Solo Play Guide for FGU - INDEX

SOLO GUIDE.MOD
DND COMBAT GUIDE.MOD [WIP]

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Dedicated to all Dreamers, Hermits and Lonewolves. I hail thee.

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Introduction

Welcome to my Free-for-all passion project. It's a live document until it's finished. Feel free to dig in. Except for you, bots and botters; Shoo!

• Solo Play In FGU - Intro
• Start Playing With This Demo (Newcomer friendly)
• Start Being Creative With This Demo

Solo Gameplay Examples

• Video Examples
• Podcast Examples
• Solo Combat Video Series For Beginners

FAQ

• What Is Solo Play?
• Why Play Solo?
• Cheapest & Quickest Way to Play Solo in FGU (D&D 5E only)
• What Will I Need to Play Solo?
• How Does a Solo Session Play?
• How Will I Motivate Myself?
• Journaling In FGU
• Golden Rules of Solo Play

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D&D 5E - Solo Combat Strategy Guide [WIP]: INDEX

(+) Done
(!) Cookin'

Progress: Artificer, Barbarian, Bard, Cleric, Druid, Fighter (+), Monk, Paladin, Ranger, Rogue, Sorcerer, Warlock, Wizard (!)

NEW! 5E SOLO BUILDS THREAD

• Creating Solo-Viable Builds [& Tier Lists]
• Class Table [Core Strategies]

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Overview

• Overview of Solo Gameplay (Summary)

Methodology (Beginner)

If you're starting new, just this part will be enough to kickstart your session.
Don't burden yourself with details. You can best learn by jumping into action and making your own mistakes.

1. Minimum Prep
2. Modes of Play
3. Your First Scene & First Scene Example
4. Core Gameplay Loop (Content Creation Method) Oracle Inside.
5. Freeform Association (Source of Creativity)
6. Mechanics of Game Story (To chain your scenes)
7. End of the Session
8. How to Play Published Adventures Solo (Fog of War in maps) & Note on spoilers in comments.

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Oracles

I had to remove the links from this part to combine them in 1 page for the character limit was almost reached.

Main Page: All Oracle Reviews

1. 3 Popular Oracles for FGU and Supplements (Paid) +
2. Mythic Game Master Emulator v1 (Web / Free) +
3. The Solo Adventurer's Toolbox 1 (D&D 5E Only, Paid) +
4. Mythic GM Emulator v2 (Paid, for soloing ANY setting) +
5. The Solo Adventurer's Toolbox 2(D&D 5E Only, Paid) -
6. Universal NPC Emulator (Paid Supplement) -

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The 3 Pillars

Exploration

• Exploration Part I (Discover an Established Setting), Requires a Setting Module
• Exploration Part II (Create-as-you-go) / Types of Random Generators
  
  • ​Gwydion's 2d6 Dungeon Module Quick Start
  • Griogre's Let's Play Solo Series [video]
  
  
• Exploration Part III (Hex-Crawl) / Obstacle Creation
  
  • FGU Hexploration Playtest Notes

Roleplay

• Roleplay
• Putting the RP Back into Solo RPGs NEW!

Combat

• Beginner Combat Tweaks

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2 Approaches to Solo Play (Intermediate)

1. GM Approach & Exercises for GM Approach (Creative Process).
2. Player Approach Part I & Part II
3. Muses
   
   • Part 1: About Inspiration for characters, quests.
   • Part 2: Inspiration for places & conflicts. Environmental Storytelling, Personalization.
   • Muses: Music, questioning, lists for inspiration.

Adjudication

• Rules in Solo Play
  
• Cheating in Solo Play

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ACTUAL PLAYS

Planned Campaign List: I will open a new thread for these.

Play Published Adventures Solo:

1. Ultimate Undermountain: The Dungeon Level by Dan Harlan. (Will be weekly)

Others:

1. Discover an Established Setting: Nickin' the "Star" in Alkenstar (PFSW mini 1-shot)
2. Hex-crawl: Hexploring World Map Hex Tiles, For Real!

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Deep Dive (Advanced)

1. Storytelling Articles

• WHY & HOW to Utilize Story Mechanics & ​Consequences Table
• 9 Conflict Types & Ian Irvine's Conflict Creation Methods
• Conjuring Sparks from Themes & Thematic Word Table for Plots and Characters
  
  • Methods to use themes in both creative AND therapeutic way & A Quick List of Action - Story - Character - Deep themes.
  • THEMATIC MUSES (Songs): Action * Story * Character * Deep - NEWISH
  • How to Use Themes? d8 ways to use themes in your games.
  
