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Setting up a countdown timer in roll20 (LF help)

Hello, I am currently running a game for Waterdeep Dragon Heist and I am looking for help to set up a suitable macro or anything really that can be a real time counting hourglass/clock that me and my players can see moving real time. The reason being is that I want to create tension and a sense of urgency for my players as in the book it states the players have X amount of time to investigate area Y because Z is coming. (No spoilers as to why in case a player sees this and wants to run it), but for a DM it's for Chapter 3. Anyone have any advice?

Thanks

December 31 (6 years ago)

Edited December 31 (6 years ago)
GiGs
Pro
Sheet Author
API Scripter

The only way you'd be able to do something like this is with a custom script which requires a Pro subscription. (That said, I question the wisdom of applying actual real time limits to in-game actions, since players will be doing things that take time - like asking questions and waiting for GM responses, taking actions one a time rather than simultaneously, etc.).

If you can settle for a manual approach, and you want a map object that you can manually change the display to simulate the countdown, then you can do that with a rollable table token.

Create a rollable table, add a different image to each entry. Then set it as a token, and you can rightclick the token and select which image to display.

December 31 (6 years ago)
If you don't use Roll20s webcam feature, you can "abuse" it to display a video of a countdowntimer. Maybe a time candle if you play in medival setting.
December 31 (6 years ago)
Coal Powered Puppet
Pro
Sheet Author

I swiped some pictures of numbers from the internet, and put them in a rollable table.  Either "by hand" or using an API script, I can show the numbers decreasing or increasing. 

In addition, you can grab A Time for Treachery and use their clocks...because they are really freakin' cool.