DOWNTIME ACTIVITIES, MINI-GAMES & SOCIAL MECHANICS
Between grow cycles, faction wars, vision quests, and dungeon dives, downtime is where players deepen their characters, form community bonds, and explore the vibe of the Budlands. This section introduces mechanics for off-session growth, in-world recreation, and party-enhancing roleplay, all grounded in cannabis culture.
Downtime Structure
Downtime takes place during off-days between quests or after major events. It’s broken into Phases, where each character may choose 1–2 activities per phase (typically 1–3 days of game time).
Downtime Phases
- Morning Puff – Mental/spiritual activities
- High Noon Tasks – Physical or mechanical labor
- Evening Circle – Social bonding, crafting, or vision-seeking
- Nightcap – Recovery, rest, dreams, or rituals
Downtime Activity Examples
| Activity | Result |
| Strain Meditation | Roll Wisdom (DC 15): Learn 1 new vision from a strain spirit |
| Craft Edibles | Use Weedcraft to convert flower into edibles (DC varies by recipe) |
| Visit the Market | Trade items, find blackmarket strains, or influence local rumor |
| Test a New Hybrid | DM rolls on the Mutation Table if the cross is unstable |
| Train with an Ally | Gain +1 to next initiative roll or unlock team combo move |
| Puff & Reflect | Gain +1 SP if you write or roleplay a memory moment |
Optional Rule: Joint Journaling—players who record or roleplay a personal flashback during downtime may unlock a First Puff Echo, usable in vision quests.
Social Mechanics: The Circle
Circles are sacred spaces for dialogue, sharing, debate, or vision invocation. They are both mechanical and narrative tools that reward cooperation and creativity.
Forming a Circle
- Requires: 3+ players, shared strain, and 1 full turn of peace
- Duration: 10 minutes or until broken
- Outcome: Roll Wisdom (DC 10–20) for each player
- Success: Gain 1 of the following (player’s choice):
- +1 SP
- +1d6 temp HP
- Share a secret memory
- Unlock a new party synergy bonus (DM discretion)
Circle Offenses
- Ashing Early: Causes mild curse—disadvantage on next Wisdom save
- Interrupting the Flow: Causes contact high mishaps for all
- Circle Betrayal: Permanently bans player from forming Circles unless cleansed
Mini-Games & In-World Recreation
Bluntcrafting Challenge
- Players roll for speed, style, and strain synergy (Weedcraft + Dexterity)
- Judges assign score from 1–10 per category
- Bonus reward: Legendary Wraps or Divine Flame
Hotbox Poker
- A cross between poker and High Checks
- Each round, players draw smoke cards and make Wisdom saves to stay lucid
- The last player standing wins infused loot or rare strain info
Grow-Off Tournament
- Public event between player and NPC growers
- Objective: grow, crossbreed, and cure the most powerful bud
- Rolls include planting (Weedcraft), tending (Constitution), and curing (Intelligence)
- Judges (NPCs) assign potency, flavor, and balance scores
Freestyle Battle (Bard-Focused)
- Players must rhyme their spell components or attacks
- Style, rhyme, and performance are rolled using Charisma
- Crowd reactions may grant SP, rare reagents, or even temporary fame
Relationship Mechanics
Characters can form lasting bonds with NPCs and one another through shared smoke, experiences, and emotional roleplay.
Bond Types:
- Circle Bond: Formed via rituals or shared trauma
- Strainmate: Someone who shares your origin puff
- Terpbond: Magical friendship formed after saving each other while high
- Soulwrap: The rarest bond—two players can complete each other’s spells once per long rest
Bond Benefits:
- Shared initiative bonuses
- Unlock team combo moves
- Sense each other’s emotions across distance
- May allow temporary shared vision states
Community Influence & Reputation
Downtime can be used to build the players’ name in the Budlands.
| Action | Influence Gained |
| Win a Grow-Off | +2 Local Reputation |
| Host a Circle at your Growhouse | +1 to regional faction favor |
| Supply a faction with legendary strain | Unlock bonus faction perk |
| Publicly oppose the Smokeless Order | Gain outlaw status and underground support |
As reputation rises, players attract:
- Followers (cultivators, musicians, defenders)
- Gifts (edibles, tools, art, info)
Enemies (rivals, raiders, bounty hunters)