Between dungeon crawls and dragon hunts lies a quiet but crucial part of adventuring: downtime. These stretches between quests allow characters to pursue personal goals, deepen relationships, and prepare for the challenges ahead. In Dungeons & Dragons 5e, downtime activities offer more than a break—they’re a tool for storytelling and character growth.
Whether you’re a DM looking to enrich your world or a player hoping to forge your hero’s legacy, understanding downtime is key to making every moment count.
What Are Downtime Activities?
Downtime activities are in-game tasks that characters can undertake while not actively adventuring. According to the Player’s Handbook and Xanathar’s Guide to Everything, these can last days, weeks, or even months of game time. Instead of merely “waiting,” your character could be:
- Crafting magical items
- Training in a new language or tool
- Running a business
- Researching ancient lore
- Carousing in city taverns
- Sowing rumours or gathering information
These activities aren’t just filler—they create depth and make your campaign world feel truly alive.
Why Downtime Matters
Including downtime in your game has several benefits:
- Character Development: It gives players time to explore personal backstories or ambitions.
- Worldbuilding: It shows what happens in the world between major events.
- Pacing: Downtime offers a natural rhythm to campaigns, giving players time to breathe.
- Player Agency: Letting players drive the story through their downtime goals makes the world feel responsive to their actions.
Some of the most memorable character moments come not from combat, but from decisions made during quiet time.
Top Downtime Activities in 5e
Here are some of the most popular and versatile downtime options:
1. Crafting (Items, Potions, or Magic)
Whether mundane or magical, crafting gives players a way to invest in their gear. It requires materials, tools, and time, and often leads to fun side quests to gather rare components.
2. Research
Looking to learn more about that cursed amulet or the history of a ruined keep? Research downtime lets characters uncover knowledge and plot hooks buried in ancient tomes.
3. Training and Learning
Gain proficiency in new tools, languages, or even a feat (with DM approval). This is a great way for players to evolve without levelling up.
4. Running a Business
For entrepreneurial adventurers, managing an inn, shop, or thieves’ guild can be a long-term goal and a source of passive income or plot complications.
5. Carousing and Making Contacts
Throwing gold around in taverns isn’t just for fun. It can result in allies, enemies, rumours, or unexpected events. Great for social characters and rogues alike.
6. Healing and Recovery
Long-term injuries, curses, or emotional trauma? Downtime gives space for characters to heal and reflect.
Creative Downtime Ideas for DMs
As a Dungeon Master, consider weaving downtime into the campaign narrative:
- Seasonal Shifts: Use downtime to transition between seasons or major arcs.
- Town Events: Host festivals, tournaments, or elections that involve the party during rest periods.
- Personal Arcs: Encourage players to pursue character-driven goals, like finding a lost sibling or writing a book of spells.
- Rival Progression: Show that enemies aren’t idle. What schemes are unfolding while the party trains or rests?
Downtime should be a living part of the world, not just a game mechanic.
Tips for Managing Downtime at the Table
- Set Expectations: Clarify how much time is available and what’s possible.
- Use Downtime Rules: Xanathar’s Guide offers detailed rules and complications.
- Encourage Roleplay: Treat downtime scenes like mini-adventures. Give players opportunities to narrate, interact, and influence outcomes.
- Keep It Moving: Avoid bogging down the game—summarise where appropriate, but zoom in on the juicy parts.
Final Thoughts
Downtime in D&D 5e isn’t just about passing time—it’s about building a story. Whether it’s forging a legendary weapon, forging alliances, or forging ahead on a personal journey, these quieter moments bring texture and meaning to your campaign. So the next time the dungeon is done and the tavern door swings open, ask your players: What do you do while the world turns?
