Having played a lot of D&D over the past couple of years, I've come around to the idea of awarding xp only when objectives or goals are completed. In essence, this is basically exclusive use of quest xp, which is hardly a new idea. However, I feel this would have subtle, far-reaching changes on play. Not the least of which is that combat wouldn't always be the first option (and, given how combat can drag, it might be one of the last options PCs consider).
Furthermore, I'm thinking of only awarding xp when characters engage in certain behaviors. These could be training exercises, prayers, studying dusty tomes, or carousing. I think this would go a long way in cementing PCs' relationship to the game world.
I'll have to come back with another post detailing such a system. But I think it has a lot of promise.
Reconciliation
3 hours ago
