Talisman Adventures RPG - Session Recap, A Fate Oracle System, and Overcoming Challenges (Solo RPG)

A Solo RPG Friday session recap of Talisman Adventures, detailing Daniel’s homebrew oracle system and the first adventure of Divers Incorporated.

Character: Rodney Barrowsmith

  • Human Tomb Robber (neutral alignment)
  • Owner of “Divers Incorporated” - mercenaries specialising in tomb raiding and dungeon clearing
  • Partner: Kamala Puabi (NPC from deck) - contemplative businesswoman with prophetic dreams
  • Employees (followers): Marco (miner), Trina (torch bearer), Harry (treasure hunter), Tumo (tunnel fighter)

Business Mechanics:

  • 21 gold for employee loyalty per adventure
  • 10 gold for expedition supplies
  • 60 gold starting treasury
  • Goal: stock supply shelves, learn Negotiation skill

First Job:

  • Client: Tooless Tightpouch (goblin merchant)
  • McGuffin: Journal of Secrets (from Arcane Artifacts book) - appears blank to everyone except owner
  • Destination: “Beneath the Red Crown” - crumbling ruins by a lake, 4 days away
  • Currently used by an outlawed cult

Homebrew Oracle System:
Roll 3 Fate dice (2 matching + 1 chaos die) at start of each day:

  • Plus/Plus = Very favourable
  • Plus/Blank = Somewhat favourable
  • Blank/Blank = Typical
  • Minus/Blank = Unfavourable
  • Minus/Minus = Very unfavourable
  • Plus/Minus = Chaos vs Order conflict (add to fate bag based on chaos die)

Journey Highlights:

  • Day 1: Attacked by goblins at night, took 9 damage
  • Day 2: Killed wild boar, cubs kept party awake
  • Day 3: Got lost, found fairy mound (scared them away)
  • Day 4: Avoided carrion crows by hiding
  • Day 5: Surprised by 3 cultists, beat them into submission

Solo Balance Notes:

  • Halving monster HP
  • Reducing combat frequency
  • Assigning monsters to followers to soak damage

Reached the ruins, ready to explore!