This isn't good-bye (but it is)

Hello Toad Warriors.

I’ve been doing the Lone Toad for three years now, and I had my other blog for a year or so before that. The whole reason I started the Lone Toad was for my love of Solo RPGs and that I wanted to write and share that with the world.

The Lone Toad has over 2,000 subscribers, and I’ve done nearly 70 posts since those early years. Looking back on what I was doing, I’m glad to say The Lone Toad has evolved in a positive direction. From deep dives into historic solo RPGs, to guest posts from some amazing solo RPG designers and thinkers.

But things have changed, I’ve changed. Solo RPGs are great for where I was at that point in my life. I wanted more RPGs and couldn’t get them. I was new to the hobby and probably a bit shy about introducing myself to groups. Through Solo RPGs, I learnt how to construct stories and create worlds out of nothing.

Those of you paying attention to the deep Toad lore know I’ve moved to a different city, and with that has been the opportunity to join new groups. I’ve also slowly, but steadily, gotten into the world of miniature wargaming. And while I think minis are an excellent addition to solo RPGs, I’d say minis are now my main hobby, if that makes sense.

It is natural to have interests and situations change. I know you’ve all subscribed to hear my ramblings on Solo RPGs, so if I’m no longer interested in writing on the subject, well, that means we have an issue.

So I’ve taken the hard decision to stop regularly posting the Lone Toad. But what does the future hold?

I’ll still be around, posting and in the community. I’m always open to a chat about solo RPGs, and I’ll still play them. I want to do a Starforged campaign with all my newly printed and painted minis. Maybe into the depths of a hive city or a massive spaceship? And I may post about that experience.

If there is a huge new solo RPG release, such as Ironsworn second edition, I’ll probably jump on the Toad to write about that (because I love me some Ironsworn).

I will! But not on the Lone Toad. You’ve all subscribed to the Lone Toad for solo RPG stuff, and that was kind of the promise with the Lone Toad. Once I get some more time to think about things, I may launch a new newsletter focused on narrative wargaming, crafting, 3D-printing, or something like that. I’ll be sure to announce it here if you want to read about that.

Arrakis teaches the attitude of the knife - chopping off what's incomplete and saying: 'Now, it's complete because it's ended here' - Frank Herbert, Dune

My favourite Sci-fi book is Dune, and it has been for most of my life. The Attitude of the Knife quote speaks to me now. Something is complete when you say it is complete.

And the Lone Toad is now complete, because it’s ended here.

So it, not good-bye. But it is.