How AI Hours Work: A Complete Guide

One of the most common questions we get is: "What exactly is an AI hour?" It's a fair question - we're introducing a new pricing model that's different from traditional per-user subscriptions. Let's break it down.

What is an AI Hour?

An AI hour tracks the time Claude (our AI) actively runs your game session. When Cipher is:

• Describing scenes and narrating events
• Voicing NPCs with distinct personalities
• Tracking combat and initiative
• Applying rules and mechanics
• Responding to player actions
• Generating session summaries

...that's active AI time, and it counts toward your AI hour usage.

What Doesn't Count?

AI hours are NOT counted when:

• Players are chatting in Discord without AI interaction
• You're using Scrollbook web app to manage campaigns
• Reading old session summaries
• Creating characters or homebrew content
• The bot is idle between sessions
• Using dice roller or basic commands

Think of it like this: If Claude isn't actively generating responses, you're not using AI hours.

How Much Do I Actually Use?

Here's the reality: AI hour usage closely matches your actual session time. Let's look at real examples:

Example 1: Weekly 2-Hour Session

• Session Length: 2 hours
• AI Usage: ~2 AI hours (maybe 1.8-2.2 depending on activity)
• Monthly Usage: 8-10 hours (4 sessions)
• Best Tier: Single Campaign ($12.99/month for 10 hours)

Example 2: Bi-Weekly 4-Hour Marathon

• Session Length: 4 hours
• AI Usage: ~4 AI hours
• Monthly Usage: 8-10 hours (2 sessions)
• Best Tier: Single Campaign ($12.99/month for 10 hours)

Example 3: Running 3 Campaigns

• Campaign A: 2 hours weekly (8 hours/month)
• Campaign B: 3 hours bi-weekly (6 hours/month)
• Campaign C: 2 hours weekly (8 hours/month)
• Total: ~22 hours/month
• Best Tier: Multi-Campaign ($24.99/month for 20 hours) + buy a 5-hour pack for $5.99

Example 4: Discord Community

• 5-8 active campaigns running simultaneously
• Average: 40-60 hours/month total
• Best Tier: Unlimited Guild ($49.99/month for 50 hours) + hour packs as needed

Hour Packs vs Monthly Subscription

Understanding the difference is key to maximizing value:

Monthly Subscription Hours

• Roll over: No (use or lose)
• Best for: Regular, consistent sessions
• Cost: Included in tier pricing

Hour Packs

• Roll over: Never expire!
• Best for: Irregular sessions, stockpiling, marathon weekends
• Cost: $5.99 - $69.99 (better bulk rates)

Pro Tip: If you have unpredictable schedules or occasional marathon sessions, buy hour packs. They never expire and can be used anytime, even across multiple months.

Hour Pack Pricing

Here's our hour pack marketplace:

Compare this to overage rates:

• Single Campaign: $1.50/hour
• Multi-Campaign: $1.25/hour
• Guild: $1.00/hour

Buying hour packs is always cheaper than paying overage rates.

Monitoring Your Usage

You can track AI hour usage in several ways:

1. Real-Time Dashboard

Log into Scrollbook and view:

• Current month usage
• Remaining hours in subscription
• Hour pack balance
• Projected usage based on history

2. Discord Commands

Use /hours in Discord to see:

Your AI Hour Balance:
Subscription: 7.2 hours remaining (resets in 12 days)
Hour Packs: 15 hours (never expire)
Total Available: 22.2 hours

3. Usage Alerts

We automatically notify you at:

• 80% usage (warning)
• 95% usage (critical)
• 100% usage (depleted)

You'll never be surprised mid-session.

What Happens If I Run Out?

If you deplete your hours mid-session:

1. You get a warning at 95% with options to:

   • Purchase hour packs instantly
   • Upgrade to a higher tier
   • Continue with reduced features

2. At 100% usage, Cipher enters "basic mode":

   • Character sheets still work
   • Dice rolling still works
   • Campaign data is safe
   • AI storytelling paused
   • No new summaries generated

3. You can restore full functionality immediately by purchasing hour packs or upgrading.

We never cut you off mid-narration. You'll always get a graceful warning.

Tier Recommendation Calculator

Not sure which tier is right? Here's our simple calculator:

Answer these questions:

1. How many campaigns do you run?

   • 0 (just playing) → Free Adventurer
   • 1 campaign → Single Campaign or Multi-Campaign
   • 2-3 campaigns → Multi-Campaign
   • 4+ campaigns → Unlimited Guild

2. How often do you play?

   • Once a month → Free + Hour Packs
   • Bi-weekly → Single Campaign
   • Weekly → Single or Multi-Campaign
   • Multiple per week → Guild

3. How long are sessions?

   • 1-2 hours → Lower tiers sufficient
   • 3-4 hours → Consider higher tiers
   • 4+ hours → Hour packs recommended

Frequently Asked Questions

Do hours roll over month-to-month?

Subscription hours: No, they reset each billing cycle. Hour packs: Yes, they never expire!

Can I share hours across campaigns?

Yes! On Multi-Campaign and Guild tiers, hours are a shared pool. Use them however you need.

What if I cancel mid-month?

You keep access until the end of your billing period and can use remaining hours.

Can I downgrade tiers?

Yes, downgrades take effect at the next billing cycle. Upgrades are immediate.

Do I get refunds for unused hours?

Subscription hours are non-refundable, but hour packs never expire so you never lose value.

Can players contribute to hour costs?

Yes! Many groups split the subscription cost. We recommend:

• DM pays tier subscription
• Players chip in for hour packs as needed
• Or designate one person to manage billing

Maximizing Value: Pro Tips

1. Buy hour packs during sales (Black Friday, anniversaries)
2. Use hour packs for marathon sessions - save subscription hours for regular play
3. Monitor usage weekly to avoid surprises
4. Upgrade temporarily for busy months, then downgrade
5. Run multiple campaigns on Guild tier to maximize per-hour value

Conclusion

AI hours are simpler than they sound: If you play for 2 hours, you use ~2 AI hours. That's it.

The system is designed to be:

• Transparent: No hidden fees or surprise charges
• Flexible: Mix subscriptions and hour packs
• Fair: Pay for what you use, share costs across players

Questions? Check our pricing page or contact support.

Ready to start? Get 3 free AI hours to try it out - no credit card required.

Start Free Campaign →