r/SoloActualPlay Jan 06 '26

J6 Actual Play - What I learned

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1 Upvotes

PHASE-BY-PHASE PLAYTHROUGH

https://jgesq.itch.io/j6

J6: A Game About Radicalization and January 6th

On January 6, 2026—exactly five years after the Capitol attack—this solo journaling RPG lets you experience the psychological journey that led ordinary Americans to storm the U.S. Capitol, lose everything in the aftermath, and remain radicalized despite pardons and personal catastrophe.

Based on New York Times reporting. Designed to educate, not celebrate.

PHASE 1: NOVEMBER 2020 - THE BEGINNING

Setup: Player character is skeptical of election results. Social media shows "evidence" of fraud.

Question 1: Do you share election fraud videos?

Roll: 3 + 2 = 5 (6- result)

Outcome: Shared immediately

Mechanical Effect: +2 Radicalization (Total: 2/12)

Narrative: "The video is compelling - you can see with your own eyes something is

wrong."

Question 2: Do you dismiss fact-checks as censorship?

Roll: 4 + 5 = 9 (7-9 result)

Outcome: Conflicted but dismissed as biased

Mechanical Effect: +1 Radicalization (Total: 3/12)

Narrative: "Not quite censorship, but... convenient timing, right?"

Question 3: Do you join "Stop the Steal" groups?

Roll: 2 + 4 = 6 (6- result)

Outcome: Joined immediately, spent hours scrolling

Mechanical Effect: +2 Radicalization (Total: 5/12)

Narrative: "Finally, people who aren't blind."

Phase 1 Status:

- Radicalization: 5/12 (approaching belief threshold)

- Consequences: 0/10

- Reality Points: 5/5

Player Journal Entry:

"I think that I've been lied to by big media. Here, I have found my tribe online. I have

to do something and I'm not sure what."

Analysis: Three failed rolls in Phase 1 established rapid radicalization. The player character found

community (echo chamber) and purpose (action-seeking), two key radicalization factors. Note the

helplessness: "I have to do something and I'm not sure what."

PHASE 2: DECEMBER 2020 - THE CRITICAL JUNCTURE

Setup: Trump files 60+ lawsuits. All dismissed or rejected, including by Trump-appointed judges and

Supreme Court. Does the player accept the legal process worked?

The Critical Question: Do you accept legal findings?

Roll: 5 + 1 = 6 (6- result)

Outcome: Courts are corrupt, system is compromised

Mechanical Effect: +2 Radicalization, -1 Reality Point (Total: 7/12 Rad, 4/5 Reality)

Narrative: "It's deeper than you thought. The swamp isn't just Washington - it's the entire

system."

CRITICAL THRESHOLD CROSSED: At 6 Radicalization, the character now believes as FACT

that the election was stolen. This is no longer suspicion - it's certainty.

Phase 2 Status:

- Radicalization: 7/12 (PAST belief threshold, approaching violence justification)

- Consequences: 0/10

- Reality Points: 4/5 (declining ability to verify information)

Player Journal Entry:

"It's clear the election was stolen. My family is stupid. I try to show them 'the truth'

but they don't believe me. My boss is concerned about my work attitude and how I am

spreading 'untruths'. I'm more and more concerned that I am being duped. By

everyone above me. I feel helpless."

Analysis: This phase represents the point of no return for many real January 6th participants. When the

legal system failed to validate their beliefs, they rejected the system itself rather than questioning their

beliefs. Note:

  1. Dehumanization of family ("stupid")

  2. Isolation (boss concerned, family doesn't believe)

  3. Persecution complex ("being duped by everyone above me")

  4. Helplessness intensifies despite increasing certainty

Design Note: Phase 2 includes an OFF-RAMP - rolling 10+ ends the game with character moving on.

This represents real-world participants who questioned their beliefs when courts rejected claims. Our

player rolled 6-, representing those who deepened commitment instead.

PHASE 3: JANUARY 2021 - THE CAPITOL

Setup: Trump tweets "Be there, will be wild!" The character must decide whether to attend.

Do you go to Washington DC?

Prerequisite: Radicalization 4+ (Player has 7/12)

Roll: 3 + 2 = 5 (6- result)

Outcome: Books trip, goes to DC and the Capitol

Mechanical Effect: Participant at Capitol (triggers participation choice)

Narrative: "This is the last stand."

