It’s summer vacation… which doesn’t really mean much given the current state of affairs. Rather than go out and play, we’re still being encouraged to stay at home. Some places are opening back up, but you’d be forgiven for not wanting to go to a theme park or jump into a public pool. So is 2020 destined to pass us by, with no chance of hitting the beach? Not if your friendly Dungeon Masters here at TheGamer have any say. We’re here to give your Dungeons & Dragons party an all-expenses paid summer vacation. Danger is optional, as are clothes.
As the DM of your own game, you of course know what your party wants and is comfortable with. What you’ll find here are merely ideas, suggestions that you can use to bring some vacation events to your campaign. We’ll give you ways to keep it as a chill roleplay sesh… or twist it into an epic adventure. How things turn out is ultimately up to you.
Island Getaway
Did your party just throw down with a big bad and emerge victorious? Pull off an impeccable heist? Burn an innocent town to the ground and now needs to lay low? Sounds like it’s time to introduce an exotic island locale!
Going on a remote island vacation helps people “get away from it all,” and that applies to adventurers. Removing the party from their usual environment can serve as a reset, getting both players and characters to think differently. Roleplayers might take it as a chance to explore a new aspect of their character. Combat lovers will be forced to try new tactics, as the change in ecosystem means unknown monsters. Those who love to explore can find all kinds of ancient tombs to disturb and cursed treasures to unwittingly grab.
Keeping It As A Chill Vacation
If the goal really is to give the players downtime, this vacation can just be a reward for hard work. Maybe an allied ship captain offers to take the party to a secluded resort, or grateful citizens pool together the money for the trip as thanks to their heroes. Once there, you can get creative with the activities. But don’t forget rewards, even small ones. Maybe the bard and ornery dwarf cleric enter a duo volleyball tournament for a gold prize. Cue the Top Gun montage. The monk could encounter local warriors and learn their style, gaining a feat in the process. And perhaps the wizards studies some old ruins and finds an unexpected spell for their book.
And maybe, just maybe, the lovely seaside sunset gives the “will they, won’t they” couple, a chance to finally have the talk.
Turning It Into An Adventure
Not every party wants to dedicate a whole session to roleplay and antics. That’s when you introduce some sinister elements to this “too good to be true” vacation. Perhaps the party was sent here by a friendly lord as payment for a job. But the lord conveniently forgot to tell our heroes that the island is infested with monsters, and they just became the exterminators. Or maybe the island is haunted, and the party doesn’t realize that their new friends are really spirits who want to take over their bodies. Islands are great for “beach episode” antics, but they can also set the stage for a horror movie-style sidequest.
Local Festival
Every culture has special occasions, and the ones in your D&D world shouldn’t be any different. Having your party participate in revering a god, honoring old heroes, or even just celebrating a good harvest can connect them to your world. This also gives them a chance to check in with beloved NPCs. More importantly, it gives you the chance foreshadow new threats…
Fun & Games
People tend to be more carefree during festivals, and that means they spend more money. Which also means that merchants, performers, and artisans come from far and wide to rake in the profit. If your party loves roleplay, this is your chance to put on a show with all kinds of hilarious one-shot NPCs. If they’re more materialistic, point them towards games of chance. They could win some common magic items if they manage to excel at archery, strength, or catching fish in a little ladle. If you feel like putting a rare magic item up for grabs, then consider holding a joust or having a snooty high-end merchant come to town.
Danger In The Shadows
Festivals also happen to be prime time for bad actors. And not just the theatre kind. Assassins could use the crowds to sneak into the royal palace and kill the king. Demons could pose as merchants, offering tempting deals at a hefty price. And if the party is split enjoying different festivities, that would be the perfect time for their nemeses to spring a trap. A sudden attack is a great way to start off an adventure with a bang, although a slow-burn mystery to track down assassins could be fun too.
Road Trip!
Travel can be tricky in D&D, but some of these summer vacation ideas can help with that. Rather than skip over a day’s ride or roll on a random encounter table, consider throwing two or three of the above events on the road. The party could encounter a sketchy traveling merchant who they later learn was really an assassin out to kill the king. An out-of-luck actor could ask the party to help with his play. He’ll pay, but it would mean being set back a night. If the current quest is urgent, this could make for a tough choice. When they finally reach the tavern, a pie-eating contest could be starting. There could be a prize, but participants could also overeat and earn a level of exhaustion as they stay up all night sick.
Summer is a time to go out, try new things, and take a break. While we may not get to do those things these days, Dungeons & Dragons is here to help us live out the fantasy of an actual vacation.
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