Coin Solo RPG System is now on version 1.05

For the latest version 1.04 Coin Solo RPG System which is found pinned to the top of my subreddit, see https://www.reddit.com/r/Solo_RPG_Tools/ .

It is a coin flip based solo RPG system, also available in a paid PDF format.

As for 1.04 vs 1.05, the bold features listed in the bullet are features now in 1.05.

I just uploaded and sent an email out to those who have purchased the PDF version. Check your library. The price went up a little, which I've been doing after every update after the introductory offer.

Here is the updated product description. The bold on the bullet point words indicate the new features since v1.04.

Coin Solo RPG System v1.05This Zine PDF brings together several social media posts for the creation of a coin-based solo RPG system.

This issue is being used to help fund a possible further creation of this coin-solo game system.

This PDF is rough and unpolished, though a few images have been added. It is single column and minimal layout and no editing.

This PDF has the following sections for the current 1.05 version.

• A simple Coin solo game engine (yes/no, succeed/fail, A or B).
• 2 character personality types
• 2 scaling attributes
• 4 skill-set models
• Combat and Character Charts on two pages
• 2 conflict-plot types
• 2 groups of sensory facts
• Coin Flip Combat Rules using Combat Score comparison
• 3 coin flip simultaneous combat damage system
• 3 coin flip targeting system
• Scaling weapon damage and 3 armor protection: absorption and reduction
• a Wound Trackers by body location for 4 degrees of life force: Grunt to Huge, based on one stat of the character.
• Ranged combat modifier
• A new example of 1.05v simultaneous coin flip combat
• an early 1.01 version example (pre coin combat system, I used a hybrid of One-roll Fudge and Remnant RPG Tools combat) creating a 5,314 word short story.
• The example creates a short story called "The Art of Love and Loss"

Want the PDF 1.05 Version updated Available at DriveThruRPG?

If you would like to support this thread monetarily by purchasing the 1.05 PDF version which combines all of the main posts found scattered throughout this board up until today's latest update and examples in an illustrated 86 page PDF you may find it at the following address.

https://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/319329/Solo-RPG-Tools-Zine-Coin-Solo-RPG-System

Random dream and interpretation creation using Dream Generator tool and added to the Dreadmarsh.

This page will be an artistic creation furthering the story began using the Environmental Mechanisms book, creating some intellectual property [IP], so first some legal stuff.

©2020 by Ken Wickham. All rights reserved.

[This webpage or parts thereof may not be reproduced in any form, stored in any retrieval system, or transmitted in any form by any means—electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording, or otherwise for any other person—without prior written permission of the publisher, except as provided by United States of America copyright law.]

In this project, the tool Dream Generator seems like something fun to use.

Dream Generator, which is one of the tools found in Character Mechanisms
Roll 10, 3 = 10 location person, place, thing, idea, 3 crossroad options, choices

So, the dream is of a location, a crossroad, which represents options or choices.

What else is in the dream?

Roll 8, 11 = 8 insects fear, anxiety; 11 termite attack on the soul or being.

This might mean that in the dream of the crossroads the dreamer sees termites eating a fallen log. An interpretation is that the person is at a point in life where the character must make a choice because the character is feeling attacks on the character's soul or being.

One more roll!

Roll 4, 2 = 4 clothing perceived, public self; new clothing new attitude or guise.

All together, this is the dream.

The character comes to a crossroad. Down one path lies a fallen log covered with termites eating the log. Down another path on a rock folded nicely sit a set of new clothing.

An interpretation for the character is that a point in life is coming near where the character will feel an attack on the character's soul or being when a choice must be made to change one's attitude or guise in order to pick the correct path in life.

Let me now apply this dream to that location created on 2/19/20 Neredhos Mareskos, the Dreadmarsh. Since it is a dream, I'll place it before the location.

Dream of crossroad and entrance into Neredhos Mareskos

©2020 by Ken Wickham. All rights reserved.

The character dreams of coming to a crossroad. Down one path lies a fallen log covered with termites eating the log. Down another path on a rock folded nicely sit a set of new clothing.

An interpretation for the character is that a point in life is coming near where the character will feel an attack on the character's soul or being when a choice must be made to change one's attitude or guise in order to pick the correct path in life.

...

The Neredhos Mareskos is a war-torn dead forest marsh.