  
• Creating Plot Twists On-The-Go
• Creative Usage of Time In Solo Play
• Environmental Storytelling

1.1. Storytelling the Future -NEWEST!

• CDPR Game Design Philosophy and Ways to Apply It to TTRPGs
• Roles, Gigs, and Subgenres in Cyberpunk
• !WARNING: Dark Themes! Director's Guide to Cinematic Campaigns [Infographics / Cyberpunk]

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2. Old Solo Combat Strategy Series: Old Index

Note that, The Old Index is what's in the Blog and it is lame. The New Index upstairs is for the shiny new combat guide to be released.

• Solo Combat Guide - Part I / Basics
• Solo Combat Guide - Part II / Foundations
• Solo Combat Guide - Part III - Theory / Strategy & Tactics in Theory

Anthology of Topics:

• Theater of Mind in Combat
• Action Economy

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3. Dungeon Cartographer: Experimental Series

Note: On halt until I find a new place other than the Blogs to publish these. Griogre's Random Dungeon Tiles and Descriptions does a better job.

1. Introduction to Random Dun-Gen
2. Toolbox Template & Dungeon Room Descriptions (Text Gen)
3. Demo Playthrough #1 (Text-Gen Only)
4. Dungeon Architecture Pictionary (Google Docs Sheet)
5. Making Tileset Image Tables (Filenames.txt is here)
6. Demo Playthrough #2 (Tileset Image-Gen Only)
7. Adding Encounter Tables (Non/Combat, Traps)
8. Demo Playthrough #3 (Combining All)
9. The Refined Method: Start with this for quick play
10. BONUS: Environmental Storytelling Demo Play
11. Dun-Gen CHEAT SHEET

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4. Alternative Ways To Play Solo

1. Engaging In Problem Solving With Solo Play: This method is what I use to gain insight on any problem with what I call "Wisdom Through Fictional Conflict." Just like writers do. Sometimes it gives me eureka moments but sometimes it frustrates me. IT'S NOT FOR EVERYONE!
2. SOON! "Guide to Creating Stories with Cards." With Tarot Reading [Done but WIP for upgrades] by jkeller. Inspiration Source: How To Build An Adventure with The Deck of Many Things

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I'm hijacking this post. I need your clothes, your bullet points and your server hamster. ~ Arnold Temperzenegger after using up 10k word limit :(

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ALL RESOURCES

• Things You Can Do For FREE in FGVTT - TONS of FREE Stuff for All Kinds of Rulesets!
• [PAID] ALL Solo RPG Sources for FGVTT - WIP - Will be a review repository when it grows up. :)
• How to Keep It Short and Simple? By Killing Your Darlings. 12 min video from Corkboards & Curiosities
• Free PDF Alone Against the Flame - Call of Cthulhu Solo
• Free PDF SoloDark Oracle
• Free Dungeon Tileset by FlexTale
• Free ​Forgotten Adventures Mapmaking Pack: 140.000+ assets HERE in patreon. No more nagging from google.
• Free / 1$ - World Map Hex Tiles.

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CHEAT SHEETS

• Starter Cheat Sheet (Rules, 1st Scene, Gameplay Modes, RP Styles, Core Loop, Story Mechanics, How to utilize the mechanics)
• Player / GM Approach - [ In-app Example Pic ]
• Methodology
• Playing Published Adventures
• Inspiration & Personalization
• Exploration I & II
• Hex-Crawl

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Battlefield Mainframe: COMBAT HUB FOR SOLO RPGS

Soon...ish

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Solo Playground: WORKBOOK FOR THE GUIDES

Soon...er, maybe.

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Multichannel Chip Chat: SOLO A.I. PODCASTS

Now that AI can create podcasts AS IF two guys talking about a subject, I decided to use it for the guide while John Connor looks at me in disappointment.

• Podcast #1: For newcomers.
• Podcast #2: For intermediate players.
• Podcast #3: For experts, with more examples than explanations.
• Podcast #4: For Beginner Solo GMs.
• Podcast #5: For Intermediate Solo GMs.
• Podcast #6: For Expert Solo GMs. Waiting for New Combat Guide to release...

