Time in Hexidecimate is measured in watches - four-hour periods that structure the adventuring day. Each season has its own named watches that evoke the time of day and year.

The Watch System

A watch is a 4-hour period. There are six watches in a day. Each watch corresponds to specific activities:

  • Active exploration and travel
  • Rest and recovery
  • Watch duty while camping

Seasonal Watches

Summer

TimeWatch Name
0500-0900Seed Watch
0900-1300Azure Watch
1300-1700Fire Watch
1700-2100Royal Watch
2100-0100Ninth Watch
0100-0500Moon Watch

Autumn

TimeWatch Name
0200-0600Howl Watch
0600-1000Amber Watch
1000-1400Leaf Watch
1400-1800Umber Watch
1800-2200Storm Watch
2200-0200Star Watch

Winter

TimeWatch Name
0300-0700Frost Watch
0700-1100Grey Watch
1100-1500Glare Watch
1500-1900Blood Watch
1900-2300Crystal Watch
2300-0300Black Watch

Spring

TimeWatch Name
0000-0400Gloom Watch
0400-0800Blossom Watch
0800-1200Green Watch
1200-1600Pollen Watch
1600-2000Hex Watch
2000-2400Silver Watch

Hour Names

Each hour of the day also has a name based on the seasonal watches:

HourNameHourName
0000Gloom1200Pollen
0100Moon1300Fire
0200Howl1400Umber
0300Frost1500Blood
0400Blossom1600Hex
0500Seed1700Royal
0600Amber1800Storm
0700Grey1900Crystal
0800Green2000Silver
0900Azure2100Ninth
1000Leaf2200Star
1100Glare2300Black

Candle Watches

During night watch, time is sometimes marked by candle lengths:

  • Keep - First quarter
  • Next - Second quarter
  • Dream - Third quarter
  • Elf - Fourth quarter (before dawn)

Using Watches in Play

  • Travel: Characters can typically travel 2-3 watches per day before needing rest
  • Rest: One watch of rest is needed to recover HP or reduce fatigue
  • Exploration: A dungeon level or wilderness area might take 1-2 watches to explore
  • Watch Duty: During camp, party members take turns on watch (typically one watch each)