On a clear and sunny day, the characters enter Neredhos Mareskos—a war-torn dead forest marshy area located between dead forest mountains and sandy hills.

The Neredhos Mareskos Giant Pale Violet Red Beetle inhabits the dead forest marsh.

The characters hear creaking!

Something in the present time is very important.

A small swarm of Meroedhos Mareskos Giant Pale Violet Red Beetles are attacking a swamp alligator with a pounce, stamp, ram, and/or slam. A creaking sound is heard echoing across the war-torn, dead forest marsh.

Adventure Creation notes from Wizard article applied to solo gaming

Here are my notes from the article series by Wolfgang Baur found at http://archive.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/ab/20060728a

[This page has been revised on 2/27/20 to inject massive amounts of notes and comments. It no longer is just notes. It is now "applied to solo gaming". References to my game engine and fact generator, which are also found in this blog or are part of my RPG tool series, are also referenced.] 

Material attributed to the website is center indented and bold.

I want to add my own notes to a select number of ideas.

This amount is from group encounters. I'm not sure if for solo encounters this would work. A standard group has 4 characters. Maybe dividing these numbers by 4 might make a more doable 1 person game.

Treasure

Ken's revised number of encounters for solo gamers based on the article.

~ 2 to 3 equal level encounters per level

~4 to 5 equal level encounters per level

or 5 to 6 lower level encounters per level

or 8 to 10 marathon session encounters

limit backstory

How can solo gamers use "limit backstory" technique. The action. By getting straight to exploratory action, with minimal expository explanations, the player can begin to immerse through the eyes a character into the game world.

start quick

If backstory is needed, even a brief paragraph may do.

limit random encounters

The limit random encounter is to try and keep the story related and flowing with more unified content. Doing so is railroading, rather than sandboxing

keep backstory relevant and recent

I don't have to explain what happened before the recent memory. However, I can put in subtle clues or hints of the distance past. Relevant to me means that whatever is written can be used for this gamestory or as a fork into a different story.

[gamestory= a term I use to differ a fictional novel-like story and a game story] 

start with hook related action

See my backstory comment. In a sandbox or open world RPG, hints and clues lead to a direction of a gamestory. These hints may be based on images, words, questions, or character/story reactions.

clues built in to the design

The main thrust behind this idea, I think, is that a perception or awareness check shouldn't exclude major story clues. Rather, those types of checks are primarily for bonus clues leading to other rewards.

coherent encounters

Encounters should probably be thematically related. Even a swarm of bats, should make sense in the setting context.

What other encounter gain instead of combat encounter

entrance to somewhere

An encounter can lead the character to somewhere. Traditionally maybe the "person in the inn" type informants use this method. However, a person anywhere could lead a character anywhere.

information

What information is most important to players? Well, that depends on the player, rather than the character. The information might need to catered to different types of player enjoyment, possibly leading to different types of adventures within a similar story.

For me, perhaps one option is to create a four pronged adventure information for the four archetype learning preferences that the Character Generator revealed.

resource

What does a solo gamer need? food, water, weapons, maps, keys, books, tokens

avoid combat

Combat isn't always fun for solo gaming. I've taken to "summary fighting" for insignificant impediments in my story writing.

suspicious or lying encounter

I haven't thought about using fake or false information or instructions much in solo gaming. This is built into my Twist Generator primarily.

Comparing recommended Treasure amounts to the Solo Game Engine results

about half or 1-out-of-two = little or no treasure

I'm not sure of predictable alternating no-treasure would really work. But a 50/50 roll would work great for a "treasure check" for solo gaming, maybe.

For my ABS12 Solo Game Engine (ASGE), this would mean a No, Unless or lower for d100, which is 50 or lower.

20% half treasure

Maybe a narrative version of this is mundane objects. This might be stuff that has little or no particular value, except within story context.

For my ASGE, this is the Maybe, If and Only If range of probability.

20% standard treasure

For my ASGE, this is the Yes probability – which for d100 is 15%.

10% double treasure

5% hoard, 10X

My ASGE has Yes, Also at 10%. I think a hoard would only come after a main boss-type encounter and is less likely randomly generated.

Plots

chronological

This is the order-in-time series of events. In a sandbox game, it might require multiple questions to generate different parts in a series or multiple actions to generate different flows within time.

geographical

Primarily a function of maps, geographical means that the area only becomes active in the story if the character actually moves to that location. The main issue with geographical located plots is that maybe the character never goes to that location. All of that preparation is meaningless.

