I bought my first DnD Player Handbook and started drafting this system for role-playing games or narrative writing. I used my proficiency calculator to slowly test it out. I’ve barely got into the first chapter but it’s already helping. I can’t wait to see what happens when I actually finish reading the handbook. I’d also like to check out other systems for more insight since I want this one to be able to be used with multiple ttrpg systems and for narrative writing.

I mention a lot about different calculators in this. Using what I have for the developmental stages can actually reach 24.8 ability points which is less than 50 away from the typical 72 ability points a human character that is approximately 18 and level one in dnd would have.

Other factors that I mention can actually bridge that gap and bring the ability points to around 68 ability points based on what I’ve done to test it. There are still more things to do to adequately test the calculators I mention to reach this conclusion since I’ve only tested it once.

Character creation system

Developmental stages

1. Roll 1d6 -1 for base birth stats, no rerolls. Characters get stats from calculating experiences before the start of the story from going over a developmental stages form. Using a proficiency calculator.

2. Family legacy and genetic modifiers Characters can have a family legacy modifier and can have a few different family genetic modifiers ranging -3 to +3 points using a specific calculator to derive the modifiers as deemed appropriate.

3. Significant life events calculator a little better than typical modifiers.  Range of -5 to +5 modifiers for significant life events. Possibly a limit to how many a character can have depending on the needs of the system, game play or narrative.

Same calculator could be used for stat gain from encounters/quests etc. or the family legacy and genetic for them if it fits gameplay better.

Heritage (Race) Modifiers

Can have modifiers for specific stats and abilities. Can use custom heritage using a calculator to derive the heritage modifiers range of -3 to +3 and applied as deemed appropriate or using heritage modifiers from existing heritages.

Class

Can give additional stats either from a custom class using a calculator to derive the modifier range of -3 to +3 as deemed appropriate or using the class modifiers from existing classes.

Character Abilities, Buffs and Afflictions

Can create character abilities and assign stats based on applicable life experiences like hobby’s, work, and major life events.

Can create character buffs and assign stat buffs based on applicable life experiences like major life events or positive relationship experiences.

Can create character afflictions and assign debuffs based on applicable life experiences like major life events or negative relationship experiences.

Elemental affinities, resistance, and vulnerabilities 

Based on character personality, birthday, sign, and numerology or other factors such as major life experiences, genetics, legacy, abilities etc.

Character creation at session 0 must be approved by group members. 

Combat System

Comparing stats and other factors in gameplay plus Ability checks, attack rolls, luck rolls, saving throws or combining stats sparingly like str + willpower roll, almost like an advantage or even applying disadvantage. Can be adjusted for specific gameplay systems or styles. Rolling Initiative if deemed appropriate by dm and or plus other player’s for unseen variables or actions.

Might adjust modifier ranges to fit better.

One shots

Whenever I test this system my plan is going to be to find a short DnD one shot that I’ll attempt to play solo by integrating it’s system with mine. I’ll turn the one shot into a segmented encounter form that will allow me to dm and play adventurer first while keeping elements of surprise by creating choice trees that I will roll for to see which one I go for as dm. 

Stat Gain System with Integrated Decay and Frequency Factors

I’ve embraced a nuanced approach and crafted a modular Stat Gain System that enhances character progression in narrative-driven settings and role-playing experiences. At the heart of this system are the integrated decay and frequency factors, dynamically reflecting real-world skill acquisition and degradation.

Additionally, this innovative system captures the natural rhythm of learning and forgetting. It intriguingly includes elements that refine skills with practice or let them fade away when neglected. Following this method, the progression of characters becomes a more immersive and realistic experience, encouraging players to engage continuously with their roles for sustained skill profi

Stat Gains with Integrated Decay:

Finding the right frequency for stat gains was a challenge. A single stat gain per month felt too insignificant, however, increasing it daily seemed too much. After much thought, I discovered the perfect balance: weekly point gains.

To incorporate the natural skill decay, I explored the psychology behind habit formation. Habits typically start to form within a month and become second nature with three months of consistent effort.

