The Drowned Bell

An example adventure: a bell is tolling under the black water, and the ferry has stopped running.

Example adventure · a worked demonstration, not a finished module

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About this adventure

This is an example adventure, not a finished module. It exists to show how solo play works with the tools on this site: a short branching mystery for one player. Every run fills in different names, places, omens and trouble from our generators, so you can play it again and meet a different cast. Rolls are made for you with a d20, failures cost you something but keep the story moving, and the oracle settles questions the story leaves open. Use any character you like: this adventure only tracks six hit points and what you carry.

Plan on about 10-15 minutes per run. The story has several different endings, and the names, places, omens and trouble change every time you start fresh.

What this example shows

The oracle: some scenes ask a yes/no question and answer it with the same odds as our yes/no oracle.
Dice: uncertain actions roll a d20 against a target. You can run the same checks at your own table with the dice roller.
Generators: names, places, weather, loot, omens and trouble come from our generator tables, and each scene's toolbox links to the generator you would reach for next.
Ambience: scenes suggest a soundscape so you can set the mood while you read.
A journal: your choices and rolls are logged, the way you would keep notes in a solo game.
Your own modifiers: switch on Use my dice modifiers in Options and the standing bonuses you set in the dice roller are added to every d20 roll.
Sound that follows the story: play the scene soundscape right on the page. It changes when the mood of the scene changes, and you control the volume.

How it works

Pick a choice and the story moves on. When the outcome is uncertain the adventure rolls a twenty-sided die for you, and a failed roll costs you something instead of ending the story. When a question needs a yes or no, the oracle answers it using the same odds system as our yes/no oracle. Your hit points, what you carry and a short journal are kept as you go, and your progress is saved in this browser so you can close the page and come back. You can also export your progress to a file and import it later, on this device or another.

Replay and share

Every run has a short code in the page address. Open the same address later, or send it to a friend, and you will meet the same names and places. Tap restart for a fresh set.

Make it your own

Each scene links to the generators and ambience that fit it. Open them in another tab to add detail, or play the suggested soundscape while you read. You can bring any character you like, because the adventure tracks only hit points and the things you pick up along the way.