Progress Clocks

A progress clock is a circle divided into segments (see examples at right). Draw a progress clock when you need to track ongoing effort against an obstacle or the approach of impending trouble.

Sneaking into the dragon's lair? Make a clock to track the alert level of the dragon. When the PCs suffer consequences from partial successes or missed rolls, fill in segments on the clock until the dragon becomes aware.

Generally, the more complex the problem, the more segments in the progress clock.

A complex obstacle is a 4-segment clock. A more complicated obstacle is a 6-clock. A daunting obstacle is an 8-segment clock.

When you create a clock, make it about the obstacle, not the method. The clocks for an infiltration should be “Dragon Awake” and “The Lair,” not “Sneak Past the Dragon” or “Infiltrate the Liar.” The dragon and the lair are the obstacles­—the PCs can attempt to overcome them in a variety of ways.

Complex enemy threats can be broken into several “layers,” each with its own progress clock. For example, a bandit camp might have a “Perimeter Security” clock, and an “Interior Guards” clock. The party would have to make their way through both layers to reach the bandit leader’s personal safe and valuables within.

Remember that a clock tracks progress. It reflects the fictional situation, so the group can gauge how they’re doing. A clock is like a speedometer in a car. It shows the speed of the vehicle—it doesn’t determine the speed.

Simple Obstacles

Not every situation and obstacle requires a clock. Use clocks when a situation is complex or layered and you need to track something over time—otherwise, resolve the result of an action with a single roll.