Consequently, I adjusted the stat gains simultaneously with decay to better reflect this understanding:

• 1 week: 0.4 stat points
• 2 weeks: 1.2 stat points
• 3 weeks: 2.7 stat points
• 4 weeks: 3.6 stat points
• After 1 month: 4.3 stat points
• After 3 months : 4.5 stat points

This approach not only mirrors real-world learning curves but also keeps players engaged with a realistic and satisfying progression system.

Long-term Commitment Adjustments:

Understanding that commitment yields results over time, our system rewards long-term engagement with incremental benefits:

• After 1 year: Players receive 4.7 stat points per month. This acknowledges their dedication, taking into account a non-linear decay to keep the progression realistic and challenging.
• After a decade: The reward increases to 5.0 stat points per month. This boost honors the remarkable commitment players have shown over many years.
• After a century: Stat points adjust back to 4.5 per month. This adjustment reflects a balance between the immense value of ultra-long-term efforts and natural skill decay over extensive periods.
• Remarkably, when we consider a timeline extending to a millennium, the concept of decay becomes intertwined with the narrative. It invites us to ponder the lasting impact of skills and the legacy they leave behind.

For this iteration, the focus is on yearly and monthly increments, sidestepping broader time scales for practicality. This approach is informed by key time conversions:

The time Conversions are: 

• Year: Spans 12 months, 52 weeks, and 365.25 days, offering a comprehensive view of time’s passage.
• Month: Consists of about 4.3 weeks or 30.43 days, bridging short-term achievements and long-term goals.
• Week: Breaks down to 7 days, marking the initial steps in a journey of continuous improvement.

Frequency factors

As I delved into the frequency factors, I determined these provisional rates to fine-tune our system:

• Twice a day (current): At a rate of 1.142 (8/7), serving as our baseline.
  • Refining twice-a-day calculations:
    • 9/7 results in about 1.29 times the once-a-day factor.
    • 10/7 increases to about 1.43 times the once-a-day factor.
    • 11/7 climbs to about 1.57 times the once-a-day factor.
• Once a day: Standardized at 1 (7/7), this is our foundation.
• Two days a week: Reduced to 0.286 (2/7), balancing regular engagement.
• One day a week: Further scaled down to 0.143 (1/7), for minimal commitment.
• Two days a month: Tapers to 0.066 (2/30.43), reflecting sparse interaction.
• One day a month: Diminishes to 0.033 (1/30.43), for the least frequent involvement.
• Two days a year: Dips to 0.0055 (2/365.25), barely affecting the metrics.
• One day a year: Bottoms out at 0.00275 (1/365.25), the rarest occasion.
• Daily for a week once a month: Adjusts to 0.230 (7/30.43), a unique blend of intensity and rarity.

Through this analysis, I aimed to capture a broad spectrum of engagement levels, from the daily dedication of twice-a-day interactions to the yearly token gesture. So, this nuanced approach allows our system to accurately reflect the varied rhythms of commitment and activity across a diverse user base.

Understanding the Engagement Pattern

The term “Daily for a week once a month” describes a unique pattern of engagement where one dedicates themselves to engaging 7 consecutive days within a typical month. This particular pattern recurs monthly, leading to a total of 12 such cycles over the course of a year.

Calculating the Frequency Factor

• Monthly Engagement: By engaging for a solid week within an average month of 30.43 days, we arrive at a frequency factor of approximately 0.230. Thus, this calculation reflects the proportion of days engaged to the total days in a month.
• Yearly Engagement: When we project this monthly engagement across an entire year, it translates to engaging for 84 days annually. The frequency factor remains consistent at 0.230, a reflection of its annual recurrence and the consistent engagement pattern it represents.

By breaking down these patterns, we offer a clearer understanding of how “Daily for a week once a month” engagement is quantified both monthly and yearly. This analytical approach ensures that the engagement pattern is both appreciated for its consistency and understood in its contribution to the overall engagement metric.

Intensity Factor: 

In assessing the effort level utilized or required on average, I’ve introduced the concept of an intensity factor. This factor aims to quantify the familiar notion of “giving 110%” However, I’ve adjusted the scale upwards slightly to maintain a non-linear distinction between different levels of effort.

