Comments on: What Do PCs Do For Fun?

By: Let The PCs Plan The Next Party Vacation — Dungeon's Master

Let The PCs Plan The Next Party Vacation — Dungeon's Master — Fri, 26 Aug 2011 13:32:56 +0000

[...] treasure, climb a mountain, or participate in a high stakes gambling tournament. See the article What Do PCs Do For Fun? for more [...]

By: Ameron

Ameron — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 23:27:13 +0000

@Neuroglyph I think more DMs need to give PCs in-game opportunities to explore this kind of cooling down. I'm not saying after every single adventure, but maybe after every couple of levels. It may not lead to anything significant, but it encourages good role-playing and as you said it's a great way to introduce plot hooks. Of course a particularly devious DM may just use this opportunity to throw a few Red Herrings at the party. @Mike I think most of us just assume that our PCs are the workaholics you describe. It makes sense, but it's boring from a role-playing point of view. As far as non-weapon proficiencies go, take a look at our article Get a Real Job in which we explored the PC's other skills. @Nathan Pierson I thought that the streamlining of skills in 4e was a great improvement for exactly the reason you've mentioned. You spend points in a skill that has no benefit other than back-story and role-playing and the points just feel wasted.

By: Nathan Pierson

Nathan Pierson — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 02:19:44 +0000

Also I miss non-weapon proficiencies. You could reasonably say your character spent their downtime sail-making, basket weaving, or cooking.

You still CAN say that. It’s just that now, you can reasonably say it without wasting a trained skill on a dude like Profession (Basketweaving). Just because it’s not on your character sheet doesn’t mean it’s forbidden to you.

By: Hymn Collections For The Week Of 12/13 « The Spirits of Eden

Hymn Collections For The Week Of 12/13 « The Spirits of Eden — Sun, 20 Dec 2009 21:50:52 +0000

[...] Master has a post on what your PC’s do for fun. Anything that fleshes out PCs in D&D 4e is cool in my book, because it’s often easy to [...]

By: Mike

Mike — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 01:11:57 +0000

I like characters that are wokaholics. Their downtime is experimenting with new spells or working on sword forms so they’re in top condition for the next adventure. I like to those over-acheiving, self-doubting heroes like Drizzt Do’Urden or Horatio Hornblower that are so focus and driven by improving their skills.

Also I miss non-weapon proficiencies. You could reasonably say your character spent their downtime sail-making, basket weaving, or cooking.

I do get your point about hobbies and fun-time activities, though and I’m going to think about one of my current character.
.-= Mike´s last blog ..Who gets to say what your character does =-.

By: Neuroglyph

Neuroglyph — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 15:33:23 +0000

Good ideas there – 4e tends to be such a fast paced game, it’s easy to remember that the PCs need to take a break and just “hang out” between adventures.

In my own campaign, we have a warrior that spends about 20% of his cash on partying between adventures. He throws off his armor, grabs some fancy duds and paints the town red, visiting everything from fest halls to nobles’ dances, all in the name of having fun.

It’s also a great way to add the occasional adventure hook, as you never know where you are going to hear a rumor of a dragon attack or a lost treasure.
.-= Neuroglyph´s last blog ..Review – Corners of the Realm: The Tavari by Fahrenheit Gaming =-.