For the last several months, I've managed to play about a dozen solo games, running 4 investigator per "adventure." I call it an "adventure" because each one is its own unwritten novel. Someone, I'm sure, will capitalize on this idea and make a million dollars. For the time being, however, I'll just enjoy my time in Arkham.
Yesterday, I played and completed a 4-hour game with the following Investigators: Monterey Jack, Amanda Sharpe, Kate Winthrop, and Carolyn Fern. The initial items, including an Elder Sign set the stage for a very positive evening. Jack managed to get through and seal one of the initial gates, while Kate's ability kept new gatees from opening on two occasions. Meanshile, the others managed to clear the streets of monsters and with a Heal Spell in the hands of our young student, Amanda, the team did well avoiding any lasting damage from the cold winds brought by Ithaqua. Unfortunately, around game turn 10, things started to go very badly for the Investigaors.
First, "The Terrible Experiment" Rumor caused a bit of panic on the streets of Miskatonic University. However, with a bit of ingenuity and good rolls, the ladies (yes, Monterey was off in Yuggoth at the time) managed to defeat all five creatures, expending a number of spells and using a potent combination of physical and magical weapons. Several turns went by and we again set about acquiring clues and sealing gates (3 at this time). Then, when the group had scattered about the board, "The Stars Are Right" Rumor appreared, and not one Investigator in this game was fortunate enough to have an Ally. Of course, with the Doom Track relatively low, things changed during the very next turn when the first Investigator rolled 'snake-eyes' and added two Doom Tokens to the Track. With a bit of fortune on our side, Amanda, suffered through the cold winds, managing to arrive at Ma's Boarding House with one Sanity and one Stamina. She purchased one of the remaining Allies (Ruby), as we had lost a few due to the Terror Track reaching '3' in the intervening turns. After casting 'Heal' and restornig her Stamina, she set-out to release the Ally in the Downtown Streets.
Finally, around turn 19, another Rumor , "Good Work Undone" appeared, causing even greater panic as the Investigaotrs, at this time had manged to seal 5 gates. At this time, Monterey was visiting the South Church, doctors and nurses were treating Amanda at St. Mary's, and Carolyn Fern was visiting her colleagues at the Asylum when Kate had appeared there from Lost in Time and Space. In the next turn, Carolyn sped out of the Asylum clutching the recently acquired Elder Sign from Kate. As Amanda moved before Carolyn, the young student arrived at the intersection before the noted psychologist holding a Find Gate spell that Carolyn would use in her travels. Carolyn continued her movement to the Gate and found herself transported to The Abyss. Back in Arkham, the cold wind once again brought Amanda wihtin an inch of her life. Across the city, Jack lighted a candle (one Gate Trophy) for a "Blessing" to be bestowed upon Carolyn.
The turn ended with an additional two Clue Tokens added to the pile, bringing the total to eight. Kate left the Asylum, not fully recovered, but playing the odds, ran to the Science Building, an are devoid of either Gates or Seals. Carolyn, having survived her encounter in the Other World, cast Find Gate and found herself transported immediately back to Arkham. She sacrificed a point of both Sanity and Stamina sealing the final gate and removing a Doom Token from the Track currently at 10. The investigators, exhausted from the ordeal, mt at Hibb's Roadhouse to share their tales.