Story Flow

inciting incident (hook)

The player character needs something to interrupt everyday life.

reversal

Twists are fun, if used sparingly.

finale

Goal accomplished and the story is resolved...for now.

Comments on terrain

hazards and terrain

I think this is the most common terrain in solo gaming. I'm not sure if trap mechanics might not need improving for solo gaming–if doing so is even possible.

surprise terrain

Surprises are things unexpected. In my Fact Generator, sensory information is the main method of noticing important details. While using the FG the last few years, details emerged from thinking up the different sensory data has created surprises even for me.

drama terrain

To me, drama = conflict. Conflict = tension, fighting, argument, and stuff. For solo - sandbox gaming, an interesting mechanic might be that conflict might occasionally create changes in terrain or reveal dramatic terrain features.

luring terrain

Ah, the lure of wealth, beauty, and majesty. Though some prefer dark, grim, and imposing. Whichever one's preference, luring terrain might draw a character towards those locations.

Character Mechanisms

I recently released Character Mechanisms.

Character Mechanisms

https://www.rpgnow.com/product/252846/Character-Mechanisms

58 pages PDF + printable Character Mechanisms Profile sheet & generic character sheet PDF, xlxs, ods file

This character mechanism book has tools to help create characters, character behavior, dialogue topics, voice qualities, character motivation, character sensory data, emotions, body language, human physical descriptions, character knowledge, careers, subconscious dreams & interpretation, and circles of relationships.

This book is a collection of 12 character related 12x12 tables (generators), 1 suggestions for personality archetype response to 12 communication functions (communicator), and 2 tools that take important input and produce suggestions or directions for characters (engines).

Sold individually as well, the tools have been releasing for most of this year rather regularly. 

They do not rely on any game system. Instead of numbers, they use words. The one reviewer of the dialogue engine and character generator thinks that the words can be interpreted into any game system attributes fairly easy.

This book either suggest, or refer to tables (a few which are not included in this text) for character ideas, design, and actions. Its generic enough for any game or story genre characters. 

58 pages: It's first page is the cover image shown on the thumbnail. Then two front matter pages for title page and copyright. The fourth page is a table of contents. And then two pages of overview. And then the sections begin. Some of the sections have clip-art images and a section title page.

The fifteen products included in this book are as followed:

1. New Relationship Generator
2. New Character Behavior Engine
3. Dialogue Engine
4. Motivation Generator
5. Mood-Emotion Generator
6. Body Language Generator
7. Character Generator
8. Fact Generator - new update with an additional page full chart
9. Modifier Generator
10. Human Generator
11. Character Communicator
12. Knowledge Generator
13. Career Generator
14. Dream Generator
15. Sound Generator
16. new also includes a combined engine

If this does well enough — and so far it seems like it might be my best book yet — I might do the same with the plot related and other books into two more collections and add a few more pieces.

Honestly, when I was making up the character sheets, I was surprised how much detail was in the tools when brought all together into a more unified system. And even I use it instead of the individual products, using the quick bookmark menu and the hyperlink table of contents. The pieces can be used separately as well.

Thanks to anyone that has supported any of my products.

Ken

Project RPG & Story

This is the beginning of another scene somewhat similar to the ABS12 stuff that I wrote, rather it is using a Fudge based system mixed with some of my solo gaming stuff. This serves as an exploratory post. I will not show most of the details of the system. Rather I am showing the resulting text in story game results. This story is being made up as I go. I'm not sure where it is beginning or when it will end. I'm testing some new conflict mechanics and dynamics material that I've recently created. I'll probably try doing one scene and then writing a title later, which I will post when it's finished right below this paragraph along with copyright.

"Someone Else"
©2017 Ken Wickham

She stood, back arched and dark hair to her waist across the shadow filled room. Crickets sang in chorus and the gentle warm breeze brought the scent of daisies, roses, and tulips from the backyard garden several floors below.

I couldn't quite see what she was doing. The sound of jingling metal, and several objects clicking added to the cricket song as she apparently seemed to be looking for something in her bag.

The musky scent of bodies that had rubbed together still mixed with the floral breeze. I took in a few warm breaths to try calming my pulse wiping away my damp brow.

