Long Time DM Needs Help.

[Xenre]

I've been actively playing and DM'ing for over twenty years. I realized recently that my style of play and administration of the game has been somewhat limited. I've gone from playing with massive groups to one on one with my wife.

Here's the problem: I have always stuck with the tried and true kick-in-the-door style of play. I throw monsters at my players and they slaughter them (or get slaughtered, depending on the luck of the throw). This definitely works for larger groups which, more often than not, contain a large number of combat-oriented classes.

My wife is a fan of rogues. She likes to gestalt (3.5 Unearthed Arcana if you unfamiliar with this concept) with some sort of casting class.

What I am looking for is a way to play to a rogue's strengths. Story arcs that contain more intrigue, subterfuge, and the like. Less combat, more strategy and what have you.

While I have a great amount of experience under my belt there are areas I am just no good at.

Help me Enworld. You're my only hope. (Mainly because Gaia and GITP sucks a$$).

 

[Scott DeWar]

My wife is a fan of rogues. She likes to gestalt (3.5 Unearthed Arcana if you unfamiliar with this concept) with some sort of casting class.

What I am looking for is a way to play to a rogue's strengths. Story arcs that contain more intrigue, subterfuge, and the like. Less combat, more strategy and what have you.

While I have a great amount of experience under my belt there are areas I am just no good at.

Help me Enworld kanobe. You're my only hope. (Mainly because Gaia and GITP sucks a$$).

Therre was a game run by [MENTION=16075]Crazy Monkey[/MENTION] that had plenty of that. May I can get his attention here.

 

[Maidhc O Casain]

Paizo sells the One on One Adventure Compendium, by Expeditious Retreat Press. I haven't actually looked at it but it's been on my radar for a while now.

If you decide to try it out, please let me know how it plays!

 

[Dingo333]

Ideas for References

I recomend reading the series Song of Fire and Ice (first book is being adapted to an HBO series I hear)

A lot of it is counter spy and intrigue but it is set in a medieval/fantasy world
It might give you some ideas on how to set up a world/adventure in a mystery kinda setting and not so much the loot the dungeon type of game

Just note that it will take a lot on your part to set up NPC/main opponent's grand plans, and how much each knows of the others and how they are molding their plan to take advantage of others

 

[IronWolf]

Paizo sells the One on One Adventure Compendium, by Expeditious Retreat Press. I haven't actually looked at it but it's been on my radar for a while now.

I second this. If you get the compendium there are five rogue adventures in it ranging from level 2 to 11. It might help give you some ideas in addition to providing adventures as well.

 

[Maidhc O Casain]

I second this. If you get the compendium there are five rogue adventures in it ranging from level 2 to 11. It might help give you some ideas in addition to providing adventures as well.

Also, I forgot to mention (though it's sort-of apparent from the title) that the adventures within are written for one PC.

 

[Kaisoku]

I've always been thinking of running a solo game with my brother. Especially to test out some house rules, etc.

My source of ideas, especially for rogue-oriented gameplay, have been my single player gaming back in the 90s. Stuff like Tenchu: Stealth Assassins, or the Thief series come to mind.
Most recent stuff along these lines are more futuristic (or at least more contemporary), but the ideas they give could be applied to a more fantasy style of setting (stuff like Deus Ex or Metal Gear Solid).

 

[forrgott]

Also, don't forget the utility of a tag-along NPC. Depending on the experience of your one player, the player may also be able to control two PCs. But the tag-along NPC worked well for my brother and I years ago when he'd run games for just me. And don't be afraid to be generous with the gold and magic items; such things go a long ways toward helping a single PC stay alive.