I saw links for solo d&d adventures. There are some cheesy videos that do not really cut it. So unless I make my own solo adventure, there are none readily available. So much for side quests during down time.
I'm not sure by solo if you mean playing without a DM or a duet game with a DM and 1 player. Either way, DMsGuild has a lot of options for you to check out.
If you specifically meant a game with a DM and 1 player (which would seem logical to me if you're talking about "side quests during down time" since I can't imagine many DMs are going to allow you to show up with more XP, magic items, and gold after doing solo adventures they are not part of, though based on the tone of your post I have a feeling you're talking about actually playing by yourself without a DM) then I have always thought the content from the D&D Duet folks looked interesting. Most if not all of it is on DMsGuild, but here is their website for anyone who wants to take a look:
TSR put out a couple of solitaire and solo modules. Some use a red filter to see answers that may not translate well to OBS's POD format so keep an eye on those.
Also at least one used invisible ink and a special pen to make it visible. So thats going to be a bust if there are no conversions.
The rest are pretty viable. Theres also a solo in the B part of BECMI D&D. https://vidmate****/
Flying Buffalo put out alot of solos for their Tunnels & Trolls RPG, several can be ported to 5e D&D with some effort.
Have you considered using a Game Master emulator, like the Mythic Game Master Emulator? These systems are specifically designed to facilitate solo roleplaying. They provide a framework for generating unexpected events, answering your questions about the game world, and guiding the story forward without a traditional GM.
Here's how it typically works:
You describe your character's actions and the situation.
You ask the Oracle (the emulator) questions about what happens next. These are usually phrased as yes/no questions, and the Oracle provides an answer based on probability and various tables.
The Oracle can also introduce random events, complications, and NPC reactions, keeping the adventure dynamic and surprising.
Beyond Mythic, there are other "Oracle" systems available, some tailored to specific genres or with slightly different mechanics. A quick search for "solo roleplaying Oracle" should reveal a few options you could explore.
Using an Oracle system allows you to take existing D&D settings, adventures (you might just need to adapt them slightly), or even just your own character concepts and play through them solo. It gives you the freedom to pursue those side quests you're interested in without needing a group or a pre-written solo module.
Give it a try – you might find it's exactly the kind of flexible and engaging solo D&D experience you're looking for!
Some older books (I believe the AD&D Dungeon Master's Guide) had rules for solo play - you play a single character or a party and go into a random dungeon - as in you go down a corridor, open a door, randomly determine what the room is and how many exits, the contents, etc. then keep going from there. It was pure wackiness.
I saw links for solo d&d adventures. There are some cheesy videos that do not really cut it. So unless I make my own solo adventure, there are none readily available. So much for side quests during down time.
Where did you see these links?
YouTube has some videos claiming to be solo adventures. All that I have seen are garbage.
Try Obvious Mimic Press, they've released two or three solo adventures that have won awards and are pretty highly rated
I'm not sure by solo if you mean playing without a DM or a duet game with a DM and 1 player. Either way, DMsGuild has a lot of options for you to check out.
https://www.dmsguild.com/browse.php?src=fid45752&filters=0_0_0_45752_0_0_0_0
If you specifically meant a game with a DM and 1 player (which would seem logical to me if you're talking about "side quests during down time" since I can't imagine many DMs are going to allow you to show up with more XP, magic items, and gold after doing solo adventures they are not part of, though based on the tone of your post I have a feeling you're talking about actually playing by yourself without a DM) then I have always thought the content from the D&D Duet folks looked interesting. Most if not all of it is on DMsGuild, but here is their website for anyone who wants to take a look:
https://dndduet.com/
TSR put out a couple of solitaire and solo modules. Some use a red filter to see answers that may not translate well to OBS's POD format so keep an eye on those.
Also at least one used invisible ink and a special pen to make it visible. So thats going to be a bust if there are no conversions.
The rest are pretty viable. Theres also a solo in the B part of BECMI D&D. https://vidmate****/
Flying Buffalo put out alot of solos for their Tunnels & Trolls RPG, several can be ported to 5e D&D with some effort.
Lots of options.
Have you considered using a Game Master emulator, like the Mythic Game Master Emulator? These systems are specifically designed to facilitate solo roleplaying. They provide a framework for generating unexpected events, answering your questions about the game world, and guiding the story forward without a traditional GM.
Here's how it typically works:
Beyond Mythic, there are other "Oracle" systems available, some tailored to specific genres or with slightly different mechanics. A quick search for "solo roleplaying Oracle" should reveal a few options you could explore.
Using an Oracle system allows you to take existing D&D settings, adventures (you might just need to adapt them slightly), or even just your own character concepts and play through them solo. It gives you the freedom to pursue those side quests you're interested in without needing a group or a pre-written solo module.
Give it a try – you might find it's exactly the kind of flexible and engaging solo D&D experience you're looking for!
Check out my solo roleplaying adventure blog!
Would like your feedback on my Homebrew: Backgrounds Magic Weapons
Zarod aka Gerrart Roncherac "The Poet", Luur "The Lethal" and Clockwork Watcher 3 (C-Dub3) "Dub"
Some older books (I believe the AD&D Dungeon Master's Guide) had rules for solo play - you play a single character or a party and go into a random dungeon - as in you go down a corridor, open a door, randomly determine what the room is and how many exits, the contents, etc. then keep going from there. It was pure wackiness.
The D&D magazine "The Strategic Review" Spring of 1975 had rules for solo play written by Gary himself. The Strategic Review Spring 1975
Check out my solo roleplaying adventure blog!
Would like your feedback on my Homebrew: Backgrounds Magic Weapons
Zarod aka Gerrart Roncherac "The Poet", Luur "The Lethal" and Clockwork Watcher 3 (C-Dub3) "Dub"