• Extreme Effort: Rated at 1.25, this level surpasses the conventional benchmark of giving your all. Thus, it represents situations where an individual goes well beyond what’s typically expected, embodying an extraordinary commitment.
• High Effort: Set at a solid 1, this level aligns with giving 100%—a full, unwavering commitment to the task at hand. So, it’s the gold standard of effort, reflecting strong dedication.
• Medium Effort: Pegged at 0.75, this signifies a moderate level of engagement. It’s more than just going through the motions but doesn’t quite hit the peak intensity of complete dedication.
• Low Effort: Measured at 0.5, this indicates a lower level of engagement. Tasks are completed, but with minimal extra effort or enthusiasm.
• Minimal Effort: The baseline at 0.25, reflecting the least amount of effort one can exert while still participating. It’s about doing just enough to be involved, without significant investment.

This framework allows us to quantify effort in a meaningful way, distinguishing between varying degrees of commitment and energy invested in activities. It’s designed to provide clarity and structure to the sometimes nebulous concept of effort, making it easier to set expectations and goals.

Enjoyment Level: 

The level of enjoyment a person experiences directly influences their proficiency gains. After thoughtful consideration, a bonus of +20% has been deemed appropriate for those who are highly satisfied, establishing a scale of influence based on personal satisfaction levels.

• Highly Dissatisfied: This results in a -0.20 decay rate adjustment, translating to a 20% decrease in proficiency gain. It reflects the impact of significant dissatisfaction on learning or improvement rates.
• Dissatisfied: Marked by a -0.10 modifier, indicating a 10% decay reduction in gains. This level acknowledges the adverse but less severe effects of dissatisfaction.
• Neutral: Assigned a 0 modifier, signifying no change to proficiency gains. This neutral point serves as the baseline, where satisfaction does not particularly enhance nor detract from progress.
• Satisfied: Comes with a +0.10 boost, reflecting a 10% increase in proficiency gains. This level appreciates the positive impact of satisfaction on performance.
• Highly Satisfied: Features a +0.20 enhancement, equivalent to a 20% increase in proficiency gains. Thus, it celebrates the significant boost that high levels of satisfaction can provide to learning and development.

This structured approach to mapping enjoyment levels against performance enhancements not only quantifies the intuitive link between satisfaction and proficiency gains but also provides a clear framework for understanding and predicting the influence of personal satisfaction on improvement trajectories.

Activity Multiplier:

The Activity Multiplier streamlines how various activities affect skill gains, acknowledging the unique contributions each activity makes to character growth. As we navigate through the complex landscape of character development, we recognize that not all activities are created equal. Consequently, to address this, we’ve introduced a set of provisional values:

• 1.0: The baseline, representing activities that directly and fully contribute to skill enhancement.
• 0.75: Slightly less impactful, for activities that are beneficial but not as directly correlated with skill improvement.
• 0.66: For those activities that contribute meaningfully, yet are a step removed from direct skill acquisition.
• 0.5: Marking a moderate impact, suitable for activities that aid in character development in a more roundabout way.
• 0.33: Lower on the scale, for activities that have a minimal yet discernible impact on skills.
• 0.25: Even less impactful, indicating a tangential contribution to character growth.
• 0.20: Near the bottom, for activities with a slight effect on development.
• 0.15: The least impactful, reserved for activities that barely influence skill gains.

These multipliers are designed to adjust stat gains from activities varying in intensity, frequency, and engagement over time. The application of each multiplier is still a topic of both theoretical exploration and practical testing to ascertain the most effective ways to utilize them for character development.

Understanding Stat Gains:

Incorporating the monthly stat gain modifier into our annual calculation framework reveals insightful baselines for stat progression. This analysis assumes a consistent daily engagement and neutral influence from other factors throughout the year. Here’s what emerges:

• Monthly Engagement: Leveraging a daily engagement strategy with the monthly stat gain modifier of 4.3 culminates in an impressive annual tally of 51.6 stat points. This approach underscores the cumulative impact of regular, daily activities on character development over a month.
• Yearly Modifier Engagement: Applying the yearly stat gain modifier of 4.7, on the other hand, brings the annual stat gain to 56.4 points. This slightly higher total reflects the augmented effect of sustained, year-long commitment to character growth.

