This is a minimalist framework for a solo sci-fi journaling RPG. It explores concepts of branching timelines and entropy being drivers in the players decision making process. It was influenced by the temporal mechanics of Space Alert by Vlaada Chvátil.

# QUANTUM ENTROPY: A Solo Timeline Explorer RPG

## CORE CONCEPT You are a Temporal Navigator aboard the vessel “Chronoceptor,” traversing unstable branching timelines to prevent “The Causal Collapse” - a catastrophic event threatening all realities. Your actions decrease Causal Stability in each timeline you visit, and revisiting accelerates their deterioration toward inevitable collapse.

## CHARACTER CREATION 1. Choose a Temporal Specialization:

1. Historian: Better at observing without altering (+1 to stabilization rolls)
2. Engineer: Can temporarily reinforce timeline stability (once per timeline)
3. Diplomat: Can reduce mutation effects on social interactions
4. Scientist: Better at understanding timeline branching points

2. Temporal Tether Configuration: Distribute 10 points across:

1. Precision: Ability to target specific timeline events (1-5)
2. Resistance: Personal protection against entropy effects (1-5)
3. Influence: Power to affect timeline events (1-5)

3. Personal History: Define three critical events from your own past

1. These may appear as echoes across different timelines
2. They shape your motivations and reactions

4. Starting Resources:

1. 6 Chronons (temporal currency)
2. Access to 3 initial timelines

## TIMELINE MECHANICS

### Entropy System - Each timeline has an Entropy Rating starting at 0 - Each visit/intervention increases Entropy by 1 - Revisiting a timeline doubles the Entropy increase per intervention - Timeline collapses permanently at Entropy 5

### Timeline Stability Table At the beginning of each timeline visit, roll 1d6:

### Chronons: Temporal Influence Currency - Each session grants 6 Chronons - Spending Chronons allows:

1. Re-roll any entropy or mutation roll (1 Chronon)
2. Stabilize a timeline (-1 Entropy, once per timeline, 2 Chronons)
3. Force a specific event resolution order (2 Chronons)
4. Create a temporary branch point (3 Chronons)

## GAMEPLAY LOOP

### Session Structure 1. Timeline Selection: Choose which timeline to visit 2. Stability Assessment: Roll on Timeline Stability Table 3. Event Generation: Draw from appropriate Event Deck based on current Entropy 4. Action Planning: State your intended action 5. Temporal Resolution: Resolve actions across 6 temporal units with mutations 6. Journal Reflection: Document outcomes and personal insights 7. Timeline Decision: Continue in current timeline or jump to another

### Event Decks Draw events from different decks based on current timeline Entropy: - Entropy 0-1: Subtle Divergence Deck (minor timeline variations) - Entropy 2-3: Significant Anomaly Deck (major timeline disruptions) - Entropy 4: Collapse Harbinger Deck (catastrophic timeline events)

## CORE TEMPORAL RESOLUTION SYSTEM

### Action Programming & Temporal Units Each timeline event spans 6 temporal units divided into three phases: - Units 1-2: Initial action and immediate results - Units 3-4: Secondary impacts and complications - Units 5-6: Final resolution and entropy adjustments

### Action Mutation System After declaring your intended action, roll 1d6: - 1-2: Action resolves as intended - 3-4: Partial mutation (action works but with unexpected side effects) - 5-6: Significant mutation (action drastically changes in context or purpose)

### Temporal Resolution Order The critical mechanic: as Entropy increases, the certainty of when your actions resolve decreases:

- At Entropy 0-2: Events resolve in stated order

1. Your actions occur exactly when intended
2. Write outcomes in sequential order

- At Entropy 3-4: Temporal uncertainty begins

1. Roll 1d6 for each temporal unit
2. On 4+, another event from the timeline resolves before yours
3. This may change the context of your action
4. Must adapt your narrative based on these shifts

- At Entropy 5: Temporal collapse

1. All unresolved events collapse into a singular chaotic moment
2. Roll 1d6 for each intended action:
   1. 1-2: Completely fails
   2. 3-4: Partially succeeds with major complications
   3. 5-6: Succeeds but with unintended consequences
3. Timeline ruptures after resolution, becoming inaccessible

### Resolution Sequence Example 1. State your intended action: “I attempt to delay the reactor activation” 2. Roll for mutation (affects how your action manifests) 3. Begin resolving across temporal units:

1. At low Entropy: Events unfold as described
2. At medium Entropy: Other events may resolve first, changing the context
3. At high Entropy: Chaos ensues with unpredictable resolution

### Impact of Mutation + Temporal Uncertainty The combination creates a dynamic storytelling system: 1. Your initial action may mutate 2. The order of resolution may shift unexpectedly 3. These two factors combine to create emergent narrative challenges

