My D&D Solo Roleplay Folder

Here are the resources I have in my ring-binder folder that I use whenever I solo roleplay.

I have added this over time and it is a combination of hand-written tables and tables and other information taken from various sources.

I have changed stuff to suit my own preferences and recommend you do this as well.

Hopefully this will get you started. Don’t be overwhelmed – just pick two or three of the references linked below and start from there.

Unlike the rest of my blog, this post uses affiliate links. This helps support the work I do without costing you anything! If you click links to DriveThruRPG and buy something I get a small cut of their profits. Happy if you don’t use them though. 🙂

The Folder

A pretty non-descript folder holds worlds of adventure.

Oracle

I use a simple D6 oracle I have mentioned before on this website. I find it super quick and easy, and I find no need for anything else.

1. 1. 1. No, and
      2. No
      3. No, but
      4. Yes, but
      5. Yes
      6. Yes, and

Wilderness Generation

For generating wilderness, I use a combination of two resources:

1. 1. 1. AD&D Dungeon Masters Guide, and
      2. Filling in the Blanks

I use a table from the DMG (see below) to create the main 6-mile hex’s basic terrain, and then I use Filling in the Blanks to see how many features and lairs exist in that hex.

I then create a random encounter table based on the results from Filling in the Blanks and then proceed with travelling through it.

Dungeon Generation

For dungeons, I use a combination of tables from various sources.

Dungeon Maps

For small or quick dungeons, like 5-room dungeons, I use Pipe Dreams Press D12 Wandering Dungeon Generator.

For larger and mega dungeons, that go on endlessly, I use a combination of D100 Dungeon‘s Table M mapping table and Donjon’s D20 Random Dungeon Generator.

Two newish dungeon creators I have started using are:

1. 1. 1. Blue Dungeon Generator and Geomorphs
      2. Random Dungeon Generator series by The Black Fortress, which includes the following titles:
         1. 1. • Caves & Caverns
               • Locked Doors and Secret Rooms
               • Secrets and Traps
               • Twists and Turns
               • Corridors and Rooms
               • Corridors and Traps
               • Open Doors, Secret Rooms
               • Dead Ends and Secret Rooms

Both of these use geomorphs which you can join together to quickly create a new dungeon.

Dungeon Contents

The main table I use for this is a room contents table which I have re-written (by hand) from the one located in the Dungeons & Dragons 3e Dungeon Masters Guide.

I also split the feature table into two separate ones: structural features and content features, excluding ones I didn’t like and adding in others.

A book I have been using of late is The Dungeon Alphabet by Goodman Games. It is an A-Z of tables based on dungeon items, like Alters, Doors, Passages, and so on.

A real godsend if you are creating dungeons and want to add some pretty cool random elements.

Random Encounter Tables

I use the table from the Dungeons & Dragons 3e Dungeon Masters Guide. But I adjust the results. I actually recommend you buy the 3.0 edition of the DMG as they have changed and deleted a lot of the tables I use in the 3.5 edition version.

The tables assume you are using CR and effective levels for your encounters. Given I don’t use these, I just look at the level of the encounter and ignore the multipliers.

This means a 3rd level dungeon can have a 6th level monster on it. This could be deadly, but that how I roll. I need to play smart.

I then, of course, use the dungeon encounter tables for each level.

I sometimes use the equivalent tables in the Dungeons & Dragons 1e Fiend Folio to mix it up or for specific dungeons.

To understand what the monsters are doing when encountered, I also use the table from Issue 1 of my d12 Monthly zine:

If 10-12 is rolled, I simply roll on the monster encounter chart again.

NPC Parties

In the encounter tables, there is always a chance to roll an NPC adventuring party as the “monster”.

For these, I use a modified version of the one found in the Dungeons & Dragons 3e Dungeon Masters Guide, but I modify it to only have the classes and races I have available in my campaign world (eg. no artificers or goliaths).

I use this for number and composition of the party, and then I use the Dungeons & Dragons 3.5 DMG II to flesh out the individual NPCs within the party.

Traps

I use the trap table from the Dungeons & Dragons 3e Dungeon Masters Guide.

Treasure & Magic Items

For magic items, I use a hand-written table which I altered from the one in the Dungeons & Dragons 3e Dungeon Masters Guide.

For treasure, I use a combination of various tables. To be honest, I have yet to find a comprehensive and good treasure table for monsters yet.

I love the Mother of All Treasure Tables for lair treasures as it gives a good variety of treasures at various amounts.

Story Creation

For this I use a Word Table, which I have mentioned previously on this site, to create several words and then develop a story or meaning out of them. For this I use the Verb List from The Solo Adventurer’s Toolbox by 5e Solo Gamebooks.

I am also developing my own own word lists for various specific areas using a method I have outlined previously.

Honourable Mentions

I also find the following resources great to use on occasion, although I don’t use them all the time, so they are not in my folder.

The Great Book of Random Tables by Matt Davids

D30 Sandbox Companion by New Big Dragon Games Unlimited

Over to You

I will add to this post as I find new sources to add to my own growing collection. What’s in yours? Any good products not mentioned?

While You’re Here…

Since 2021 I have been publishing a monthly zine, which has a ton of articles for any edition of Dungeons & Dragons.

They are also available on DriveThruRPG and printed copies are available via my Patreon.

I also have a growing Discord, where you can join in on my regular West Marches campaign.

I will also be releasing some more products in the near future, like several monster manuals and a series of soloRPG publications.

Feel free to reach out to me on Twitter any time.

 

While You’re Here…

Since 2021 I have been publishing d12 Monthly, a monthly zine, which has a ton of articles for any edition of Dungeons and Dragons.

Printed copies are available in my store. The PDF is available on DriveThruRPG and you can get both, plus support my work, via my Patreon.

I will also be releasing some more products in the near future.

Feel free to reach out to me on Twitter or my contact page any time.