The Peril of Cymbaline Isle - Session 0 - A look at Scarlet Heroes, Character Creation (solo RPG)

[@SoloBoardGamingKnight]

When I first started this hobby over a year ago, I didn’t know what to expect. I remember watching your game collection video back then and thinking that there is a lot for me to learn (I almost felt overwhelmed). Now, I see things a bit differently. Nothing seems as confusing to me as it used to and I find myself looking for new game experiences. My kids are now older and I’m finding myself looking for ways to keep myself busy. Watching this video makes me want to form a group of people to play these types of games. The problem is, there is no one I know around me that is into this hobby. Most people just shrug it off. That’s too bad because this hobby has some genuinely amazing experiences.

[@roach2107]

Try solo play!

[@saraann8140]

Geek Gamers has some stellar solo-play ideas and techniques 😃

[@SoloBoardGamingKnight]

@@saraann8140 When your comment showed up, I was surprised to read my old comment. I remember writing this! So much has changed since then. Now I play solo Board games all the time and have found a huge passion for this hobby!

[@saraann8140]

@@SoloBoardGamingKnight Awesome - Hope ya have a blast and lots of fun 🥰

[@TheVisionaryKing]

This is really great. Loved so many things you went over, but I especially appreciated the "stop and smell the roses" introspective character questions bit and how that will gradually develop the character along the way. Very cool idea.

[@TheDungeonDive]

Thank you!

[@paavohirn3728]

Yeah! Definitely an idea to steal!

[@HereComeMrCee-Jay]

DCC and Goodman Games changed my TTRPG life: absolutely love it! That said, your critique is not wrong... DCC is not a system designed for playing indestructible super heroes. In my view, DCC is about playing a regular guy in an appendix N setting, who has a small chance of becoming a hero. And that's a big part of why I like it, because challenge and threat of death are what makes it fun for me (it's not fun for me if I know I can't die). And when I do get a character who actually makes it to level 5 and is extremely powerful, it somehow feels more real and gratifying. To each their own, of course: I get to like my style and you get to like your style! I have really been enjoying learning about solo gaming watching your channel these last few weeks. Thanks for your hard work!

[@TheDungeonDive]

With DCC, I don’t get an appendix N vibe at all. My collection of appendix N fiction is vast, and one thing is common among those books - the protagonists never die and they do super heroic things all the time! I think that’s where my disconnect with the game comes from. Scarlet Heroes, to me, feels more like appendix N gaming. But I really love reading and looking art DCC books! Great art. But as you said - I’m glad that all the different styles exist for all of us! That’s good. Thanks for the comment. :)

[@andrechapetta]

I think DCC puts a gonzo twist in appendix N fiction. You are not a hero, for sure. Its not a power fantasy game, quite the opposite.

[@benjaminalexander7028]

I think DCC is definitely more representative of Appendix N style heroism than almost any other OSR game (Scarlet Heroes being the exception). Its over-marketing of the funnel really drags down what the rest of the game is all about. DCC characters are some of the most capable and fantastical out there once you’re a level or two in.

[@michaelc8246]

Scarlet Heroes doesn’t get the love it deserves. Great video and I plan to watch the others.

[@TheDungeonDive]

It’s such a fantastic system. Love it.

[@davidk6269]

YES!!!! "Darkness Weaves" by Karl Edward Wagner!!! I absolutely love the Kane anti-hero. He is, bar none, my favorite sword and sorcery fantasy character. I am so glad to see that you too are a fan! ; ) By the way, I am really intrigued by your Peril of Cymbaline Isle game idea. Well done!

[@vast3394]

i agree with you on dcc, now that i've gotten into the osr im going to start paying solo rpgs thanks to years of watching you!

[@edwoodashton]

I should add I am grateful for this video - with my family+work time sinks I have little left for RPG'ing... and this vicarious middle-way is comforting.

[@TheDungeonDive]

Right on! Thank you. :) Hopefully it delivers on the promise. LOL!

[@crapphone7744]

You should try solo RPGing. You can pick it up and put it down when you like do a little or a lot because you're not dependent on other people

[@patkelley8293]

Love Howard and Moorcock! That's what we were reading when we were kids. I think individual sci-fi reading for the rpg player is paramount. I'm trying to get Scarlett Heroes. If you love Sci-fi check out Hyperborea 3e. I picked up the rules set. Based on 1e, great writing easy to understand.

[@brianfrazee584]

I had to double take at 31:05 because at first I swear I thought you said the character's weakness was "Distracted by nude discoveries." I was going to give you props for realism.

