How to Run TTRPG Downtime Between Sessions

Downtime gives characters room to train, research, craft, recover, hire help, and pursue personal goals while the main adventure pauses. It can deepen a campaign, but only if the Game Master has a reliable way to collect requests and return clear outcomes.

Set a clear downtime window

Tell players how much in-world time is available, when requests are due, and which resources they can spend. A one-week break should feel different from a winter spent in a city.

Ask for complete requests

Every request should answer four questions:

1. What is the character trying to accomplish?
2. How much time will they spend?
3. What gold, items, contacts, or other resources will they use?
4. What result are they hoping for?

Gold & XP lets a player submit a freeform downtime request for Game Master review. Categories can distinguish activities such as training, research, carousing, alchemy, healing, gambling, mapping, or crafting a magic item.

Review before resolving

The Game Master should confirm that the action is possible, clarify missing details, and decide which campaign rules apply. Approval is a useful checkpoint: it prevents a player from assuming a cost or result before the GM has reviewed the request.

Record costs and outcomes together

When you resolve an action, record the elapsed time, money or materials spent, and the outcome in the same place. This keeps the result understandable weeks later and helps the party begin the next session from a shared state.

Use repeatable actions for common needs

Some activities appear often enough to deserve a repeatable workflow. Gold & XP includes a focused hireling flow for finding and hiring men-at-arms and support staff. Other plans can use customizable freeform downtime requests.

Close the loop before the next game

Publish or share the results before the next session. Players can update their plans, while the GM can prepare consequences and opportunities created by those choices.

Ready to organize your own between-session workflow? Explore the Gold & XP downtime manager or create a free account.