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Countdown
Countdowns in Daggerheart RPG track progress toward an event, consequence, or adversary move using a die that ticks down to zero.
A countdown tracks progress toward an event, consequence, or adversary move. Set a die to the starting value and tick it down by 1 each time the countdown advances. When it reaches 0, the event triggers.
Three Elements
- Activation: what moment starts the countdown (e.g. PCs enter an enemy camp).
- Advancement: when does it tick down (e.g. each action roll, specific roll results, or GM discretion).
- Effect: what happens at 0 (e.g. a powerful enemy attack, reinforcements arrive, the bridge collapses).
The GM can reveal the countdown openly to build tension, or keep it secret. If the countdown spans sessions, record the current value.