Welcome to this solo adventure of IMAGINARIUM, an innovative role-playing game designed to be played without a game master!
The complete rules are available on itch.io — a simple yet deep system that uses only a d10 and your imagination.
Today, we’ll follow Kael, a cynical thief, on his quest to steal the Amulet of Shadows. The story will unfold through:
- Dice rolls to resolve actions
- Oracles that generate random events
- My narrative choices
Unique features of the system:
- You can spend attribute points to succeed on failed rolls
- Karma accumulates with every test (success or failure)
- Death is not guaranteed — but it comes at a cost
Ready to discover how a simple quest can become an unpredictable epic? Let’s begin…
Character Creation
Name: Kael, known as the Echo of the Rooftops
Archetype: Elusive thief, as silent as a shadow and as stubborn as a mule
Quest: Steal the Amulet of Shadows, a cursed artifact that whispers to the dreams of madmen, hidden deep within the Temple of Eclipsis
Attributes:
- Physical: 5 (Feline agility, lightning-shaped scar on the left forearm)
- Mental: 4 (Fox-like cunning, pathological distrust of promises)
- Equipment: 6 (Chipped grappling hook, keys stolen from a drunk jailer, silver necklace taken from an ex)
- Karma Points: 0
Scene 1: The Ruins of the Temple of Eclipsis
Location: Ancient ruins (Location Oracle, D10=1)
Weather: Sunny (Weather Oracle, D10=7)
The sun beats down on the crumbling stones of the temple, turning the air into a furnace. Kael stops, wipes the dust from his eyelids, and stares at the cliff before him.
“A buried temple… Of course. Perfect for a summer stroll,” he mutters, adjusting his torn gloves.
Obstacle: Physical barrier (Obstacle Oracle, D10=3)
Physical Test (Climbing, Medium difficulty, threshold 7+):
D10 Roll = 4 → Failure
Decision: Spend 3 Physical points (5 → 2)
Narration:
Kael’s fingers scrape at the scorching rock. A stone gives way, making him slip. He barely catches himself, bark-like stone tearing his palms.
“If I die here, I’ll come back just to kill the architect.”
Transition: At the top, a dark corridor opens, exhaling the scent of mold and rusted metal.
Karma: +1 (Total = 1)
Scene 2: The Specter and the Cursed Market
NPC: Mysterious figure (NPC Oracle, D10=6)
In the darkness, a ghostly silhouette floats, eyes glowing like gold coins.
“The Amulet… for a piece of your soul. Interested, little rat?”
Kael crosses his arms, one eyebrow raised.
“My soul? It’s worth more than your scrap metal.”
Mental Test (Negotiation, Medium difficulty, threshold 7+):
D10 Roll = 6 → Failure
Decision: Spend 1 Mental point (4 → 3)
Narration:
“60% of the power, not a percent more. And if you cheat, I’ll turn you to ash.”
The specter chuckles, vanishing in a swirl of dead leaves.
“The dead lie better than the living…,” Kael mutters.
Transition: Further ahead, a violet glow pulses like an invisible heart.
Karma: +1 (Total = 2)
Scene 3: The Altar of the Broken Oath
Discovery: Ancient artifact (Discovery Oracle, D10=7)
The Amulet of Shadows rests on a basalt altar, surrounded by ash and broken chains. Kael approaches, involuntarily drawn in.
“Beautiful… And probably trapped.”
His hand trembles as it brushes the artifact—CLACK! Blades shoot from the ground.
Equipment Test (Disarm, High difficulty, threshold 9+):
D10 Roll = 8 → Failure
Decision: Spend 1 Equipment point (6 → 5)
Narration:
Kael jumps back, hurling his grappling hook to block the blades. One slices a lock of hair.
“Asymmetrical haircut… Very trendy.”
Transition: With the Amulet in his pocket, he exits the temple… and runs into three armed figures.
Karma: +1 (Total = 3)
Scene 4: The Price of Blood
Random Event: Surprise attack (Events Oracle, D10=2)
“Well done, rat. Now hand it over.”
The bandit leader brandishes a rusted axe. Kael backs up, feeling cold stone behind him.
“You really need a bath. And a lesson in manners.”
Physical Test (Dodge, Medium difficulty, threshold 7+):
D10 Roll = 5 → Failure
Problem: Physical at 2 → Automatic Defeat
Narration:
An axe tears into his shoulder. He bites his lip to stifle a scream, dropping the Amulet.
“Keep it… Smells like despair.”
The bandits flee, laughing.
