01
Begin with the ready hero
Your first account begins with a Human Fighter and a complete opening situation. You can play immediately. Change the character name or notes if you wish, then select Save character.
The current character sheet is editable, but it is not yet a guided character builder. For the easiest first session, keep the starting class and scores.
02
Read Briarwatch from the beginning
The chronicle shows its newest entry first. Scroll down and read these entries in this order:
- The night the bell remembered
- Scene 1: The road to Briarwatch
- Your solo play rhythm
You are standing on the road below the ruined tower. A child shaped figure waits beneath a red umbrella.
03
Open the Story Guide
The Story Guide reveals The Bell Beneath Briarwatch one page at a time. Each page establishes part of the world and offers three possible approaches.
Choose an approach and Lanternbound will ask its displayed question through the Oracle. The answer shapes the next passage, records the result in your chronicle, and unlocks a piece of the world.
The choices are invitations, not limits. You can ignore them at any time, write your own action, use the Oracle freely, and return to the guided chapter later.
04
Say what your hero does
Start with a plain action. You do not roll for something that simply happens.
I stop at a safe distance and call out, “Are you waiting for me?”
Your hero speaks. Now the world must decide whether the figure answers.
05
Ask the Oracle about the world
Enter a question that can be answered yes or no:
Does the child answer me?
Choose Likely, because the figure appears to be waiting for someone, then select Ask the Oracle.
If a random event appears, combine its focus and meaning with the people, mysteries, and location already in the story. Prefer the first coherent idea.
06
Use a d20 for your hero
Roll only when your hero attempts something difficult and failure would matter. Use the ability modifier displayed beside the relevant score.
Enter that modifier beside the dice, select d20, and compare the total with the target. Equal or higher succeeds.
Use dice for your hero. Use the Oracle for the world.
07
Write the new truth
Choose Narrative, Hero action, Dialogue, or Discovery in the Adventure Journal. Record what happened in a few sentences.
I called to the child from the foot of the stair. The figure turned slowly beneath the red umbrella and answered as though it had been expecting me.
Select Add to chronicle. You have completed one full solo turn.
08
Continue and close the scene
Keep choosing actions, rolling for your hero, and asking the Oracle about the world. Use Meaning spark when you need inspiration.
Raise Chaos when events escape your hero’s control. Lower it when your hero controls the situation.
Scene 1 is already open. Use Open a scene only after the current situation ends. Describe what you expect next, then test it. Lanternbound will create Scene 2 as expected, altered, or interrupted.