Drawing Blood in Colson City: An Urban Fantasy Solo Adventure Game

Drawing Blood in Colson City “Well, look at you. You’re in a fine mess, aren’t you? Didn’t expect that rather nasty demon to hurl acid and a fireball at the same time, did you? Ah, yes, burned lungs do make it hard to talk. I have something for that. There. Drink it all down. See? Much better, yes? You’ll be better in minutes. No, no need to pay me. Or grant me a boon. I’m glad I could help. Although . . . I do hate to inform you Papa Night sent me. Now, now, calm down. It’s just business. Oh, it's not there. That little trinket in your pocket. I have it. Settle down. I know the two of us are of a type. I’m your elder, so don’t try anything with me. *Sniffs* Ah, much better. You were overdone and I like my meals medium rare. This won’t hurt but a moment. Feel free to scream if your lungs are working better.” Colson City. A small metropolis with a river flowing through its center. Here is where you live. Naturals and unnaturals roam the streets side by side. The unnaturals mask themselves in spells to pass as naturals. Werewolves, undead, vampires, wizards, and every sort of supernatural creature live in the sewers, apartments, high-rises and parks throughout the city. Intrigue, wars, politics, and power moves drive the heart of the city and its denizens are the blood traveling through its veins. Overseeing from his lofty tower penthouse; “The Emperor” looks down upon the masses. If you are crafty, quick, smart, form alliances, and can defend yourself, you might live long enough to appreciate what you have. Materials you will need. You will need some simple items as follows: • A Standard Deck of Playing Cards (with Jokers): I own several decks with different face card themes. You can use a standard deck or a unique one to play solo games with themes. Every card will have a different meaning as you draw one. They produce the adventures to start you on your way, a side quest, a discovery, how your character may feel, or people or creatures you will meet along the way. • Paper and pencil, or a writing program: I prefer a writing program or a spreadsheet to log in order with your ideas as you travel your world. Now, before you begin, you have to decide who you are: 1. Are you a human, a vampire, a werewolf, Fae, a human magic user? Are you young, mature, ancient for your species type? What’s your gender? Are you born and raised in the city, created here, or did you move here? Are you rich, middle class, or poor? 2. Choose Your Role: What’s your occupation? How do you feel toward the unnatural community? The natural community? Are you cursed? Damned? Blessed? Where do you live? What do you eat? Who are you friends? 3. Prepare your Deck: Shuffle your deck of playing cards and place the stack face down. With your character’s nature made, your role in the story selected, and your cards ready, it’s time to start your journey. Gameplay: Each card creates a new event or discovery for your character; make sure to chronicle them in order. A series of turns of fate may reflect on the card you have two cards later. 1. Draw a single card at a time from the deck. 2. The prompts below will tell you the card’s meaning by number and suit. Try to imagine the scene with all five senses. 3. Write your entry describing the moment using your senses. Imagine it’s a scene in a movie, comic, or novel, and play with it. Use that imagination! 4. After writing down your scene, draw the next card to continue your adventure. When you reach the end of the deck, you can imagine returning to where you started or using it as a cliffhanger for your next story after you shuffle the deck. You just completed “Book One” of your adventure.