Downtimes
There's a big world out there for your characters to explore through Downtime, which is basically where you write down what your character(s) want to do inbetween adventures (including the purchasing of equipment), and how they intend to accomplish it. There are many things which your PC can get involved in between adventures, such as getting a job, spying on the evil mayor of a border town, or a bit of robbery (if so inclined).
A few quick pointers:
- Don't forget to write down the location of your character on your downtime, and if you have any travelling companions (PC or NPC).
- Note down any relevant skills and items you possess to aid your intended action, along with how much dosh you want to splash out to achieve something. Also any friends, contacts or resources that you think may aid you.
- Writing down your character's class and level, along with any items, abilities or titles recently gained would also be helpful.
- Try and incorporate as much detail as possible, e.g. the phrase 'I am finding a quality breastplate' is not much cop. When you are trying to find something/someone, put down what kind of strategy you want to use to accomplish it, and where you are going to find it.
- If you want to submit a joint downtime (i.e. for two or more party members), discuss between yourselves your actions before submitting anything. When all party members are satisfied, send in a single downtime, detailing your collective actions.
- It would be a good idea to put your phone number down as well, in case I need to clarify something with you.
Bear in mind that if you adventure during a period in which you intend to accomplish downtime actions, then this may well interfere with your intentions, i.e. by the fact you may have had to travel to get to the adventure area (such as far-away Kask) which takes up considerable time, and often money as well. Basically, if you are travelling between adventures, the time available to accomplish anything will be drastically reduced (e.g. foraging for herbs; arcane spell research; etc.). I'll be shortly knocking together a table which will show long it takes to travel to all the different countries.
You can send your character's downtimes by snail mail if you like, although the most popular route seems to be via email these days (or even by txt msg!). If you do use email, please restrict yourself to one message outlining intentions for all your characters. Send in a downtime for each two week segment that you want to do anything in; i.e. you can't write in saying I've been doing this for the last seven years...... However, if you do anything to keep yourself alive (i.e. busking in pubs etc.) then I'll presume you keep this up over time until I get your next downtime.
On the subject of working and living costs in downtime, the current (probably temporary) system at the moment is that I'm encouraging people to do something for a living during downtime. They sometimes find that they manage to make some extra dosh as well. If you want to put a few notes about this on your downtimes, also note down your standard of living, i.e. in seedy scummy inns, or fine 'hotels'. A high standard living may cost you money though.
When I receive an email, I will read through it, send a receipt (so you know I've got it!), and then begin to adjudicate the effects of your actions. This means that you can't send me another mail in a couple of days, saying you've changed your mind (Dear Dave, I have decided not to open the lich's tomb today...). The upshot of this is: please be absolutely sure of what you want your character to do before sending an email.
Normally, Downtimes must be submitted at least one week before the next event, e.g. If you wanted to get cured of Galloping Armpit Rot at a Church in Downtime, you would write down how you would go about this, and send it in at least 1 week before you next wanted to adventure. If your downtime arrives later than this, do not assume it will be actioned for the next event.
Downtime Results by email will be sent to you sometime during the week directly preceding the upcoming event. The most likely time I can see myself replying is late Friday night/wee hours of Saturday morning.
Whereas this is probably OK for people who email from home, I realise that some of your email addresses are only available at your place of work. If so, please put 'Email from Work' (or something similar) in the subject line, and then I'll know to reply earlier in the week. If you can also note down any days/times you won't be able to pick up email, and that'll help me to make sure you get a reply.
If I am unable to reply via email for whatever reason, I will bring the details of your downtime results with me to the event, and brief you directly on what has happened to your character(s). This is what normally happens when Downtimes are submitted by a more mundane route (e.g. by post or hand delivery).
If there are any changes to be made to your character sheet, i.e. more gold/equipment etc. then I will let you know what these changes will be in my reply. To avoid confusion, I will personally inform the Chronicler of these changes, and he will amend your character sheet in time for the next event.
Just remember, it's a dangerous world, and all sorts of nasty things could happen to you, or then again something might happen which could save your life in later adventures.
The World is Your Oyster!
The Historian
Submit a Downtime...
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