From her, I heard a few clicks like the sound of her pumping a perfume or some sort of body spray.

"We're good together," I finally say now that my strength had returned.

"A lot of people are good together," she said now fanning the air, sitting down at the oak chair at small desk where her purse lay atop.

Even though I had felt recovered and refreshed, something in the tone of her voice and the seriousness of her reply caused my lungs to tighten. A few seconds later my body seemed to then spread an uncomfortable second wave of heat. A few more droplets trickled down my arm.

Why do I -.

I took in a forced breath. One that hurt my lungs as much as it relieved my need for air.

Looking towards her, she now was sitting back in the chair looking up at the ceiling. I could see the shadow of her open mouth which slightly moved forward and backward. Then some oriental scent finally reached me, which felt like a key unlocking some old rusty lock on a guarded chest tucked in some attic of some cobweb filled house.

Naomi, although of Asian descent, had lived her entire life here.

I thought she was into me. Yes, before I had thought I was even lucky she knew my name.

She seemed entirely different than her mother.

"Is your mother doing better," I said.

She let out a long audible breath. "My mother ... my mother - I don't want to talk about my mother."

A sense of discontent entered me like an ocean wave. She was hard to read. I thought I was finally connecting with her.

I reached up and placed my hand on the mahogany headboard. I like the feel of something sturdy. It seems like the solid wood is something that I can rely on, trust, and is dependable. Unlike...

"You should find someone that will love you in return," she said.

Someone?

She hadn't had the best luck herself. "Who do you want to be with? Huh." I knew she had trouble in her past relationships.

I could tell that her head had now turned was now looking at me since I could see the shadows of her ears slightly sticking out from her head.

"Someone else," she simply said.

I don't know if I would have ever written that scene in any of my stories. The game mechanics pushed me to write this pushing me sideways and creating characters that I may have never created. Part of the interest was for me finding out what I was actually writing about near the end of the scene.

Fun stuff. 

I'll take my notes, look things over, tweak it, and maybe add some things.

Aioskoru part 5 : "For Sickness or Work"

Tools Used
Aioskoru website
Aioskoru Adventure seeds
ABS12 System

Here are the stats for my two main characters. I've changed Madi's powers to the new magic system.

Madi the amateur magic user is PL1.

Species

Life

Spd

Def

Def Type

BP

Damage

D Type

Mag

Sc/Tc

BP

Verb

Adj/Adv

BP

Verb

Adj/Adv

Magic User

2

2

3

Cloth

2

1d12/6

Staff

4

2

Destroy

1d12/6

2

Fire

2 range

BP

Verb

Adj/Adv

BP

Verb

Adj/Adv

Cost

2

Trap/Close

2 duration

2

Organic substance Web

2 range

15

Andelin the amateur fighter is PL1

Fighter

4

3

6

Plate

4

1d12/3

Sword

2

Rescue

2

2

Tracking/hunting

2

15

Madi = 4 EP

Andelin = 6 EP

Before I start, I want to test the new experience points for the two characters for the prior two scenes.

EP per Scene Goal reached - scene 1 - make a deal
Madi - scene 4 = yes
Andelin - scene 4 = yes

Character true to it's concept
Madi - scene 4 = yes
Andelin - scene 4 = unknown

Conflict with opposition

Madi - scene 4 = yes

Andelin - scene 4 = yes

New Awareness about something important

Madi - scene 4 = yes

Andelin - scene 4 = unknown

Total EP for "Emotional Plea"

Madi = 4 + 4 EP = 8  EP

Andelin = 6 + 2 EP = 8 EP

Powers
I have also redone the powers into 4 powers (2 verbs and 2 nouns): destroy, trap/close, fire, and organic substance - web. The damage 

Continued from this Aioskoru Story Series
Aioskoru part 1 : "Wild Horses"
Aioskoru part 2 : "Friendly Centaur"
Aioskoru part 3 : Experience Points award
Aioskoru part 4 : "Emotional Plea"
Aioskoru part 5 : "For Sickness or Work"


"For Sickness or Work"

By Ken Wickham

Copyright © 2016

The scent of the incense filled the centaur village.

Outside of their homes, centaurs had returned to their homes, each lit up an incense stick in some sort of funeral ritual.

