Conditions for Resting

As the "Storm King's Thunder" involves considerable overland travel, I'm gradually working on a set of house rules associated with such journeys. In particular, I've been looking at rules for resting.

Short Rests

In general, you can take a short rest at any time, unless the environment is actively hostile. It is assumed you can hole up reasonably securely, post a watch, and remain sufficiently alert to get some rest. The only real downside is that a short rest takes an hour.

Long Rest

The prerequisites for a long rest are considerably more arduous than for a short rest.

In the Dungeon

In general you cannot take a long rest in a dungeon - you will have to retreat from the dungeon and make camp outside. There may be some exceptions to this, especially if you have cleared large sections of the dungeon or if you can find an easily-isolated room.

In the Wilderness

In order to take a long rest you require food and water, warmth, shelter, and appropriate clothing. The requirements for food and water are simple enough - characters must carry or find rations and must carry or find water. Likewise, appropriate clothing will be determined by the terrain, but is generally something that can be assumed (unless the party find themselves teleported, or similar!).

The requirements for warmth and shelter generally means that the party must keep a fire for the night and must have sufficient tents for all members. The latter requirement can be omitted between late spring and early autumn in temperate climes, provided the weather is cooperative.

If the party cannot meet the requirements for a long rest, they can still be assumed to get sufficient sleep to stave off exhaustion, and can enjoy the benefits of a short rest.

Urban Environments

Under normal circumstances, a party should be able to benefit from a short rest in any urban environment (includes inns and way-stations in the wilderness).

On the Planes

Naturally, the requirements for a long rest vary wildly in planar environments. The requirements of "food and water, security and shelter" remain unchanged in broad terms, but what these mean in specific terms will obviously depend on the precise nature of the planar environment!