[@TheDungeonDive]

HA! Hilarious. So many nude discoveries! :)

[@solorpgguy]

Your videos on the subject influenced me to finally get Scarlet Heroes. LOL

[@TheDungeonDive]

Oh nice! You’ll love it. I just started a new game with it last night. :)

[@Ryotbh]

Generally I prefer the opposite of being the one "superhero"/legendary character. Starting with a hero who is deeply flawed and an every-day type of bloke that has to overcome his inadequacies; it is then the journey on how someone like that undertakes 'heroic' acts and steps up. As such, I like games like DCC as it stands opposed to D&D 5e, where frankly everything is a cakewalk when you hit particular levels. That being said, for the purposes of solo play, it can be easier to assume that you are that more Conan-esque character; able to fight your way through the world against impossible odds.

[@TheDungeonDive]

Right on!

[@SwordAgainstChaos]

The world in Scarlett Heroes is pretty cool but I prefer just using my own setting from other sources and using the rules as an overlay for one heroic character.

[@rolanejo8512]

Did not know DnDspeak. Thanks for the recommendation. I am currently planning a campaign with Kevin Crawford's Wolves of God and I am loving his approach and philosophy.

[@solorpgguy]

Rewatching you solo series, I agree with you about Dungeon Crawl Classics.

[@TheDungeonDive]

Glad someone does. :).

[@SwordAgainstChaos]

I agree as well. I have the book to look at - a lot of that art is spot for me but I prefer a simpler ruleset like Whitebox.

[@martinpelletier7444]

beautiful video! :)

[@TheDungeonDive]

Thank you very much!

[@Crinklechip-s]

Ive compared the hit dice in scarlet heroes v white box and they are different. I suggest if you want to use both having the dmg for your weapon from both books to hand. If you use white box switch to white box dmg otherwise you will become overly powerful! Really good video. I agree with your philosophy of roleplaying. I like solo roleplaying to be more heroic because its less fun dying when you are on your own. The shared experience of group play makes it far easier to accept the death of a PC. Thats my experience anyway.

[@TheDungeonDive]

Thanks! I’m good with being overpowered. :). That’s the whole point of Scarlet Heroes! But I’ll keep that mind if things start getting too wonky. Great tip for those of us getting started with the two systems!

[@Crinklechip-s]

@@TheDungeonDive I can’t argue with that 😁. My copy of white box is brand new. I bought it to play with scarlet heroes too. Scarlet Heroes is straight compatible with Labyrinth Lord. Thats way more crunchy though. I like the simpler rule systems for soloing. You convinced me to buy Table Fables. Never enough resources!

[@iwantagoodnameplease]

Which hit dice? PC or Monsters? They're identical between the two games, AFAICT. Though Scarlet Heroes and White Box: Fantastic Medieval Adventure Game don't have that many creatures in common. But for those that do they have the same HD.

[@Crinklechip-s]

​@@iwantagoodnameplease I am referring mainly to sub types in Scarlet Heroes. A lizardman ‘Old Sleeper’ for example has 7 HD as opposed to a standard Lizardman in Whitebox which has 2 HD. Also weapon dmg in both books is completely different.

[@chriselliott601]

What are compatible modules of high fantasy for Scarlet Heroes n white box system?

[@TheDungeonDive]

Don't know. I don't play modules. I like to make up my own stories and adventures.

[@josh1674]

I have hung out and played a lot with the DCC main guys and rather than Appendix N they might just be their own thing. Acid rocking, biker leather gaming that always goes to the extreme.

[@edwoodashton]

My first first ever yay!!!

[@mep4456]

Loving this. Looking forward to the rest of the series!

[@MarkDeibert]

Firstly, LOVE your channel. So much interesting and fun RPG content. When you have a minute: I absolutely LOVE the look of the illustrated game map/board under your books. What game is that for and/or where can I get that? Thank you! :-)

[@TheDungeonDive]

Thanks! The map board is from the board game Dream Wars.

[@SGTMaitiMaus]

Is the map underneath the books available somewhere?

[@TheDungeonDive]

Dreamwars board game.

[@mattj1871]

​@@TheDungeonDive that's not a Legend of the Five Rings map? Has to be the same cartography artist.

[@fufu1405]

The cover art is horrible, while the art inside the book is really cool, I honestly don't know how they let that happen. I almost don't want it in my shelf

[@crazyvolucris]

I adore those travel cards😍 where can I get those? And another great game. Thanks 🙏🏻

[@TheDungeonDive]

I got them on KS a few years ago. They’re part of a series called Pixel Loot.

