Persistent World Guide
The Persistent World system (called the PW) is what TorontoDND uses to allow random groups of players to play with random DMs at various levels while still being able to grow their characters, level up and gain sweet loot.
What is the Persistent World system?
For players, the PW system defines:
- What character options are allowed for use. This includes species, classes, subclasses, backgrounds, feats, spells, and magic items. Players can find a complete list of available options here.
- When their characters level up.
- What rewards they receive at the end of each session.
- How they acquire magic items and their associated costs.
- The number of magic items they can bring on adventures with them.
For DMs, the PW defines:
- How to balance characters of different levels in a game.
- What level ranges events will typically be set at.
What events use the PW system?
Some of our events require that players use characters registered with the PW system, while some do not. Regardless of the event type, any event that requires a ticket provides players with a session credit.
| Event Type | Character Requirements | Session Rewards |
|---|---|---|
| Roll For Adventure | PW Required | Yes |
| Roll For Dameage | PW Required | Yes |
| Roll For Pride | PW Required | Yes |
| Newbie Night | Characters provided, eligible for PW after event | Yes |
| Anything But D&D | Characters provided at event, not PW | Yes |
| Side Quest | Characters provided at event or special rules for creation, not PW | Yes |
| RPG University | Non-Gameplay | Yes |
| Creative Sessions | Non-Gameplay | Yes |
| Social Events | Non-Gameplay | Yes |
How to balance your table:
In many cases, you will be running for parties that have PCs at different levels. In a L1 - L4 game, you might have three L1 PCs and two L4 PCs; in a L9 - L12 session, it might be one L9, three L10 and one L12. In all cases, there is a simple system to help balance things out.
When PCs are of different levels, simply let all players temporarily increase their character’s max hp by the number of Hit Dice between them and the highest level PC in the party. They can roll or take the average. Take this L1 - L4 party for example:
| PC | Level | Start HP Max | Added Hit Dice | Adjusted HP Max |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grom the Barbarian | 1 | 12 | 3 | 33 (Avg 7hp * 3 hit die + 12 starting) |
| Evil Chas the Wizard | 1 | 6 | 3 | 18 (Avg 4hp * 3 hit die + 6 starting) |
| Zummogovitch the Fighter | 2 | 16 | 2 | 28 (Avg 6hp * 2 hit die + 16 starting) |
| Sir Sneaksalot the Rogue | 3 | 18 | 1 | 23 (Avg 5hp * 1 hit die + 18 starting) |
| Ducky the Paladin | 4 | 28 | 0 | 28 (No adjustment made) |
Although you may additionally allow players to improve their ability scores and gain class features as you see fit, it is discouraged. Sticking to the above method is usually the quickest and easiest way to balance your table. Whatever your method, it is your decision and your players are expected to abide by it.
What rewards can I give my players at the end of a session?
In order to ensure some semblance of balance from one table to another, we strictly limit the rewards from a session to what is listed on the table below:
| Level Range | Gold | Sessions Per Level |
|---|---|---|
| L1 - L4 | 500 | 1 |
| L5 - L8 | 1000 | 2 |
| L9 - L12 | 2000 | 3 |
| L13 - L16 | 4000 | 4 |
| L17 - L20 | 8000 | 5 |
If you have magic items or valuables that you want your players to use during your session, that is allowed. However, they won’t be able to keep any items you give them after the session is over.
Similarly, any gold they spend or earn during an adventure does not count for or against the reward progression in place in our PW. For example, if a character loses 50 gold pieces gambling at an underground bar, they do not have to deduct that from their character’s overall gold budget in the PW. On the other hand, even if that same character wins it big and earns 1,000 gold after a zany scheme, they do not get to keep that extra gold at the end of the session.
What setting does the PW use?
It doesn't! You can set your game anywhere you want, as long as it fits into what most people would consider to be the fantasy genre. Want to run in the Forgotten Realms? No problem. Want your players to be in your own homebrew setting? Also cool. Want some steampunk alongside your elves and dwarves? Even cooler! Don’t let yourself be limited by existing settings or adventures.
Can I place restrictions on PC species, classes and spells etc?
Not in the PW. The restrictions detailed in the Allowable Character Options are what we use for all of our PW games. That being said, if you want to run a table that has more specific requirements, let us know and we can potentially add it to our "Side Quest" category of events. With approval*, these events, you can run all sorts of crazy stuff.
* Reach out to admin@torontodnd.com if you have an idea for a Side Quest event.
Do I get any PW rewards for running these games?
You sure do! After each session is concluded, you will receive a session credit exactly as if you had played in the game. You can apply it to any character at any level, regardless of the level range of the table you ran.