TTRPG progress clock

A modular progress clock for tracking time and events in tabletop RPGs such as DnD.

The clock is inspired by progress clock system from Vagabond // Pulp Fantasy RPG

6 segment clock

Used for tracking dungeon crawls or other minute-scale activities.

• 6 segments total

• 1 segment = 10 minutes

• Full clock = 1 hour

When the clock is filled, advance the marker on the progress bar below.

Progress bar:

• 4 blocks × 6 hours = 1 day

4 segment clock

Used for tracking days, travel, quest time or downtime.

• 4 segments total

• 1 segment = 6 hours

• Full clock = 1 day

When the clock is filled, advance the marker on the progress bar below.

Progress bar:

• 4 blocks × 7 days = 4 weeks (≈ 1 month)

Markers

Markers can be placed on progress bars to indicate time-bound or upcoming events. Marker symbols are generic, so they can be used in any situation.

Progress Clock - Current time
Indicates the party’s current position on the progress bar.

Example: Current hour during a dungeon crawl, or the current day and time of day during travel.

Question Mark — Unknown / Open Threads
Marks uncertain or unresolved future events.

Examples

• Meeting mysterious NPC

• Celebrations in town

• Portal opens at this time

Hourglass — Countdown / Expiring Events
Represents events that will resolve or fail if not addressed in time.

Examples:

• Time to collect quest reward

• A prisoner being executed in 3 days

• Spell effect duration

Exclamation Mark — Threats / Escalation
Signals danger, opposition, or enemy plans advancing in the background.

Examples:

• Planned enemy faction ambush

• Enemy reinforcements arriving

• Monster reaching a populated area

Notes

The progress clock is usually visible to players and used to mark known events. So let's say there is an ambush planned at the party - it isn't marked on the clock since PCs and the players don't know about it. But when the players spy on the enemy and find out, the event is marked on the clock.

Players can also add markers for events they plan. It can, of course, be used only by the DM, and in that case, it can also contain info not known by the PCs or players. However, having the clock and events as public information can help build tension as events approach.

Print instructions

Magnet sizes used

10 x 5 mm magnets - base (1 under each segment)

5 x 3 mm magnets - segments, markers, progress bar

0.15 mm tolerance is used for the magnets for a good fit. Super glue is recommended and is mandatory for the progress bar. Just make sure the magnets are oriented the same way. It is also recommended to orient the magnets the same way as the print bed magnets, to avoid the print magnets repelling the inserted ones. 

Customizing

I included the FreeCAD project file. You can open the spreadsheet and customise magnet sizes, tolerances, segment count, etc.