One way to bring a setting's calendar to life is through downtime. When you spend a month cooling your heels and recovering from the road, each month has distinctive, meaty benefits.
Set the list out where the players can get it, and let them make their own choices. It doesn't even matter if players are actually able to make use of the benefits they want. If all that happens is the party lamenting, "Damn, shame we have to travel during Ferch," it's doing its work!
Here's a set of calendar downtime benefits appropriate to the sort of campaign presented in the compendium, scattered communities in a wilderness full of danger. If the party spends the full month engaged in rest or aiding the community, the benefit is theirs!
# | Month | Benefit of a full month of downtime |
Anvial | Winter's stillness brings clarity. The guide you seek will find you. | |
Bolc | As the snows subside, old paths need mending. Those who do warden's work are blessed: they will not get lost on the way to their next destination. | |
Cindal | Spring dawns. Planting time means grudges must be set aside, at least for now. If you seek a favor of someone influential, ask it. | |
Ferch | Rains reveal what must be repaired. Find the old stones and new and get to stacking. | |
Greel | In the humid season, if you seek an ally with special skills, you find them. They will aid you, but summer's friend betrays in autumn. | |
Halvilary | Summer's forges burn hot and true. If you are procuring gear, one item made for you this month is of remarkable sturdiness. It will never fail you. | |
Juthon | Long idle days and warm summer nights are fertile ground for schemers. | |
Marial | Summer's last light is golden. Rest in it, and all injuries to the body are cured, however severe—but scars, grief and curses are yours to keep. | |
Samber | Nothing like a month in the fields to cement a bond with the community. Whatever else has come before, you are welcomed as if you were born here. | |
Tershon | The last of autumn is no time to start a long journey, but those who feast well in Tershon will not grow hungry until they are home once more. | |
Nollen | The hopeful stand watch over the roads, praying for cold winds to bring lost friends. The steadfast will not be disappointed. | |
Rinth | In the darkness of winter, secrets slip from cold-numbed hands. Something important kept hidden by the community is revealed to you. |
(These rules are MOSAIC Strict.)
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