He had heard from a few humans that Madi and he were lucky that the centaur would bring their request up to the elders. Although several before them had begged and pleaded, the centaur's hadn't considered those people's offers so kindly.

"You must have said something right," one of the older human's said. He looked strong despite his age. Maybe because of the constant work from his sentence.

"Yes. Maybe so," Andelin said, not wanting to mention the war with the scorpion centaurs.

[Do the elders come to speak today? This is another plot escalating roll, this time at -3. Roll = 3 - 3 =  0; No, also ...
2, Touch, 4, Smooth
10, character quality; 9 personality
Something about personality and smooth, I'll discard the smooth part and try something else]

[I'll also roll for a story idea for the first time. 9+10 = 19

1. Daring - a bold leader sets out to obtain an object from or to fight against a powerful adversary.

I'll say that whatever killed that centaur - maybe after coming in contact with a contagious illness or disease which causes personality change before death -  requires obtaining an object, a substance, to help heal. The centaur village is upset over this and it has recently spread to several more.]

 While working later that evening, Andelin overheard from several that the illness is spreading.

Andelin kept sweeping the cobblestone floor, pretending as if he wasn't hearing anything important.

"You missed a spot over here," point one of the muscular centaurs towards the doorway. Andelin turned towards them and quickly hurried over to the spot.

The other continued. " They say he behaved crazy before it overtook him. They think that a root which grows in the clefts may cure the disease."

Andelin finished sweeping, looked off in the distance to see Madi weaving with several other people. He quickly finished sweeping the area, dumped the waste into a pile outside, and made his way to her.

She did not have a happy face at the moment. Andelin began to sweep around near her. He felt like he was doing something wrong, although he had to mention what he had learned - to warn her.

"Madi," he whispered, though he continued to focus on picking up dirt, straw, and clumps of mud on the stone below him.

He could see out of the corner of his eye her head turn to look at him. She then returned to weaving. "Anything new, " she whispered back.

"Just to let you know, there is a sickness going around."

"That's bad."

"Keep quiet about it."

"Okay."

He coughed and then moved off to sweep in other spots along the cobblestone path.

[Another plot based roll at -2. Do they come the next day? 10-2 = 8; Yes, however they want the two to help out and substance to help cure the disease as a test]

The next day, one of the centaurs came down the path calling out his name. It was Nefron. Andelin moved towards the centaur. His face wasn't smiling as it had since their capture and journey here.

He spoke with a unusually serious expression. "The elders are ready to see you."

Maybe they had a chance.



The gray hair and maned elders - about a dozen - stood in front of them at some distance, four guards armed between them. Some were studhes (studs) and some were markoes (mares). A few of them seemed uncomfortable, some even not looking at him directly.

"Leader Theda has informed us that you have a request." spoke one of the elder stud, who held a long staff which seemed to lean on to help keep his upper torso erect.

Andelin quickly spoke before Madi, " Yes. We have offered instead of serving our sentence helping to maintain the feed to serve it in a common defense with the humans against the scorpion centaurs."

Immediately many of the elders began to speak with each other. Andelin couldn't hear what they were saying.

Andelin rubbed his face and temples trying to ease the slight pain that throbbed in his head.

"Why should we trust fighting with you? How do we know that we can trust you?"

Andelin knew that they had to give them a reason to trust them. He was slightly unsure of what to say. His muddled thoughts went back to last evening overhearing the guards.

He took a deep breath and hoped for a good response. "We can help you find the root to cure the disease that is spreading among you. That can be a test of our intention."

A few of the centaurs that wouldn't look at him before now turned and looked towards him.

They spoke among themselves slower this time and without as much argument occasionally glancing at either him or Madi.

"Maybe they will give me my use of powers," Madi whispered to him.

He just nodded back. He wasn't really concerned with powers, but having her powers back would help if they were to find the root.

The answer came quick enough. The quickness of response took his breath away.

"Very well," the main elder said

A few moments went by and they seemed to discuss more details. One of them walked off down the hall and disappeared.

Nefron and Kado, they motioned forward. Nefron and Madi's centaur walked forward. They joined into the discussion. Kado seemed to shake his head often. He would look towards Madi and seemed to argue more.

Madi seemed to shrink back at his stare.

Soon all of them were nodding in agreement.

"Nefron and Kado will continue to be your escort while under sentence." With that Andelin saw Nefron elbow the other, Kado in the side. Kado somewhat snared at Nefron, who halfway grinned.

