Admittedly, it is a mechanic more suited to a freestyle cinematic game like 7th Sea than to something balance-focused like D&D, but I think it could work very well with the right groups.
Anyway, the rule in D&D is simple; impress the DM and you get a Drama Die (DD). You may spend one DD to recharge an encounter power, two DD to recharge Second Wind, or three DD to recharge a daily power. DD spent in this way are then awarded to the DM, who may use them to automatically recharge enemy abilities or grant healing surges to enemies.
PCs get more staying power over the course of the day, but their enemies get their endurance, too, so it isn't a free ride for the players. Since Drama Dice don't actually effect the core math of the game, I don't think it throws anything out of whack.
DD either evaporate at the end of the session (for both the players and the DM) or they persist between sessions and are recorded on the sheet (again, for both the players and the DM). Both methods are valid and are merely a matter of group preference.
Also, another common use of DD is to affect the scene in some way, typically to insert a prop or other detail into the terrain (i.e., Player: Is there a chandelier over the cardinal's men? DM: It'll cost you a DD. ;) Player: A'ight.:cool
, but that requires a DM and a group of players with the right attitude.PEACH?
Isn't Second Wind classified as an encounter power somewhere?
Yes, second wind is a once-per-encounter ability (not a power), but since the net effect is that you end up regaining a quarter of your HP at least twice in one encounter, I felt that it should be more expensive than recharging a normal encounter power.