Having run the Marsh Bell scenario in the Loremasters book, my party of four adventurers were gifted 5 points of treasure by Gloin. Obviously this does not split evenly, the normal procedure in our group is to just blow it on beer and parties or designate it as party funds.

Does anybody have any thoughts as to handle this? My own initial thoughts are to literally treat the company as an additional member which gains its own treasure rating when the party decide to give it treasure.

This treasure rating could be then used to pay for company expenses or be transferred from the company funds to a specific party member if the group so decided.

Thoughts?

E

The reward is 5 treasure per survivor! Not 5 between the party! (page 127)

That's the way I read it as well.

/wolf

I don't think this is a good idea, having a Company Treasure rating. Keep in mind that each point of Treasure adds a point of Fatigue to the character carrying it during the adventure, so as LM I would always make the Treasure available equal for the number of players present. You are the LM after all...

Actually I have just reread the scenario and it does indeed state 5 pts each. I had seen in the adventurers book that treasure was rated in points and the characters should share it out and didn't think to look beyond the number given in the adventure.

@caul I hear what you are saying but it was my group who were figuring that they should put what seemed to be an extra share into a communal fund, I am just trying to figure out how to let them do it

Also, it would kind of strain their ability to suspend their disbelief if somehow, miraculously, the loot always worked out exactly even. Ok, the treasure rating mechanic is an artificial way to portray loot in an abstract way rather than worry about every gold or silver but even so, it would be extremely noticeable if a party of four always found loot which could be divided into four. Just my thoughts though.

E

Fair enough, I get that eldath. What I think you really be funny is the "Well I'm not carrying it" syndrome once they figure out that lugging around all that loot will hamper them.

I fully expect my players to rely upon caches, which I will allow, but require Journeys too and from every time (opening up the possibilities of hazards and whatnot...)

TOR shouldn't really be about the Treasure anyway...

Bleah. TOR should be about living in Middle Earth. Last time I checked, Middle Earth had money, a great big pile of it in fact - and Noble Elves, Honorable Dwarves and Courageous Men were actually so crass as to war over it.

If you don't want to actually emulate Middle-Earth, and you're talking about themes, story etc... what is more Tolkien then the temptation of Greed and Jealousy? It's driven conflict in Ea since the first song.

Fair enough...but then how often does treasure and economy come into The Lord of the Rings...as opposed to Hobbit.

Greed and Jealousy are great themes...but they aren't Heroic. IMHO The Hobbit was a childs adventure tale, and while a magnificent one, it does not hold a candle to The Lord of the Rings with it's more adult themes and nary a treasure outside od gifting in sight...

They don't come into play often, but that's the difference between a book and the living breathing world the book is set in. Gandalf can go from Meduseld to Minas Tirith and back riding on the King of all Horses and enjoying the hospitality (even begrudgingly) of Kings and Stewards.

You'd better have a few pairs of walking shoes, be prepared to pay for a ride in a wagon now and then, and have money for inns when you get there.

We have 67 years to cover over three generations. If the campaign is basically "Once a year the heroes get called upon by <insert lord here>, vanquish the evil in a tale worthy of the greatest songs, and receive gifts before they retire to their lands to strengthen the bonds of Fellowship" 67 TIMES, it's going to get a tad repetitive. Nothing shakes things up like a little economic hardship, and sometimes success can test your character more then an enemy.

Hi all,

So this is my first post on the boards, and having looked through the PDFs and this board I hopeing some of the more experienced DMs amongst you could offer some advice in regard to treasure.

Obvious usage as stated in the book are life style and standing.

I am thinking about letting players use it to increase life style/standing/importance of an area or community.

Example stealing an idea I really like from else where on the forum:

The players are charged with the clearing/re-opening of the old forest road (or at least helping with that) by a Patron, Possibly the Master of Lake Town. As part of the Fellowship Phase they decide that what they want to do is start a community at the end/beginning/middle of the forest road as a stop of point for travellers. Adventure Phase is them finding a suitable spot and clearing it and then......

I know there would be more adventure phases finding people to move there, crafts man to build, finding resources etc, but how would you go about using treasure mechanic for "paying" for some of these things as having thought through the way i would work this I would say that he community would need the players support as patrons until it would be self sufficant also it would be a create player owned plot generator.....

(by the way the idea might be for an Inn/Ranger type mini settlement with some traders to start with)

anyway thoughts and help would be really appreciated...

In the Adventure Book p116, it gives a list of treasure sizes and examples.

I'd say that a Goblin Horde (Treasure 10) is a good starting point for a roadside inn. That should be enough money to get the inn built.

They will also need staff (a monthly treasure donation) to run the place.

Eventually, it may be self sustaining as a business, but that should take a few years perhaps (just in time for the Darkening of Mirkwood to ruin the business... cue evil laughter )

Thanks I will take a look at that and see what equates (appreciate it)

On a similar note, standing level has to be paid to the community in which you have a standing, can you have more than one community and therefore different standing level:

For example a player saved a Woodman town from trolls (an example remeber) and is refered to as the Hero of Woodman Town (standing 4) he is also well known to the community at Long Lake as a respectable trade (standing 2) does a player need to pay out 6 treasure worth of standing to maintain these levels in various settlements or is it just the highest?

Thanks again for any help in advance

The Codex

Standing is with your own culture only, no one else.

The rest of the world respects your Valour and/or Wisdom.

Ahhh had misunderstood that. So a Dwarf with standing of 4 would be in the Dwarf Community.

Cool

Hummm think I may work on community standings house rule. Make more favourable towards or against players