"My powers?" Madi asked.

The leader of the elders said a name he couldn't hear and motioned over one of the elder mares over who had a long smooth thin blue torso robe.

After a briefly conversing with each other, she made her way towards Madi.

She said a few things to her. Madi noded once in agreement.

The centaur mare began to mutter words while circling her hands in the air - almost like she was holding something. Silver speckles seemed to materialize in the air. Andelin slightly dropped his jaw and watched wide-eyed. She seemed to scope the sparkles from the air and pulled it to her lips.

Then she motioned her to come to her. She grabbed her by the shoulders, said a few words to Madi and then pulled her towards her and kissed her upon the forehead. The sparkles seemed to move and transfer to Madi's forehead and briefly should a glowing lip mark.

Soon they both smiled and the lady centaur went back to the group of elders.

"She did not give a full blessing. Her blessing is temporary this time. You will have three days to get the roots or the power use will cease once again in our lands."

Another elder who had disappeared earlier stepped forward bringing forth a parchment.

"This is what the root that we are looking for looks like. It grows in a cliff area from the derman bush. We haven't been able to get any since several scorpion centaurs took over that region of our border."

Andelin studied the drawings intently. He noticed the leaf patter, the shape of the bush and the various features, and even the coloring which had been painted on the image.

"Where are the cliffs located?" Madi said.

"Nefron and Kado know the region and will take you there. How well you four get along and successfully achieve getting the root will determine how much we will trust you. Ten bags of roots will be needed for now and in the future."

"Our weapons?" Andelin asked.

"They will be given to you as soon as you are outside the village."

[To be continued]

ABS12: Using a deck of cards to do solo gaming.

All the changes from this page will be added to the complete master game page at A Basic System 12 (ABS12).

Frustrated at having to roll against myself using the ABS12 combat system, I think I've found a better way to do combat.

Since the system is a 1d12, a standard deck of playing cards with the kings and jokers removed can simulate a solo gaming experience where I don't have to roll against myself. I just roll against a shuffled deck of cards more like playing solitaire. In a game of solitaire, the shuffled deck of cards allows you to focus on figuring out patterns instead of generating random numbers and suite.

So, using a deck of cards:
Numbers 1 to 10 equal the stated values.
jack = 11
queen = 12

Maybe reshuffle the cards as needed or for each session or as needed.

A Basic System 12 (ABS12)
Index of my blog

Playtesting a magic user Part 2: "Basement of Toys"

For this gameplay, creating a story using a game system I will be using the entire ABS12 current system.

ABS12 Game System

Here is part 2 of the playtest and creation of a magic user short story. Like part 1, the gaming stuff will be in brackets. After the story, I will put my analysis, and then show both parts of the short story in its entirety without any gaming mechanic info for a smooth read. This shows the fun use of using solo gaming tools to write a short story. This is a first draft and only minimal editing has been put into the story.

First the gaming statistics:

Basic Stats by PL for all Species
PL	DL	Life	Speed	Defense	Attack	Unskilled verb	Skilled verb
0	0	1	1	0	0	0	0
1	1	2	2	2	2	1	2

The magic user is PL1.

Species

Life

Spd

Def

Def Type

BP

Damage

D Type

Mag

Sc/Tc

BP

Verb

Adj/Adv

BP

Verb

Adj/Adv

Cost

Magic User

2

2

3

Cloth

2

1d12/6

Staff

4

5

Fireball S

1d12/2

3

Net S

3

15

I typed in the PL1 life, speed, and defense with the humanoid magic user amounts, wearing a cloth robe. With the 3 BP I will learn 3 ranks of a entangling net spell.

I'll try a giant rat PL0 first.

Giant rat

2

3

1

1

1

Bt

1

Disease Bt

1

2

Covert

2

Continued from part 1 
Playtesting the magic user Part 1

"Oh. I thought it was you. My apologies," Basement said.

The echoes of what basement said went through her mind. Down here this morning?

Out she brought her oaken wand, ready to entangle anyone using a web spell.

She inched her way down the hallway and wand first slowly walked into the first room. Her breath had increased. She struggled to control it as wide eyed she looked around for any presence. The air felt hot. Her hand came up to loosen the her collar, which seemingly had tightened. Back and forth she looked.