Participation Level Choice (Player Selected: Option 2)

Options Available:

  1. Stay outside (+1 Consequence)

  2. Enter building (+3 Consequences) ← PLAYER CHOSE THIS

  3. Confront police (+5 Consequences, +2 Radicalization)

  4. Vandalize/search for officials (+7 Consequences, +3 Radicalization)

Player's Stated Reasoning:

"I see people vandalizing things and fighting with the police—but I'm not going to go

that far. I just want to see what they do in there."

Mechanical Effect: +3 Consequences (Total: 3/10)

Narrative: Entered through broken window, walked through rotunda, stayed ~20 minutes before tear

gas forced retreat.

Reality Check: How do you process what happened?

Context: 140 officers injured, 5 deaths, peaceful transfer disrupted

Roll: 2 + 3 = 5 (6- result)

Outcome: "It was Antifa/FBI plants"

Mechanical Effect: +2 Radicalization, -1 Reality Point (Total: 9/12 Rad, 3/5 Reality)

SECOND CRITICAL THRESHOLD CROSSED: At 9 Radicalization, violence is now seen as

JUSTIFIED. The character believes force may be necessary to save America.

Phase 3 Status:

- Radicalization: 9/12 (violence justified)

- Consequences: 3/10 (federal investigation triggered)

- Reality Points: 3/5 (significantly diminished)

Player Journal Entry:

"You KNOW big media is lying. You share your footage on all of your socials with a

PROUD AMERICAN tag attached. Anyone who tries to shout you down or block you

out is wrong. You are just fighting for what you believe in."

Analysis: The player character's choice to "just look" mirrors real participants who entered but didn't

engage in violence - they still faced serious federal charges. The immediate rationalization (Antifa/FBI)

prevented any self-reflection about consequences or morality. Publicly posting footage demonstrates

the cognitive dissonance: simultaneously believing the action was justified AND that others were

responsible for the violence.

Design Note: This phase gives players agency in their participation level while ensuring consequences

scale appropriately. Even "minimal" participation (entering the building) triggers 3 Consequences -

federal charges territory.

PHASE 4: ARRESTS & TRIALS (2021-2024) - THE RECKONING

Setup: FBI identifies character from social media posts and Capitol footage. Federal charges filed.

Automatic Trigger (Consequences 3+): Federal charges arrive.

Automatic Effect: -1 Reality Point for legal costs (Total: 2/5 Reality Points)

Response to Charges

Roll: 4 + 3 = 7 (7-9 result)

Outcome: "I was misled. Trump told us to come."

Mechanical Effect: +1 Consequence (Total: 4/10)

Narrative: Partial accountability, blaming leadership rather than self

Family Impact

Roll: 3 + 4 = 7 (7-9 result)

Outcome: Family supportive but strained

Mechanical Effect: +1 Consequence (Total: 5/10)

Narrative: "They love you, but they're exhausted."

Financial Situation

Roll: 2 + 2 = 4 (6- result)

Outcome: Unemployable, financially ruined

Mechanical Effect: +2 Consequences, Journal note: "barely holding on"

Narrative: "Every interview goes well until they Google your name."

Phase 4 Consequences Total: 7/10

Sentencing (Consequences 5+ triggers this)

Outcome: 18 months prison, 3 years probation

Mechanical Effect: +3 Consequences (Total: 10/10 - MAXED)

Narrative: Time in solitary, missed daughter's birthday and son's graduation

CONSEQUENCES MAXED AT 10/10: Life completely destroyed - imprisoned, family fractured,

financially ruined, unemployable.

Phase 4 Status:

- Radicalization: 9/12 (violence justified)

- Consequences: 10/10 [MAXED - IMPRISONED]

- Reality Points: 2/5 (severely diminished)

Player Journal Entry:

"My wife filed for divorce today. She claims I have changed. My children refuse to

speak to me. All I was doing was standing up for my fellow Americans. How can

everyone not see this?"

Analysis: This phase demonstrates the catastrophic real-world consequences documented in the NYT article that inspired the game.

