Downtime Activity: Gambling

RuleXGEp. 1302014
Rule type
VO

Games of chance are a way to make a fortune—and perhaps a better way to lose one.

Resources

This activity requires one workweek of effort plus a stake of at least 10 gp, to a maximum of 1,000 gp or more, as you see fit.

Resolution

The character must make a series of checks, with a DC determined at random based on the quality of the competition that the character runs into. Part of the risk of gambling is that one never knows who might end up sitting across the table.

The character makes three checks: Wisdom (Insight), Charisma (Deception), and Charisma (Intimidation). If the character has proficiency with an appropriate gaming set, that tool proficiency can replace the relevant skill in any of the checks. The DC for each of the checks is 5 + 2d10; generate a separate DC for each one. Consult the Gambling Results table to see how the character did.

Gambling Results

ResultValue
0 successesLose all the money you bet, and accrue a debt equal to that amount.
1 successLose half the money you bet.
2 successesGain the amount you bet plus half again more.
3 successesGain double the amount you bet.

Complications

Gambling tends to attract unsavory individuals. The potential complications involved come from run-ins with the law and associations with various criminals tied to the activity. Every workweek spent gambling brings a 10 chance of a complication, examples of which are on the Gambling Complications table.

Gambling Complications

d6Complication
1You are accused of cheating. You decide whether you actually did cheat or were framed.*
2The town guards raid the gambling hall and throw you in jail.*
3A noble in town loses badly to you and loudly vows to get revenge.*
4You won a sum from a low-ranking member of a thieves' guild, and the guild wants its money back.
5A local crime boss insists you start frequenting the boss's gambling parlor and no others.
6A high-stakes gambler comes to town and insists that you take part in a game.
Raw data
{
  "name": "Downtime Activity: Gambling",
  "page": 130,
  "type": "entries",
  "__prop": "variantrule",
  "source": "XGE",
  "entries": [
    "Games of chance are a way to make a fortune—and perhaps a better way to lose one.",
    {
      "name": "Resources",
      "type": "entries",
      "entries": [
        "This activity requires one workweek of effort plus a stake of at least 10 gp, to a maximum of 1,000 gp or more, as you see fit."
      ]
    },
    {
      "name": "Resolution",
      "type": "entries",
      "entries": [
        "The character must make a series of checks, with a DC determined at random based on the quality of the competition that the character runs into. Part of the risk of gambling is that one never knows who might end up sitting across the table.",
        "The character makes three checks: Wisdom ({@skill Insight}), Charisma ({@skill Deception}), and Charisma ({@skill Intimidation}). If the character has proficiency with an appropriate {@item gaming set|PHB}, that tool proficiency can replace the relevant skill in any of the checks. The DC for each of the checks is {@dice 5 + 2d10}; generate a separate DC for each one. Consult the Gambling Results table to see how the character did.",
        {
          "rows": [
            [
              "0 successes",
              "Lose all the money you bet, and accrue a debt equal to that amount."
            ],
            [
              "1 success",
              "Lose half the money you bet."
            ],
            [
              "2 successes",
              "Gain the amount you bet plus half again more."
            ],
            [
              "3 successes",
              "Gain double the amount you bet."
            ]
          ],
          "type": "table",
          "caption": "Gambling Results",
          "colLabels": [
            "Result",
            "Value"
          ],
          "colStyles": [
            "col-5",
            "col-7"
          ]
        }
      ]
    },
    {
      "name": "Complications",
      "type": "entries",
      "entries": [
        "Gambling tends to attract unsavory individuals. The potential complications involved come from run-ins with the law and associations with various criminals tied to the activity. Every workweek spent gambling brings a {@chance 10} chance of a complication, examples of which are on the Gambling Complications table.",
        {
          "rows": [
            [
              "1",
              "You are accused of cheating. You decide whether you actually did cheat or were framed.*"
            ],
            [
              "2",
              "The town guards raid the gambling hall and throw you in jail.*"
            ],
            [
              "3",
              "A noble in town loses badly to you and loudly vows to get revenge.*"
            ],
            [
              "4",
              "You won a sum from a low-ranking member of a thieves' guild, and the guild wants its money back."
            ],
            [
              "5",
              "A local crime boss insists you start frequenting the boss's gambling parlor and no others."
            ],
            [
              "6",
              "A high-stakes gambler comes to town and insists that you take part in a game."
            ]
          ],
          "type": "table",
          "caption": "Gambling Complications",
          "colLabels": [
            "d6",
            "Complication"
          ],
          "colStyles": [
            "col-2 text-center",
            "col-10"
          ],
          "footnotes": [
            "*Might involve a rival"
          ]
        }
      ]
    }
  ],
  "ruleType": "VO"
}