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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Sadras" data-source="post: 6577485" data-attributes="member: 6688277">In another thread we were discussing the use/value of Time as an actual constraint or resource in the RPG. I am curious to know which of you actually use time or have used time in this manner – whereby the time factor results to change insettings, may bring about heavy consequences and the like. My current campaign storyline (completely sandbox), set in the Duchy of Karameikos,is described below. [sblock]The characters are making their way to a Castellan Keep (Keep on the Borderlands) to assist with a group of cultists hiding out in the Caves of Chaos who survived the destruction of the ToEE.  Zuggtomoy was accidently released before the destruction of the ToEE. The PCs believe her current location is in the Altan Tepes, possibly the Caves of Chaos. The demons of Zuggtmoy who escaped the temple’s destruction have fled to the orc warrens of the Wufwolde Hills and have subdued the orcs tribes residing there which have now fallen under their command.  The displaced orc chieftain, blaming the humans for the current state of affairs of his tribes, rode out with those still loyal to him razing the country side, putting any humans to the swords, cutting off breadbasket of the north.  The political scene in the Penhaligon is undergoing much upheaval: the people are restless given the rising costs of food and the danger, the knight’s order is selecting another elder for their council and the Lady in charge is being pressurised in approving a candidate she does not like.  In the party's journey to Castellan Keep, they also came across an Efreeti and its minions, which combat ended in a stalemate – the Efreeti is a survivor of the Fire Elemental Nodes of the ToEE and there are likely more surviving denizens of the elemental nodes scattered within the Duchy, causing havoc. Closer to Castellan Keep the PCs learn of one village, Fort Guido, being under the shadow of a Hobgoblin Warlord (modified Horror on the Hill) with ties to the cultists and another village, Bergoi, being suffocated by a group of ruffians and their leader Glasstaff (LMoP). I have drafted a timeline of events happening in the course of the the next 30-50 days. The characters know they are pivotal in the defence of Castellan Keep, but they cannot be everywhere, and decide which side quests to pursue – either for personal reasons or future tactical advantage. Information about the duchy is revealed to gradually them through an enchanted book one of the PCs possesses. His mentor is currently in Penhaligon and keeps a diary. As his mentor becomes aware of important news he inputs that in the diary – this information is then reflected in the enchanted book the PC holds. This revelation of the Duchy’s news assists the party in making more/better informed decisions.     They dealt with the hobgoblin warlord, weakening his forces significantly which forced him withdraw from the hill and return to the Black Peak Mountains. They defeated the ruffians terrorising the other village – but their investigation led them chasing a being known as the Spider and this deviation has now got them hopelessly lost. Despite their successes, their deviations from their primary objective, to reach Castellan Keep, have cost them time.[/sblock]I understand time is not always a factor for every adventure; it is just that this campaign arc we are currently running seemed to necessitate it. We track days, but record the hours of specific checks points in days (to determine day/night for travel and vision purposes as well as appropriate rest points). This does not = every second or minute or every lunch break. Utilising time like this I find has instilled a sense of urgency. It ensures: <ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">The decision to take a short/long rests matters (No more I rest after every combat);</li> </ul><ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">The method of travel (barge, on foot or horseback) matters given that each has its own obstacles;</li> </ul><ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">That not all treasure found may be taken as it might affect overland movement (through encumbrance);</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">The benefits of succeeding in side quests affects time allowance for the primary objective, thereby forcing hard choices;</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">That it engages the players/characters in real debate;</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">The players know their actions affect the progress of the main campaign storyline that seems different to the adventure-of- the-week-scenario.</li> </ul> There are no wrong or right choices, just better or worse ones for different reasons. So what are your thoughts on the implementation of time as a resources/constraint. Is it too much work? Does it require the right story-arc? Best only in small doses – through the use of a Skill ChallengeEDIT: Inexperienced with the interface, trying to "hide" in a box the portion relating to my campaign. And I don't know why some of it is coming out in red - maybe the mods can help please<img src="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/joypixels/assets/8.0/png/unicode/64/1f642.png" class="smilie smilie--emoji" loading="lazy" width="64" height="64" alt=":)" title="Smile    :)"  data-smilie="1"data-shortname=":)" />EDIT 2: Kindly assisted by @<a href="http://www.enworld.org/forum/member.php?u=386" target="_blank">LostSoul</a> </blockquote>

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