Continuing international RPGs, with solo playthroughs following on from Dragonbane with the French RPG Fléaux! Also using PUM (Plot Unfolding Machine as my emulator, and some of my own sea-themed random tables.
Fléaux! solo - intro | start | partway | finish | all rolling solo
Rolling solo - all | dragonbane | fléaux | ironsworn
Oracles in use - pum | mythic 2e | tri-cube
Disclosure - I'm a DriveThru RPG affiliate
RPG Introduction - Fléaux
fléaux intro | solo tools | chars | chargen
Fléaux is an dark fantasy RPG by Kobayashi, released in 2022 by. Kiboyashi also wrote the better known Black sword Hack, which I might try another day.
I'm mostly interested in Fléaux as it has a similar feel to Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay (WFRP), with elements of Old School Revival (OSR) / New School Revolution (NSR). It's niche is similar to Warlock!, a previous rolling solo RPG.
What gives it a WFRP feel is the lack of classes, costly magic, roughly 17th century feel, grim setting and inclusion of early firearms.
It's 100 pages, which includes character gen, rules, magic, a setting and a starting adventure. Also like WFRP. I've got a physical copy, but after checking don't have a pdf copy. I always find it odd when the physical copy doesn't include pdf version.
You start with 7 attributes between 7-15, with most between 9 and 12. They are Strength, Dexterity, Erudition, Charisma, Guts, Melee and Shooting. These are also the skills, with checks being d20 roll under. A roll of 8 against Strength of 12 would be a success, and a 1 a critical success. Checks can have Advantage and Disadvantage (same as 5E D&D).
There are 7 origins (human, halfling, dwarf, elf, goblin, ogre-blooded), each of which has a d6 table for your upbringing, plus an attribute boost. You also gain a profession such as ratcatcher or bounty hunter, which also gives an attribute boost and a benefit. The one for ratcatcher is "You are immune to poisons and most diseases"
Characters also get Willpower, which is a usage dice. Basically each time you check it, you roll the current die size (d6 by default). On a 1-2, it depletes to the next die size down (d4 from d6). If it was already at d4, it is depleted, which is usually a bad sign (or roll on the Panic table). Willpower allows characters to push themselves and also powers the magic system.
Combat looks quick and brutal, and I'm sure the characters will try it out soon.
There is a starting quest in the book but I don't like the look of it for solo, so all I know is that the adventure will be sea-related!
Solo Tools
fléaux intro | solo tools | chars | chargen
I'm trying out a new oracle and emulator this time with Plot Unfolding Machine (PUM) v8 by JeansenVaars. It has companion titles Scene Unfolding Machine and Game Unfolding Machine, which I have yet to try.
PUM has an explanation of solo gaming and using an emulator. There are also notes on different styles of solo and a few basic examples. To advance scenes you make modified proposals (you have an idea of what will happen) and random proposals (where it's a surprise).
We'll get into details of modified and random proposals when the adventure starts!
There is a Plot Track, a sheet to keep track of one (or more with multiple sheets) plot thread in your game. A plot has a number of sections to tick, advanced through scenes beats. There are several different types of Plot sheets and tracks, from Simple to Adventure, Heroic and Survival. I'll be using the Standard one, but can switch if another one appeals.
The Yes/NO oracle uses a d10 with three columns for different types of questions. Then there are several tables to qualify answers from the oracle and give ideas. using d10s or d100s, for a number of situations. Then there are plot sheets, which include a different random table for scenes, depending on the plot type.
PUM has a boatload of advice and examples, so would be a good choice for people starting out and wanting some guidance.
I'm planning a sea setting, so I'll be using some of my own sea random tables where appropriate, including new ones still to be published.
Introducing Maximian, Albin and Morwen
fléaux intro | solo tools | chars | chargen
Maximian Tertius
Human (Religious Institute) Bodyguard, Accused of hunting in a royal reserve. Thoughtful, dangerous.
STR 9, DEX 9, ERU 11, CHA 11, GUT 8, MEL 11, SHO 10
HP 9. Can absorb damage taken by a close character.
Equipment: Flail, knife, light armour, 12 shillings
Albin
Elf (Talking to foreign merchants) Burglar, Accused of killing a royal officer. Resourceful, distant
STR 12, DEX 11, ERU 9, CHA 12, GUT 10, MEL 9, SHO 11
HP 12. Advantage on Climbing, Lockpicking and Stealth.
Equipment: Bow (d6), knife, 8 shillings
Morwen
Goblin (Mines owned by elders) Mercenary, Accused of being an apostate. Ambitious, rectangular.
STR 10, DEX 10, ERU 9, CHA 9, GUT 12, MEL 12, SHO 10
Equipment: Light armour, knife, spear (d8), 7 shillings
HP 10. Damage die +1 size.
Character Generation for Fléaux
fléaux intro | solo tools | chars | chargen
Fléaux has the option of random character generation, so I went with that!
I even made a 2d6 table for Origin.
2d6 Origin: 2-3 Goblin, 4 Halfling, 5 Elf, 6-8 Human, 9-10 Dwarf, 11-12 Ogre-blooded.
I wanted a party of adventurers as the game is fairly simple and also looks dangerous.
You roll 2d6 for the 7 attributes (results 8 to 13), choose your Origin, roll for upbringing. Then very important is a d20 roll (or just choose) for your Crime, then choose a profession type (Resourcefulness, Isolation, Violence, Knowledge) and roll d6 for the profession. Then note a couple of stats and roll for your weapon. All really quick.
The first one I rolled was a Dwarf 😦. This I vetoed for first char after Dragonbane and Warlock! were dwarf-dominated.
I've also added two descriptors for each character, one each from PUM and my own random tables. I'm not sure how rectangular fits in but we'll find out.
Next time we'll see how they know each other when I come to do the starting scene in part 2. From their crimes there will be royalty involved.
Finishing Up
Let's see what trouble these three get into next time!
Have you played Fléaux ?
