Going the Extra Mile (GEM) Reward System What is a GEM? GEMs are a point system, similar to character experience points, that are gained by players. How are GEMs used? Unlike experience points, craft points, and other game stats a character may gain, GEM points are acquired and "spent" by the player. How are GEMs acquired? GEMs are generally earned outside of the normal game when a player does something game-related that can enhance his, or a fellow player's, enjoyment of the game. What are GEMs "spent" on? GEMs can be traded in for experience points (1 GEM = 1 xp) or other items, favors, perks, and other advantages as shown on the GEMs reward chart below. Can GEMs be saved? Yes, you may hold onto GEM points for as long as you like, accumulating more for larger "purchases." Does character death affect GEMs? No, GEMs are assigned to a player, not a character. GEM rewards can be applied to any character you are currently playing. Can GEMs be transferred to another player? Yes, you can opt to transfer some, or all, of your GEMs to another player; however, it is at a 1:2 ratio. For example, if you transfer 1,000 GEMs, the receiving player gets 500 GEMs.

Earning GEMs GEMs are gained two ways: through actions intentially done to gain points, and actions that gain points but you would probably do anyway. For example, the Education Pays reward (below). It is unreasonable that anyone would go through that just for the points, but because both are so closely related to gaming, anyone who does so is rewarded. Dungeon Mastery A player who runs a game as Dungeon Master at any time a regular game is not scheduled earns 2,500 GEMs. This game can be any role-playing game, but must occur at a time when our normal game is not in session or is canceled (for example, the DM is on vacation, or on a Saturday). Education Pays For every college level English, History, Psychology or Public Speaking (communications) class a player completes with a C or higher grade, 2,000 GEMs shall be awarded. Journal Good notes can make or break a party. A person who keeps notes during the game and makes them available (Word format) for upload on the party notes web site earns 500 GEMs per evening. Magazine Subscription A subscription to Dragon magazine is worth 4,000 GEMs annually. Proof of purchase required. Money Talks The entire party benefits when money is donated to the Miniature's Fund; more money means more 3D props! Every penny earns 10 GEMs (i.e. $1.00 = 1,000 GEMs). Newsletter Articles All contributors to Word Around the Camp Fire earn GEMs. The value of the GEMs is determined by the DM and is greater for original material than cut-n-paste material. Reading Novels High fantasy novels can inspire role-playing, character concepts, and other aspects of the game. Reading a DM-approved novel gains the reader 1 GEM per page of text. The acceptable reading list includes any Forgotten Realms novel, any Dragonlance novel, the works of David Eddings, the works of Robert Jordan, and any Conan novel. Others are subject to approval, but any fantasy genre should be acceptable. Splinter Cell Any player who founds an additional gaming group composed of four or more new* players that meets at least twice a month earns 120,000 GEMs annually (awarded 10,000 GEMs per month). If this gaming group is composed of 50% or more players who are under age 18, the GEM value is doubled.** Spreading the Love For every youth (ages 12 to 17) given a new Basic Game set (ISBN 0-7869-3409-3), 20,000 GEMs will be awarded. Proof of purchase required. (Angel Tree and other such organizations are acceptable for this.) Take a Picture It is always fun to look back at photos of games gone by. Anyone taking 5 to 10 pictures "for the record" during a game will earn 500 GEMs. * A "new" player for these purposes is any player who is not currently in a gaming group. The player may have previous gaming experience. The point is to draw in players and get them actively involved in the hobby. ** Whoa! What's going on here? Role-playing in general, and Dungeons & Dragons specifically, is played by a very small demographic. Mainly males our age or older. For the hobby to continue growing, the next generation has to pick up the game. Thus, as players we must encourage younger people to take up the game if we hope to see Dungeons & Dragons products into the future.

Spending GEMs GEM Cost Reward Options 1 GEM 1 experience point (a character cannot use GEMs to go beyond 2 levels higher than the party average level) 1 gold piece 1 craft point 1,000 GEMs A "One Guard Token", which can be exchanged to make a rolled 1 into a 2 instead. 5,000 GEMs A "Knowledge Token", which allows you to ask the DM one question about any topic as if you rolled a 25 regarding the situation. Exchange weapon or armor feat tree. For example, you can exchange Improved Critical (longsword), Weapon Focus (longsword), Weapon Specialization (longsword) for the same feats, but with daggers, or any other weapon of choice. This is all or nothing; in other words, you cannot convert some of your feats from one weapon to another, they all have to convert. The GEM cost is per feat converted. 7,500 GEMs Exchange any one special ability on a weapon, shield, or armor for one special ability of equal value. Exchange any spell known for another spell of equal level. 10,000 GEMs Exchange one feat for another for which you meet prerequisites.1 Restore 1 "nine lives" to a character (maximum of 9 available lives at any one time) 20,000 GEMs Add 1 inherent point to an ability score of your choice (maximum +5 in any one ability) Choose one feat that you meet prerequisites for and add it to your character as a bonus feat A "Surelife Token", exchange token when character is killed and instead have 1 hp 1 You cannot trade out a feat that is a prerequisite for another feat you possess (i.e. you cannot trade Dodge if you have Mobility). Also, you cannot trade a feat gained from a named bonus (i.e. if you have a race or class that gets Improved Initiative as a bonus feat, you cannot trade that feat for another).