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Scarlet Heroes

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The crimson mist churns a hundred miles from shore, red with the blood of a butchered world. Here in the Sunset Isles the last fragments of humanity struggle to withstand the fury of the native Shou and the corruption within their own divided ranks. Hard-eyed men and women brood in the waterfront dives and shabby tea houses, selling their swords for a few bright coins or the promise of a dead man's treasures. In the wilderness, the lost cities of vanished empires and fallen races lie deep within the jungle shroud, and the desperate efforts of colonists and refugees strain to contain the horrors that threaten on every side.

It is a time for legends. It is a time for fearless warriors and eldritch adepts to rise from this hard-pressed people and defend them from the nightmare that threatens to engulf them all. The wealth of ages awaits those steely souls with the courage to cast down the guardians and break the vaults of the festering dead. A new world struggles to be born from the red ruin of the old. It is in need of scarlet heroes.

Scarlet Heroes is an old-school tabletop role-playing game designed to provide classic sword and sorcery gaming for one player and one gamemaster. Unlike most other RPGs, Scarlet Heroes is built to support one-on-one play, with no need for a full-fledged party of adventurers to provide an evening's entertainment. Whether for a spouse, kid, curious friend, or just as an alternative to boardgames for those nights when only one or two friends can make it to the gaming session, Scarlet Heroes gives you the tools for good old-fashioned skull-cracking adventure.

Scarlet Heroes can be used both as a stand-alone RPG and as an overlay over your favorite old-school game to make its adventures playable for single PCs or very small groups. It shares the same classic statistics and basic game mechanisms as these old-school favorites, but by changing the interpretation of these numbers it makes it possible for a single courageous adventurer to dare perils that would otherwise threaten a half-dozen freebooters. With Scarlet Heroes, a GM can pull out a favorite module, grab a convenient friend, and a have a full night's adventure with no tweaking, alteration, or adjustment of the material needed.

Inside the pages of this book, you'll find...

  • A full stand-alone RPG system that can also be used as an overlay atop most popular old-school games.

  • The Red Tide campaign setting as a default for the game, with a full bestiary of Southeast Asian-inspired monsters, suitable new magic items, and a full list of new cleric and magic-user spells for that setting.

  • Solo adventure tools for genuine single-player RPG gaming. Mix your own creativity with table results to create a narrative for your own hero's adventure... or use them as inspiration in crafting something for a group.

  • Five crisp new maps by Dyson Logos, unkeyed and ready to be filled by your own creativity.

More than a thousand backers supported the Kickstart that funded the creation of Scarlet Heroes and now the book is available to the wider world. Seize this world of red adventure and be armed against the coming night!

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Reviews (14)
Discussions (21)
Customer avatar
Jeremy Z January 21, 2024 8:24 am UTC
PURCHASER
Am I the only one who wants to see this ported to Fantasy Grounds and Foundry VTT?
Customer avatar
Shane F August 31, 2023 1:29 pm UTC
PURCHASER
Did a Sci-Fi version ever get created for playing solo using Stars without Number? I know parts per million did a supplement but I wonder if Kevin ever created anything.
Customer avatar
Sergei I August 25, 2023 7:22 pm UTC
Hello. ChatGPT said the there is a heroic alignment concept in scarlet heroes.
"
"In "Scarlet Heroes," characters are defined by two elements of their Heroic Alignment:

Heroic Ideal: This represents the character's core motivation and overarching goal. It's a statement that encapsulates what the character believes in and strives for. For example, a Heroic Ideal could be "Protect the innocent," "Seek ultimate power," or "Avenge a loved one." The Heroic Ideal serves as a guiding principle for the character's actions and decisions throughout the game.