[Is anything here? 50/50; No; I'll increase the chance of yes however by 2 to increase the chance of meeting the rat since it wasn't there]

Not noticing anything anything out of place, she relaxed a bit.

"Shut the door Basement," she commanded. Soon she heard a soft click from direction of the stairs.

After a few breaths, she readied herself for the next room. Slowly she peaked around the corner down the hall.

Two doorways were down the hall.

She took a deep breath and then continued down the hall one slow step at each breath.

Near the doorway she stopped, stayed near the wall and listened.

[Is anything in this room? 50/50 + 2; 1d12 =11 + 2 = 13; Yes, also ....
I'll pick at least one fact to see what the also might mean and more if need be.
8, 11 = Time, Future; I don't know what that means. I'll roll again.
12, 5 = Dimension, Medium, So medium future? no idea yet. I'll roll again.
8, 9 = Time, Past; So past medium future? Maybe this rat ate or drank something and grew larger. I'll go with that. I'll make the next room the alchemy room with potions that maybe it got into one.]

She heard the sound of something chewing on what sounded like wood.

It gnawed and echoed lightly to her turned ear.

One more deep breath and she turned wand forward to cast her net spell.

[Is the giant rat near the potions at a alchemy table? Very possibly +4; 1d12 = 2+4, No, unless ... she is quick enough to catch it before it runs away. I'll say a moderate (9) difficulty. Speed normally a +2, however she will get just her +1 for level one, since her description of magic user will not help her.
Roll of 7+1 = 8 < 9 barely failed.]

She turned the corner and saw a giant black rat just as it was raising its head, noticed her, and ran off.

She didn't catch it fast nor was quiet enough.

In she ran. She saw a few potions tipped over and empty.

The rat was running towards the corner of the room.

[Is there a tunnel or entrance there? Somewhat Possible +2; 1d12 = 11 +2; Yes, also ... she sees another giant rat at the entrance as well.]

Behind the running rat, she also notices another one looking out of the hole as well.

She cast her web spell on the first retreating giant rat

[distance 16ft = easy 6. power roll = 1d12+PL+DL = 1d12+2 vs easy 6 ; 5+2=7 it works]

She whispered her magic words, Sparkles gathered around her wand.

With a shout of , "Tineks-la-omiu," she commanded her web to entangle the frightened giant rat.

Out strands of web shot wrapping around the rat. As it is being wrapped up she tried to get the second rat.

[this one is more difficult. moderate distance 9; and is mostly behind cover which I will say is a +2 dificulty = needs an 11. 1d12 roll 7 + 2 = 9; miss.

Does she chase the rat into the tunnel yet? 50/50; No]

The web shot stringing out towards the one near the large hole. The other one manages to retreat in time.

She didn't have the patience to chase that rat at the moment. For the moment she turns back to the wrapped giant rat. Anger builds inside of her.

It explodes in the form of a fireball.

[easy 6 = 1d12 = 2 + 2; miss]

A fireball explodes and lauches off the tip of her wand. Slamming into the fireproof wall.

In her anger, she failed to aim steady. Luckily the rat is entangled and can't get away.

She stepped real close and touched the wand directly at the squealing rat. "I got you rat!"

[damage = 8/2 = 4 life damage; rat life = 2 - 4 = dead]

The flame engulfed the rat, incinerating the giant menace.

Looking at the hole and then around to a wall, she saw the place of her transformation ring. A smile came across her face as a plan developed.

She walked over to the hidden box that couldn't be seen in the wall. A few words and the wall revealed her prize possessions. She removed the velvet box. Inside of the box, she removed the ring which glows with a blue aura..

After placing the silver ring on her finger, she whispered a few words. "Kinada-amiu," and felt her form change. She dropped onto all fours, grew in size, and felt hair sprout from her fair skin. She morphed into a large white cat.

After licking her paws and rubbing her face, her ears picked up the sound of the retreating rat.

Off she pounced, into the hole, to get her a rat.

The end

Analysis

Here is the entire text including the first par without mechanic info

The magic seems to work or can be made to work.

I was a bit angered myself when the fireball missed. But  I guess it helped the story some. It shows how Madi is still a beginner, despite the powerful ring that she possesses.

