Forged in the Dark SRD · December 2017 SRD
NPC & faction downtime
Downtime activities > NPC & faction downtime
NPCs and factions also do things when the PCs have downtime. The GM advances their project clocks and chooses a downtime maneuver or two for each faction that they're interested in at the moment. Choose any maneuver that makes sense for that faction to pursue. For example:
- Seize a claim or increase hold, make an enemy vulnerable, or reduce the hold of a vulnerable enemy.
- Gather information on the PCs (may be opposed by a PC roll) or another subject.
- Achieve a short-term goal they're in position to accomplish.
- Acquire a new asset.
- Call in a favor from another faction.
- Employ political pressure or threats to force someone's hand.
GM: Choose downtime maneuvers and advance clocks for the factions you're interested in right now. Don't worry about the rest. Later, when you turn your attention to a faction you've ignored for a while, go ahead and give them several downtime phases and project clock ticks to "catch up" to current events.
If you're not sure how far to progress a faction's clock, make a fortune roll using their Tier as the base trait, modified up or down depending on the opposition or circumstances. Tick 1 segment for a 1-3 result, 2 segments for a 4/5 result, 3 segments for a 6 result, or 5 segments for a critical result.
When factions do things that are known in the criminal underworld, tell the players about it through one of their friends or contacts or vice purveyors. These rumors and bits of gossip can lead to future scores and opportunities for the PCs.