Advice for GMing an Oracle of Time

[Gallo]

We're about halfway through book 1 in the campaign I am DMing. One of the characters is an Oracle of Time with an interesting backstory about why she is not always "in the present".

I am trying to come up with ways to have an in-game effect. So far I have a very simple 1-10 table where if the character is under stress (takes damage etc) I roll on the chart to see if any spells she casts get off normally, effects are delayed for a round or two, wrong spell is cast, extra spell cast etc.

I'd be interested in any ideas/suggestions people have.

[marvin_bishop]

If said table has an equal number of bonuses and drawback then it could be a fun mechanic, otherwise it sounds like you're hurting a primary caster for very little reason since having that heal spell go off two rounds later might be two rounds too late.

I'd suggest giving the oracle visions that can be used to fill in details of the back story that might not come up otherwise or to add gravity to their ultimate mission and help the prepare for difficult encounters. There is a lot of story to the adversaries that never comes up in play because its already happened and the bad guys aren't interested in telling stories. Having a character unhinged from time is a great opportunity to use that history.

Example 1

Spoiler:

While walking through town she slips out of time and sees Nualia on the same street when she was younger being bullied or being lectured by father Zantus.

Example 2

Spoiler:

The night before the Giant attack in book four she slips out of time and sees Longtooth strafing the town with fire

[Gallo]

marvin_bishop wrote:

If said table has an equal number of bonuses and drawback then it could be a fun mechanic, otherwise it sounds like you're hurting a primary caster for very little reason since having that heal spell go off two rounds later might be two rounds too late.

I'd suggest giving the oracle visions that can be used to fill in details of the back story that might not come up otherwise or to add gravity to their ultimate mission and help the prepare for difficult encounters. There is a lot of story to the adversaries that never comes up in play because its already happened and the bad guys aren't interested in telling stories. Having a character unhinged from time is a great opportunity to use that history.

Example 1
** spoiler omitted **

Example 2
** spoiler omitted **

Thanks for the suggestions. There is definitely no intention to hurt her spell casting. Our group like occasional quirkiness so I'll use the mechanism for fun and not to screw the party over.