These accumulated points offer the versatility to tailor stat distribution according to the unique demands of your character or narrative, enabling a nuanced approach to the development of skills and attributes.

As we continue to refine this system, our focus remains on enhancing these multipliers through theoretical scrutiny and empirical validation. The journey towards optimizing our progression system is driven by a commitment to realism and immersion, with future modifications informed by an array of feedback, testing results, and an unwavering pursuit of balance.

Total Proficiency Gain Calculation

Total Proficiency Gain = (((Duration * Stat Gain Modifier * Frequency Factor * Intensity Factor) * (1 + Enjoyment Level)) * Activity Multiplier)

Proficiency Gain Calculation Explanation

Understanding how to calculate Total Proficiency Gain is crucial for mapping out the impact of various factors on character or skill development. Here’s a step-by-step guide to how each component influences the final figure:

• Determining the Base Stat Gain: Start by multiplying the Duration (in months) by the Stat Gain Modifier. This initial calculation establishes the foundational stat gain over your chosen period, setting the stage for further adjustments based on decay, engagement, and effort.
• Adjusting for Engagement Frequency: Next, factor in the Frequency Factor to tailor the base gain or decay to reflect the individual’s engagement level with the activity. This step ensures that the frequency of activity directly influences overall proficiency development.
• Incorporating Effort Level: Apply the Intensity Factor next, adjusting the gain to account for the effort expended. This acknowledges that more intense engagement with an activity contributes to greater skill acquisition or proficiency.
• Accounting for Personal Satisfaction: Modify the gain by multiplying by (1 + Enjoyment Level), to factor in personal satisfaction. This crucial step ensures that the enjoyment derived from the activity positively or negatively adjusts the total gain or decay, emphasizing the psychological aspect of learning and development.
• Normalizing Across Activities: Lastly, apply the Activity Multiplier to standardize or adjust the stat gain across different types of activities. This final adjustment ensures that the calculation accommodates the varied impact of different activities on overall development.

This methodology for calculating Total Proficiency Gain offers a comprehensive framework that accounts for time spent, engagement frequency, effort level, personal satisfaction, and the nature of the activity itself. Thus, it’s a nuanced approach that acknowledges the multifaceted nature of skill and character development.

Applying the Total Proficiency Gain Formula: A Comprehensive Example

Let’s walk through a practical application of the Total Proficiency Gain formula to understand how different factors interplay to affect skill development. Imagine an individual engaging in an activity daily for a year, demonstrating high intensity, and feeling highly satisfied with the process, under a standard activity scenario:

• Duration: 12 months
• Stat Gain Modifier: 4.5 (Applicable for engagements extending beyond 3 months)
• Frequency Factor: 1 (Signifying engagement once a day)
• Intensity Factor: 1 (Indicating a high level of effort)
• Enjoyment Level: +0.20 (Reflecting a high degree of satisfaction)
• Activity Multiplier: 0.5 (A standard value for normalizing across activities)

Calculating Total skill Stat Gain: Using the formula, we factor in each element to calculate the Total Proficiency Gain, resulting in a final value of 32.4 stat points. This total can then be distributed as needed to enhance various character attributes or skills.

Decoding the Calculation:

This example vividly illustrates the formula’s capacity to encapsulate the full spectrum of engagement factors, including the often-overlooked aspect of enjoyment. By incorporating the Enjoyment Level as a multiplier, we ensure that personal satisfaction significantly influences proficiency gain. This addition enriches the formula, making it a more holistic measure of engagement that transcends mere frequency and intensity to include the critical element of personal enjoyment.

The calculated Total Proficiency Gain of 32.4 stat points aptly reflects the comprehensive engagement, embodying the nuances of daily dedication, high effort, and profound satisfaction. This example underscores the formula’s versatility and depth, showcasing how it meticulously accounts for the multifaceted nature of skill acquisition or decay and character development.

Envisioning the Next Step: Introducing the Learning Factor

Evolving Character Development with Educational Psychology Insights

In our continuous pursuit to refine and personalize character development, I’m contemplating the integration of a Learning Factor. This innovative concept is inspired by the diverse spectrum of learning speeds and styles identified in educational psychology, aiming to mirror the complexity of real-world learning processes in our character progression system.