Heroic Flaw: This represents the character's personal weakness or temptation. It's an aspect of the character that can lead them astray from their Heroic Ideal. For example, a Heroic Flaw could be "Quick to anger," "Addicted to power," or "Haunted by past mistakes." The Heroic Flaw introduces complexity and challenges to the character's journey, as...See more
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Anthony T March 27, 2023 6:56 pm UTC
PURCHASER
Thinking about it I may have hit the wrong button, how sad.
Customer avatar
Anthony T March 27, 2023 3:04 am UTC
PURCHASER
So I ordered the pdf + softcover and then only seemed to get the book, no pdf. What gives?
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Phillip A April 04, 2023 1:03 pm UTC
PURCHASER
You should be able to download it from the "library" page near the top right after you log in or from this product page. Links should appear above the description of the product on the product page after you purchase. If neither of those work, then you should contact support to confirm your purchase and all of that.
Customer avatar
Kelly W January 25, 2023 11:40 pm UTC
PURCHASER
is this good with 1 gm and 2 pc?
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Customer avatar
Phillip A April 04, 2023 1:05 pm UTC
PURCHASER
I haven't tried it with two, but the book claims that it can work easily with two. It also says 3 PCs are possible, but that you will need to increase enemies in encounters by half and the PCs will "not run away as often".
Customer avatar
Travis V December 07, 2022 5:04 pm UTC
PURCHASER
I have a question. How are critical hits on a natural 20 handled? Do just double the dice or the damage after the filter? And how have some of you with more exp used the DCC critical hits table?
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Customer avatar
Delvin H December 31, 2022 12:59 am UTC
PURCHASER
There's no damage increase in damage on a crit in Scarlet Heroes. The attack rules note that a natural 20 is an automatic hit, but state nothing more on damage boosts after the fact.
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Customer avatar
Travis V December 31, 2022 2:25 pm UTC
PURCHASER
thank you I must have missed that
Customer avatar
Christopher P October 06, 2022 12:46 pm UTC
PURCHASER
Question about Magic-Users:
For Clerics it says the following:
Clerics and magic-users should pick their spells. For clerics,
this is simple. Just turn to the Red Sorcery section of this book and
pick one first-level cleric spell to prepare. You can cast this spell
once per day. You can change your choice each morning when
you prepare spells. Magic-users should do the same, but their
choices are more limited...

It clearly says that Clerics can cast their spells once per day. Does this also apply to Magic-Users? At level 1 I have one spell as a Magic-User. If I cast that spell, can I cast it again, or am I waiting until the next day to cast spells again?
Customer avatar
Heath W August 04, 2021 10:25 am UTC
PURCHASER
So I just had an interesting scenario. I was attacked by a wolf (not really fair, I tried to bribe it with a ration, after I stumbled into its den), which has 2 Hit Dice.

Now, the Fray Die can only be used on opponents with the same or less HD than your characters level right?

So, let's say I've inflicted 1 HD worth of damage with my normal attack, but I'm level 1. Would I then be able to use my Fray Die against the wolf which is now down to 1 HD?
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Customer avatar
Patrick S January 06, 2022 10:41 am UTC
I don't know Scarlet Heroes, but Godbound which uses the Fray Die, too. And i'm pretty sure that the use of the Fray Die depends on the original HD of the enemy.
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Customer avatar
Heath W January 07, 2022 10:48 am UTC
PURCHASER
That's a shame. I played it the other way in the meanwhile - it made each encounter scary but it was always fast and bloody, an was a lot of fun.

