Scene Zero: A Quickstart Formula for Solo RPGs Using Mythic GME /GME2

In less than 5 minutes ready to start your session.

Getting started with solo RPGs can feel like staring at a blank page. Especially when you’re using something as powerful (and open-ended) as Mythic Game Master Emulator. But don’t worry—I’ve got a fast and flexible method that gets your solo adventure off the ground in under five minutes.

This structure is my go-to formula:

PC (Who) is doing What (Mythic Action Table), Where—but [Obstacle]

Let’s break it down.

Who

Easy. It’s your Player Character. You’re playing solo, after all. This is your protagonist, your window into the world, your agent of chaos (or order, you do you). Name them, sketch a quick background if you like, but don’t get bogged down. You’ll learn about them through play.

What is your PC doing?

Now we tap into action.

You can roll on the Mythic Action Table use the following verbs.

These verbs are categorized by what kind of object they usually interact with: locations, people, items, etc.

Here’s a handy table of verbs to jumpstart your imagination:

Action Verbs Table (2xD)

2. access (enter, infiltrate, conquer) – Location

3. avenge – Person/Monster

4. befriend (bribe, pacify, extort) – Person/Monster

5. defend (protect) – Object, Location, Person/Monster

6. destroy – Object, Location

7. discover (find, seek, spy on) – Object, Information, Location

8. escape – Location

9. obtain – Object

10. return (deliver, rescue, escort, free) – Object, Location, Person/Monster

11. slay (defeat, kill, murder) – Person/Monster

12. steal (capture, imprison, kidnap) – Object, Person/Monster

13. stop (banish) – Object, Person/Monster

14. survive (being stalked)

15. transform – Object, Location, Person/Monster

16. win – Object

Pick one. Roll one. Let it lead you into the story.

Where is this happening?

Time to place your PC somewhere interesting.

I like using alliteration here—think “The Frozen Forest” or “The Gloomy Grove.” But if that’s not your jam, roll on this table to generate a flavorful location:

Location Generator (D20)

• 1. Bloody Vault

• 2. Musty Sewers

• 3. Forbidden Court

• 4. Ruined Tower

• 5. Lonely Slums

• 6. Fallen Tomb

• 7. Frightening Catacombs

• 8. Daunting Brewery

• 9. Well-Protected Jail

• 10. Sacred Temple

• 11. Fabled River

• 12. Torn Wood

• 13. Unfortunate Cave

• 14. Magical Library

• 15. Forbidden Garden

• 16. Shattered Coliseum

• 17. Hidden Crypt

• 18. Sacred Grove

• 19. Tempted Asylum

• 20. Echoing Observatory

But—what’s the obstacle?

No good story begins without a complication. Roll a d6:

• 1–3: Something passive interrupts you (think a blocked path, a natural event, a surprise discovery).

• 4–6: Something active is trying to stop you (a person, monster, trap, etc.).

Want to go further? Roll a d10 to specify the obstacle:

Specific Obstacle (D10)

• 1–2: NPC

• 3–4: Object

• 5–6: Event

• 7–8: Environment / Location

• 9–10: Monster

You can either let the dice surprise you, or follow your first instinct. Whatever sparks your imagination the most.

Why & How?

Don’t worry about these yet. The answers will emerge naturally during play. Trust the process. You’ll get there through questions, answers, and twists from Mythic’s engine.

The Final Three

To wrap it up, I like to ask three oracle questions about the situation I just sketched. These give me a deeper feel for the scene and often hint at future complications.

For example, if your scene setup is:

Vaerus wants to return to the magical river—but he is stopped by a monster.

Then ask:

1. Does the monster want to hurt him?

2. Was he born near the magical river?

3. Is the magical river still magical?

Now roll your Chaos Die, test your expected scene, and let Mythic do what it does best: surprise you.

Conclusion

That’s it. Scene one. In five minutes.

You’ve got a clear Who, What, Where, and But. You’ve got three questions to guide your play. And most importantly, you’re not stuck staring at a blank page anymore. You’re playing.

Try this technique in your next Mythic session and let me know how it goes. Or better yet—drop your first scene in the comments. I’d love to see what world you’re building.

Until next time may your chaos factor stay just high enough to keep things interesting.