Solo RPG Notation SRD — A Standard for Recording Solo Play

1. Introduction

Solo RPG play often produces rich stories, but recording them can be messy.
This standard notation system provides a shorthand method to capture the essentials of play while leaving space for optional narrative, dialogue, and campaign tracking.

The notation is designed to be:

Flexible — usable across different systems.
Layered — works as both quick shorthand or expanded narrative.
Searchable — tags and codes make it easy to track NPCs, events, and locations.

2. Front Matter

Use this block at the start of a campaign log to record essential details.

Campaign Header

=== Campaign Log: Campaign Title ===
      [Title]        Campaign Title
      [Ruleset]      Ruleset and tools used
      [Genre]        
      [Player]       
      [PCs]          
      [Start Date]   yyyy-mm-dd
      [Last Update]  yyyy-mm-dd

Optional Fields

[Tools] — Oracles, generators, house rules used
[Themes] — Mystery, romance, cosmic horror…
[Tone] — Gritty, light, surreal, etc.
[Notes] — Any prep or expectations before play

Example

=== Campaign Log: Star Hauler ===
      [Title]        Star Hauler
      [Ruleset]      Loner Space
      [Genre]        Space trading / sci-fi adventure
      [Player]       Roberto
      [PCs]          Captain Elara (PC:Elara|Ship: Rustwing)
      [Start Date]   2025-09-03
      [Last Update]  2025-09-03
      [Tools]        Oracles: Mythic, Stars Without Number NPC tables
      [Themes]       Trade, exploration, moral dilemmas
      [Tone]         Pulpy with dark undertones
      [Notes]        Starting on Argus Station, day after cargo strike.

3. Session Header

Use a short block at the start of each session to keep records tidy.

Basic Session Header

=== Session 1 ===
      [Date]        2025-09-03
      [Duration]    90 minutes
      [Start Scene] S1

Optional Fields

[Recap] — Short note of previous events
[Goals] — Player expectations for this session
[Notes] — Table conditions, variants, mood

Example

=== Session 2 ===
      [Date]        2025-09-10
      [Duration]    2h
      [Start Scene] S8
      [Recap]       Jonah was captured at the lighthouse. Cultist plot at 3/6.
      [Goals]       Rescue Jonah, follow clue from diary.
      [Notes]       Trying new NPC reaction table.

Placement of Boundaries

Always place Front Matter once, at the very start of the campaign log.
Start each play session with a Session Header.
End each play session with:
```
=== Session X End ===
      
```
Update [Last Update] in the Front Matter each time a new Session Header is added.

4. Scene Log

4.1 Scenes

Scenes are the basic unit of play.

[S#] *Context / Frame*

S# = numbered scene ([S1], [S2], …).
Context = short description (abandoned lighthouse, midnight).
Use letters for flashbacks or branches: [S3a].
Use thread IDs for parallel storylines: [T2-S5].
Optional time markers: ⏳ Day 3, ⏰ Midnight.

4.2 Actions

Two types of uncertainty drive play:

Player-facing actions (mechanics)
```
▶ Pick the lock
      
```
World / GM questions (oracle)
```
? Is anyone inside?
      
```

4.3 Resolutions

Mechanics

🎲 [roll or rule] → outcome

Example:
🎲 d20+Lockpicking=17 vs DC 15 → Success

Oracle

⤷ [answer] (roll if relevant)

Example:
⤷ Yes, but… (d6=4)

Shorthand convention:

Use > or < for comparisons (e.g., 🎲2<4 = fail, 🎲5>3 = success).
Add S or F if needed: 🎲2<4 F.

4.4 Consequences

Record the narrative result after rolls:

⇒ The door creaks open, but the noise echoes through the hall.

4.5 Persistent Elements

Track ongoing elements with tags.

NPCs: [N:Jonah|friendly|injured] → later [N:Jonah|captured]
Locations: [L:Lighthouse|ruined|stormy]
Events & Clocks: [E:CultistPlot 2/6]
Threads: [Thread: Find Jonah’s Sister | Open] → [Thread:…|Closed]
Player Character: [PC:Name|HP 6|Stress 2|Gear:Dagger] → [PC:HP-1]

Re-use IDs in later scenes to connect the log:
[#N:Jonah], [#L:Lighthouse], [#E:CultistPlot].

4.6 Progress Tracking

Different forms of progress can be tracked consistently:

Clocks (fill up): [Clock:Ritual 5/12]
Tracks (progress bars): [Track:Escape 3/8]
Timers (count down): [Timer:Dawn 2]

4.7 Random Tables

When inspiration tables or generators are used, note the roll:

Simple table:
📖 d100=42 → "A broken sword"
Complex generator:
📚 Mythic Event: d100=78 + 11 → NPC Action / Betray

4.8 Narrative Excerpts (Optional)

You may add narrative or dialogue where it helps.

Inline prose:
⇒ The room reeks of mildew.

Dialogue:

N (Guard): "Who’s there?"
      PC: "Stay calm…"

Long block:

---
      The diary reads:  
      "The tides no longer obey the moon."  
      ---

This is optional — shorthand alone is enough.

4.9 Meta Notes

Use parentheses for reminders, reflections, or house rules.

(note: testing alternate stealth rule)

5. Examples

Example 1 — Hybrid Log

[S7] *Dark alley behind tavern ⏰ Midnight*
      ▶ Sneak past the guards
      🎲 Stealth d6=2 vs TN 4 → Fail
      ⇒ My foot kicks a barrel. [E:AlertClock 2/6]
      
      ? Do they see me?
      ⤷ No, but… (d6=3)
      ⇒ Distracted, but one guard lingers. [N:Guard|watchful]
      
      N (Guard): "Who's there?"
      PC: "Stay calm… just stay calm."

