Soloing Dungeons the OSR Way

A guide to dungeons for solo RPG play!

Introduction

This guide introduces a method for playing through procedurally-generated dungeons in solo RPG sessions. The goal is to keep things simple and focus on the procedure. Using this method, the story emerges from the procedure — not the other way round.

This works best for dungeons that you would revisit, rather than one-offs (such as mega-dungeons). It creates a genuine feeling of exploration, since you know that it is a place you will be returning to and that your impact on the area will help you in future (or bite you in the ass).

Requirements

• Encounter generator

  • Use your system of choice for this — you’d want something that allows you to roll encounters dependent on the dungeon level.

• Map generator

  • Recommendations: Sandbox Generator, AD&D DMG Appendix A

• General stocking list

  • Recommendations: BX/AD&D dungeon stocking tables, or the stocking table below

• (Optional) Special list/Trap list

  • Recommendations: Sandbox Generator, D30 DM Companion

• (Optional) Details list (for smaller dungeons)

  • For smaller, thematic dungeons, I would recommend making a list of details, to be rolled every room.

  • For example, in a crypt: 1-3 Nothing 4-5 Corpses 6 Shrine.

  • Feel free to expand on certain entries.
    For example, for the corpses: 1-3 Human 4-5 Animal 6 Monster.

  • Don’t be too specific with your details! These will be rolled alongside the general stocking list — Allow yourself creative flexibility.

Keying the Dungeon

Along with the map, I would have two columns for the dungeon key.

In the left column I would key how I found the room.

On the right column I would key anything I did that had an effect on the room.

Yes/No Oracle

For yes/no questions, roll a d6. 1-3 is no, 4-6 is yes. 1 and 6 are extremes.

Optionally, 3 can be “no, but” and 4 can be “yes, but”, or just a very weak version of that result.

For likely/unlikely roll 2 dice, picking the higher/lower.

Simple Unified Dungeon Stocking

I mentioned it’s useful to have a general stocking list. Here’s one based off BX chances, but applied to a 2d6.

Dungeon Stocking List (2d6)
2 .Empty
3. Treasure
4. Monster + Treasure
5. Empty
6. Empty
7. Monster
8. Special
9. Trap
10. Monster
11. Trap + Treasure
12. Special

Encounters

Encounter List (d10)
1-4 .
5-6.
7-8.
9.
10. Random Encounter

On rolling a 10, roll for a random encounter based on the dungeon level you are on.

On rolling on an empty entry, roll for a random encounter or generate a creature and fill it in.

You may notice that the encounter list is staggered in terms of probability. This makes it so that there is a “dominant” faction on each level. Feel free to adjust this, or make the chances equal.

This way, over time you will get more familiar with what lives in the dungeon — factions naturally emerge. However, you can still be completely taken off guard, especially when you roll a 10!

Restocking

On new excursions, things may have changed in the dungeon. Roll for each room:

Simple restocking table (d10)
1-3. Monster
4. Treasure
5. Monster + Treasure
6-10. Nothing

Roll twice and take the lower if you haven’t been in the room for 2 excursions or more, or if it’s a particularly volatile area.

On-the-Fly Lists

Sometimes, it can be worth making a small list to roll on, especially if you have a few possible answers to a question.

I like to think of them in terms of common/uncommon/rare.

What is the orc hiding? (d6)
1-3. Silver (Common)
4-5. Map (Uncommon)
6. Magic Item (Rare)

Obviously, you can have equal chances (1-3, 4-6), or no rares (1-4, 5-6), etc.

Procedure

Stick to the dungeon procedure and keep track of time, random encounters and light.
For encounters, remember to check for:

• Surprise

• Distance

• Reaction.

This can make even simple encounters interesting! A thorough explanation can be found here.