Of necessity, the amount of roleplaying experience awarded will usually not be nearly as much as that awarded for overcoming challenges with a Challenge Rating or Encounter Level. Experience Points are more related to the technical development of characters, and as such, it seems most logical to award them for technical challenges overcome. The encounter levels are set up by the module and the DM to be appropriate challenges for characters of a certain level. If the player characters overshoot the recommended party level, the challenges are reduced, as is some of the fun of that aspect of the game.

We all enjoy roleplaying as it enriches what would otherwise be an overly complicated tactical game. The awards associated with roleplaying among each other is a better and more interesting story overall. The awards associated with roleplaying with NPCs in town is easier access to information, locations, services, and additional work.

Background Experience

Players who provide a background for their character will be awarded up to 500 xp, depending on the depth of the back story.

Roleplaying Experience

Each player who attends a session and generally stays in character, plays cleverly, and/or does their part to keep the game on track will receive 100+ xp.

Journals

Each player who submits a one page (or more) journal entry from their character’s point of view (via email or Obsidian Portal before the next game) will be awarded an additional 100 xp or 1 Action Point, at their discretion.

Votes

At the end of a session, all the players vote on who had the best scene, stayed in character best, or otherwise enriched the game the most for everyone. The winner is awarded an additional 100 xp or 1 Action Point, at their discretion.

Players stand to gain between 100-300 additional xp per session just for roleplaying their characters.

• Updated March 26, 2008

Back