I had been wanting to play a solo RPG for a long time now, but I just wasn't sure which one I wanted to sink my teeth into first. Learning the rules of a solo RPG can be a big investment, and a lot of games just didn't click with me. I had been watching a lot of Frieren and Dungeon Meshi lately and I got it in my head to try to find a game with cozy, witchy vibes - something low stakes but still fun, engaging and comforting. Needless to say ... this game spoke to my soul!!! <3 I had been wanting to write for sooo long now, but the blank page had terrified me. But as soon as I got a handle of Apothecaria's rules... I'm tearing up a little now thinking of it but I spent hours upon hours writing about my witch, the relationship he had with the witch who vanished, and just settling into this cozy world!!
The blank page can be terrifying ... but if you want to engage your creativity with a cozy, witchy, low stakes setting with a hint of mystery - this is the game for you!! It has enough mechanics to feel like a game, but enough freedom that I don't feel silly if I'm writing pages upon pages of my witch talking with a demon he's found in a dungeon - the game offers space for you to do so and I love that!!! I only have the core game now (I bought it off Anna's site), but I can definitely see myself buying the expansions because I love this game so much.
Okay, so I've only played it for a night, but it was a lovely night! I spent the whole night envisioning my cozy version of High Rannoc, having fun pulling from my Spirited Away playing cards that I use for this game, and wow... I dunno, is it cheesy to say that a game made my heart feel at peace? It was everything I needed, I had so much freakin' fun!! I lit some incense and made a lovely cup of lavender earl grey tea -- (oh, maybe that caffeine is why I stayed up so late ... but it also helped that the game was so fun!!) -- and it was just, vibes!!! I just want to express my thanks to Anna Blackwell for creating such a wonderful game, worth every penny and I can't wait for my print copy to come in the post!!!
I hope someday there is maybe some sort of ultimate edition of Apothecaria that is just one PDF full of all the expansions, perhaps? :3 That would be super!!
Sigh. I have to go to work tomorrow. Can I call out and tell them that I must see what happens next in my solo RPG? LOL. Regardless, I have something to look forward to when I come home and I love that - High Rannoc will be awaiting my return home!!
Thank you, Anna!!!!