Making Camp
A system for campaigns which have a major focus on dangerous wilderness exploration and where the normal resting rules, Gritty Realism or throwing a dozen wolves at the party every night don't provide the right balance for feel and diversity for your campaign.
Step One: Camp Setup Check
To set up camp, one or more characters in the party must make a Survival check against a DC determined by the hostility of the environment (see the Camp Setup Table) and count the number of successful rolls out of the number of attempts. Those characters must all actively contribute in setting the camp, like finding a suitable location, building a shelter, preparing the campfire, etc.
The Dungeon Master may elect to give some bonuses or advantage to this check, depending on the situation. For example, instead of making a Camp Setup check themselves, a character may elect to take the Help action to support another character making the check. Similarly, a Ranger within his favored terrain may roll the Camp Setup check with advantage.
Camp Setup Table
| Survival DC | Camp Environment |
|---|---|
| 0 | Inn or home at a well established settlement |
| 5 | Peaceful countryside with bountyful resources |
| 10 | Tamed wilderness, or the streets of an urban setting |
| 15 | Untamed wilderness of hazardous or unknown terrain |
| 20 | Deadly wilderness or caves infested by dangerous monsters |
| 25 | Utterly inhospitable wilderness untraveled by most |
| 30 | Alien planes of unspeakable horror |
Step Two: Camping Score
Add together all the applicable bonus and penalties from the following tables, taking note if the bonus or penalty applies to the entire party or a single character, to get the Camping Score for each character.
Adapt or add to those tables as appropriate. For example, the Dungeon Master may consider that using the alarm spell or asking a familiar to stand watch contribute toward obtaining the Guards bonus.
Step Three: Camping Outcome
Compare the Camping Score for each character to the Camping Outcome table below to obtain the result of that night's camping.
Camp Setup Check Results
Select one from the table below.
| Bonus or Penalty | Description | Type |
|---|---|---|
| +2 | Everyone attempting the Camp Setup check succeeds. | Entire party |
| +0 | Half or more party members succeed at their Camp Setup check. | Entire party |
| -2 | Less than half of the party members succeed their Camp Setup check. | Entire party |
General Camp Location
Select one from the table below (mutually exclusive).
| Bonus or Penalty | Description | Type |
|---|---|---|
| +3 | Safe Location: The party makes camp in a very safe location, such as an inn or warm homestead. | Entire party |
| +0 | Magical Dome: The party sleeps within a tiny hut or any similar magically created barrier. | Entire party |
| -3 | Dangerous Location: The party makes camp in a dangerous location, such as the wilderness or a hostile dungeon. | Entire party |
Weather Impacts
Select one from the table below (mutually exclusive).
| Bonus or Penalty | Description | Type |
|---|---|---|
| +1 | Permanent Structure: The party makes camp in a fixed structure, like a sturdy cabin or a cave offering protection against the elements. |
Entire party |
| -1 | Bad Weather: The party makes camp without proper shelter while the weather is windy, cold or rainy. |
Entire party |
| -2 | Extreme Weather: The party makes camp without proper shelter while the weather is extreme, such as blizzard or magical storm. | Entire party |
Sources
- Original idea found in "Making Camp" - An Alternative to Gritty Realism Resting, by u/Dreadful_Aardvark on reddit (posted October 18th, 2021).
- Campfire image from Desktop Nexus
- GM Binder version by phixium
Other Camping Conditions
Select all that apply from the table below.
| Bonus or Penalty | Description | Type |
|---|---|---|
| +1 | Proper Camp: The party makes camp before twilight hours or uses an already existing camp. |
Entire party |
| +1 | Guards: The party sleeps with at least two guard animals or hired men on watch. |
Entire party |
| +1 | Hidden: The campsite is naturally or magically hidden from view or easy detection. | Entire party |
Personal Events of the Day
Select all that apply from the table below.
| Bonus or Penalty | Description | Type |
|---|---|---|
| +2 | Inspired: The character overcame a difficult challenge the previous day without suffering any major setback. | Character |
| +1 | Uninjured: The character goes to sleep at full hit points. | Character |
| -2 | Defeated: The character dropped to 0 hit point the previous day. |
Character |
| +1 | Satiated: The character eats twice the amount of daily rations. | Character |
| -1 | Hungry: The character does not eat the required amount of daily rations. | Character |
| -1 | On Watch: The character takes a turn watching during the long rest. | Character |
| -1 | Disturbed Slumber: The character' sleep is interrupted by streneous activity. | Character |
Camping Outcome Table
| Camping Score | Description | Effect |
|---|---|---|
| 5 of more |
The night was beneficial and you had a great sleep. You feel invigorated. |
You gain inspiration and the benefits of a long rest. |
| 0 to 4 | The camp was acceptable, the night pleasant and the sleep satisfying. You feel rested. | You gain the benefits of a long rest. |
| -1 to -4 | The camp was poor and you had a restless night. You feel tired |
You gain the benefits of a short rest. |
| -5 or less |
The night was long and weary, and you barely slept. You feel weakened. |
You gain one level of exhaustion and the benefits of a short rest. |
Example
Step One - Camp Setup Check
A party of 4 decides to make camp into a dangerous wilderness they are exploring. The DC for this Camp Setup check is 20. Two members attempt the Camp Setup check, with the third member using the Help action to aid one of these checks. The fourth party member rests (having been reduced to 0 hp). In the end, only one of checks succeeds (one success out of two attempts).
Step Two: Camping Score
The camp is in an area known to be patrolled by gnolls, but the party finds an abandoned cabin before twilight which they successfully camouflage with tree branches and other natural components. The day was a difficult one, each party member suffering wounds in battle, one one character suffering from a near death experience (reduced to 0 hp). They don't lack food and water but still limit their consumption since they are running low, and take turns to watch for gnoll patrols but otherwise have an uneventful night.
Total for all party members
| Bonus or Penalty | Description |
|---|---|
| +0 | Half or more succeeded in the Camp Setup check |
| -3 | Dangerous Location |
| +1 | Permanent Structure |
| +1 | Proper Camp |
| +1 | Hidden |
| -1 | On Watch (each takes turn) |
| -1 | Party Total |
Total for character reduced to 0 hp
| Bonus or Penalty | Description |
|---|---|
| -1 | Party Total |
| -2 | Defeated |
| -3 | Character Total |
Step Three: Camping Outcome
The Party Total for the Camping Score is -1, while the total for the character who was reduced to 0 hp is -3. While they have found a suitable camping location, the night is stressful and all characters only get the benefit of a short rest.
