“The woods are lovely, dark and deep, But I have promises to keep, And miles to go before I sleep,” -Robert Frost
Welcome, dear readers, to my first installment of ‘Solo, But Not Alone’, inspired by the Itch.io bundle initially put together by Peach Garden Games. For those of us who enjoy the writing and creative elements of ttrpgs, it can be incredibly difficult to fully flesh out a story or a character via the typical avenues. And we all know how hard it can be to put together and schedule your favorite games with your friends, especially given the current state of the world. Enter, solo ttrpgs.
Typically journaling style games, players will encounter an insane variety of gameplay based on dice rolls, card pulls, and what they can generate from their own mind. Completely unique experiences, you get as much out of it as you put into it and these games are perfect for when you are between campaigns or when you simply need an excuse to write.
It was in the midst of one of my many pandemic spurned doom scrolls that I stumbled upon an Itch.io bundle titled, ‘TTRPGs for Trans Rights in Texas’. Eager to contribute to a good cause and give myself something to do beyond the usual ‘staring at a blank wall’, I purchased the bundle and started skimming through the now vast library of games in my possession. The benefit and detriment of purchasing bundles as someone with ADHD is that you are faced with many, many, many options for what to try first. I knew I wanted to play something solo, but that was hardly a small category. After a few hours, one game stuck out to me above the rest.
Created and published by Disaster Tourism (a duo made up of Kirby Franklin and Kristen Denner) ‘Evergreen Wilds’ is a solo TTRPG in which you recount your experiences during a season in a beautiful national park as a volunteer park ranger. To quote, ‘Evergreen Wilds’ is a “simple journaling system, with keyword, and weather prompts, and map locations to create unique encounters throughout each week the player is stationed.” These various choices are pulled from rolling a few different dice and pulling a few cards, allowing for innumerable unique encounters over the course of your season.
When you begin the game, you are asked to answer a few questions which help to set the tone of the experience. Mainly, “What are you hoping to gain from a season as a Ranger here at the Wilds?” and “What are some of your fears or concerns about spending a season here?” Once these are answered, you are ready to play. The beauty of this game, and others like it, is that you can immerse yourself as much as you would like. The experience is wholly your own with only the most simple of guidelines. With the luck of the dice and cards drawn, you are given your encounters for the week. A word, a location on the map, the weather, and the mood are all you get to jump off of.
There is something about the woods. There is no better descriptor for them in my mind than ‘eldritch’. When one is in the woods, it is easy to be reminded just how small you really are when surrounded by these aging giants who have seen so much of the world change around them. A walk in the woods can help to clear your mind and illuminate even the most hidden parts of yourself with the softest of rays flitting through the overhead canopy.
By providing you with just enough information about your encounter, the reigns are truly in your hands for where you would like the scene to go. Once you have solidified the premise of the encounter, it is up to you to describe it and find a resolution. The game centers heavily on these themes of resolving problems, and I am nothing if not a fan of allegory. Who knows what the lost group of campers near the old watch tower on a sunny day might represent to you? Or perhaps the poachers slinking through the furthest trail in the foggiest of weather.
This is a game for those who would like some time away from the bustling city, some fresh air and time alone in the gorgeous atmosphere only the woods can provide. The mechanics are simple and yet incredibly effective at making one feel like they are sending out reports to head office.
You can find the game here for only $3 and I would encourage you all to check out the other games published by Disaster Tourism if you enjoy the style of ‘Evergreen Wilds.’
I have also linked an example of one of my entries, if one might need some inspiration. Other examples can be found on my tumblr.
Until next time, dear readers.