NEW! FIGHTER THEMED PODCASTS

1. How math creates better D&D stories? Examining Solo Goliath BattleMaster build.
2. Hardening the Avalanche Engine. Gaps in the Goliath BattleMaster and almost all pure melee builds and my suggestions for fixing them.
3. Ranged Supremacy. On avoidance and raining down bullets. Battlefield Supremacy through being unreachable while having the longest reach. With insight from the upcoming DnD 5E Combat Guide.

NEW! SHATTERING THE STORMWIND FALLACY

The Stormwind Fallacy is the divisive misconception that mechanical character optimization and deep roleplaying are mutually exclusive, falsely suggesting that a powerful build inherently lacks narrative depth and vice versa. Synthesis Approach solves this problem by combining the cold, mathematical optimization with narrative depth directly tied to the mechanics of a meta-build.

Synthesis Approach AI Podcast 1

Synthesis Approach AI Podcast 2

EDIT: Previous Original Post moved here.

Added to: Cheapest-and-Quickest-Way-for-Solo-Play
* JimSocks' Content Generator 2020
* DndSpeak 100 Tables
* Sellers Shop (Tables with BG Pic and Item Pins)
All of them are Pay what you want except the Content Creator is a free module for FGU.

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OP:

New Section Deep Dive is ready with its first item:

• WHY & HOW to Utilize Story Mechanics - 25/07/2024

Also, a pay what you want Name Gen Onomatology added to the Cheap & Quick Way.

Added: Exploration Part II (Create-as-you-go) in the 3 Pillars Section.

Added: 2 Approaches to Solo Play - NEW

1. GM Approach & Exercises for GM Approach
2. Player Approach - WIP

Added to 2 Approaches to Solo Play

Player Approach Part I & Part II & Muses // NEW 06/08/2024


Part 1: About characters and their quests in the context of inspiration.
Part 2: About places and conflicts in the context of inspiration. Also environmental storytelling and personalization of all these.
Muses: Music, questioning, lists for inspiration.

Added to Deep Dive Section: Conflict Types & Ian Irvine's Conflict Creation Methods

Conjuring Sparks from Themes & My Table of Thematic Words

• Methods to use themes in both creative AND therapeutic way in Solo Mode.

Added to the the Deep Dive section. 11/08/2024.

Love this! I'm an avid solo gamer nowadays and this has some great older advice I've picked up and some great new things to try. Thanks for putting this together.

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Originally Posted by superteddy57

Love this! I'm an avid solo gamer nowadays and this has some great older advice I've picked up and some great new things to try. Thanks for putting this together.

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You're welcome. :) I'm so glad that you loved it! More will come until I run out of topics.

Added to EPILOGUE:

• Engaging In Problem Solving With Solo Play

This method is what I use to gain wisdom on my or world's problems through something I call "Wisdom Through Fictional Conflict."

Added to Deep Dive:

Creating Plot Twists On-The-Go

A 4-Steps Method based on;

Added to INTRO:

Start Playing With This Demonstration (You learn all the rules & schmules later).

This is for complete newcomers.

ADDED to 3 Pillars In Solo Play: Exploration Part III (Hex-Crawling) [Includes obstacle creation methods] ADDED 16/08/2024

Added to resources in the blog: KISS IT by Killing your darlings.

Main page is too bloated. Word count...

UPDATE 1: Cheap & Quick Way: I was testing JimSocks' Content Gen 2020 for modulization of my guide and I'm having problems on generating from templates. It might be because I borked the campaign by first loading extensions then removing them. Or the gen is old and the new theme update has conflicts with it. DndSpeak tables still have enough content though. I will find a solution in the forums later.

UPDATE 2: Added in What Will I Need To Play: a "A Solo RPG System" near 1. Oracle in case you want to use a system that's designed for Solo only. Can't remember much of those, though.

UPDATE 3: Added Exploration III (Hex Crawl) Resources:

• Decked Out by Saagael: https://forge.fantasygrounds.com/shop/items/910/view to use cards to introduce random encounters.
• Basic Card Decks by Trenloe: https://forge.fantasygrounds.com/shop/items/97/view to use basic cards with Decked out.

UPDATE 4: Added to What Will I Need: Free Pathfinder 1e extensions

by dllewell

https://forge.fantasygrounds.com/cra...1/view-profile

by Blahness98

https://forge.fantasygrounds.com/cra...8/view-profile

by darrenan

PFRPG Action Library: https://forge.fantasygrounds.com/shop/items/207/view

by dllewell

PFRPG - Races (Linked): https://forge.fantasygrounds.com/shop/items/419/view
PFRPG - Feats Extended: https://forge.fantasygrounds.com/shop/items/1324/view

You are on a roll! Good work :)

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Originally Posted by LordEntrails

You are on a roll! Good work :)

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Thanks! :) Happy to help anyone who needs guidance.

