I was tardy in signing up for the OSR Discord's annual "Secret Santicorn" writing prompt exchange. But I let the organizer know that I'd be happy to pick up an orphan "gift" if need be. And so I was called off the bench.
Hello _ !
Your gift is for Houndmoon, who asked for:
“Set of useful downtime activities & the locations and characters they’re attached to.”
I can do this. In the tune of D66, of course...
Ooo! Downtime. Whee. Another Carousing Table! Can I roll a Suspicious Rash? Sketchy Business Venture? Notice from a Noble?
Nah, give me Something Better. I want a Cool Trick. Preferably from a Mysterious Stranger! Let's get us some Downtime Boons!
How does one come upon a Boon? Not by Gift or Grift but by Reputation. The PC must have Done a Thing that Caught Someone's Attention. Perhaps the fighter doing in the beast in the Arena, the cleric dispelling some Infernal Being, the mage Touching the Arcane, the thief Stealing the Thing. This Deed draws the Attention of a Mentor or Benefactor. Someone not affiliated with the current adventure, but who may become a Part of the World as the story continues. But most importantly, someone who thinks the PC worthy of a New Ability.
They will contact the PC, perhaps directly, by messenger, or even subterfuge. After all, not all of these mentors are affiliated with Proper Channels or the Orthodoxy. In some cases, gaining this knowledge may even have the potential to Mark the PC as a Heretic or Iconoclast. So Beware. Many Gifts come with a Cost. Not to mention, now that the PC has been Found Worthy of a Boon, the Patron will likely want them to Run an Errand, Return the Favor, or Complete a Deed...
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| "The Noble Patron" |
Patrons granting boons will most likely reside in larger/notable population centers: walled towns, ports, regional capitals, major crossroads. However, this doesn't preclude some “hidden master” hanging out in some wide-spot-in-the-road village.
Roll a D10 for the general class. But wait, there's only nine options per class? Roll a 10 = Roll D66 and take the Boon, if appropriate. A Boon will require at least one week of “training time” to take effect.
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| Now for a Legible Version |
And, since these may not be suitable options for every one (or because that Mysterious Patron didn't show), here are six D6 lists of optional activities to take part in while one is cooling their heels in town...
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| Find it Here |
It sound like there may be a few more orphan entries, so I'm looking at the list to see what else may speak to my muse (currently in the form of a small, furtive rodent). Stay tuned...
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