Thursday, February 6, 2025

Mini-babble: Cartograph Atlas Edition

So remember when I said December was an emotional trainsmash? Well, it would seem that January didn't like that and tried to one up it.

WTF, January?!

So as per usual, I sought escape from the insanity that I find myself in. And I found a new solo TTRPG to babble about! Introducing: Cartograph Atlas Edition.

Logo of Cartograph which has a compass at its centre


So to play this game you need a number of six-sided dice that are going to represent one of three types of things so you need to try and have them be at least three colours. These are going to represent landmark dice, biome dice, and temporary dice. Along with that, you're going to need a piece of paper, a pencil, an eraser, a pack of playing cards, and a notebook to journal in.

A lined page with a map drawn on it and the words "Cartograph Atlas Edition" at the top.
The idea behind this game is that you take on the persona of a cartographer (selected from lists or rolled randomly) who arrives at an area populated by other people and you've been tasked to draw a map and chart what you find. You have different phases of play - one of which has you roll dice onto the paper to see what biomes and landmarks you find. You also have a phase that involves writing responses to prompts about the different areas you've travelled to.

Now obviously, you can play fast and loose with this idea. For example, I played a little following the rules and phases and then I realised that I'm just too brain tired to actually write anything, so I ended up just creating a map with the dice rolling (which is was quite fun). The book also gives you ways to modify play from the default fantasy roll, draw, and write.

One can buy Cartograph Atlas Edition pdf from Itchio for $12 USD. Or you can purchase it and over 100 other solo ttrpgs for $10 USD on Itchio by getting the Solo But Not Alone 5 bundle. I will probably babble about some of the solo TTRPGS in other posts as I explore them. The bundle is available for the next three months.

Colourful hand-drawn map on lined paper.


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