I may give Godbound a chance, thanks!
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Customer avatar
James B March 06, 2022 5:23 am UTC
PURCHASER
The cool thing about solo gaming is that if you want to play it a certain way, you can. So even if rules as written you use the monsters original HD, don't let that stop you from using current HD if you prefer that method.
Customer avatar
Lea H June 20, 2021 1:41 pm UTC
Hello, I'm interested in this system for playing OSR D&D and I read that it's great for exactly that for solo players. Would it work with Dungeon Crawl Classics for a solo player too? Probably an unfair question, but I thought I'd ask.
Reply
Customer avatar
Todd B July 01, 2021 11:51 pm UTC
Not an unfair question. Although SH is its own standalone rpg, it also works as toolkit to make other OSR rpgs playable with a single PC. As long as it uses d20’s, hit points, hit dice, armor class, and you roll dice for damage (d4, d6, d8, etc.), it should work. Fortunately, DCC checks off every one of those boxes. To play solo, I would use DCC’s PC and monster stats, critical, fumble, deeds, and magic tables, but use SH’s damage conversion, fray dice and oracle tables to generate my solo adventure.
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Customer avatar
Lea H July 08, 2021 7:29 pm UTC
Thank you for the reply, I appreciated it. I have lots of DCC resources and books, but no simple way to play it solo. It looks like this fits the bill nicely. Cheers :)
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Customer avatar
Tomáš K July 22, 2021 6:43 am UTC
Check this out: https://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/357041/Dungeon-Crawl-Solo
Customer avatar
Massimiliano B March 06, 2021 8:15 pm UTC
PURCHASER
Hi to all! May I ask a question about Scarlet heroes? I'm a newbie in solo play and my last rpg experience was maaaaany years ago!
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Customer avatar
Massimiliano B March 07, 2021 6:34 am UTC
PURCHASER
In SH, wilderness adventure chapter, on page 122 is stated that the generated event check difficulty is 9+half threat and save throw 9+full threat. On page 124 in the abstract both the check and ST are 9+half threat. Am I missing something? Another question on the way: on a event I can make a check or ST even if not stated (i.e. "Fall through ice: take Td6 of damage" I roll a DEX save throw or "Mount animal fall to its death" I roll a check try to save it)
Thanks!
Reply
Customer avatar
Justin D March 29, 2021 2:40 pm UTC
Hey, might want to ask on reddit. There's a subreddt for solo rpging: https://www.reddit.com/r/Solo_Roleplaying/

Also, it has a discord server... ive been part of it for a while and been very helpful :)
Reply
Customer avatar
Massimiliano B April 01, 2021 12:17 pm UTC
PURCHASER
Subscribed!!! Thanks! ;D
Customer avatar
Corey C June 23, 2019 1:00 pm UTC
PURCHASER
Can this be used as an overlay to Dungeons and Dragons 5th Edition material?
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Customer avatar
corvo A January 24, 2020 4:36 pm UTC
PURCHASER
it's more based a in "simpliest" version of Labyrinth Lord, itself being based on and D&D 1st edtion or 2nd Edition, so you will have to convert characters stats a little, and from my point of view, it have a very little interest doing that, except if you want to play a very specific D&D 5e adventure in solo.
Customer avatar
Bruce G April 06, 2019 6:48 pm UTC
So I'm a bit confused. I understand that this can solo in the world that comes with it, but is it also possible to use this with say Pathfinder or D&D( if you had the PHB and Monster Manual) to play campaigns in those settings/worlds? It seems like you can, but I'm not sure. Thanks.
Reply
Customer avatar
C. A. S April 07, 2019 2:38 am UTC
PURCHASER
Yes. I've used it to translate adventures written for D&D 3.5.
Customer avatar
Chris B April 05, 2018 5:12 am UTC
Is there ever going to be a second edition of this?
Customer avatar
Justin S February 18, 2018 10:57 pm UTC
PURCHASER
Is there a dungeon generator in this book? As in can you create, room by room a dungeon using random dice rolls?
Reply
Customer avatar
C. A. S February 19, 2018 4:49 am UTC
PURCHASER
Yes. While it only has one pre-written mini-adventure, it's got random generation tables in spades. Specifically for dungeons, there are separate tables for room content, features, hazards, treasure, encounters, and denizens, with further rolling tables for denizens' allegiance, behavior, combat quirks, and special abilities.
Customer avatar
Colbert R January 03, 2018 12:15 am UTC
Has anyone used Scarlet Heroes to run 5e modules like Out of the Abyss etc?
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Product Information
Mithral seller
Author(s)
Rule System(s)
Pages
131
ISBN
978-1-936673-50-6
File Size:
14.42 MB
Format
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File Last Updated:
June 19, 2014
This title was added to our catalog on March 20, 2014.