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Originally Posted by Tempered7

Thanks! :) Happy to help anyone who needs guidance.

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Would love to do some sort of show to discuss and showcase some of these things.

Laerun

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Originally Posted by Laerun

Would love to do some sort of show to discuss and showcase some of these things.

Laerun

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Hi Laerun. I was also thinking about making some sort of demo but unfortunately, I can't speak very well (nerve damage). You can use anything in the guide freely, though.
I will try to make a solo play (TTS or AI Voice) by using methods described here, you can also use it freely when it's done.

EDIT: But what I can do is I can make my Solo Adventure with AI Voice from the topics you want to showcase! :)

UPDATE: JimSocks' excellent content creator 2020 is working fine in my new campaign. Bad news is, I borked the old campaign where I'm writing the topics. *facepalm* :D

UPDATE 2: Unfortunately, I won't be able to make a template with other modules. Because of copyrights.

https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/VY...01wXiF_eq3VVUI

Added to PLOT Twists: I finally found the source of this, but the usage is older than the video and I also use Red Herrings. Of course, with GreatGM's explanations it's way more enlightening. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QwZKD1AWIYM

Added to Hex Crawl Resources: Laerun's Solo Player Hexploration with ChatGPT: https://chatgpt.com/g/g-vIDKY931L-solo-hexploration

It is a free (ChatGPT) resource by Laerun to flesh out your hex-crawl maps.

Attachment 61658

EDIT: You can play hex crawling with it, too. Use it as an Oracle and ask the AI questions as you would normally with an Oracle module.
BUT there is a limit for ChatGPT and when you reach it, it asks you to get Plus.

ADDED to Exploration Part II > Line of Sight: The way to darken maps and remove map vision for immersion and surprise.

Check https://youtu.be/verTvYTUGyA?si=x80YsIAXA3yOvRoO&t=134 to learn how to add dynamic lightning if your map doesn't have it.

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GM LAYER EDIT: It gets better! I found this GM Layer invisibility option for Solo Play. Just turn it on / off as needed. Old or imported maps might not have it though.

# Now you see me
Attachment 61718

# Now you don't
Attachment 61719

ADDED to Methodology:

How to Play Published Adventures Solo // NEW - 23/08/2024

EDITED in Exploration Part II: > Line of Sight > [NOPE] Dont bother adding LoS to maps [/NOPE] ->

• You can quickly add LoS to maps you created. 6:46 min

Added to Comments in Play Published Adventures Solo -- these will be in the module as there is no character limit there.

Some Default Behaviors might include:

General:

Search at the beginning -> Research at the end; traps, secret doors, loot, etc...
Loot all / Never touch a dead enemy's pockets
Always walk with a drawn weapon / Only draw the weapon if necessary
Marching order (there is an option for this built in FGU)
Party torch carrier / Rely on nightvision

Combat:

Reckless / Tactical
Ranged first -> Then melee
Party Controller / Debuffer
Healer and the Healer's Protector

EDIT: It's now in 3 Pillars.

ADDED TO Oracles Section: 27/08/2024 FGU ​Hex-crawl Playtest in D&D 5E

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Originally Posted by Tempered7

EDIT: It's now in 3 Pillars. 27/08/2024 FGU ​Hex-crawl Playtest in D&D 5E

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List of tables:

# The Adventurer's Toolbox

I couldn't find wilderness gen anywhere else, yet.

Wilderness - Random Terrain
Wilderness - Active Area Discovery
Wilderness - Overarching Terrain: Arctic
Wilderness - Overarching Terrain. Desert
Wilderness - Overarching Terrain: Forest/Jungle
Wilderness - Overarching Terrain: Grassland
Wilderness - Overarching Terrain: Hills
Wilderness - Overarching Terrain: Mountains
Wilderness - Overarching Terrain: Swamp


# DMG & Toolbox


Toolbox Story Template: Dungeon Generator
DMG Table: Exotic Location
Toolbox Story Template: NPC Generator
DMG Story Template: Random NPC Description


# JimSocks' Content Creator 2020

EDIT: Government Officials and Royal Drama is included. I completely overlooked it. Only Defenses are missing from G.U.A.R.D.S list.