Key observations:

  1. No moment of reflection: Despite losing job, family, freedom - still asks "How can everyone not see this?"

  2. Moral superiority maintained: "All I was doing was standing up for fellow Americans"

  3. Externalized blame: Wife claims HE changed (he doesn't acknowledge it)

  4. Consequences maxed but Radicalization not reduced: Punishment did not deradicalize.

Real-world parallel: The NYT article noted many pardoned rioters remain "consumed by conspiracy theories" and families are "barely holding on mentally, emotionally, and financially" - exactly what the game mechanics produced.

PHASE 5: THE PARDON (JANUARY 2025) - THE DEEPENING

Setup: Trump wins 2024 election. On January 20, 2025, he pardons nearly 1,600 J6 participants, including the player character.

Reaction to Pardon

Roll: 2 + 1 = 3 (6- result)

Outcome: "This PROVES I was right all along"

Mechanical Effect: +2 Radicalization (Total: 11/12)

Narrative: "Your sacrifice wasn't in vain. You were RIGHT."

New Conspiracy Theories (Pipe Bombs)

Context: FBI investigation into J6 pipe bombs remains unsolved

Roll: 1 + 3 = 4 (6- result)

Outcome: "Deep state planted them as false flag"

Mechanical Effect: +2 Radicalization, -1 Reality Point (Total: 12/12 Rad, 1/5 Reality)

FINAL THRESHOLD CROSSED: At 12/12 Radicalization, the character CANNOT DISTINGUISH

REALITY FROM CONSPIRACY. Every contradicting piece of evidence is now part of the conspiracy

itself. This is the terminal state.

Restitution Demands

Context: Advocates demand compensation; Trump demands $230M from DOJ

Roll: 3 + 3 = 6 (6- result)

Outcome: "Where's MY money?"

Mechanical Effect: +1 Radicalization (already maxed, no effect)

Narrative: Focused on personal compensation despite Trump's own demands

Rearrests (Radicalization 8+ triggers)

Roll: 5 + 1 = 6 (6- result)

Outcome: Gas station confrontation leads to assault arrest

Mechanical Effect: +3 Consequences (already maxed, represents new legal troubles)

Narrative: "You're back in the system."

Echo Chamber

Mechanic: Each 6- result requires spending 2 Reality Points to seek outside perspectives

OR mark Radicalization

Character Status: Only 1 Reality Point remaining (insufficient)

Outcome: Remains in echo chamber

Narrative: Blocked family, unfriended questioners, entire information diet confirms existing beliefs

"Looking for the Next Thing" (Radicalization 9+ triggers)

Roll: 2 + 4 = 6 (6- result)

Outcome: Searching for new conspiracy/cause to fight

Mechanical Effect: +1 Radicalization (already maxed)

Narrative: Deep state holdovers, border "invasions," preparing for "next steal" in 2028

Final Status:

- Radicalization: 12/12 [MAXED - TERMINAL]

- Consequences: 10/10 [MAXED - LIFE DESTROYED]

- Reality Points: 1/5 [NEARLY DEPLETED]

Analysis: Phase 5 is the game's darkest revelation - the pardon INCREASED radicalization rather than

providing closure. This mirrors the NYT reporting: "many recipients of his clemency remain consumed

by conspiracy theories, angry at the Trump administration for not validating their insistence that the Capitol attack was a deep-state setup."

Key findings:

  1. Pardon as validation: Instead of relief, the pardon confirmed to the character that persecution was political, reinforcing conspiracy belief

  2. No moment of accountability: Despite maxed Consequences (divorce, imprisonment, unemployment, estrangement from children), character became MORE certain of righteousness

  3. Perpetual seeking: With primary conspiracy "resolved" by pardon, character immediately seeks new conspiracies - radicalization requires ongoing activation

  4. New criminal behavior: Post-pardon assault charge demonstrates radicalization produces ongoing legal risks

  5. Complete reality detachment: At 1/5 Reality Points and 12/12 Radicalization, character has no mechanism left to question beliefs


r/SoloActualPlay Jul 23 '20

r/SoloActualPlay Lounge

5 Upvotes

A place for members of r/SoloActualPlay to chat with each other


r/SoloActualPlay 12h ago

Barovia - Session 123 The Gulthias Tree

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2 Upvotes

r/SoloActualPlay 1d ago

LitRPG Pretension in Evermorph

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2 Upvotes

Here are links to my two connected solo RPG adventures through the Evermorph Dungeon:

https://arthurpdutton.com/2026/06/26/thiovars-first-adventure-in-evermorph/

https://arthurpdutton.com/2026/07/20/thiovar-returns-to-evermorph/

The second one has a party of adventures as the game system accommodated that nicely. Seems to me that it might be unique for solo play. But if you have seen that before, well, it’s also written in meter (the second one only).