Example 2 — Pure Shorthand

S7 ▶Sneak 🎲2<4 F → noise [E:Alert 2/6] ?Seen? ⤷Nb3 → distracted, 1 stays

Example 3 — Tracking Threads

[S12] *Inside the lighthouse*
      ▶ Search the chamber
      🎲 Investigation d6=5 vs TN 4 → Success
      ⇒ I find a hidden diary. [E:CultistPlot 3/6] [Thread: Find Jonah’s Sister|Open]
      
      📖 Random clue: d100=42 → "A broken sword"

Example 4 — Complete Campaign Log

=== Campaign Log: Clearview Mystery ===
      [Title]        Clearview Mystery
      [Ruleset]      Loner + Mythic Oracle
      [Genre]        Teen mystery / supernatural
      [Player]       Roberto
      [PCs]          Alex (PC:Alex|HP 8|Stress 0|Gear: Flashlight, Notebook)
      [Start Date]   2025-09-03
      [Last Update]  2025-09-10
      [Tools]        Oracles: Mythic, Random Event tables
      [Themes]       Friendship, courage, secrets
      [Tone]         Eerie but playful
      [Notes]        Inspired by 80s teen mystery shows
      
      === Session 1 ===
      [Date]        2025-09-03
      [Duration]    1h30
      [Start Scene] S1
      [Goals]       Introduce Alex, set first clue
      
      [S1] *School library after hours*
      ▶ Sneak inside to check the archives
      🎲 Stealth d6=5 vs TN 4 → Success
      ⇒ I slip inside unnoticed. [L:Library|dark|quiet]
      
      ? Is there a strange clue waiting?  
      ⤷ Yes (d6=6)  
      ⇒ I find a torn diary page about the lighthouse. [E:LighthouseClue 1/6]
      
      [S2] *Outside the library, empty hall*
      ? Do I hear footsteps?  
      ⤷ Yes, but… (d6=4)  
      ⇒ A janitor approaches, but he doesn’t notice me yet. [N:Janitor|tired|suspicious]
      
      N (Janitor): "Thought I heard something…"  
      PC (Alex, whisper): "Gotta get out of here."
      
      === Session 1 End ===
      
      === Session 2 ===
      [Date]        2025-09-10
      [Duration]    2h
      [Start Scene] S3
      [Recap]       Found diary page hinting at lighthouse. Nearly spotted in library.
      [Goals]       Investigate lighthouse, avoid suspicion.
      
      [S3] *Path to the old lighthouse ⏳ Day 2*
      ▶ Approach quietly at dusk
      🎲 Stealth d6=2 vs TN 4 → Fail
      ⇒ I step on broken glass, crunching loudly. [Clock:Suspicion 1/6]
      
      ? Does anyone respond from inside?  
      ⤷ No, but… (d6=3)  
      ⇒ The light flickers briefly in the tower window. [L:Lighthouse|ruined|haunted]
      
      [S4] *Inside lighthouse foyer*
      ▶ Search the floor for signs of activity
      🎲 Investigation d6=6 vs TN 4 → Success
      ⇒ I find fresh footprints in the dust. [Thread: Who is using the lighthouse?|Open]
      
      📖 Random table roll d100=42 → "A broken lantern"
      ⇒ A cracked lantern lies near the stairs. [E:LighthouseClue 2/6]
      
      PC (Alex, thinking): "Someone’s been here… recently."
      
      === Session 2 End ===

6. Micro-Reference Appendix

A quick at-a-glance summary of common shorthand:

S1 ▶Pick lock 🎲d20=17>15 → Success ⇒ creak noise
      S2 ?Is anyone inside? ⤷Yes, but… ⇒ distracted guard
      S3 ▶Fight guard 🎲d6=1<4 F ⇒ HP-2 [PC:HP 8]
      S4 ?Does ally arrive? ⤷No, and… ⇒ Thread "Rescue" Open
      S5 ▶Search room 🎲d6=6>4 S ⇒ find clue [#clue]
      S6 📖 d100=42 → "A broken sword" [E:CultPlot 3/6]
      S7 ▶Convince Jonah 🎲d20=12<14 F ⇒ Jonah angry [N:Jonah|hostile]
      S8 ?Does time run out? ⤷Yes ⇒ [Timer:Dawn 0]
      S9 ▶Escape tunnels 🎲d6=5>3 S ⇒ [Track:Escape 6/8]
      S10 === Session 1 End ===

7. Solo RPG Notation Legend

A quick reference to the standard solo play notation.

Core Symbols

[S#] — Scene number and frame
▶ — Player action (mechanics)
? — Oracle question (world / uncertainty)
🎲 — Mechanics roll/result
⤷ — Oracle result
⇒ — Consequence / outcome

Tracking

[N:Name|tags] — NPC
[L:Name|tags] — Location
[E:Name X/Y] — Event / Clock
[Thread:Name|Open/Closed] — Story thread
[PC:Name|stats|gear] — Player character

Progress

[Clock:Name X/Y] — Clock (fill up)
[Track:Name X/Y] — Progress track (advance)
[Timer:Name X] — Countdown

Narrative (Optional)

Inline: ⇒ Short prose

Dialogue:

N (Guard): "Who's there?"
      PC: "Stay calm…"

Block:

---
      Text excerpt here
      ---

Example Line

S3 ▶Pick lock 🎲d20=17>15 → Success ⇒ creak noise [N:Guard|alert]

8. Credits & License

This notation is inspired by the Valley Standard.

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
To view a copy of this license, visit http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/
or send a letter to Creative Commons, PO Box 1866, Mountain View, CA 94042, USA.