Skip to content

USER_MANUAL.md

Latest commit

 

History

History
179 lines (124 loc) · 6.77 KB

USER_MANUAL.md

File metadata and controls

179 lines (124 loc) · 6.77 KB
Raw

Loner Assistant - User Manual

Welcome to the Loner Assistant, your digital companion for playing the Loner solo RPG. This guide will help you navigate the application and make the most of its features.

Table of Contents

Getting Started

Loner Assistant runs directly in your browser. There is no login or server; all your data is stored safely on your device using your browser's local storage (IndexedDB).

Note: If you clear your browser's "Site Data" or "Cookies" for this site, you may lose your campaigns.

Interface Overview

The application is divided into several views, accessible via the top navigation bar:

  • Play: The main dashboard where you spend most of your game time. It contains the Oracle, your Session Notes, and quick access to active character info.
  • Campaigns: Manage your different adventures.
  • Characters: Create and edit your protagonists.
  • NPCs / Locations / Threads / Events: Manage your world content.
  • Tools: Access all roll tables and supplements.

Managing Your Game

Campaigns

A Campaign is the container for your story. It holds all your sessions, characters, and world data.

  • Go to the Campaigns tab to create a new campaign.
  • Click "Select" on a campaign to make it active.

Sessions

A Session represents a single sitting or chapter of your story.

  • In the Play view, the Current Session Card at the top displays your active session.
  • Use the "Manage Sessions" button to create or switch sessions.
  • Session Notes are auto-saved as you type.

Characters

Your Protagonist is the main character of your story.

  • Go to the Characters tab to create a character.
  • Characters use Tags (Concept, Skills, Frailty, Gear) instead of numbers.
  • You can mark a character as "Active" to see them in the Play view sidebar.

Playing the Game

The Oracle

The Oracle is the heart of Loner. It answers your questions to drive the story.

  1. Ask a Yes/No question about the situation.
  2. Select a modifier if applicable:
    • Advantage: Favorable conditions.
    • Disadvantage: Unfavorable conditions.
  3. Click Consult Oracle (or press Alt + O).
  4. The result will be displayed (e.g., "Yes, but...", "No, and...").

Twist Counter

The app automatically tracks Twists.

  • When you roll doubles on the Oracle, the Twist Counter increases.
  • At 3, a Twist is triggered automatically.
  • You can also manually Force Twist (Alt + W) if the narrative demands it.

Conflict Resolution

Use the Conflict panel in the Play view to track dangerous situations.

  1. Enter Opponent Name and Luck (default 6).
  2. Click Start Conflict.
  3. Use the Roll button to resolve rounds. The app tracks Luck for both you and the opponent.

Scene Management

Use the Scene panel to roll for the next scene setup. It helps determine if the next scene is "Expected", "Altered", or "Interrupted".

World Building

Keep track of your evolving world using the dedicated tabs:

  • NPCs: People you meet. Add tags to define them.
  • Locations: Places you visit.
  • Threads: Open storylines or quests. Mark them as "Active", "Resolved", or "Abandoned".
  • Events: A timeline of major happenings in your story.

Tools & Tables

Adventure Maker

Located in the Play view sidebar (and Tools tab), this helps you generate a premise for your adventure:

  • Roll for Setting, Tone, Things, Opposition, and Actions.
  • Click Roll Complete Adventure for a full prompt.

Get Inspired

Need a spark? Click Random Prompt in the Get Inspired panel for a two-word prompt (Verb + Noun).

  • Flavor: Use the ⚙️ icon to change the "flavor" of the prompts (e.g., Fantasy, Sci-Fi, Horror).

Random Tables

The Table Manager allows you to roll on any table from loaded supplements.

  1. Select a Supplement (e.g., Core Loner) from the dropdown.
  2. The available tables for that supplement will appear.
  3. Click on a Table button to roll.
  4. The result is shown and can be pasted into your notes.

Import/Export

You can export and import your data to back it up or move it between devices.

Note Exporting

You can export just the text content of your current session notes:

  • Markdown: Click Export > Markdown in the Session Notes header to download as a .md file.
  • HTML: Click Export > HTML in the Session Notes header to download as a .html file.

Exporting (Data Backup)

  • Session: In the Play view, click Export on the Current Session Card to save the current session data as a JSON file.
  • Campaign: In the Tools view, click Export Campaign to save the entire current campaign (including all sessions, NPCs, etc.).
  • Full Backup: In the Tools view, click Export All Data to save a complete backup of the entire database.

Importing

  • In the Tools view, click Import Data.
  • Select the type of import (Session, Campaign, or Full Database).
  • Choose the JSON file you previously exported.
  • Warning: Importing a Full Database backup will replace all existing data!

Keyboard Shortcuts

Shortcut Action Notes
Alt + O Roll Oracle Consult the Oracle with current modifier
Alt + T Open Table Manager Quick access to tables
Alt + W Trigger Twist Force a Twist event
Alt + N Focus Note Editor Jump to notes
Alt + S Save Notes Manually save notes
Alt + ? Show Shortcuts View help

Mobile Usage

Loner Assistant is optimized for mobile devices.

  • Navigation: The menu becomes a hamburger menu on smaller screens.
  • Layout: The 3-column Play view stacks into a single column.
  • Touch: Buttons are sized for touch interaction.
  • Add to Home Screen: You can add the page to your mobile home screen for a full-screen app-like experience.