<aside> 📢 This toolkit is meant to be used with a deck of cards, a ten-sided die, and a set of narrative dice from Genesys in order to play the Genesys RPG without a GM. Handle what you can with Genesys rules, and only consult this Oracle if you require new information, or decisions on how NPCs may act; you may find Genesys' Motivations helpful to these ends, as well.

This tool is adapted from the Apocalypse Solo Engine and the One Page Solo Engine (https://inflatablestudios.itch.io/one-page-solo-engine).

See also

Exploration Solo Play

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How to Play

  1. Create your character.
  2. Set the Scene. “My cop heads to the donut shop.” Not sure? Generate a Plot Hook or Random Event.
  3. Consult the Oracle to determine if the scene unfolds as expected, is altered, or interrupted.
  4. Continue playing the game to overcome the challenges of the scene.
  5. Use Pacing Rolls to move the action along.
  6. Set the Scene for the next thing you want your character to do, or pull a Random Event.

Cards

The game uses a normal deck of playing cards, including the Jokers. Generally, whenever you pull a card you’ll refer to a table telling you what result matches the number or rank you’ve drawn. Each suit has been given a specific theme, and shares this theme across all card-based Oracles. Each oracle will provide additional inspiration.

♣ Physical—this suit generally indicates a result pertaining to the tangible and real.
♦ Technical—this suit often pertains to comprehension and analysis.
♥ Social—this suit usually provides intimate and personal context*.*
♠ Mystical—this suit typically offers unusual or mysterious context.

When you draw cards, leave them aside in a discard pile rather than shuffling them back into your deck after each draw. If you draw a Joker, resolve the effect and then shuffle your discard pile back into your deck. Choose or roll 1d4 for a Joker’s suit if necessary.

Playing the Game

The following steps describe a typical sequence of play for solo and unmastered games.

Step One: Set the Scene

Describe where your character is and what they are trying to accomplish, then roll a Scene Complication (⧫⧫⧫⧫).

The purpose of the complication is to determine whether the scene unfolds as expected and described, or if something unexpected happens, or whether a detail about the scene has been altered.

Scene Complications

✸✸+ Status Quo—The scene unfolds as described. ⋀⋀ Unexpected NPC(s) present bode well for PC goal(s).
✸ Mystery—all is not as it seems. ⋀ The environment is different in a way that benefits the character.
Wash Behavior—an NPC immediately acts. Wash Nothing unexpected**.**
✕ Obstacle—something or someone blocks the way. ✇ A minor detail in the scene is worse than expected.
✕✕+ Conflict—hostile forces oppose you. ✇ ✇ Roll a Pacing Roll.

Step Two: Play the Game