Time & Movement

This section addresses the various systems by which heroes interact with the world, whether in the form of the environment, other characters controlled by the gamemaster, or other heroes.

Time Scale

“Game time” refers to the abstract fashion of how a game session represents the passage of time. It can move between combat rounds, which take much longer to resolve than the time being depicted, to passages in which days or even weeks are glossed over with a simple comment about the time passing. As such, game time has little to do with the passage of real time experienced by the players and the gamemaster while playing the game.

This section discusses how the rules handle the passage of the various modes of game time.

Campaign Time

Generally, one adventure occurs per season. The Icelandic calendar only has two seasons. The “one adventure per season” suggestion emphasizes the fact that adventures are extraordinary affairs and that the heroes have lives to lead. Much of a hero’s time is not their own; they must work on their farms as well.

At the end of each season, heroes make experience rolls, determine the results of training, and complete other bookkeeping tasks.

Real Time

Real time is when the same amount of time passes for the players and gamemaster as it does for your heroes. It usually only occurs when you’re speaking in character or when you’re otherwise describing the passage of time from your heroes’ perspectives.

Narrative Time

Narrative time is the quick passage of time that moves the game along. It passes at whatever rate the gamemaster says it does. When nothing is happening, the gamemaster may simply remark, “Several days pass.” The gamemaster can make a year pass in the same number of syllables.

Full Turn

A full turn represents five minutes or 25 combat rounds (see below). It is used to denote a passage of time longer than a combat round. Outside of actual battle, few combats last a full turn.

Combat Round

A combat round is about 12 seconds long and represents the basic unit of time used in combat. One complete cycle of attacks, parries, spells, and movements happens during a combat round. Combat rounds are described in more detail under Combat.

Skill and Ability Time

The use of abilities can also mark the passage of time. Though combat skills can be repeated through multiple combat rounds, a skill which represents a process may consume hours or even days of game time, with a single roll representing the entirety of the time spent.

Typical times required to perform certain skills or abilities are provided below, though these may vary widely depending on how they are used and the surrounding circumstances.

• Instantaneous: Invoking a passion or Devotion.
• A Few Seconds to a Combat Round: Weapon attacks or parries, Dodge, First Aid (to stop bleeding), Hide, Jump, Listen, Lore, Second Sight, Spot Hidden.
• One to Five Minutes (up to a full turn): Act, Bargain, Climb, Customs, Conceal, Dance, Fast Talk, First Aid (to heal damage), Insight, Intimidate, Lore, Listen, Move Quietly, Play Instrument, Prophecy, Read/ Write, Skaldic Poetry, Sing, Sleight, Speak, Swim, Treat Disease, Treat Poison.
• Five to 30 Minutes (up to six full turns): Art, Boat, Charm, Customs, Dance, Devise, Disguise, Herd, Intrigue, Lore, Orate, Play Instrument, Read/Write, Search, Shiphandling, Sing, Speak.
• 30–60 Minutes (six to 12 full turns): Battle, Boat, Charm, Customs, Disguise, Herd, Lore, Orate, Read/Write, Shiphandling, Track.
• One Hour to Many Days: Battle, Charm, Craft, Farm, Herd, Lore, Go Under the Cloak, Read/Write, Shiphandling, Survival, Worship. As noted above, invoking a passion, even when augmenting another ability, is instantaneous and does not add to the time needed to perform the augmented ability. However, a hero cannot invoke more than one Devotion or passion at the same time.

As noted above, invoking a passion, even when augmenting another ability, is instantaneous and does not add to the time needed to perform the augmented ability. However, a hero cannot invoke more than one Devotion or passion at the same time.