The introduction of the Learning Factor is envisioned to bring character skill growth into tighter alignment with authentic learning patterns. Therefore, it recognizes the individuality of each character’s development journey, appreciating that learning is not a one-size-fits-all process. Thus, incorporating variables that reflect different learning speeds and styles, this factor will allow for adjustments in the efficiency of stat gains, accommodating the unique learning curves of each character.

The Potential Impact of the Learning Factor on skill:

• Personalized Progression: Characters will advance at a pace that feels natural and realistic, enhancing the role-playing experience by allowing players to see a direct correlation between their characters’ efforts and outcomes.
• Dynamic Development System: With the Learning Factor, our system will dynamically adapt to each character’s specific learning style, making the process of skill acquisition and improvement more nuanced and engaging.
• Increased Engagement: Recognizing and adjusting to individual learning curves can lead to a more engaging and rewarding gameplay experience, encouraging players to invest more deeply in their characters’ journeys.

The goal behind this proposed enhancement is not merely to add another layer of complexity but to enrich the character development experience. It’s about making the progression system more adaptive, reflective, and engaging by closely mirroring the multifaceted nature of learning and growth. Moving forward, the Learning Factor could become a cornerstone of our approach, potentially revolutionizing how stat gains are conceptualized and applied, ensuring that each character’s growth story is as unique as the player behind them.

I’m trying to use astrological days and years to figure out different conversions of time. I may need to refine my list but here it is so far. You can see why I’m doing this if you visit my blog post for my Proficiency Calculator.

Yearly Basis Conversions

1. Year to Months

• 1 year = 12 months

• 1 month = 0.08333 years (1/12)

2. Year to Weeks

• 1 year = 52.1775 weeks (365.25 days / 7 days, accounting for leap years)

• 1 week = 0.01917 years (1/52.1775)

3. Year to Days

• 1 year = 365.25 days (accounting for leap years)

• 1 day = 0.00274 years (1/365.25)

4. Year to Hours

• 1 year = 8,766 hours (365.25 days * 24 hours)

• 1 hour = 0.00011407955 years (1/8,766)

5. Year to Minutes

• 1 year = 525,960 minutes (365.25 days * 24 hours * 60 minutes)

• 1 minute = 0.0000019013 years (1/525,960)

6. Year to Seconds

• 1 year = 31,557,600 seconds (365.25 days * 24 hours * 60 minutes * 60 seconds)

• 1 second = 0.000000031688 years (1/31,557,600)

Larger and Smaller Time Units

1. Decades, Centuries, and Millennia to Years

• 1 decade = 10 years

• 1 century = 100 years

• 1 millennium = 1,000 years

2. Months to Weeks and Days

• 1 month ≈ 4.348 weeks (average, considering 1 year = 52.1775 weeks)

• 1 month ≈ 30.44 days (average, considering 1 year = 365.25 days)

3. Weeks to Days

• 1 week = 7 days

4. Days to Hours, Minutes, and Seconds

• 1 day = 24 hours

• 1 day = 1,440 minutes (24 hours * 60 minutes)

• 1 day = 86,400 seconds (24 hours * 60 minutes * 60 seconds)

Special Units

1. Quarter to Months

• 1 quarter = 3 months

• 1 month = 0.33333 quarters (1/3)

2. Fortnight to Weeks and Days

• 1 fortnight = 2 weeks

• 1 fortnight = 14 days

• 1 week = 0.5 fortnights

• 1 day = 0.07143 fortnights (1/14)

From Years

1. Year to Months

• 1 year = 12 months

• 1 month = 1/12 year ≈ 0.08333 years

2. Year to Weeks

• 1 year ≈ 52.1775 weeks (365.25 days/year ÷ 7 days/week)

• 1 week = 1/52.1775 year ≈ 0.01916 years

3. Year to Days (considering leap years)

• 1 year = 365.25 days

• 1 day = 1/365.25 year ≈ 0.00274 years

4. Year to Hours

• 1 year = 8766 hours (365.25 days/year × 24 hours/day)

• 1 hour = 1/8766 year ≈ 0.000114 years

5. Year to Minutes

• 1 year = 525,960 minutes (365.25 days/year × 24 hours/day × 60 minutes/hour)