Transition: Lying in the mud, Kael clutches his bleeding shoulder.
“I’ll find you… and bury you with your loot.”
Karma: +1 (Total = 4)
Scene 5: The Hunt in the Dark
Rumor: Quest-related info (Rumor Oracle, D10=10)
In a smoky tavern, a drunk mumbles:
“Abandoned farm… Northeast… Bandits…”
Kael sips warm beer, eyes narrowing.
“Northeast… Where it rains rabid boars. Perfect.”
Mental Test (Tracking, Medium difficulty, threshold 7+):
D10 Roll = 3 → Failure
Narration:
The forest swallows Kael. Branches scratch his face, mocking bird calls lead him astray.
“If I die here, I’ll haunt those bandit skunks.”
Transition: At dawn, he stumbles into a ruined village, locking eyes with an old man.
Karma: +1 (Total = 5)
Scene 6: The Alchemist’s Pact
NPC: Sage or scholar (NPC Oracle, D10=5)
The man, with blackened nails and milky eyes, holds out a green vial.
“Heal your flesh… in exchange for the Grimoire of Zaltar. In the mayor’s library.”
Kael sniffs the liquid.
“Smells like poison.”
Mental Test (Negotiation, High difficulty, threshold 9+):
D10 Roll = 8 → Failure
Narration:
“A grimoire? You think I’m a scribe?”
The alchemist smiles, revealing rotted teeth.
“Pain is a great motivator…”
Kael downs the vial in one go.
“I like living dangerously.”
Transition: At nightfall, he sneaks toward the library, shoulder throbbing.
Karma: +1 (Total = 6)
Scene 7: The Theft of the Cursed Grain
Obstacle: Difficult moral choice (Obstacle Oracle, D10=8)
A skeletal child tugs his sleeve:
“The mayor… he lets the village starve.”
Kael eyes the guarded granary, lanterns swaying in the wind.
“Saving kids… Since when am I a saint?”
Mental Test (Decision, Legendary difficulty, threshold 10):
D10 Roll = 9 → Failure
Narration:
He steals the grain, but whistles at a sleeping guard.
“Run, kid. And tell them the Echo of the Rooftops saved you.”
Chase cries erupt.
“Freakin’ conscience…”
Transition: Hunted, he hides in an attic, the Amulet burning in his pocket.
Karma: +1 (Total = 7)
Scene 8: The Goblin and the Enchanted Chest
Bestiary: Hostile intelligent creature (Bestiary Oracle, D10=8)
In the abandoned farm, a goblin in a wizard’s robe grumbles:
“Gronk protect treasure! Gronk smash thief!”
Equipment Test (Combat, Medium difficulty, threshold 7+):
D10 Roll = 7 → Success!
Narration:
Kael tosses a smoke bomb, blinding the creature.
“Gronk? More like Gross.”
The chest opens… the Amulet lies inside, wrapped in cobwebs.
Transition: As he grabs it, a laugh echoes in his mind.
“Welcome to the dance, little thief…”
Karma: +1 (Total = 8)
Scene 9: The Shadow’s Whisper
Discovery: Minor magical item (Discovery Oracle, D10=1)
The Amulet vibrates, releasing black smoke that forms runes in the air:
“The Shadow will possess you.”
Kael clenches his jaw.
“Not today.”
Mental Test (Break spell, High difficulty, threshold 9+):
D10 Roll = 4 → Failure
Decision: Spend 2 Karma to recover 1 Mental point (3 → 4)
New roll = 9 → Success!
Narration:
He spits out a word in an ancient dialect, learned in a city dive.
The smoke fades… but the Amulet still whispers.
“It always gets the last word, huh?”
Transition: Outside, dogs bark and bandits shout — the hunt is on again.
Karma: +1 (Total = 7)
Epilogue: The Shadow and the Moon
Final state:
- Physical: 3/5 (Bandaged shoulder, swaggering gait)
- Mental: 4/4 (Haunted by the Amulet’s whispers)
- Equipment: 5/6 (Broken grappling hook, but the Amulet hangs from his neck)
- Karma: 7
Kael stands atop a hill, moonlight brushing the rune-shaped scar on his hand. The Amulet pulses against his chest, its song echoing in his ear.
In the distance, torches dance — the bandits, thirsty for revenge.
“Come on then… I’ve got a gift for you.”
Opening for a sequel:
The Amulet’s curse grows, the alchemist’s grimoire hides a deadly secret, and the bandits aren’t alone… The dice haven’t finished rolling.
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