[@davidk6269]

...by the way, I just noticed that you are left-handed. Was Kane being left-handed an extra added appeal for you? So few characters are left-handed.

[@TheDungeonDive]

Ha! You know, I almost never notice when characters are left handed. :)

[@marceloaam]

Hey Daniel. Loved the series! I know you put it on a hiatus, but, speaking of solo experiences, have you ever tried ironsworn? I heard very nice things about it. Keep up the excellent work! Love your channel. Cheers

[@TheDungeonDive]

Thanks! I’ve got Ironsworn ordered along with the new SF version.

[@ezebediah]

I love your dice… Where did you buy them?

[@TheDungeonDive]

No idea where I got those. I’ve had them for ages!

[@Scubasgamecorner]

Just discovered your channel recently...going through your videos as I have time. I really enjoy everything so far. Quick question ..where did you get those dice you are using in this video? I love them and must get them :)

[@TheDungeonDive]

The black ones from Amazon, the purple/blue ones from a thrift store.

[@Scubasgamecorner]

@@TheDungeonDive Ok Thank you

[@FredBednarski]

If you want to add some more East Asian influence to your game, I would recommend Zedeck Siew's "Thousand Thousand Islands" zines - they are a great intro to Southeast Asian style folklore for RPGs, by people from Southeast Asia :) While I never played Scarlet Heroes, it seems like it would do a good job at emulating Sword&Sorcery (more than many OSR stuff). Looking forward to see how it proceeds, as I am not familiar with litRPGs, but I do like your take of explaining it more in-world through religion :) Edit: Also, if only leave the traits and strip all other rules you'll pretty much have everything you need to play the way I do solo RPGs :D

[@TheDungeonDive]

I’m specifically looking for Asian inspired standees to use.

[@FredBednarski]

@@TheDungeonDive Thousand Thousand Isles has art for all of its cool creatures, but they are only black & white, so I am not sure if you would want to use that for standees.

[@TheDungeonDive]

It has colonial roots and was used to cast a net of exoticism over multiple cultures.

[@TheDungeonDive]

@@flowmosapien7787 It's not so much a racist term, but we should strive to not use it in order to recognize all of the unique and individual cultures caught in the net of Orientalism. It was also used in pulp fiction to create an OTHER for the white heroes to exploit. www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2016/05/13/the-long-history-and-slow-death-of-a-word-used-to-describe-everyone-from-turks-to-the-chinese/

[@FredBednarski]

@@flowmosapien7787 From my understanding (not a linguist or an anthropologist/ social scholar, so my understanding is pretty basic), it's because it lumped pretty much everything east of Europe (sans Russia) together, basically denying any of those cultures their individuality. More than that, the term was originally used to fetishise those cultures as mystical and "other" and by extent encouraging the viewer to treat people from those cultures not as humans, but some magical beings so different from us. So yeah - not a cool term to use, you're better off identifying the culture more directly :)

[@Grognard-Solo-Gaming]

This is a lot of fun to follow. Thanks! 👍😁

[@Scubasgamecorner]

Also is there anywhere we could download your house rules from this....would love to use these too

[@TheDungeonDive]

I don't have them available anywhere as of right now.

[@Yoloman147]

Yo. OSR stands for Operational Support Requirement.

[@TheDungeonDive]

Ah! So that's why I'm so confused.

[@stevenmcdonald1901]

What is an osr vs new moment. Does osr or newest own your heartstrings? Appendix vs fiction? What's different from dcc vs any other hero genre, what's the same?

[@TheDungeonDive]

OSR, at it's most basic, means old school rules, or games that emulate / copy early D&D. It sometimes means games that are lite on the rules. Sometimes it means games that are very deadly to the players. However, there are games like Scarlet Heroes which is "OSR" in some ways, but the heroes are great warriors. Then there are games like DCC which are considered "OSR" but they're very complex with dozens of weird dice and hundreds of charts and bonuses and modifiers to consider. So OSR really doesn't mean anything much any more. It's a weird term, and I don't like. But it can be useful to mean a certain kind of game. I look at more like meaning NOT modern D&D, not modern Pathfinder, more indie. Games like Mork Borg are considered "OSR" but they are NOTHING like old D&D. They are super simple, way more simple than even basic D&D.

[@johnwatts4755]

Very cool idea of using LitRPG and the red tide separating the isles. Looking forward to following this adventure.

