Level Frenzy!!!

Ever had a character tag along with a bunch of high levels, suck away their XP like a hungry hungry hippo, only to find that you've "bumped your head" at 1 below the next highest level?

The agony!

XP - one of the rarest commodities, more valuable than gold. What's more frightening than being killed, body lost? Being double level drained, that's what! Lose two levels in this game and you MAY AS WELL start again...

The proposed rule amendment is to the "training" optional rule that has been in place since the campaign started.

If you have time to spend out of the adventure - "downtime" as we call it - you can allocate some of that time to training for the next level threshold that you cross.

If you cross that xp amount during the adventure, then you will be able to level, so long as you have a safe place to meditate - an "extended rest" if you like (excuse the 4th ed. parlance).

You will need to spend the money on training also, just as you would normally.

This rule will be retrospective to a certain extent - if you currently have a character in the Temple, with potentially enough XP to level, AND you have enough "downtime" to spend, along with sufficient gold, then all you need now is an extended rest and you should be ready for new and improved challenges!

I should mention that the Temple challenges in the lower levels are now actually matched roughly to your levels. No more steam-rolling through with a strong front line and a flanking manouevre - this next phase is going to take tact, skill, diplomacy, and possibly a healthy dose of luck.

So if you have the opportunity to level, I'd say take it.

It could be your last.

Comments

[Pan]

I think that works better than the 100gp x level x week rule. At least you know the cost involved and if you go over in your training, it is just a time loss, rather than GP.
We have to remember that although we are now reaping some fairly large GP rewards, being name level and maintaing fortresses, staff and retainers carries its own hefty costs.

[TheDM]

Well the definitive rule you're not gonna like - and goes something like, "it costs about as much as you have"!

Perhaps we need a *better* definitive rule though...

On the long term principle that everything should be hard-earned, and gold a precious commodity, there are various ways a DM can "tax" the campaign. Funds are pretty fluid between PC's, so the fact that one guy is rich and another guy poor won't generally affect the ability to train - one just borrows from another coz nobody wants to travel around with PC's that haven't levelled.
But as PC's approach "name" level, gold becomes less important in and of itself, and more as a means to an end.
It will be tricky to manage the transition though - that is - some PC's hitting name, but the B team trailing.

But perhaps I'll just be a bit more creative about "game balance" mechanics in future.

How do you feel about a simple, 100gp per level, no matter what your specialty or rarity.

At that rate, it should be EASY for anyone to level at ANY stage. But perhaps that controlling mechanic is outdated anyway.

[Owen]

Hate to be a party pooper here but last time I leveled I was shocked and dismayed that the cost of training was 100 gp per level per week.

There seems to be some confusion around this point... I have a feeling that perhaps the DMG says something that we don't necessarily use or somesuch. In anycase, can we have a definitive DM™ ruling on training costs please?

[TheDM]

For now, scratch it and defer reality. As long as you have the time/money to spend.
For future it would have to be an upfront spend, but this is just the amnesty whilst the new laws come in!

[Jason]

So we scratch the time off our accrued down time, what about the money? Do we just scratch it off and defer reality while in the dungeon?

[TheDM]

Also, I think we can modify the rules for those above 9th level (or perhaps for when you no longer roll hit dice but just get the flat rate hp's for your class).
At this stage, you're enough of an expert, but it might be self-reflection or training.

[TheDM]

There are complex rules we use when PC's train someone.
There is a simpler rule for training done by NPC's. This is based on 1 week per level and 100gp per week.
The costs / time goes up depending on the complexity of the character.
Basic thieves train easier than specialist wizards or fighters.

[Jason]

How did the time investment go again?
Was it one week a level and then make a check or something?