Long Rest Activities For DnD Characters That Don’t Sleep

Taking a Long Rest is essential on your Dungeons & Dragons adventures. No matter how incredible your character may be, without a Long Rest, they’ll eventually run out of resources and start to rack up Exhaustion. There’s no way around it.

It is very possible, though, to make a character who doesn’t need sleep at all, either because of their Species or some other feature. Your Dungeon Master may allow your character to do some leisure activity during a Long Rest period instead, or you might not need a Long Rest at the same time as everyone else. Here are some ways to keep that stretch of time interesting and useful.

Always remember to discuss these options with your DM. Every table is different, and what one DM allows might not be allowed by another, so make sure to communicate.

8

Checking Notes

Not Yours

Most players keep notes of their adventures, but a lot of characters do, too. If your character is the sort to keep a journal or jot down reminders of important things, they might spend the time during a Long Rest going over their notes.

Your DM might allow your character to roll in this instance, something like an Intelligence, Investigation, or History check. Your character may piece together clues you, as a player, haven’t and be rewarded with a realization about the plot that has eluded your party.

7

Keep Watch

A Classic

This is practically a requirement if you’re camping somewhere dangerous or being actively pursued by enemies. While it might seem uninteresting at first, the benefits of not having your party wiped out in their sleep should be obvious.

If your character doesn’t need to take a Long Rest or sleep during one, they’re the perfect candidate for making sure everyone else can sleep soundly without fear of waking up inside the belly of a monster.

6

Learn A Language Or Skill

It Takes Time

Learning a new skill or language takes both time and dedication. Imagine how much you could achieve and apply that to your character if you didn’t need to sleep. Grab an introductory book on Elvish in town, or a whittling knife and some blocks of wood.

It will take time, but if you stay committed and remind your DM about it, they may eventually reward you by adding Elvish or Woodworking to your character sheet. It will take a while to pay off, but it will feel great when it does.

5

Develop Spells

Arcane Advancement

If your character is a spellcaster, your DM might allow you to develop your own spells. This could be that they provide you with a new spell your character discovers, or you could work together to craft one from the ground up that is unique to your game.

Either way, creating a new spell takes time. Research, trying different components, practical testing — these are all things you could be doing during Long Rests. Putting the work in will feel amazing when you get to cast Astral Understanding, Dark Odyssey, or whatever other cool-sounding piece of magic you put together.

4

Crafting

Not Just For Video Games

The rules for crafting items have been tweaked with the release of the 2024 rules, and it’s much more accessible than it was before. Depending on where your character is, they might not have the resources or equipment they need, but if they do, this is a great use of Long Rest time.

Brewing up an extra healing potion or making progress on that magic staff could make a real difference to your odds when it comes time to take on your next big bad, so don’t slack on putting in the time whenever you get a chance.

3

Explore

It’s A Big World Out There

If another party member has keeping watch covered, or you’re somewhere that isn’t necessary, taking the time to explore your surroundings can have real benefits. Scouting ahead might make your journey easier or help you navigate past dangers.

If you’re currently in a town or city, exploring is still a great way to spend those nighttime hours. You can get a feel for the local culture and customs, make important connections with NPCs, and a lot more. Just remember that you’re a lot more vulnerable alone and to not hog the spotlight for too long.

If you’re unsure about taking time just for your character or feel self-conscious playing alone while everyone else watches, the best thing you can do is talk to your table about it. They’ll likely reassure you that it’s fine to be the focus now and then, and if you’re uncomfortable being the center of attention, you can tell them it’s the perfect time for them to take a bathroom break or grab some snacks.

2

Commune With A Higher Power

Say A Little Prayer

If your character worships a higher power, then a Long Rest is the perfect time for them to commune with them or observe any religious practices they may have. Most DM’s love getting the chance to take on the role of a deity, patron, or even nature itself.

These moments can be pivotal for your character’s development, and they could even have a more tangible impact, too. Your higher power might bless you with a tangible benefit for their devotion, or reward them with a vision that helps drive the plot forward.

1

Roleplay

Best Part Of The Game

Not every table focuses on the roleplay aspect of the game, but for those who do, the time of a Long Rest is the perfect opportunity for it. Whether another character doesn’t need sleep, you’re sharing a watch together, or it’s just a few moments before bedding down, they all work.

This lets your characters reflect on the events of the day and figure out what their next move is, as well as providing the opportunity for character development. Sitting around the campfire or sharing a mug of ale in the tavern, does it get any better than that?