Shop, by Spring Villager.

You can check it out on itch.io: https://springvillager.itch.io/last-tea-shop

#ttrpg #indie ttrpg #playthrough #journaling #journal entry #itch.io #solo ttrpg #solo games #tabletop rpg #tabletop roleplaying #tabletop role playing game #the last tea shop #tea #teapot #tea cup #memories #melanchonic #nostalgia #tw death

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solottrpgchronicles · 4 months

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4. Dancing Lights - The Lighthouse at the Edge of the Universe

Keeper: 1035

Date: Nebulaever 28, year 9401

Temperature: 2℃

Weather: soft rain

Last night's storm quieted down into a gentle rain. I placed the Sunseveriae outside again, as they seemed to enjoy today's weather.

While standing in the rain, I noticed a faint light in the distance. Squinting, I realized it was actually several rainbow-coloured lights. Unable to discern their nature, I decided it didn't matter. I simply watched them move rhythmically, separating and reuniting, forming circles and other shapes, as if engaged in a dance.

I thought I heard faint music too, but it could have been my imagination.

As soon as I stepped inside, still smiling from the unexpected sighting, I felt a strange warmth and saw myself surrounded by light. The colours shifted, adapting to my emotions.

I tried to communicate with the light, saying, "Hello? Can you understand me?" I waited for a response, unsure.

"Yes! We saw you, and you saw us. You seem lonely. Can we stay?" They spoke directly into my mind, as if they were a part of me. As much as I had loved the dance in the sky earlier, this interaction left me a bit spooked.

The lights shifted rapidly from bright orange to green, mirroring my complicated feelings.

I was both hurt and relieved that they sensed my loneliness, a feeling I rarely acknowledged. I had chosen this life, as far as I could remember—though it felt as if I had always been here, with no real recollection of events before that decision.

This is my world, and I love it. I love my routine, staring into space, marvelling at it. But…

The lights turned electric blue.

"You seem alarmed. We'll go away, we never wanted to hurt you." They said, as if causing such feelings was akin to stabbing me. Maybe they weren't that far off.

"Wait…" I whispered, looking at the light emanating from my hands. "If you can inhabit inanimate objects, rather than living creatures, maybe you could reside within the light in this lighthouse? Then you could go out and dance around whenever you want, for as long as you want to stay. I'll come talk to you every night."

"Yay!" They exclaimed. I felt the warm light leave me, watching it float through the lighthouse and up to the light.

Even though I felt colder, the dancing light was right there. They were going to stay and make everything brighter.

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This is a playthrough of a solo TTRPG called The Lighthouse at the Edge of the Universe, by lostwaysclub.

You can check it out on itch.io: https://lostwaysclub.itch.io/the-lighthouse-at-the-edge-of-the-universe

#solo ttrpg #ttrpg #indie ttrpg #the lighthouse at the edge of the universe #playthrough #journaling #journaling rpg #journal entry #universe #itch.io #solo games #tabletop rpg #tabletop roleplaying #tabletop role playing game #scifi rpg #cosmos #space #lights #loneliness

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solottrpgchronicles · 4 months

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3. Sunseveriae - The Lighthouse at the Edge of the Universe

Keeper: 1035

Date: Nebulaever 27, year 9401

Temperature: 4℃

Weather: yet another astral storm

Such frightening weather, today.

A sudden crack of thunder startled me earlier, while I was attempting to light the lamp; I had to wait for my heart to stop racing, before trying again.

The day seemed perfect for indoor chores, but as the storm intensified, an unfamiliar noise emerged: a whimpering sound accompanied by a rustling of leaves.

Reluctantly, amidst the storm, I opened the door. The source of the commotion was immediately clear: several small potted plants with blue-green feathery leaves were resting on the Lighthouse's front steps, trembling.

A card was hidden in the soil; it read "Thank you for fixing our ship! We hope you'll enjoy the company of these Sunseveriae as a small token of gratitude. Feel free to give them names - they don't have any yet."

I remembered helping a group Novanians a few years ago - they must be finally back on their planet after exploring their galaxy. Exciting!

I looked at the Sunseveriae; as an amateur botanist, I had heard of their exceptional expressiveness. Apparently, on Nova Star vegetation undergoes peculiar evolution to benefit from the native people's care. It proved advantageous for Novanians as well, but that is a story for another time.

Unfortunately, they seemed unaccustomed to such intense storms; after all, it almost never rains on Nova Star. So I brought the shaking and frightened plants inside, dried their pot with a towel, and wrapped each one in a warm blanket.

Fortunately, I kept some UV lamps on hand. Between the blankets and the light, they soon appeared comfortable and at ease, forgetting all about the storm.

I plan to join them shortly, with my own blanket. Perhaps we can cuddle up and watch a movie together.

I wonder what I should name them...

---------------------

This is a playthrough of a solo TTRPG called The Lighthouse at the Edge of the Universe, by lostwaysclub.

You can check it out on itch.io: https://lostwaysclub.itch.io/the-lighthouse-at-the-edge-of-the-universe

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solottrpgchronicles · 5 months

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2. Pirate Ships - The Lighthouse at the Edge of the Universe

Keeper: 2035

Date: Solarember 28, year 120572

Temperature: 15℃

Weather: Soft Rain

Observations: A fleet of pirates riding the solar winds

It's a lovely night outside. Pirate ships don't pass by very frequently.

Peering through my rusty binoculars, I saw them happily waving their hats at the lighthouse as a token of gratitude for the guidance; I waved back, even though they probably couldn't see me.

A considerable amount of debris was being dragged along the cosmic currents, trailing their ships; some of the remnants washed up on this island's shores.

Among the items I discovered:

A fully functional telescope (possibly dropped by the navigator?)

A salvageable recording device - perhaps I can transform my journal entries into a podcast!

Several tubes - they might prove useful at some point

A damaged circuit board - it's quite battered and broken, not sure it's worth the effort to repair it

Some charred and melted wires

Meteor fragments, undoubtedly from the recent meteor shower. While geologically intriguing, I hope they didn't damage those vessels.

It's been a calm, peaceful night, but enchanting all the same - the spectacle of the pirate fleet put me in a good mood. I know I shouldn't be fond of pirates, but they're so charming and magnificent!

I'll go to sleep now, leaving the light on as always. I hope I dream of all the stars in the universe.

Goodnight, lighthouse.

----------------------------------

This is a playthrough of a solo TTRPG called The Lighthouse at the Edge of the Universe, by lostwaysclub.

You can check it out on itch.io: https://lostwaysclub.itch.io/the-lighthouse-at-the-edge-of-the-universe

#indie ttrpg #the lighthouse at the edge of the universe #playthrough #journaling #journal entry #universe #itch.io #solo ttrpg #solo games #tabletop rpg #tabletop roleplaying #tabletop role playing game #ttrpg #pirates #pirate ship #vessel #space #cosmos #spaceships

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