14 Comments
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SolumProtocol's avatar

This system seems brutal! I’ve seen Cairn a few times and been tempted to pick it up. I feel like it would force me to be meaner to my characters as I always give them too much leeway! Poor Mannog

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PermanentBacklog's avatar

It is brutal, especially playing solo with zero hirelings 😂, but it’s an incredibly rules-lite system and super easy to roll up new characters when your current one gets murdered in an attempt to do good… RIP Mannog. You should absolutely pick it up and try it out! Free for the PDF and only a couple bucks for a print copy.

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David Rollins's avatar

Mannog’s adventures came to a conclusion far too early!

Watching him step forward to defend people would never speak to him out of empathy showed a depth and courage that was easy to connect to.

I keep seeing more potential in solo play as see how different people interpret the genre! Thanks for sharing!

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PermanentBacklog's avatar

Thank you for reading!! It was hard to let the bad guys win in a game setting, but I felt it was important to give life to a character that faced the challenge heroically!

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Matt jackson's avatar

I’ve never played Cairn though read the rules numerous times. I struggle with the ‘always hitting’ mechanic. I get the idea behind it but I just do not think I can get onboard with it.

Great storytelling, enjoyed reading every session. Thank you.

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PermanentBacklog's avatar

Thank you so much for taking the time to witness Mannog's short journey! I love/hate the 'always hit' mechanic in Cairn, but ultimately I feel like it keeps the stakes high (maybe even a little too high sometimes) and my blood is pumping the whole time haha

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Matt jackson's avatar

Yep, I like the idea of it being risky but I hope for at least some chance of success. ;-)

Looking forward to my solo sessions to read.

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PermanentBacklog's avatar

What system are you using for solo??

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Matt jackson's avatar

I have been using White Box FMAG but I am looking at something far more FKR aligned such as Journeyman. I am far more interested in the story that plays out than the detailed mechanical nuances of games.

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PermanentBacklog's avatar

What is FKR?

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Matt jackson's avatar

Free Kriegspiel Revolution. It is an idea based a GM running a game based on logic rather than a ton of rules, high trust, GM typically has a small set of rules or guidelines that guide his resolutions. Many say this is how Arneson run his early Braunstein games.

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RobinPlays's avatar

Awww darn! Well at least his last act was trying to help someone…

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PermanentBacklog's avatar

I was so sad to lose him 🥺 so many plans for future adventures, but Cairn had different ideas!

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