Best way to revitalize the economy of a town in D&D

[The Souljourner]

I'm in a game where the bard of our party just became lord of a city (long story, irrelevant). The rest of the party has taken up various positions of power (captain of the guard, court wizard, etc). It's a border town, on the edge of the northern wastelands and is occasionally under attack by orcs. Not exactly Disney World. The real problem, though, is the economy. The government is making 10k gp a month in taxes and spending 20k a month to keep the city running. The coffers have 40k 36.5k (thanks for throwing scorching rays into the kitchen, mr wizard). So... we have a little less than 4 months before we go broke. There was a copper mine just outside town (which just *happened* to collapse as we were leaving a couple months ago....), so we could probably bring that back on line, but I doubt it'll bring in 10k in taxes a month.

Any suggestions on how 5 level 6-7 adventurers can turn around the economy of a town of thousands in just a few months? Adventuring could probably bring in some cash, but it's not a very stable source of recurring revenue.

-The Souljourner

 

[Kelleris]

That depends, really. How ruthless/bastardly can you be? What's the precise party make-up? What kinds of people does the government employ? (I'm assuming you don't have a 25th-level wizard on the payroll, but you never know.)

 

[lgburton]

1) do you happen to be near any viable trade routes? do you happen to be in a position to set any trade routes up?

2) cut spending where neccecary.

3) bribe the local kingdom to set up a garrison near town. the added coin from soldiers pay, etc.. might help.

4) does your DM really want you to settle down? hint hint...

5) need a bit more information about sources of income, and the local areas in order to really have half a clue as to what else might make a difference in boosting your revenue.

6) civ4 /off.

 

[fafhrd]

Sounds like you need to cut expenses. Where is all that money going? How did the city support itself before the adventurers came along?

 

[William Ronald]

I'm in a game where the bard of our party just became lord of a city (long story, irrelevant). The rest of the party has taken up various positions of power (captain of the guard, court wizard, etc). It's a border town, on the edge of the northern wastelands and is occasionally under attack by orcs. Not exactly Disney World. The real problem, though, is the economy. The government is making 10k gp a month in taxes and spending 20k a month to keep the city running. The coffers have 40k 36.5k (thanks for throwing scorching rays into the kitchen, mr wizard). So... we have a little less than 4 months before we go broke. There was a copper mine just outside town (which just *happened* to collapse as we were leaving a couple months ago....), so we could probably bring that back on line, but I doubt it'll bring in 10k in taxes a month.

Any suggestions on how 5 level 6-7 adventurers can turn around the economy of a town of thousands in just a few months? Adventuring could probably bring in some cash, but it's not a very stable source of recurring revenue.

-The Souljourner

Possibly they could send out prospectors to try to find new sources of mining. This may help, particularly if something of value is found.

Unfortunately, most economic development will take some time. You might possibly offer some incentives for people to locate to the community. Possibly, a school for training rangers and scouts might be a good idea. The other PCs or their allies could possibly set up training academies. (This will give the PCs a chance to roleplay with mentors and others. Possibly people in the area might be willing to train in the city. As such, there may be an increase in businesses to support the growing population.)

Or you might try to offer something that no one in the area has to offer. Are there any industries or skills that the area needs which no one supplies locally? If so, the PCs might want to find someone who can offer this good or service and create some business.

Also, if the PCs are of high enough level, there are spells that will help for construction. Wall of stone will work wonders. If the bard can get a lyre of building, he could possibly help create roads as well as various structures.

The PCs might also want to see if there is anyone in the area, above or below ground, with whom they can establish trade. Are there any cultures in the wasteland that might be willing to trade something that the city can provide to them? For example, there may be cultures that hunt in the area and could provide furs to sell in the city. They might be willing to trade the furs for money or in barter for items they need. (This can be a problem if the PCs expect the surrounding cultures to be hostile. However, they might be able to persuade leaders that trade with the city is beneficial to them as well.)

As for below ground, a few options might be to try to find any svirfneblin, deep dwarves (not duergar, check the Monster Manual for these under used dwarves) or other cultures which might be possible trade partners. You could offer foodstuffs and lumber in exchange for various ores and finsihed goods.