## Settlements


Table: 02 - City Generator
Table: 03 - Town Generator
Table: 04 - Village Generator
Table: 16 - Travel Generators
Dungeon Starting Area


## Resources


Table: 05 - Big City Random Shops!
Table: 06 - Merchant Generator
Table: 07 - Tavern Generator
Table: 10 - Church Generator
Table: 11 - Guild Generator
Table: 12 - Secret Society Generator

RESOURCE NEWS in Blog: FlexTale's FlexCrawl Tile Theme Pack DNG-01: Dungeon Walls, a mini dungeon crawl set is currently FREE on drivethrurpg right now.

EDIT:

Like a "genius" I linked the blog twice. :D Here's the drivethru link: https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/prod...-dungeon-walls

You can use it as a Solo Dungeon Crawler with the rules from the PDF, or use the tiles in FGU Map Tool to create your own dungeon.

ADDED to Deep Dive:

Consequences Table - NEW 29/08/2024

Added to Oracles: The Adventurer's Toolbox (D&D 5E Only / Paid) - NEW 02/09/2024
Except for the Deep Dive part, the main part of the guide is finished with it.

Here's a pic of my usage of it. An INDEX page with tables from other sources.
Attachment 61862

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Originally Posted by Tempered7

FGU ​Hex-crawl Playtest in D&D 5E

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I'm adding the filenames of the tiles used in the playtest in case anyone wants to make tables from them, for personal use.
I also filtered out the ones that are not necessary for tables.
I tried making a table in here but long post was loooong.

Enjoy :)

Note: World Map Hex Tiles https://2minutetabletop.com/product/...map-hex-tiles/

Great stuff. Glad to see more focus on solo gaming as I've been doing more myself. I've converted a few games into XCore for free on the forge for folks wanting to play games like 2d6 Dungeon in FGU.

Guide News: I'm slowly expanding on How to play published adventures in the comments. I was reading for it a lot and translating the methods into reading/playing FGU modules is a bit tricky.

There is also a carefree method if you don't mind spoilers. But since most people mind spoilers, I'll complete it first. It'll be compact step-by-step method as usual.

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Originally Posted by Gwydion

Great stuff. Glad to see more focus on solo gaming as I've been doing more myself. I've converted a few games into XCore for free on the forge for folks wanting to play games like 2d6 Dungeon in FGU.

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Always good to see more Soloists.

I didn't know there was 2d6 dungeon in FGU. I'm checking it right now, and be happy to try it! It's been so long since I played dungeon crawlers like that. I was already keep hearing about 4 against darkness and wanting to try it.

Thank you so much for converting it! :)

EDIT: I couldn't find it though. Could you link it?

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Originally Posted by Tempered7

Always good to see more Soloists.

I didn't know there was 2d6 dungeon in FGU. I'm checking it right now, and be happy to try it! It's been so long since I played dungeon crawlers like that. I was already keep hearing about 4 against darkness and wanting to try it.

Thank you so much for converting it! :)

EDIT: I couldn't find it though. Could you link it?

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Sent you a PM but also, in case you want to see it, I have a playthrough youtube video with it as well. You can find that here:

https://youtu.be/EdnErL1hebU?si=_fhYrlbXReOzXBxT

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Originally Posted by Gwydion

Sent you a PM but also, in case you want to see it, I have a playthrough youtube video with it as well. You can find that here:

https://youtu.be/EdnErL1hebU?si=_fhYrlbXReOzXBxT

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Oh, this is extremely helpful. I immediately jumped into it and stuck at how to generate the dungeon part. It'll take time to watch the whole video. Thanks for sharing it.

ADDED to 3 Pillars:

Gwydion's 2d6 Dungeon Module Quick Start - NEWEST - 04/09/2024

This surprise guide will prepare you for the toughest battles in 2d6 Dungeon of Xcore ruleset.
Downloading and reading Core rules is still necessary. Videos in the Resources section explains most of the basics and combat mechanics.

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Originally Posted by Tempered7

ADDED to 3 Pillars:
Gwydion's 2d6 Dungeon Module Quick Start - NEWEST - 04/09/2024

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EDITED: Forgotten Adventures Mapmaking pack https://www.forgotten-adventures.net...apmaking-pack/

• It might be a block on Google for too many download requests. Check back later if you can't download.

Right now I can download it for the first time in more than 5 hours.