Hello, friends!

It’s Roberto here, and today I’m excited to announce the release of Loner Companion. If Loner introduced you to the world of solo storytelling, Loner Companion is designed to be the next step—giving you more tools, examples, and insights to deepen your solo adventures.

When I created Loner as a ten-page PDF, I didn’t expect it to reach so many people. It was born out of my own desire for a quiet, story-driven solo RPG experience, with minimal rules, no fancy dice, and a focus on character and narrative. I figured a few people might appreciate the simplicity, but the response blew me away! Over time, the Italian solo RPG community in particular embraced it, bringing in fresh ideas and asking for more guidance and content. They inspired me to go beyond the initial edition, and that’s exactly what Loner Companion is all about.

So, what’s inside Loner Companion? Let me give you a little preview:

Expanding on the Core Ideas

Loner is guided by three core principles: Fiction First, Emergent Narrative, and Fictional Positioning. In Loner Companion, I break down what these mean on a practical level, showing you how each principle can shape your story in organic ways. This includes more examples, diagrams, and practical tips on how to keep story at the forefront, even as you play solo.

New Adventures with Zahra

If you’ve read through Loner, you might remember Zahra—a character from my very first playtest. She’s become a bit of a mascot for me, and in Loner Companion, her story continues. You’ll see how I use the game’s tags, or “qualifiers,” to guide her journey and make meaningful choices that drive her narrative. My hope is that these extended examples bring the rules to life and give you a sense of how Loner can be used to explore any story you can imagine.

Adventure Packs and New Tags

Thanks to feedback from the community, Loner Companion also introduces Adventure Packs with ready-to-use tags tailored to different themes. These packs are a great way to get started if you want to dive right into a setting—whether that’s a haunted forest, a bustling city, or an ancient ruin. The tags keep things flexible, allowing you to adapt them to your character and their story, while also giving you a bit of a creative jumpstart.

Guided Gameplay and New Examples

Loner Companion also adds more structure to help you find your way, especially if you’re new to solo RPGs. I walk you through sample scenes and questions you might ask the Oracle, showing how to use it to drive suspense and discovery in your game. You’ll see real playthrough examples and get tips on keeping gameplay fluid and intuitive. If you’ve ever felt a little stuck on how to “run” a solo game, I hope this section gives you the support you need to dive in with confidence.

For New and Returning Players

Whether you’re completely new to Loner or have already spent some time exploring with the core rules, this Companion is for you. It takes the minimalist spirit of the original game and builds on it, making it easier for anyone to find their story, their way.

Creating Loner has been a deeply rewarding experience for me, made even better by this amazing community that’s grown around it. Loner Companion is my way of giving back and sharing what I’ve learned. Thank you to everyone who encouraged this next step—I hope you enjoy exploring these new stories as much as I’ve enjoyed creating them!

Loner Companion is available for free in the demo section!

Warmly,
Roberto