So we've been on break for a few weeks now and have a few more weeks to go before we start up the next campaign. But has your character been sitting idle drinking ale at the Sleeping Dragon? Or perhaps working hard at the woodworking shop to help Droop master crafting the finest of bird houses? Xanathar's Guide to Everything gives me tools to use to help us define what your characters are doing during this "downtime" and what the results are of those activities – for good or for ill. I'll be asking you what your characters are doing in a separate thread(s), but for quick reference, here are your basic options: Buying a Magic Item : “Purchasing a magic item requires time and money to seek out and contact people willing to sell items. Even then, there is no guarantee a seller will have the items a character desires.” Carousing : “Carousing is a default downtime activity for many characters. Between adventures, who doesn’t want to relax with a few drinks and a group of friends at a tavern?” Crafting an Item : “A character who has the time, the money, and the needed tools can use downtime to craft armor, weapons, clothing, or other kinds of nonmagical gear.” Crime : “Sometimes it pays to be bad. This activity gives a character the chance to make some extra cash, at the risk of arrest.” Gambling : “Games of chance are a way to make a fortune — and perhaps a better way to lose one.” Pit Fighting : “Pit fighting includes boxing, wrestling, and other nonlethal forms of combat in an organized setting with predetermined matches. If you want to introduce competitive fighting in a battle-to-the-death situation, the standard combat rules apply to that sort of activity.” Relaxation : “Sometimes the best thing to do between adventures is relax. Whether a character wants a hard-earned vacation or needs to recover from injuries, relaxation is the ideal option for adventurers who need a break.” Religious Service : “Characters with a religious bent might want to spend downtime in service to a temple, either by attending rites or by proselytizing in the community. Someone who undertakes this activity has a chance of winning the favor of the temple’s leaders.” Research : “Forewarned is forearmed. The research downtime activity allows a character to delve into lore concerning a monster, a location, a magic item, or some other particular topic.” Scribe a Spell Scroll : “With time and patience, a spellcaster can transfer a spell to a scroll, creating a spell scroll.” Selling a Magic Item : “Selling a magic item is by no means an easy task. Con artists and thieves are always looking out for an easy score, and there’s no guarantee that a character will receive a good offer even if a legitimate buyer is found.” Training : “Given enough free time and the services of an instructor, a character can learn a language or pick up proficiency with a tool.” Work : “When all else fails, an adventurer can turn to an honest trade to earn a living. This activity represents a character’s attempt to find temporary work, the quality and wages of which are difficult to predict.” Once you've selected an option (again, in a separate thread that I'll create) I'll walk you through some additional options you'll have (how expensive is the magic item you're looking for?) as well as any rolls I'll need you to make.
