Downtime in the Undersea

If a game session is canceled, all players will be awarded 48 hours of Downtime and will have the opportunity to engage in Downtime Activities wherever they are. These activities could be almost anything, from searching for particular materials, crafting items, purchasing or selling goods, gambling, gathering intelligence, or simply resting. The idea is to give a small but interesting benefit to everyone to compensate for a missed session, and you are welcome to get creative with this. I have included some examples in a non-comprehensive list below (to be expanded over time). If you have specific requests for activities you think your specific character might be interested, let me know.     Players are responsible for tracking their Downtime hours somewhere on their character sheet. Add to this total whenever a session is missed; these can be banked until you have enough to do an activity you would like. Some activities (like crafting items) may require specific amounts of hours to be spent, while others (such as exploring or Carousing) may allow you to choose a number of hours you wish to spend. Depending on the activity, players may also collaborate and spend their hours towards towards the same activity. Keep in mind that while these will "resolve" outside of normal game sessions, the benefits may not be received until after the next long rest depending on what they are (i.e. if you are in the middle of a dungeon and want to craft a sword, the sword may be awarded after you return home). These activities can absolutely have an effect on your character depending on how things turn out, from granting gear, increasing your influence, or simply getting you more gold. Activities should be something your character would do as well. If you try to make your deeply religious cleric go out for a night of gambling and drinking, you may need to provide an explanation. Downtime hours may be used when sessions are canceled, or when the party agrees to use them and skip forward in time for a certain number of hours during a session.  

Gambling

⦿ Gold, Reputation ⦿   A common way of passing the time in the many taverns of cities across the Undersea. Gambling is particularly loved by sailors and other nautical types who find this is a reliable pastime when stuck on a ship for long periods of time. Gambling offers skilled players an opportunity to make a profit, but can also quickly part a fool from their coin. One risk of gambling is that you never know who might end up sitting across the table from you. It can also be used as a way to gather information by listening to idle gossip around you, depending on where you play. This activity can affect your character's Reputation, particularly if you frequent the same District multiple times.  

Mechanics

This activity costs 24 hours of Downtime, and represents the represents the cumulative losses or profits from gambling. The player must bet 100gp to 1,000gp and make a series of three checks with random DCs: Wisdom (Insight), Charisma (Deception), and Charisma (Intimidation).

• 0 Successes: lose 1.5x money wagered
• 1 Success: lose half money wagered
• 2 Successes: gain 1.5x money wagered
• 3 Successes: gain 2x money wagered

 

Resting

⦿ Recovery ⦿   A straightforward use of Downtime. Your character relaxes at their home or place of residence, enjoying a short break from their adventures and exploits.  

Mechanics

While resting, you gain advantage on saving throws to recover from long-term diseases and poisons. In addition, you may also end one effect that prevents you from regaining HP or restore an ability score that has been reduced below its normal value (as long as spell/effect does not have ongoing duration). Any number of hours can be spent on this activity, but benefits may vary depending on the number spent (i.e. number of saves you gain advantage on). If the party elects to use downtime during a session and your character chooses not to engage in a specific activity, they may Rest for free.    

Pit Fighting

⦿ Gold, Reputation ⦿   Competitive bouts are a staple in most cities and settlements. This activity could cover anything from boxing to wrestling, duels to first blood or drunken bouts of arm-wrestling. It is a good way of proving your physical prowess to potential employers if mercenary work is something you seek. This activity will affect your character's Reputation, particularly if you often compete in the same District.  

Mechanics

This activity costs 24 hours of downtime, and includes both the bout(s) themselves and recovery time needed for your character to bounce back from the beating and strenuous nature of the competitions. The player must make a series of three checks with random DCs: Strength (Athletics), Dexterity (Acrobatics), and Wisdom (Insight).

• 0 Successes: lose your bout(s), earning nothing
• 1 Success: win 50gp
• 2 Successes: win 100gp
• 3 Successes: win 200gp

   

Religious Service

⦿ Favors, Reputation ⦿   Clerics, paladins or characters with religious beliefs may wish to spend Downtime in service to a temple or church. This offers the opportunity to develop relationships with the priests, clergy and even leadership of the temple, learn more about the traditions and rituals of that religion, and perhaps gain the attention of the gods themselves. This activity will affect your character's Reputation with the organization you work for.  

Mechanics

  This activity costs 36 hours of Downtime, representing time devoted to service of the temple, church or religious organization. The character chooses to make an Intelligence (Religion) or Charisma (Persuasion) check, with the opportunity to gain a "Favor". This check is harder for characters with no religious beliefs or affiliation. A Favor is a promise for future assistance, and can be expended to ask the temple, church or organization for help. This could be used to when faced with a problem, when in need of political or societal support, or when purchasing items from the organization (by 25%). A character can have a maximum number of Favors equal to 1 + their CHA modifier.

• 1-13: the organization appreciates your service, but you leave no lasting impression
• 14-21: you earn 1 Favor
• 24+: you earn 2 Favors

 

TBA

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