Solo Tabletop Roleplaying Games

Dear Reader,

My original hourlong version of this post deleted itself as I went to publish it, alas. If you feel I didn’t capture something, please feel free to ask as it was probably in my original version.

Hi, folks! My name is Etta. I’m a New Englander by birth (northeast section of the US for my non-US friends), now in my thirty-third year. By day, I work in data entry for a collegiate registrar’s office; by night, I am wrapping up my M.Ed. in Higher Education. I genuinely love what I do so much that I’ve applied for a Ph.D. in Educational Policy. I’m in the process of reclaiming my Cherokee Nation heritage (through language learning, visiting the rez someday soon, etc.). On the personal side of things, I’m freshly married, and we live with my mom and my feisty dachshund mix. Right now, I’m on the hunt for new hobbies and interests! I’ve always loved reading^*, journal writing, and learning new languages^†. I’m also very interested in archery, solo roleplaying games, KonMari/DanShaRi/No Buy lifestyle, and getting into video games with my new Odin2 Mini^‡.

I am currently looking for a snail mail pen pals to do each of the following:

1. Role Playing Games: Yes, there are snail mail roleplaying games! I would love to try any of them: My Dearest Colleague or Epistolary, My Thanks to the Esteemed Monster Dracula or Reunion, This Is How We Lose the Kentucky Derby or Bubble Corp. There are adventure-packed RPGs and cozy ones, so it’s whatever vibe you’re interested in exploring. Beyond the usual expenditure needed to participate in snail mail, there may be an additional charge for the game itself; if that’s an issue, I can forward you an e-copy or even make a little zine project out of it.
   

   You: Are creative and dedicated (at least until the game is complete). You’re willing to make flat props if the game calls for it.
   

   We: Write biweekly to monthly, depending on what the game calls for. We use DMs for OOC chat, especially to let the other person know when the mail’s been sent and when it’s been received. We commit to playing for months and/or years until the game is done.
   

   
   

2. Project Management Pals: I’m in the midst of wrapping up an M.Ed. and possibly hard-launching into a Ph.D. – that’s a lot of project, right there! Beyond that, I’m actively working on building up my capsule wardrobe and mindfully decluttering. And that’s before we get into working on improving on any of my hobbies.
   

   You: Are also passionate about long-term projects, whether you’re also an academic or you’re trying to become a master gardener/seamstress or you’re setting out on some kind of other pilgrimage. You’re also willing to be honest about why you do the things you do and, in time, to call out and be called out for avoiding work/procrastinating, etc.
   

   We: Write more long-form letters than not (bearing in mind progress over perfection), once a month. As a rule of thumb, we can use my Weekly Productivity Check-In as a basis for the content, although freestyling is encouraged! We use DMs to let the other person know when the mail’s been sent and when it’s been received. No ghosting; if we need to quit or pause for any reason, a simple DM will suffice.
   

   
   

3. General Pen Pal: This is more traditional! If you like what you see and just want occasional missives in your mailbox, this is a good option.
   

   You: Either align with a lot of the things you’ve seen from my post (you’re also into “uncanny domesticity?”) or you’re into different things but open-minded. Actually, being open-minded is pretty much the only requirement here.
   

   We: Send mail biweekly to monthly. It can range from a long-form letter to a short postcard capturing a fleeting moment. About once a quarter, there might be a little more in the long-form letter: stickers, tea packets, zines or other little handmade flat surprises, etc. Maybe once a year we exchange a package: books, clothes, or some other, more three-dimensional object. The key here is simplicity and enjoyment, all low-stress. We use DMs to let the other person know when the mail’s been sent and when it’s been received. No ghosting; if we need to quit or pause for any reason, a simple DM will suffice.
   

I understand wanting to chat a little via DMs or email to ensure that I am not a bloodthirsty murderer bent on destroying your life, but I would like to start sending mail out by mid-January. I am willing to post internationally, but even a pen friend in my own backyard would be delightful.

At some point, once I have a little more bandwidth, I’d like to enjoy these streams of writing with more friends. If you aren’t able to start with me this round, I expect there will be many more rounds!

Please let me know if you have any questions or interest. My DMs should be open, if you prefer to keep our conversation more private.

Thanks for considering becoming my friend!

_{*My favorite books, in no particular order, are: Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell, by Susanna Clarke; The Crimson Petal and the White, by Michel Farber; Lisey’s Story, by Stephen King; Rebecca, by Daphne du Maurier; and The Haunting of Hill House, by Shirley Jackson. My favorite authors are Stephen King, Holly Black, Angeline Boulley, and Stephen Graham Jones. These sorts of things probably only matter to literary snobs.}

_{†I got my undergrad degree in Classics, so that means I read haltingly in Latin and Ancient Greek. I also temporarily majored in French. Took Italian in high school but kept up with it for a long time in college. Plus, I have a smattering of German swear words and Cambodian words related to food. And now I’m attempting to learn Cherokee. So, yay, languages! — although I have much less time for it nowadays.}

_{‡The only game I’ve ever finished is Goetia. But I really liked Silent Hill, Kingdom Hearts, Ace Attorney, and Spiritfarer. I am at best a casual gamer, mostly on low energy and/or high pain days.}