Send Your PC's Back To School
Education as Downtime
What am I doing when I’m not creating my world of Kre’ash or making Youtube Videos? I’m usually reading non-fiction books on marketing, community and spiritual practices primarily because I’d like to get better at things I’m not good at.
I always found it a bit odd, playing D&D as a teenager that my characters simply got better at things. They got XP , went to the skill gumball machine and POOF! I know things.
With it time to go back to school maybe it’s time to send out PC back to school as well. Here are some of the boons a PC could gain should they choose to use their downtime to attend a Wizard School, Trade School or get one on one mentoring to learn the Orc language.
Boons of Education
Attending a school can provide characters with a variety of benefits.
Increased Ability Scores
Character can educate themselves to where, long term, they can earn bonuses to ability scores for learning ancient texts or to get advantage on Intelligence rolls, short term.
Language Proficiency
Learning new languages can open up diplomatic opportunities or access to hidden information. Playing in a Giant infested forest? Stop by the library and grab a book on Giant writings and language.
Skill Proficiencies
Studying specific subjects can grant characters proficiency in related skills like repairing equipment, learning new spells and understanding the planes. Think of it as cramming for a test where you learn what you need for the test and then it become a distant memory.
Social Standing
Graduation from a prestigious school can improve a character's reputation and social connection and maybe allow them to add a title to their introductions.
Improved Payday
The more education a PC receives the more they can charge for specific jobs.
Networking Opportunities
Schools or conventions are hubs for meeting new people, including potential allies, rivals, or romantic interests.
New discoveries
It’s possible that after achieving much learning, characters can invent new spells, discover lost civilizations or manufacture new kinds of weapons.
Entrepreneurial Aspirations
Characters could become business savvy and take their new found education to invent and mass market a new product (like in Acquisitions Inc.).
But what are the boon for DMs?” you might ask.
New locations
Dot your map landscape with towers of learning or village schools to be explored.
New NPCs
Whether it’s an old warrior who can teach fighters a new sword technique or a professor at a prestigious college who can interpret ancient runes, they become resource of information, plot hooks and add even more depth to your world.
An Advancement Process
Having schools, mentor or libraries give PCs a path to advancing their characters. IF a PC wants to do X, you can say, “You’ll have to go see Madam Fruze’ if you want to learn that new spell.”
Roleplay
When you are not playing your main session, this is a great time for a one on one session (or a deut session) with your players helping them further become immersed in the game world and flesh out their character.
These are but a few ideas I have on educating PCs for fame and glory. If you would like to read about more of my ideas, check out my Crit Happens #3 zine, Back To School.