One player campaigns

For quite some time I have been* in a strange situation: I GM two players, both unwilling to play with another. Given the lack of other players, and an unstable time-table, I had to GM two 'campaigns' this way. I hope the few things I learned may be useful for someone.

(* note: not longer true)

Be sure to feel comfortable with the player
There are many people great to have in a group, even excellent people, but some may not be good for this kind of campaign. This is a deeply personal decision, but if you feel alright about it, forget any doubts. Just picture you will spend a lot of time with that person alone.

Be sure to feel comfortable with the character
In a group, any weird PC can (and will!) show up. A lonely character should be chosen carefully. It begins with the class: rangers are excellent as loners, wizards are hard to keep alive or challenged, rogues do well. A unique race pre-sets much of the role-playing, as any kind of uniqueness around the character. In some ways the world exists only for this one character, so the base of all efforts will be oriented towards his development and enjoyment. Irrelevant details are great, but the bulk should be of interest to this one character directly.

Be sure to feel comfortable with the player's expectations
What does (s)he want? Even ego trips are OK, if you are willing. 'Exploring the world' may become a nightmare if you thought 1 PC == less preparation. On the other hand, it can be a great first playtest of your new world, with a tolerant player. Either way, you better know this beforehand.

Be prepared for NPCs
A group can have whole adventures without actually talking to NPCs! Unless this campaign is a 'Me killing da world and everyone', the character HAS to talk to someone. (S)he does not want to feel absolutely lonely, and (s)he does not have all the knowledge in the world. You the GM will be the other side in every single communication, unless the character starts talking to himself! (Did not have this one, at least not yet!)

Be prepared to drop the rules
Playing this way is simply different, and the rules get simplified over and over, up to the point of dropping most rules in most cases, agreement being reached through talking, not rolling. There was one or two sessions a dice was not thrown at all, and I don't remember recent sessions with more than 10 rolls total, be it saving rolls, attack hits, whatever. THAT simple can it get. You roll only for things that are important on the larger scale, or just want to decide randomly for what reason/whim ever.

Adventures
The greatest problems will arise from here. How to choose/adapt/create adventures that are challenging, but not overpowering? I have still not solved this problem. Occasionally, even adventures for a whole group can be used, just be sure the player/character is willing to retreat if needed. Sneaky characters are good for this: killing everyone is not always a solution.

NPCs
A lonely character needs company. Give him some! Maybe no one to swing the sword, but having someone to talk to is very useful. Reminder: seen one way or another, there are only two people sitting in the room.

First come two special categories:

Companions
...meaning animal companions. Companions come from a character's background, and are emotionally close to him/her. For a lonesome character is his horse a partner to talk! Give the character a companion, and give the companion character. It must be named, and have quirk or two (still remember a pony, trusty and obedient, with those little smelly digestive problems...).

Animals have keen senses and so are useful for GM's. Even if you fail with a description, you can easily convey emotions and foreshadow important events/monsters/NPCs with companions, lone characters are much more attentive to this! Companions can be threatened, but should not be really harmed, even less than the character. Never harm a companion just for a bit of drama!

Family
Family can make the biggest part of the character's background. If nothing else, it shows where the PC is from, what way (s)he was raised, or what might (s)he reject. Even a complete orphan cannot escape its family: genes (or what?) determine odd-looking birth-marks, deformities, strange abilities, talents, ye-olde-family-curses...
...in other words, plot hooks.

Now the basic NPC categorisation:

Allies
...are people, that are friendly to the character and generally helpful. It is necessary to give the PC at least a few allies, from the background and during the first adventure. A single PC cannot have all the skills and knowledge in the world. There have to be people a PC can ALWAYS ask, people that know other people. People willing to support the PC even in harder times. Allies are one of the things that can silently draw a PC to stay around one location. Allies don't always need a strong motivation, sometimes a 'Somehow I like this guy' is enough.

Enemies
Good enemies are hard to come by... or maybe not? Enemies have to be carefully chosen, and re-used. Some may even be upgraded into the glorious status of a villain. But not all enemies are out to kill you, some simply don't like you, that's life. Enemies are more than willing to make a PC's life harder.

'Neutrals'
Anyone that is not ally or enemy, but is significant enough to be remembered, falls into this category.

Officials, shopkeepers, teachers, legendary heroes, kings, captain of the guard, important priests, guildmembers, sages, village fools...

The Mob
All the little people whose name need not be remembered are here, stepping out to serve their purpose, then retreating back into this shadow zone, probably never to be heard of again.

Combat
In combat, special care should be given to what I call 'blind monsters'.

Glossary: blind monsters may or may not be initially hostile to the PC, but once they are, they have no reason to stop fighting. These monsters are extremely hard to parley with, appease or scare away. Typical examples are lower undead and insectoids, but certain aggressive flesh-eaters and man-eaters may fall into this category, as sick or crazed animals and mad characters.

Lesson: when using blind monsters, have some other being at hand, that could theoretically save a wounded character, for what reason ever. Even orcs may be good for this purpose. You can make the saving some kind of mystery, but not every time. Extra care to monsters able to kill with one special attack!

Note: Moreover, re-think the traps you use. Instant-killers? Hmmm...

Props
A well-running campaign and a well-prepared GM needs few props, occasionally none. The GM has to know the NPCs, and the Worldpack should be at hand. Note about maps:

Maps
To say it clearly, unless it serves a plot-relevant purpose (part of a riddle, attached to the plot-hook, one of the rewards), FORGET detailed and complex maps. Keep a simple map if needed, sketch some important locations for the player, but most of the time a map will be useless. It does not work, or at least did not for me.

Note: Does not apply to the world map or area map, where the campaign is located.

Player's block
Just one more thing: no matter how good or bad you GM, there inevitably comes a certain moment... when the clues are sooo obvious, and hints hint where they should... but the darned player simply does not get it! Having at least two solutions to important problems is good for you, having good clues or expert advice is great for the character, but sometimes it just does not work. You and the player are not the same person, and he sees the world through different eyes. Misunderstanding is often the killer, too. In a group, you can subtly support the player with the 'best' hypothesis :wink:, but a single player very often produces only one.

Well, you better know this kind of thing can happen, and in a one-player campaign, it is much more serious. Knowing of the danger is almost like being prepared.

(Note: there is a bit more on Player's Block in the Scroll below.)