I’m heading out for a three-day backpacking trip this fall with a friend, and we’ve got some time to kill each evening after we set up camp. We’re hoping to fit in three RPG sessions, each lasting about three hours. Both of us enjoy horror and fantasy genres, and since it’s just the two of us, we’re okay with either one of us being a GM or having no GM at all and playing as just players. While we don’t mind a bit of complexity, we’re really more drawn to storytelling. We’re leaning towards doing three one-shots instead of a continuous story, as we’re not the best at creating narratives ourselves, so any prewritten adventure recommendations would be great. I’ve dabbled in DnD 5e and am somewhat familiar with Pathfinder 2e, Call of Cthulhu, and Kids on Bikes. I’m curious about CoC for this trip but still figuring it out. Any suggestions? Thanks in advance!
5 Answers
Another fun and portable option is “SHERPA”. It’s designed for outdoor play and uses d10 dice. The character sheets are tiny, and the gameplay is quick and straightforward, making it ideal for your hiking trip!
Have you considered trying out “Ironsworn”? It’s a versatile game that can be played solo or cooperatively. Plus, it fits the storytelling aspect you both like.
You might want to check out “Monsters of the Week.” It’s designed for one GM and more than one player, but it’s super easy to learn, and it uses D6s, so it’s light on mechanics. It also has a great focus on storytelling, making it a perfect fit for your hiking adventure!
That sounds fun! I love the idea of a storytelling game while outdoors. I’ve played it before, and it really brings the whole group together.
There are a lot of small-format d20 games like “Microlite” and “Knave” you can pack easily. They work well for one player, especially if you use some hirelings or multiple characters. Just look into solo RPG systems online, and you’ll find some cool ideas!
For something really compact, check out “Lasers & Feelings” by John Harper. You could print it on one page, and all you need are a couple of D6s. It’s got a lot of genre hacks, and it’s great for quick settings! Also, if you’re into horror, “Mothership” is pretty easy to learn and perfect for one-shots. Just keep an eye on those character deaths, though!
Definitely agree! Ironsworn is perfect for those cool narrative moments. It’s simple enough to dive in without needing deep prep.