[@TheDungeonDive]

Adds a level of gamification to the process, which I happen to like. Glad I was also able to force it into the lore. :)

[@rpgchronicler]

You have a copy of the house rules i can check out?

[@epone3488]

You mean to say "Action-Archeologist"!!!

[@TheDungeonDive]

Adventuring Archeologist covers action. :) action and adventure go hand in hand!

[@punkrockjazzstudio]

so awesome

[@TheDungeonDive]

I need to name the months!

[@captainnolan5062]

What game is the map under the books from?

[@TheDungeonDive]

Dreamwars

[@TeeeCeee]

You seem not to grasp idea behind DCC. It is actually quite simple. You are creating more then one character for first funnel game. Funnel ascends only one of character under your control at the end of first scenario (unless there is TPK). This feature lets making entry games more interesting. You can even put in them gods or other high level opponents, because of sheer amount of PCs. Game rules are made in such way you can't control nothing in it. You need fate on your side to overcome opposition (ie. dice rolls). This is not a game for controller type players. Everything in DCC is given by dice gods and everything is taken by them. This creates situation that really exceptional character can reach end (because dice gods are on you side). This is actually very cool idea (and very american) but can be brutal for some people (you can prepare and make plans and it can be helpful but may be not enough and you will perish). Enjoy your content. Thank you for your effort.

[@TheDungeonDive]

I’m talking post funnel. Played it many times. I grasp it. Just don’t like it. Not my thing. For me it doesn’t represent Appendix N fiction like so many of its fans say it does. I totally recognize I’m in the minority and will be absolutely demolished by OSR fans for speaking against it. :). So be it. But thanks for the comment and for watching. That’s the good thing about so many systems out there. We can always find one that fits us the best.

[@TheDungeonDive]

I don’t think I explained myself well in the video. DCC RPG calls itself “Appendix N” gaming, but as a constant reader of appendix N fiction, I don’t think the game captures the genre. It captures elements of it. I do like some of the supplements and continue to buy many of them.

[@TeeeCeee]

@@TheDungeonDive Now I understand better. It may really not be compliant with Appendix N

[@sethpeterson8261]

@@TeeeCeee DCC is based more on D&D 3.X than old school versions. Really the only thing old-school about it is the difficulty and easy death which is a pretty normal OSR thing. And I agree that it is weird they promote it as an S&S themed game when it doesn't really have a Sword & Sorcery vibe at all. Then again neither does D&D. Both are pretty standard fantasy. However they do make expansions for DCC that are more Sword & Sorcery: Lankmar, Tales of the Fallen Empire and supposedly Hubris

[@MiniWarzone]

Surely Oriental just means related to or situated in the Orient. I’m confused 🤔

[@TheDungeonDive]

It’s ok. Nothing a little education can’t fix.

[@MiniWarzone]

@@TheDungeonDive My mistake. I genuinely never realised. When I was younger I studied English Language at University so I should know well that language evolves. Alas I’m an old man now and am more than a little addled 😎

[@TheDungeonDive]

We old men need to pay special attention to changing words. :)

[@saraann8140]

I had the DCC system and loved the art - But the system was awful - The whole game was about killing your characters. Ive never seen an RPG that has the 'funnel' system where you create 6 to 8 characters just to have one survive to use. DCC is too anti-heroic and anti-character. 😕 I love Scarlet Heroes - The Asian theme just makes it that much better 🥰

[@TheDungeonDive]

Agree!

[@jameskeegan3108]

why is oriental not used anymore? I still play Oriental adventure quite frequently?

[@TheDungeonDive]

It was a blanket term applied by colonial powers that covered multiple people under a single exotic banner. It was used in pulp fiction to create an other for the often white heroes to exploit. It strips away the individual traits of the various people by lumping them all under a single banner, thus negating their individual traits. It’s just an outdated concept. Nothing wrong with still playing those adventures. Lots of articles and studies out there on it.

[@jameskeegan3108]

@@TheDungeonDive wrap your mind around this. It is a game term and a valid word use today. to describe a region of our world where various oriental peoples live. Not making any social justice statements. So please move on as I will from your page :) !

[@JevousGaming]

@@jameskeegan3108and nothing of value was lost.

[@TheDungeonDive]

@@JevousGaming Haha. Right?

[@bri.g.5105]

Cancel culture. I live in Asia and I see oriental and orient on many restaurants and shop titles. Even hear it used in speeches. I asked few people including my girlfriend and they don't understand what the big deal is. Philippines, Thailand, Japan no one cares