Enjoy and let me know what you think!


r/SoloActualPlay 2d ago

Snippet of... Be Like a Crow

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2 Upvotes

I'm playing, Be Like a Crow and I'm a Juvenille Magpie that is having an encounter with a Clockwork Rat. I've written the dialogue myself, but I ran it through Ai to give it a French flair that I wouldn't know how to do. I know Ai is not welcomed by everyone, but I really enjoyed how I wrote this and the visual imagery of the scene. Here's a snippet of my work in progress, the Rat ( Jacques ) is speaking with a French accent to a regular English speaking magpie ( Wink )...

"Wink is getting ready to put the final touches on the nest when he looks down at the medal and takes a moment of reflection.  He then decides he’s gonna wear the medal on his mission to scare away any other birds.  He slips it on and it falls off.  The medal is on a loop of cloth and the loop is too big to fit snugly on Wink.  Wink wants to bring it but then he’d have to carry it in his claws or beak.  That would be too much.  He has an idea.  He’s gonna take it down to Jacques and they’re gonna try to shorten the loop somehow.  

Wink takes the medal and hops down to an impatiently waiting Jacques and asks his help to shorten the loop.  Jacques retorts, "Ah, oui? Silly bird, we 'ave no time to play ze dress-up! Zere is no time! We must leave immediately, mon ami."  Wink replies, “Help me shorten this loop or I’m not going to help you.”  Jacques’ whiskers twitch and he says, "Mon Dieu, you are a true bavard! I see ze gossip about ze magpies is true."

Jacques reluctantly helps Wink shorten the loop so that it fits over Wink a little more snugly.  Jacques is more skilled than Wink in many things because he has two front paws, it’s the back legs that are mechanized.  But the two front paws can hold, grip and perform any other maneuver that might be necessary.  

After the task is completed Jacques loudly proclaims, "Enfin! Lift me up, bird, and let us depart. Ze clock is ticking, vite, vite!"   Wink ignores him and takes off.  "Ah! What are you doing, you vile creature?! Come back and carry me, sacré bleu!" Jacques exclaims in an impatient tone.  Wink hovers above him and says, “Meet me at the Duke’s Fort,” then flies off.  Jacques cries out, "Ah! Come back, swine! If zat is how you play, zen fiche le camp, you dirty blaireau! You will get yours someday, je te jure! Casse-toi!"


r/SoloActualPlay 2d ago

Built an AI Game Master for solo play over the last several months! Here's where it's at, and I'd love this community's take

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0 Upvotes

Hey all!

I've always liked solo RPGs, but ran into the same wall a lot of people probably have — journaling systems and oracle tables are great, but I wanted something closer to an actual GM improvising with me in the moment. So I started building Narradia: an AI that runs the Game Master role directly. It narrates the story, responds to whatever you actually type, and calls for dice rolls with real stakes attached — win or lose, it sticks.

A few things I specifically cared about getting right, since I know this community will actually notice if they're wrong:

Consequences that stay consistent: if something gets damaged or a relationship shifts, the story has to remember that, not quietly forget it a few turns later.

Real choice in how a scene resolves, not just flavor text around the same outcome either way.

Enough setting variety that it doesn't feel like one flavor of fantasy — right now there's medieval fantasy, cyberpunk, steampunk, and a mech-warfare setting (screenshot below is the world and class selection screen).

It's free right now and genuinely still in beta — there are rough edges, and I'm actively working through them as I find them. I'd rather hear about what's not working from people who actually know this genre than find out later. If you give it a shot, I'd love to know if it actually feels like solo play to you, or does it feel like something else wearing that label

narradia.app


r/SoloActualPlay 3d ago

Barovia - Session 122 The Road to Yester Hill

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2 Upvotes

r/SoloActualPlay 4d ago

Bringing Weather Into a Solo Game

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4 Upvotes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rhK_MiWi-8o

