My players and I have just finished our first "adventure arc" (a very changed lost mine of phandelver) and have a small break before the next session where we will start a new (but still related) story arc.
I thought that it could be fun to do something during the time before our next session. I was considering doing some downtime activities (although I have never done this) or maybe running one or two mini - sessions for each player, individualy, online to see what their chatacter does and help lead into the next session or maybe something else.
What do you think?
All help would be greatly appreciated and thanks to all those who respond.
I'm very fond of offering downtime activities to players so they can explore and customize their characters more as an interlude to the next adventure.
Downtime activities are always fun (i do love me a fun shopping episode) and there are loads of options in xanathars and the dmg to make sure everyone has something to do. Presuming the adventure still took place in Phandalin (or a town of similar size) then it isn't likely that there would be the services of buying magical items and going to large taverns or shops.
I'd recommend a mystery oneshot as well, it can make for a nice break in the campaign and allow for adventure hooks into the next plot of your campaign.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
'The Cleverness of mushrooms always surprises me!' - Ivern Bramblefoot.
The easy answer is to ask the players what their characters would want to do with their time off. If the players are really in tune with their characters then they will actually have ideas already about what all their characters would be into.
As Sposta (and others) said downtime actions are always good especially if the players are into it. For a Phlandalin based campaign they could always take a side trip to Neverwinter to resupply and upgrade before returning to Phandalin for “round 2”. I run a modified FR and it an ongoing world so the PCs are “doing something” between adventures so I/we have no problem to do some town /non dungeon activities. That can include shopping, training, carousing, working on their building etc.
You can also use it to help set up the next campaign. Let a couple characters meet or hear about some important NPC. Or they get into trouble and make an enemy that leads to a secondary or side-quest. A romance arc that gives you someone back in town one of the PCs would want to protect. It can be a good chance for some crafting, if you do that, or studying and gaining proficiency in new skills/tools/languages/weapons.
I am in a campaign now where the DM has us all in guilds of some sort and between sessions we can forage for animal skins, precious mettles and use our trade skills to make items for sale or to use. My character is a bard so instead I look for near by towns with taverns and go play. I am hoping to start becoming a well know, then legendary bard. Each week I make a few performance checks and perswassion checks. I have been earning some gold and growing my name recognition.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
To post a comment, please login or register a new account.
Hello my fellow masters of the dungeons đź‘‹.
My players and I have just finished our first "adventure arc" (a very changed lost mine of phandelver) and have a small break before the next session where we will start a new (but still related) story arc.
I thought that it could be fun to do something during the time before our next session. I was considering doing some downtime activities (although I have never done this) or maybe running one or two mini - sessions for each player, individualy, online to see what their chatacter does and help lead into the next session or maybe something else.
What do you think?
All help would be greatly appreciated and thanks to all those who respond.
Your ideas are spot on.
I'm very fond of offering downtime activities to players so they can explore and customize their characters more as an interlude to the next adventure.
Downtime activities are always fun (i do love me a fun shopping episode) and there are loads of options in xanathars and the dmg to make sure everyone has something to do. Presuming the adventure still took place in Phandalin (or a town of similar size) then it isn't likely that there would be the services of buying magical items and going to large taverns or shops.
I'd recommend a mystery oneshot as well, it can make for a nice break in the campaign and allow for adventure hooks into the next plot of your campaign.
'The Cleverness of mushrooms always surprises me!' - Ivern Bramblefoot.
I'll worldbuild for your DnD games!
Just a D&D enjoyer, check out my fiverr page if you need any worldbuilding done for ya!
The easy answer is to ask the players what their characters would want to do with their time off. If the players are really in tune with their characters then they will actually have ideas already about what all their characters would be into.
Creating Epic Boons on DDB
DDB Buyers' Guide
Hardcovers, DDB & You
Content Troubleshooting
As Sposta (and others) said downtime actions are always good especially if the players are into it. For a Phlandalin based campaign they could always take a side trip to Neverwinter to resupply and upgrade before returning to Phandalin for “round 2”. I run a modified FR and it an ongoing world so the PCs are “doing something” between adventures so I/we have no problem to do some town /non dungeon activities. That can include shopping, training, carousing, working on their building etc.
Wisea$$ DM and Player since 1979.
I agree with the others in terms of downtime.
You can also use it to help set up the next campaign. Let a couple characters meet or hear about some important NPC. Or they get into trouble and make an enemy that leads to a secondary or side-quest. A romance arc that gives you someone back in town one of the PCs would want to protect. It can be a good chance for some crafting, if you do that, or studying and gaining proficiency in new skills/tools/languages/weapons.
I am in a campaign now where the DM has us all in guilds of some sort and between sessions we can forage for animal skins, precious mettles and use our trade skills to make items for sale or to use. My character is a bard so instead I look for near by towns with taverns and go play. I am hoping to start becoming a well know, then legendary bard. Each week I make a few performance checks and perswassion checks. I have been earning some gold and growing my name recognition.