House Rules - Experience Awards for Noncombat Activities

Overall, there's nothing really wrong with the XP awards as written, but I like to have some loose guidelines for XP awards for non-combat activities. Since I do not use the 1gp=1xp rule granting experience just for gathering treasure, these help give the players a sense of accomplishment and encourage participation during the game session

This is the system I used.

XP Award	Player/Character Action
25	Clever but ineffective idea or action:
100	Clever and effective idea or action:
50	Well role played encounter
150	Exceptionally role played encounter
25	Class ability used successfully Note that spells are considered under "Clever Actions, above, not as class abilities. When applying this to Turning Undead by a Cleric or Druid, the bonus applies to each creature turned, since the Cleric does not have a unique 'death blow' option like the other classes, below.
50	Class ability used to benefit a fellow PC or NPC, not self Note that spells are considered under "Clever Actions, above, not as class abilities.
100	Furthering the game. In other words, Encouraging, teaching or helping other players; avoiding rules lawyering arguments, helping the DM remember relevant rules, etc.
50	Innovative or creative use of the rules.
100	Selfless bravado, placing your character in harm's way to aid another PC or NPC.
100	Solving a puzzle, riddle or similar situation.
50	Playing within alignment guidelines as decided by the DM and players
25/HD	Defeating an opponent (in other words, delivering the death blow). This is in addition to the normal XP awarded for the monster.10 XP per hit die of the opponent defeated.
25/HD	Defeating an opponent with a spell (in other words, delivering the death blow). This is in addition to the normal XP awarded for the monster. 10 XP per hit die of the opponent defeated.
25/HD	Defeating an opponent with a Backstab (in other words, delivering the death blow). This is in addition to the normal XP awarded for the monster. 10 XP per hit die of the opponent defeated.
50	Active participation in the story. This is awarded once per session, to each PC who qualifies.
100	Completing a campaign/story goal. This is awarded to each member of the party.