#brambletrek

So I recently stumbled upon the concept of Solo RPGs - basically, you make a character and use the book to guide you through using tools to help randomize events - a deck of cards or dice seem to be the most common. Then you journal down what happens from your character's perspective. One such game is called Brambletrek.

(Art ©2023 Crossed Paths Press) In Brambletrek, you take the role of a Gnawborn (aka, Mousefolk) as they wander through the land of Akeroth. Cards are draw at character creation to build your character, then for every "day" that passes you draw cards to establish what events you come across. Sometimes you find things, other times you'll find creatures you need to fight. But at the end of every day, you write down what you encountered and track what happens to your character. Now, it doesn't HAVE to be a GM-less game or Solo and they even have rules for a guided game and group play. I actually discovered this because of their latest Kickstarter that repackages Brambletrek includes characters from the Hundred Acre Woods - that's right, it's got Winnie the Pooh and his friends as characters. It's not available yet (and won't be until next year), but the base game is absolutely available, so I thought I'd give it a shot. ^^

(Art ©2023 Crossed Paths Press)

Meet Elohim, the Seeker. Elohim was always fascinated by a strange stone monument that stood on the outskirts of town. A collection of creatures similar to - and including - the Gnawborn standing together as one. But between the growth and the intricate symbols none have been able to decipher, it has always felt like a mystery waiting for someone to solve. Elohim recently had a dream of the statues coming to life and glowing with a mysterious light. They look towards the forest, as if to tell Elohim that the answers he seeks lies beyond the tree line. The call to adventure excited Elohim; he'd always felt more at home in the woods than town to begin with. His mother was the towns best tracker and from her he learned not only how to read trails left by animals but what was safe to eat and how to tread silently in the shadows. As he prepares to leave his home village, he makes sure not to forget the worn out storybook his mother used to read to him. With it's pages filled with wonders and legendary creatures he can't help but ask himself if, someday, someone might write about his adventures as well. Starting Resources: Health: 6; Morale 12; Supplies 14 NOTE: While I'm intending to record Elohim's exploits, I'm not explicitly going to put what cards I drew - just what the results of the cards end up being. You're welcome to follow along or, if this interests you, you can always try the game out yourself!

Health: 6 | Morale: 12 | Supplies: 14 Inventory: Storybook

This is the furthest I've ever travelled away from home. As excited as I am, I can't help but be filled with trepidation. Mother always said this was a good thing - helps to keep your wits about you, keeps you from losing yourself to your pride so long as you don't let it consume you. She suggested a starting point for me, said I might find something useful to start my journey. Her knowledge of the forest never ceases to amaze me. Who knew that Heart Beets grew so close to the village? They're known for their healing properties and revitalizing effects. I made sure to only take one - the village might need them more than me, and I thought it would be a great way to start my journey (Health +6 [12]). As I ventured beyond the comfortable, I stumbled upon a cache of supplies. I looked around for the owner of the cache, but as I followed his trail I found that it lead to the Aldwund - a maze of tunnels that exists under the woods. Concerned, I gathered supplies from the cache - which was an item that seemed like it could be especially useful - and entered the depths. (Supplies +8 [20 MAX]; Item: Whispering Wind Chime). Within the twisting tunnels, I heard an echoing of flapping wings. As I rounded the corner, I witnessed an owl flapping and scratching at a collection of roots - someone was hiding behind them! I readied my bow, a drugged arrow notched, and let it fly. (Ability: Hunter's Eye - May use a Tactic before combat starts) (Owl Health 11 -> 9; Poisoned). Immediately the owl turned towards me and, whether from fury or from the potential more readily available meal, attacked. I managed to duck behind a rock as I evaded the talons coming at me - the toxin clearly doing it's job to slow it's reflexes. (Owl Health 9 -> 8; Poisoned). I lept out from behind the rock, letting another arrow fly, but as it pierced the wing of the creature it bounded towards me and flung me into the wall (Owl Health 8 -> 4) (Elohim Health 12 -> 9; Stunned). As I tried to gather my wits, it's talon grazed my arm. (Elohim Health 9 -> 7). I immediately dove behind the rock once more and applied some hasty bandages, narrowly avoiding the beak that threatened to take my arm. (Elohim Health 7 -> 9). It was then that I heard some scratching beyond the wall, something familiar. I wracked my brain as quickly as I could then, once I realized what it was, I whistled. The mole plowed through the wall and clawed wildly at the owl. Startled at the sudden appearance of a new opponent, the owl brought up it's injured wings to shield itself from further claws. (Owl Health 4 -> 2; Defensive Stance). Using the mole as a distraction, I lined up one last shot and fired it at the owl. With an arrow in it's back and a mole in it's front, the owl decided we were no longer worth the effort and absconded. (Owl Health 2 -> 0) The mole, more confused than anything, continued it's tunneling in search for sustenance. Once the dust cleared, I made my way over to the trapped Gnawborn. His name was Otto - a traveler who hails from a town hidden in a deep cave. He came to the forest in search of supplies - it was in fact his supplies that I had ran into! As a thank you for the rescue, he allowed me to keep the chime and I found him fresh berries to replace the supplies I took. We sat together and he told me about his hometown. The idea that others lived so far away with such different yet similar existences only served to excite me for the journey to come. (Morale +6 [18]; Supplies -4 [16]) There are so many wonders in this world, and I haven't even scratched the surface yet. Maybe tonight my dreams will guide tomorrows steps. -Elohim Health: 9 | Morale: 18 | Supplies: 16 Inventory: Storybook, Whispering Wind Chime