Halfling bard Jaxon was sick of the same old routine. He wanted something more. So he did what any sensible halfing would do: he started his own business!
Jaxon had an old family recipe for brewing a particularly potent ale. He set up shop near the edge of Riddleport and quickly built a reputation for himself as the best brewer in the city. His ale was so popular that he soon had to expand his business.
Jaxon’s brewing company grew into a thriving success. He eventually opened up several branches in different towns and exported his ale to other lands.
An adventurer’s life isn’t always about fighting monsters and hunting treasure. You’ll have time to kill between adventures In this blog post, we will discuss some of the best downtime activities for Pathfinder players!
Table of Contents
Common Downtime Activities
In the world of Pathfinder, there are many different ways to spend one’s downtime. Whether you are looking to earn an income, build a library, or join a guild, there are countless activities to keep you busy during your time away from adventuring.
Additionally, if you find yourself in a large city, there are many opportunities available for those willing to put in the work and make the proper connections. Some common downtime activities can be fun to try, and profitable.
Activities in downtime mode often span days or even weeks. Because the stakes are low, downtime is the perfect chance to experiment and try new things!
| Downtime Activity | Skill |
| Craft | Crafting |
| Earn Income | Crafting, Lore, Performance |
| Treat Disease | Medicine |
| Create Forgery | Society |
| Subsist | Society, Survival |
Downtime is a good opportunity to put your skills to the test. The stakes may be low, but that doesn’t mean you won’t find a challenge. You’ll need training, courage, and a little luck if you hope to be successful.
Resting
Getting enough rest is important, as it allows your characters to recover from their wounds and prepare for the next adventure. If you rest for an entire day and night, you’ll recover more hit points than you would with a normal rest.
If you need to recover from serious injuries, you can take a few days to rest. If you’re lucky enough to be near civilization, spend some of your hard-earned gold and rent a room and a few hot meals. Otherwise, you’ll need to set up camp and tend to your wounds in the wilderness.
Resting is also a great way to prepare for the next adventure. While you’re waiting to heal, you can plan your next move.
Treating Diseases
Curing players of disease is another important downtime activity. Pathfinder is full of deadly diseases, so it’s crucial to have a healer in the party who can take care of characters when they get sick.
Diseases in Pathfinder can be serious trouble. It can take many weeks to cure some illnesses. This makes the game more challenging and rewarding for players who are willing to find a cure.
Retraining
One of the most common downtime activities is retraining. By retraining, you can change some of the choices you made about your character. This can be helpful for players who want to change up their build or try something new.
Retraining can also be useful for GMs who want to introduce new mechanics to the game. GMs must decide if the retraining requires a teacher or not. In some cases, retraining can take days or even weeks to complete
Research
Pathfinder is a game filled with mysteries. There are ancient ruins to explore, lost civilizations to find, and forgotten magic to rediscover. If your character is the curious type, they might spend their downtime researching these riddles.
You can research topics in several different ways. Your character could visit a library or talk to scholars who might know something about the topic. They could also scour ancient ruins for clues.
If your character is a spellcaster, they can use their downtime to research new spells and magical secrets. This requires access to spellbooks and some money, but it’s well worth it if you find a new spell that’s perfect for your character.
Crafting
Another popular activity is crafting. Learning to craft your own items is a great way to make use of those rare and unique materials you find during your adventures. You can also sell your crafted items for a profit!
There are a variety of things that players can craft in Pathfinder, including weapons, armor, and potions. If they have the proper skills and materials, players can even create their magic items!
Crafting is also a great way to improve your character’s gear. Use your crafting abilities to forge the perfect weapons and gear for your party.
Earning a Profit
The world of Golarian is full of dangerous monsters and mysterious dungeons, but you’ll need gold if you want to stand a chance against the forces of evil. One of the best things about downtime is that it offers players a chance to earn extra money.
Pathfinder characters can earn a profit by crafting weapons and armor, researching new spells, or working as laborers. Having some extra coins in your pocket will come in handy when you need to buy new equipment or pay for training.
