In the quiet spaces between adventures, characters pursue their ambitions—founding guilds, mastering forgotten arts, conducting esoteric research, forging alliances, or delving into mysteries.
Structure
- One project action per character per month
- Projects tracked in 1/3/5 steps based on scope:
- Minor (1): Brief, focused effort
- Moderate (3): Sustained undertaking
- Major (5): Life-changing endeavor
Resolution
- Describe approach for the month
- Roll 2d6 + modifiers (max ±3)
- Relevant ability
- Situation (±1)
- Assistance from another character (+1)
Results
- 6-: No progress
- 7–9: Advance one step, with complication
- 10+: Advance one step
Complications
When progress comes with a cost (7–9), GM introduces:
- Required resources
- Story complications
- Time pressure
- Rival interest
- Side quest
Complications must be addressed to continue progress. They connect projects to the wider world and spark new adventures.
Completion
When the final step is completed, the project’s benefits take hold. New possibilities emerge. The world changes in small ways or large. The next chapter begins.
Adapted from Downtime in Zyan. Created with help from Claude.