I hope this helps.

 

[LostSoul]

What are you spending so much money on? What do the people need except for food? (Stupid peasants.)

If the problem is that you need to pay the guards so that you have a defensive force against the orcs, go out and kill all the orcs yourselves. Then you can tell the guards to become farmers. They won't argue with you, not with all those shiny new XP you have.

If you are providing too many services (like water and heat and new roads), just stop doing that until you're not spending too much. People probably won't die.

Your budget is out of control. Cut spending.

 

[painandgreed]

Raise taxes or cut spending. Start a war and go take it from some other city or at least take over some land to increase your tax base. Adventure on the side. Take your adventuring skills to track down the theives guild and take over either by killing the old guy and putting the party rogue in his place or just demanding tribute (on the sly) to not wipe them out.

Any serious in crease in the economy will take time. Most economies in a medieval world are agricultural so you would have to clear land, plant it, and then wait for it to be harvested. Even if the city produces goods, they'll have to be taken someplace else to be sold and then the money returned.

 

[Lazarous]

I'm mildly shocked no one has offered this suggestion yet : get loans. Defecit spending is not a new concept, and if you're reasonably sure you can actually get back to a budget surplus eventually, find a moneylender and get enough cash to keep you going till you're self-sufficient. Well, that or go kill a dragon or something (an orc tribe works well here too, can sell all the weapons and stuff).

 

[Sigurd]

first go round - have every character do what they're good at. 5-7th level is not ubber high for a city demographic you best start by doing what you do best.

Everyone should concentrate on finding needs and filling them.

Bard should see what deplomacy brings. Look for investment not just what you can get but what will your advantage deprive other cities of.

Mage should look into feasability of things - is there enough water (can it be increased) etc...

Rangers & fighter types should go through resources and find out if everything really is there and if its in good account. Perhaps there are old debts the party can collect.

Lastly plug into the game world if you want the city to feel authentic. Dont make anything you have to cut your price on to compete.

Consider trade routes and their efficiency. Does the town need an outpost to protect the most lucrative trade? How bout a road? Teleportation? Canal? Try to stay inside of the technology level of the world.

Ask your DM how competent the existing systems are and what is your real competition. Will you see a big jump in profit just by making things work or do you need to do new things?


Sigurd

Try to lower the expectations of the people you serve while still succeeding. My suggestion is dont touch taxes unless you have to. Introduce new taxes with new services and try and minimize chances of rebellion. That wil make rulership easier and give you guys more time for adventuring.

 

[Herobizkit]

Why not start a guild?

Require anyone with a PC wishing to train under your roof to pay a monthly fee to the guild, which in turn goes right to the (heh) land lord. In return, provide special services for members of said guild:

Example: The Warrior's Guild trains soldiers to fight. Each member of the guild pays (I dunno) 10 gp a month. In exchange, they get reduced rates on services such as arms and equipment, repairs, or perhaps the guild has a running tab with a few establishments of choice... and maybe those establishments also need to pay a monthly fee to provide special services to guild members... which pretty much guarantees patronage to their establishment.

The Wizard's guild trains wizards to learn magic. They make and sell scrolls and potions, and have (again, pulling from the air) up to 3rd level spells for sale. Of course, only guild members may access the highest level spells. And, said wizards can choose to pay the monthly fee OR they can volunteer to make potions and scrolls in exchange for monthly dues.

And Clerics? Mwa ha ha. There's your cash cow. Tax the heck out of church services. Bring back the Paladin tithe.

Rogues... tricky bunch, that lot. There's probably already a secret Rogue's guild in your city, plotting thefts and other larcenous deeds. Perhaps you could create a guild of "detectives" to ferret out such places, as well as any other no-goodniks in your city.

Bards can pay to go to college and get benefits of all the guilds. You could also charge for a special title for Bards that puts them "above the law". I recall reading somewhere in another gaming supplement that Bards were considered untouchable due to their honorific job, and it was a crime to do any harm to a Bard while he held this "diplomatic immunity".

While adventuring might not curb your increasing debt, it will put a dent in it until you get your finances together.