• 1 minute = 1/525,960 year ≈ 0.00000190 years

6. Year to Seconds

• 1 year = 31,557,600 seconds (365.25 days/year × 24 hours/day × 60 minutes/hour × 60 seconds/minute)

• 1 second = 1/31,557,600 year ≈ 0.0000000317 years

From Months (Based on a Year of 365.25 Days)

1. Month to Days

• Average = 365.25 days/year ÷ 12 months/year ≈ 30.4375 days/month

2. Month to Weeks

• Average ≈ 30.4375 days/month ÷ 7 days/week ≈ 4.348 weeks/month

3. Month to Hours

• Average = 30.4375 days/month × 24 hours/day ≈ 730.5 hours/month

4. Month to Minutes

• Average = 730.5 hours/month × 60 minutes/hour = 43,830 minutes/month

5. Month to Seconds

• Average = 43,830 minutes/month × 60 seconds/minute = 2,629,800 seconds/month

From Weeks

1. Week to Days

• 1 week = 7 days

2. Week to Hours

• 1 week = 7 days/week × 24 hours/day = 168 hours/week

3. Week to Minutes

• 1 week = 168 hours/week × 60 minutes/hour = 10,080 minutes/week

4. Week to Seconds

• 1 week = 10,080 minutes/week × 60 seconds/minute = 604,800 seconds/week

From Days

1. Day to Hours

• 1 day = 24 hours

2. Day to Minutes

• 1 day = 24 hours/day × 60 minutes/hour = 1,440 minutes/day

3. Day to Seconds

• 1 day = 1,440 minutes/day × 60 seconds/minute = 86,400 seconds/day

Additional Units

1. Decade to Years

• 1 decade = 10 years

2. Century to Years

• 1 century = 100 years

3. Millennium to Years

• 1 millennium = 1,000 years

4. Quarter to Months

• 1 quarter = 3 months

5. Fortnight to Days

• 1 fortnight = 14 days

Standard Time Units

1. Second to Minute

• 1 minute = 60 seconds

2. Minute to Hour

• 1 hour = 60 minutes

3. Hour to Day

• 1 day = 24 hours

4. Day to Week

• 1 week = 7 days

5. Week to Fortnight

• 1 fortnight = 2 weeks

6. Week to Month (Average)

• 1 month ≈ 4.348 weeks

7. Month to Year

• 1 year = 12 months

8. Year to Decade

• 1 decade = 10 years

9. Decade to Century

• 1 century = 10 decades

10. Century to Millennium

• 1 millennium = 10 centuries

Extending to Larger Scales

11. Millennium to Megaannum (Ma)

• 1 Ma = 1 million years

• 1 millennium = 0.001 Ma

12. Millenniums in Eons

• Eons are not strictly defined in years; they are the largest time units used in geology and cosmology, typically spanning hundreds of millions to billions of years. For context, 1 eon ≈ several hundred to over a thousand Ma.

Detailed Conversions Within a Year

13. Months in a Millennium

• 1 millennium = 12,000 months (1,000 years × 12 months/year)

14. Weeks in a Millennium

• 1 millennium ≈ 521,775 weeks (1,000 years × 52.1775 weeks/year)

15. Days in a Millennium

• 1 millennium = 365,250 days (1,000 years × 365.25 days/year)

16. Hours in a Millennium

• 1 millennium = 8,766,000 hours (1,000 years × 8,766 hours/year)

17. Minutes in a Millennium

• 1 millennium = 525,960,000 minutes (1,000 years × 525,960 minutes/year)

18. Seconds in a Millennium

• 1 millennium = 31,557,600,000 seconds (1,000 years × 31,557,600 seconds/year)

Vast Time Scales

19. Millenniums in an Eon

• Given the broad definition of an eon, if we consider an eon to be, minimally, hundreds of millions of years, then an eon contains at least 100,000 millenniums.

20. Eons in the Age of the Universe

• The age of the universe is estimated to be about 13.8 billion years. This can be roughly divided into 13,800 Ma or 13.8 eons, if one were to very loosely define an eon as 1 billion years for simplicity.