I have a DMing question regarding treasure distribution that I could use some advice on.
It's possible, using the parcel system, to work yourself into a hole where for one particular given level there is only one parcel you can take, and no items of that level that are any use to you. Take, for instance, somebody who took an n+4 parcel at level 1 for a level 5 weapon, an n+3 parcel at level 2 for a level 5 suit of armour, and then gold at level 3. The only parcel he can take at level 4 is of course n+2, giving a level 6 item.
Now, say that this player conspicuously hasn't bought a neck slot item (yes, I have somebody in mind here
). He also hasn't made a wishlist, so it's up to me to find something sensible to give him - obviously my first thought is a neck slot item, so I do a Compendium search for level 6 neck slot items and turn up... zero. Absolutely nothing. Okay, so I figure he can buy a basic neck slot item with his gold, and in the meantime I look for something else useful to give him.
A weapon or piece of armour would be highly questionable, since it'd only be a 1 item level upgrade from what he already has. There are possible options for hands/waist/feet slot items, but none of them look like items I would be happy to receive if I was playing this character.
So my question is: is it viable in this situation to award a level 5 item instead? It's 1 level below what was expected, but it's going to be a whole lot more useful. If so, do I make up the difference in item budget by giving him some gold as well? (The difference between a level 5 and level 6 item is 800gp). Or am I honour bound to give him a level 6 item even if it's crappy?
