🗞️ Solo Session: Deadline
A solo play example of the map-making and news-chronicling game from Wanderer's Tome.
Welcome to Solo Sessions, a solo play example from one of the games covered in The Soloist. In this session, I’m playing a preview version of Wanderer's Tome’s Deadline, a news-chronicling and map-making RPG where you play a journalist in a city of your own creation.
The Establishment Phase
In the first phase of the game, you generate facts about your city through a series of random tables. Each prompt has a question or two to add detail.
For city environment I roll (6) canal cityI imagine a steam-age, Venice-like city, built on top of ruins of an ancient empire. The city has a network of waterways with buildings, streets, and bridges designed around the canals. I start my map by drawing 8 distinct islands divided by canals.
For political climate I roll (5) democratic republicCitizens elect representatives with power distributed through different branches of government. I imagine that the system is unjust with the definition of citizenship being restricted to those who own property. On my map I add the capitol building “The Hall of Equals.”
For power source I roll (6) arcaneArcane magic flows through the city. I conclude that the city taps power that flows through the canals. It is collected at an industrial scale and stored in magical glass containers. The glass is blown by hand with sand dredged from the surrounding sea beds. It’s essential to the economy and in short supply.
For primary industry I roll (6) weaponryWarships powered by steam and armed with traditional munitions are built here. Arcane explosives are also manufactured, but the sale of these to foreign powers is against the city’s laws.
For arcane influence I roll (8) whispers in the darkThe veil between this world and the spirit realm is thin in the city, allowing spirits to move freely among the living. Spirits and residents generally keep their distance. The spirits appear more often under moonlight. Some powerful spirits have their own motives for working with a few citizens.
Notable Features
Next I’m instructed to add 5 specific elements to the map with questions listed for each.
Place of worship: The Cathedral of Sant Mal. This is the temple devoted to the worship of the sun and moon gods. All residents are expected to attend services.
Town square: The Grand Square. This is the commercial hub of the city, full of merchant’s shops and food stalls.
Aristocratic dwellings: Lusso. This is a self-contained island with small palaces and private security. Access to the island is limited to residents, their servants, and people on official business.
Slum dwellings: Le Malerie. The city’s poor live in the ruins of the “Old City” that is slowly sinking into a marsh.
Residential dwellings: Corte Gentile. These tightly packed, two and three story row houses line the canals and small squares.
Now I roll 8 times on the Landmarks table. I place each on the map and answer provided questions to fill in the details.
I roll (15) academicThe Poloetecnic is an esteemed institution where students and professors come to study modern science, engineering, and the classics. Study of the arcane is not permitted at the university.
I roll (14) industrial foundryThe Arsenal is the shipyard where the world’s most sophisticated warships are designed and manufactured. Arcane weapons are also produced in limited quantities for the city’s protection.
I roll (41) libraryThe Library houses one of the greatest collections of booksfrom around the globe. The city’s archive goes back 1000 years. A special room without a physical entrance is maintained for visiting spirits.
I roll (62) postal systemThe Gondoliers are the city’s official postal service.
I roll (45) fighting arenaThe Old Arena is the remains of the city’s ancient colosseum. It’s located in the center of the slums. While not sanctioned by the city government, residents of every rank attend the fights.
I roll (65) castleFortezza Maree is an active fort that sits across from the capitol building. It is an ancient citadel that has been upgraded over the centuries. The fort has an underground dock where the Polizi maintain their steam-powered speed boats.
I roll (32) lighthouseThe Lighthouse stands at the top of The Rocks, acting as a beacon to trading vessels.
I roll (13) guild hallThe Guild of the Canalmancers houses the scientists and their apprentices who manage the arcane power of the city’s waterways. Entry to the Guild is merit based — as long as your family has citizenship.
Welcome to Lunicia
With the map complete, I name the city Lunicia.
The Chronicling Phase
With the facts of Lunicia established, I move to the role of journalist for The Moonlight, Lunicia’s primary source of news. In this phase I will be playing one news cycle. Each cycle consists og generating an arcane headline, four minor headlines, and a major headline. Each headline type has its own tables. There are many tables to roll on, so rather than go through each, I’ll present the results…
The Moonlight
Major Headline
New Cult Rises: The Tidecallers Unearth Ancient Power
15th Lunaris, 1802 - Enigmatic group forms around mysterious relics found beneath Le Malerie; city officials express growing concern over arcane practices.
Other Top Stories
Lost Temple Rediscovered Beneath Le Malerie
27th Nocturn, 1801 - Poletecnic archaeologists unveil ancient temple and odd relics; discoveries may reshape our understanding of Lunicia's past.
Lunicia and Albion Forge Historic Alliance
9th Marellia, 1801 - Mutual aid treaty signed to enhance trade, share arcane technologies, and strengthen defenses against common threats.
Submarines Dive into Service: Revolutionizing Undersea Mining
22nd Umbra, 1801 - Innovative vessels launch to explore the depths, promising a new era of arcane sand extraction and economic growth.
Economic Boom Sweeps City: Prosperity from the Seas
4th Silvaris, 1803 - Submarine mining yields abundant resources; businesses flourish as sand markets soar.
Underwater Mystery: New Species Discovered
18th Lumina, 1803 - Submariners encounter luminescent creatures; scholars excited about potential links to arcane waterpower.
Reflections on Deadline
I’m a fan of world-building games and have played my share of both good and bad. Deadline works because of its focused theme (low-magic, steam-era cities), rich prompts (with questions to generate interesting details), and accessible journaling format (short headlines). I had a blast making my map and newspaper. It was a fun creative exercise that I can imagine expanding to become a setting for an RPG like Blades in the Dark.
Deadline is crowdfunding on BackerKit until October 1.
This almost feels like a way of creating your very own 'Duskvol' style city. Very cool.
Thanks for the write up - sounded so good I backed it!