Cartograph - discover a land, draw a map, have an adventure (solo RPG / journaling game)

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[@carolinelabbott2451]

You could supplement the biome roll with the hex flower memory. Modify the D6 table to 1-2 water, 3-4 same as nearest biome, 5-6 new biome.

[@carolinelabbott2451]

I think writing up some more unique biome prompts as well would help, using the other biome prompts as an inspirationsl guide.

[@MacLooken9019]

Thanks for another great review TDD. I enjoyed your review of solo RPGs, Caves & Catacombs & Ker Nethalas to be specific. I plan on getting these and incorporating the old game Outdoor Survival by Avalon Hill (Ebay) for my solo games as well for Hex crawling.

[@andrewsenseigames]

I’ve been working on a game with exploration and had the same problem - one die isn’t enough options for terrain. If 1 = “forest”, a second die with varieties of forest creates a much better map.

[@geminii.german]

try sandbox generator from Atelier Clandestin ISBN 978-2-9603330-2-2 or EAN 9782960333022

[@voldlifilm]

I ran into the same thing last week when I tried my hand at this.

[@mattjackson]

This looks fantastically fun, thank you for showcasing this. I purchased it immediately so I could give it a try.

[@TheDungeonDive]

Hope you enjoy it!

[@donjuandon]

I'm loving what I'm seeing here! Instant buy for me, looking forward to getting this to the table.

[@nathandavis9385]

Perhaps “nothing” means that it was an area you didn’t survey and this you have “nothing” to map.

[@donjuandon]

This is what I'm thinking too. Maybe it's left open to be defined by a future dice roll.

[@AdamKucharczyk]

this is exactly how I play.

[@natandjai]

It's real good this game I bought this at the Gold coast tabletop con It's nice to see local game make it international

[@ike_d5402]

Nice! Picked up a copy

[@TheDungeonDive]

It's good!

[@karkosky3472]

A solo journaling rpg about cartography!? This is hitting all of my specific niches!

[@MilenioOscuroGames]

Wow, it looks like an amazing game!

[@wileydutkiewicz3569]

This would pair perfectly with Cairn.

[@horacioaugustofilho6487]

I know you want to build your own game. How about you create a version of Cartographer for a seafaring/nautical journey, similar to Pirate Borg? You could use it as a trial for later, more complex games. Also as a mental exercise while fixing any flaws you found in the original game.

[@miked5394]

I picked this up along with some drawing books by JP Coovert (who lists Ed Emberley as an influence if you're of an age...) a few weeks ago. I totally agree we're in a golden age right now - so many truly innovative and interesting indie titles have been coming out, I can't keep up with them either! Cartograph almost feels like it could be added to other games or at least provide a great starting point to get you working on something much more detailed.

[@TheDungeonDive]

JP Coovert's stuff is really cool! Love his style.

[@Rathammergames]

We have some great games in this age including good solo games too!

[@TheDungeonDive]

Yep. Best time ever to be into adventure games.

[@arcubal]

I'm big on exploring and adventure. The bare bones or structure of moving around and discovering landscape elements is there, just not sure the excitement or atmosphere of adventure is. RTG solo experiences like these are big on surprise to fuel emergent storytelling but often need more fleshed out and specific content to create a cohesive adventure. Perhaps Brandon can come up with some adventure modules that provide specificity in the tables and add plot. But otherwise a tight little design.

[@TheDungeonDive]

This one is more about creating a map than it is about generating an adventure. But I was able to come up with a great adventure while playing.

[@AlbertoRodriguez-zb3iu]

Since I've discovered your channel I've immersed myself in solitary rpgs. But many of these games offer a piece or a part of a full rpg experience... Perhaps you'd make a video of the top 10 or 5 Journaling rpgs?

[@TheDungeonDive]

Yes. They often only focus on a single thing. I’ve got a playlist that has tons of RPG videos. I’ll have a top 10 soon.

[@rikimez127]

Absolutely needed this, just bought it. Love exploring with out too much save the world baggage. I am using Heroes of Adventure for supplement roll tables, another suggestion of yours ty

[@TheDungeonDive]

Right on! Thanks for the comment.

[@user-ju1du2sm6b]

There is so many. Wich one is the most immersive deep and guided among all these solo rpgs?

[@user-ju1du2sm6b]

Seriouslym wich one should i start with? I like deep story and immeesion the most. I like reading too

[@TheDungeonDive]

Can't really answer that for you. I can only present to you the information needed for you to make a decision.

[@user-ju1du2sm6b]

@@TheDungeonDive I checked ironsworn . No guided story. I'm going probably for the ctulhu ones

[@blainroman7317]

Cool game! Thanks Daniel. I agree a larger assortment of biomes would be welcome. Also, Perhaps the consequences of pulling a Joker could be increased in number. Regarding your wagon. How are you going to use it without a mount? Also, 1 gp. for a cart seems odd. Check that all the wheels are on it! One issue I have pondered about with journaling games is that you can write about what you have encountered but the role-playing element is lacking. For example, you run across the Cult but now how do you react? Can you encounter them? It's like you are creating a outline for a adventure but the details are missing. Maybe you don't agree. Looking forward to your future games.

[@TheDungeonDive]

Just making a story in these kinds of games, and not concerned with the mechanical details. These kinds of games are more creative exercises than rules game.

[@blainroman7317]

I meant to say that more mechanics put into the game may add more depth and realism.

[@TheDungeonDive]

It could. But it could also take away from the the spirit of the game.

[@user-ro2vo4lq1g]

Oh my, speaking hands 😅

[@TheDungeonDive]

LLLMMMAAAOOOOO!

[@captainnolan5062]

The map making (with the biome table of only 4 real results) seems much too simplistic in this game, and many types of terrain are missing.

[@TheDungeonDive]

That’s a valid criticism. But it’s still really fun, affordable, and offers up a great time for the size.

[@captainnolan5062]

@@TheDungeonDive Maybe at the $2.00 PDF price.

[@TheDungeonDive]

I mean, at $2 it's a no brainer. That's insanely cheap. That's the price of candy bar, and it will provide many hour of entertainment, and it is also a tool to make stuff for other games. We really are living in the golden age of adventure gaming. There are so many amazing games made by all of these super creative and generous people.

[@AdamKucharczyk]

treat it as an ignition for your imagination. the real discovery happens in your journal, so forest may mean sea-side brushes and dense mountain woods. or push the game far with Mythic GM emulator 😂

[@natandjai]

Funny thing also i used those exact cards when i played this game first 😂

[@TheDungeonDive]

Nice! Love those cards. :)