The words I wrote are for a fantasy language based on an ancient language. I actually had to look up both words. 'Tineks-la-omiu' is a command 'to make a web.' 'Kinada-amiu' is a command 'to be a cat.' I didn't do a command for fire. Just because I've already looked up that word for another story, but didn't feel like looking for it.

"Basement of Toys"
a scene by Ken Wickham 
Copyright © 2016

The magic user comes to the door leading into the basement of his old shop. The ancient door looked worn from years - centuries even - of use.

A sudden panic always hit her whenever she reaches the oaken door. This time was no different.

Is it locked? 

The door creaked a little as he pushed first on the door. It only moved a little and then came in contact with the tumbler lock. A turn of the key, a click, and the main one unlocked. He pushed the door again. The door made another click as it hit the second lock. 

She shuffled through his keyring and found the silver key, placed it inside and turned releasing the lock.

Madi breathed in one deep breath and pushed the door for a third time.

The door opened. Soon the walls began to glow brighter. 

She watched the shadows below receded, warming to a comfortable glow.

"Welcome back mistress Madi," echoed through the halls, which seemed to speak from the walls.

"Hello Basement. Have you missed me." She slowly began her decent, careful to lift her long magenta robe to keep from stepping or tripping. She'd fallen once years ago which taught her a painful lesson.

"Of course I miss you when you are not here. It fills me with great joy when you are working down here and spending time with me."

Once safe at the bottom she continued down the hallway.

"When you were down here earlier this morning, why didn't you speak with me?" echoed the Basement's voice almost in a sad voice.

Madi stopped. She was a bit confused.

She said in a somewhat slow and confused voice, "I wasn't down here ... this morning - What do you mean?"

"Oh. I thought it was you. My apologies," Basement said.

The echoes of what basement said went through her mind. Down here this morning?

Out she brought her oaken wand, ready to entangle anyone using a web spell.

She inched her way down the hallway and wand first slowly walked into the first room. Her breath had increased. She struggled to control it as wide eyed she looked around for any presence. The air felt hot. Her hand came up to loosen the her collar, which seemingly had tightened. Back and forth she looked.

Not noticing anything anything out of place, she relaxed a bit

"Shut the door Basement," she commanded. Soon she heard a soft click from direction of the stairs.

After a few breaths, she readied herself for the next room. Slowly she peaked around the corner down the hall.

Two doorways were down the hall.

Madi took a deep breath and then continued down the hall one slow step at each breath.

Near the doorway she stopped, stayed near the wall and listened.

She heard the sound of something chewing on what sounded like wood.

It gnawed and echoed lightly to her turned ear.

One more deep breath and she turned wand forward to cast her net spell.

She turned the corner and saw a giant black rat just as it was raising its head, noticed her, and ran off.

She didn't catch it fast nor was quiet enough.

In she ran. She saw a few potions tipped over and empty.

The rat was running towards the corner of the room.

Behind the running rat, she also notices another one looking out of the hole as well.

She cast her web spell on the first retreating giant rat

She whispered her magic words, Sparkles gathered around her wand.

With a shout of , "Tineks-la-omiu," she commanded her web to entangle the frightened giant rat.

Out strands of web shot wrapping around the rat. As it is being wrapped up she tried to get the second rat.

The web shot stringing out towards the one near the large hole. The other one manages to retreat in time.

She didn't have the patience to chase that rat at the moment. For the moment she turns back to the wrapped giant rat. Anger builds inside of her.

It explodes in the form of a fireball.

A fireball explodes and launches off the tip of her wand. Slamming into the fireproof wall.

In her anger, she failed to aim steady. Luckily the rat is entangled and can't get away.

She stepped real close and touched the wand directly at the squealing rat. "I got you rat!"

The flame engulfed the rat, incinerating the giant menace.

Looking at the hole and then around to a wall, she saw the place of her transformation ring. A smile came across her face as a plan developed.

She walked over to the hidden box that couldn't be seen in the wall. A few words and the wall revealed her prize possessions. She removed the velvet box. Inside of the box, she removed the ring which glows with a blue aura..

After placing the silver ring on her finger, Madi whispered a few words. "Kinada-amiu," and felt her form change. She dropped onto all fours, grew in size, and felt hair sprout from her fair skin. She morphed into a large white cat.

After licking her paws and rubbing her face, her ears picked up the sound of the retreating rat.

Off she pounced, into the hole, to get her a rat.

The end