Starting a business is another great way to make some gold, and it can be a lot of fun roleplaying your character’s interactions with customers. For entrepreneurial types, the thrill of managing employees and growing a business will be its own adventure.
Gaining Renown
Gaining renown is a great way for players to get ahead in the world. Having a reputation can open up new opportunities and adventure hooks for your GM to use.
There are many ways for players to increase their renown in Golarion. Some of the most common methods include completing quests, defeating powerful enemies, and mastering new skills.
Some downtime activities like starting a business or joining a guild can also increase your character’s renown. What will you do when you’re famous?
Joining a Guild
One great way to spend your downtime is by joining a guild. Guilds provide members with access to new quests as well as other benefits. There are many different types of guilds to choose from, so find one that best suits your character.
Pathfinder players can join a guild by visiting the nearest settlement and asking around for information about local guilds. They can also visit the Pathfinder Society’s website to learn more about joining one of Golarian’s largest and most famous guilds.
Starting a Guild
Starting a guild is a great way for players to work together and gain some prestige. There are many different ways to go about creating your own guild, but here are a few tips:
- Decide what type of guild you want to create. Are you a guild of deadly mercenaries? Or perhaps your guild specializes in solving difficult crimes that no one else can solve.
- Choose a name and symbol for your guild. This will help you identify your guild and set it apart from everyone else.
- Find a location for your guild. It can be an inn, a tavern, or even a simple room in someone’s house.
- Collect the necessary materials to get started. You’ll need things like furniture, supplies, and a charter.
- Recruit some members! You can do this by advertising in taverns or by word of mouth.
Once you’ve got everything set up, you’ll be ready to start adventuring with your new guild. With some luck, your guild will grow and attract attention.
Other Downtime Activities
Pathfinder offers endless possibilities for those who are interested in seeking social status. You could run for office or become a patron of the arts. Philanthropy is also a great way to spend your time and your wealth.
And if you are looking for something a bit more adventurous to do during your downtime, you could try taking command of the city guard. Or you could seek out remote regions searching for rare resources and natural treasures.
No matter what path you choose during your time away from battle, Pathfinder has something for everyone looking to explore their untapped potential.
There are many other ways to spend your time in Pathfinder, so don’t be afraid to get creative. Talk to your GM about it if you can think of something you’d like to try. They might be willing to let you do it!
GM Tips for Running Downtime Activities
Downtime mode is a great way to give players a break from the action and let them explore their characters’ backstory and motivations. It’s also a great opportunity for GMs to introduce new plot threads and adventures.
Here are a few tips for GMs running downtime mode in their Pathfinder game:
- Decide what activities are available to players. There are endless possibilities, so think about what would be the most fun and interesting for your group.
- Make sure players have enough money to buy the materials they need for their chosen activity. You can do this by giving them a stipend or awarding them additional treasure during adventures.
- Set aside time for players to work on their downtime activities during each session. This doesn’t have to be a lot of time, but it should be enough for them to make some progress.
- Keep track of what each player is doing during their downtime. Having a record will help you decide when and how to award the players XP for their activities.
- Be creative! Downtime mode is a great opportunity to try new things and experiment with the game. So have fun and see what you can come up with.
Party Down
Players can use their downtime to work together towards a shared goal. For instance, they could start a business or help one of their party members practice their skills.
Downtime activities are a great way to encourage your players to roleplay and bond with their fellow party members. Use downtime mode to help players learn more about their characters. It can also be a great time to revisit the rules of the game.
Cost of Living
You’ll need to reward your players for their efforts during downtime. Having an incentive can help motivate players to participate in these activities, making the game more enjoyable for everyone involved.
GMs can reward their players in several ways. Giving them extra experience points or loot is always a good choice. You can also use downtime activities to advance the story.
Down and Out
There are plenty of ways to get the most of your downtime in Pathfinder. By participating in downtime activities, you can earn some extra money, gain renown, and prepare for the next adventure! So get out there and make the most of your downtime!