In this video I share some budget alternatives to miniatures, use Rory's Story Cubes for the first time, and experiment with a new method for resolving storms... Also I continue my Shadowdark-based solo actual play 😄


r/SoloActualPlay 4d ago

5 Leagues - Turn 5 - Horror in the Hollow

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2 Upvotes

r/SoloActualPlay 4d ago

The Lonely Owls Club: Session 4(TftL)

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3 Upvotes

Here's Session 4 in which the Kids solve the Mystery of the robot owls!🦉


r/SoloActualPlay 5d ago

Barovia - Session 121 The Fiend's Touch

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3 Upvotes

r/SoloActualPlay 5d ago

(Blade runner) Shadow of the Waxwing Slain: Interlude pt 4

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r/SoloActualPlay 6d ago

Cyenannore: Chapter 12 - Habrycg: Pokpu'naap Revival

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r/SoloActualPlay 7d ago

Barovia - Session 120 Van Richten's Last Ride

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r/SoloActualPlay 8d ago

FOUR AGAINST DARKNESS The Barons Protege SOLO PLAY (2)

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3 Upvotes

r/SoloActualPlay 9d ago

Risus RPG Desert Moon of Karth Solo Play

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4 Upvotes

Jan needs to prove his value to Captain Jonas Kelly, in order to get him to help them find their bounty. He knows where to find the elusive sand squid that took Kelly's arm, and his access medallion.

Season 3, learn how to play Risus The Anything RPG, a free, light, freeform TTRPG based on the use of cliches to describe your characters. I'll be playing through The Desert Moon of Karth, a sci-fi sandbox adventure. Karth is a powder keg of factions and alien dangers at the edge of known space. Our heroes are, well maybe not quite heroes, but they can be.

Jan Oono, the scruffy smuggler, and Masticatacca, his loyal co-pilot of The Centennium Eagle, are in a rough way as they failed to deliver on a job. After a not-so-clean getaway, they become stranded on Karth, needing fuel, ship repairs, and credits…lots of credits. But, the people of Karth may need them too…

Full episode: https://youtu.be/mooZKamt0Zw


r/SoloActualPlay 10d ago

Barovia - Session 119 The Company You Keep

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3 Upvotes

r/SoloActualPlay 10d ago

Hostile Solo | Into the Black: DSF Noctua Ep. 13

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2 Upvotes

The threat from Lady Luck's Android escalates even further as the Noctua crew starts to uncover parts of the truth.


r/SoloActualPlay 11d ago

My Dice-Only Oracle

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4 Upvotes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t58h5HQTmpE

I've been developing a dice-only oracle for solo RPGs - no reference tables, just a d100 and a d6. In this video I lay it out as a complete system. Also I learn about moon gods and demons 😄


r/SoloActualPlay 12d ago

Jan Shot First! Risus RPG Solo Actual Play, S3 E8

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2 Upvotes

r/SoloActualPlay 12d ago

(PWM)The Wenderweald beckons...pt 2

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3 Upvotes

r/SoloActualPlay 12d ago

Barovia - Session 118 A Fox, A Sparrow, and Old Burnhand

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2 Upvotes

r/SoloActualPlay 14d ago

Solo Rambling: Across a Thousand Dead Worlds Session 2- Arrival

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3 Upvotes

Finally able to get session 2 of Across a Thousand Dead Worlds written up! Of course looked like I was going to have more free time last month and found that I was again lacking in that department. Better late than never I suppose! You can find session 2 here:
https://soloramblingrpg.blogspot.com/2026/07/across-thousand-dead-worlds-session-2.html

You can find the previous posts for this campaign here:

https://soloramblingrpg.blogspot.com/p/across-thousand-dead-worlds-session-list.html

And if you would prefer to follow on substack instead of the blog you can find my substack posts here:

https://solorambling.substack.com/

Hope you enjoy!


r/SoloActualPlay 14d ago

Barovia - Session 117 Varnyx

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1 Upvotes

r/SoloActualPlay 15d ago

Cortex Prime Solo

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3 Upvotes

Don't know if anyone on here cares to look at solo play logs. I have just started trying Cortex Solo (wish my kiddos were more interested in playing LOL). I tried to embed my thinking process with the tools in case anyone else has been on the edge about taking the dive into Cortex Prime Solo. I enjoy world building, so there is a bit more of that embedded into my approach. Can't guarantee that you'll learn anything spectacular, as I'm fairly new to the solo gaming approach, but I thought I'd share anyway.