I recently had a comment on my YouTube channel asking how I make my random tables for solo RPG. I made a video in response, and this is the blog post version of the same content. Hopefully, these methods are helpful not only for solo role-players, but for GMs who like to generate content at the table as well.
Creating Name Tables: The Basics
If you’ve watched Sphere Hoppers (especially recent seasons), you might have noticed my name tables for characters, planets (or spheres, as they’re called), settlements, and deities. These are D100 tables with two columns. Roll twice, combine the results, and—voilà!—you have one of ten thousand unique name combinations. Here’s a link to what they look like.
Step 1: Generating a List of Names
Start by gathering a list of names suited to your setting. For instance, you might want character names, place names, or deity names. My go-to tool for creating these lists is ChatGPT. Here’s my prompt:
“For each letter of the alphabet, generate four [character/settlement/god] names, drawing from a variety of cultures and fictional settings.”
Using the alphabet helps distribute names evenly so you won’t end up with a lopsided list (like too many “A” names). With four names for each letter, you get a little over 100 names to work with, giving a little room to refine the list.
See below for tips for other sources for names if you don’t want to use AI.
Step 2: Filter the List
Once I have my list, I move it to a spreadsheet. I filter out names that don’t quite fit, that are too similar to other names on the list, aren’t long enough to split, or I just don’t like them to get down to 100 names.
Step 3: Splitting Names
Then I split each name at a natural break point (often at a syllable). Ideally, the first part ends with a consonant, and the second part starts with a vowel to ensure a smoother flow when combined, but I’m not always so diligent.
Step 4: Filter Again
Now I have two columns that I sort and elimiate duplicates. The second column often has many duplicates,especially with popular suffixes like “-ona” or “-ora.” For a richer mix, I tweak some endings (e.g., “-ola” might become “-olu” or “-oli”), until I get back up to 100, focusing on a variety of letters and sounds. When I’m satisfied with the combinations, I format the table in Google Docs.
Creating Other Random Tables
Beyond names, I build tables for elements I expect to encounter in my solo adventure: species, characters, locations, or items. Here’s my approach:
- Draw from the Source Text: If I’m playing a specific game, I look at its world-building materials. Does it list species or classes in character creation? If yes, I jot them down. If not, I can read through the lore or supplemental material and pull out specific words to generate lists.
- Mining for Ideas: If the game doesn’t provide much detail, I turn to other sources. For example, I’ve used a list of buildings from the Civilization games as inspiration for points of interest.
- Adjust for the Dice You’re Rolling: I try to match the number of entries to target number. For instance, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, or 20 for a single die, or more if I’m using multiple digits. If you need to cut down, eliminate the options you’re least interested in encountering.
- Generate Additional Entries: When I’ve come up sort of my target number, I throw my current list in ChatGPT and ask it to suggest additional options that fit with what I already have.
For my Troika campaign, I created NPC tables by scouring the source text for evocative adjectives and nouns, and ended up with two D366 tables (D3, D6, and D6).
Alternatives to AI
AI tools like ChatGPT are incredibly useful, but if you prefer alternatives, here are some ideas:
- Baby name lists or mythology sources for unique names.
- Sourcebooks or existing RPG tables to spark ideas.
- Fiction books similar to your chosen setting.
Wrap-Up
Hopefully this is helpful. For anyone interested in solo RPGs or oracular storytelling, I’d love to answer any questions you have. This might even spark a future video/blog topic!