## JOURNAL ENTRY FRAMEWORK

``` TEMPORAL LOG: [Session #] TIMELINE: [Designation] TEMPORAL COORDINATES: [Date/Time/Branch] INITIAL ENTROPY: [0-5] CHRONONS AVAILABLE: [Number] STABILITY ROLL: [Roll Result + Effect]

EVENT: [Drawn from appropriate Entropy deck]

INTENDED ACTION: [Your initial plan] MUTATION ROLL: [Result + Effect]

TEMPORAL UNITS 1-2: [Describe initial resolution] Resolution Order Check: [If Entropy 3+, roll result] Actual Outcome: [What actually happened after potential reordering]

TEMPORAL UNITS 3-4: [Describe secondary impacts] Resolution Order Check: [If Entropy 3+, roll result] Actual Outcome: [What actually happened after potential reordering] Entropy Check: [Roll 1d6: 1-2 stabilize, 3-4 neutral, 5-6 destabilize]

TEMPORAL UNITS 5-6: [Describe final resolution] Resolution Order Check: [If Entropy 3+, roll result] Actual Outcome: [What actually happened after potential reordering]

FINAL ENTROPY: [New level] IDENTITY REFLECTION: [How this experience changed your Navigator] TIMELINE DECISION: [Stay, branch, or jump to another timeline] ```

## TIMELINE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM

### Timeline Navigation - Maintain a Timeline Network Map showing relationships between branches - Each timeline has key properties:

1. Current Entropy level
2. Notable events/figures
3. Potential branch points
4. Personal connections

### Timeline Selection Strategy - Low Entropy timelines: More predictable, good for crucial interventions - Medium Entropy timelines: Challenging but manageable - High Entropy timelines: Chaotic but may contain critical information

### Branch Points - Special events that allow creation of new timeline branches - Identified through play or by spending Chronons - Branching reduces immediate entropy but creates new timeline to manage

## ADVANCED MECHANICS

### Temporal Echoes - Your actions create “echoes” that appear across related timelines - After significant events, roll to determine if an echo appears - Echoes can be helpful or harmful depending on context

### Fractured Identity - After each timeline collapse, create a “Fragment of Self” - These fragments represent how your identity evolves through trauma - Collect 5 fragments to unlock your true nature and purpose

### Temporal Loops - Rare events may cause you to experience the same events repeatedly - Each loop increases entropy but provides more information - Breaking a loop requires identifying and changing a critical action

## ENDGAME CONDITIONS

### Victory Paths 1. Prevention: Stop The Entropic Collapse across a critical mass of timelines 2. Transcendence: Gather enough identity fragments to evolve beyond timeline constraints 3. Stabilization: Create a new stable “anchor timeline” that can withstand entropy

### Game End Triggers - Three timeline collapses: Write final reflection on your Navigator's legacy - Entropy level 10 across all timelines: The multiverse begins final collapse - Collection of all 5 identity fragments: Reveal your true purpose

## SAMPLE PLAY SEQUENCE

### Starting a Session 1. Choose a timeline to visit (or start with initial timeline) 2. Roll for stability and adjust entropy accordingly 3. Draw event from appropriate entropy deck 4. Record initial details in journal

### Resolution Example Initial Setup: - Timeline: Beta-7 - Current Entropy: 3 - Event: “Scientist activates experimental reactor with unexpected results”

Action Declaration: “I will intervene to delay the activation”

Mutation Roll: 5 (Significant mutation) - Your action shifts dramatically: Instead of delaying, you accidentally accelerate the process

Temporal Units 1-2: - Resolution Order Check: Roll 5 (Another event happens first) - A security guard notices your tampering before you complete your action - You must adapt your approach given this new information

Temporal Units 3-4: - Resolution Order Check: Roll 2 (Your action resolves as expected) - Your accelerated activation occurs, but security is now present - Entropy Check: Roll 5 (Destabilize) - Entropy increases to 4

Temporal Units 5-6: - Resolution Order Check: Roll 6 (Another event happens first) - The reactor begins overloading before you can respond - Your final actions must address this new crisis

Outcome: The timeline remains intact but becomes highly unstable (Entropy 4). Your Navigator gains insight into reactor technology but must decide whether to remain in this increasingly chaotic timeline or jump to another.

## SOLO CAMPAIGN ARC

### Phase 1: Orientation - Sessions 1-3: Learn basic timeline navigation - Discover initial clues about The Entropic Collapse - Establish your Navigator's initial motivations

### Phase 2: Exploration - Sessions 4-8: Map multiple timeline branches - Encounter recurring figures across realities - Begin collecting identity fragments

### Phase 3: Crisis - Sessions 9-12: Timelines begin collapsing at accelerated rate - Discover the true nature of The Entropic Collapse - Face ethical dilemmas about timeline preservation

### Phase 4: Resolution - Sessions 13-15: Make final interventions across critical timelines - Assemble complete identity - Determine ultimate fate of the multiverse

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This system creates a rich solo journaling experience where temporal uncertainty, action mutations, and increasing entropy generate emergent narratives with meaningful player choices and character development.