D&D 5E Tracking Encumberance & other smaller things.

[painted_klown]

Hello all,

I will be moving shortly, and therefore will be starting a new group of gamers in a 5E campaign (well, as soon as I can get players anyway). The group I have been DM'ing for were all new players and I was new to RPGs and DM'ing as well.

For a lot of "small stuff" I just sort of hand waved it. Things like paying for a night at the inn, paying to support their lifestyle, emcumberance, ammo usage, etc.

What ended up happening was, after the players bought the weapons they wanted, they had a boatload of gold and nothing to do with it. Since these were all new players, they didn't spend any money in their down time, nor did we really focus on it at all. Then again, they never really exploered the towns they were in as I expected them to.

My plan for the new group is to really track this kind of stuff. I want to really stress the idea of downtime, and creating a home for their characters within the game. Additionally, I'd really like to track encumberance as well. Hoever, I don't know of any real easy way to go about it. Give them a reason to care about the gold they get.

A friend (and seasoned DM) suggested that I hand them an extra sheet used exclusively for inventory. That way we can track ammo & consumables, as well as the weight of the objects they are holding/carry around.

What say you?

Do you just hand wave all of this, or do you feel that getting into it like that has benefits?

 

[doctorhook]

Do you trust your players to be honest? If you do, it'll be easier. I ran a campaign where I also did the accounting for the group. Even after a couple levels, that was more than enough extra work to start feeling like a chore. I would love to track this stuff in-game, but it always ends up feeling to me like the kind of thing that's only worth the trouble if you can track it all digitally.

 

[painted_klown]

I would love to track this stuff in-game, but it always ends up feeling to me like the kind of thing that's only worth the trouble if you can track it all digitally.

That's one route that I had considered. Simply make an excel spreadsheet for easy tracking, but to honest, I really want to discourage any type of electronic devices at the table. There is (IMO) way too much distraction IRL with electronic devices, that I want to remove that from my gaming table.

Having their cell phones there is cool, but don't want them to be playing on it the whole time we're trying to game.

I also, don't want to have to bring any electronic devices to the table myself. Set the example kind of thing for me.

Perhaps though, without them, it essentially becomes an impossible task. That's why I wanted to get some opinions on here. See what the general consensus is.

I have a feeling that you're correct though, and it's most likely too much work.


EDIT: To answer your question, yes, I would trust my players to not lie about it. I am just not sure if having them track it will ruin the game for them.

 

[designbot]

This might be up your alley:

5e Inventory Tracking Sheet (with Simplified Encumbrance)

 

[doctorhook]

That's one route that I had considered. Simply make an excel spreadsheet for easy tracking, but to honest, I really want to discourage any type of electronic devices at the table. There is (IMO) way too much distraction IRL with electronic devices, that I want to remove that from my gaming table.

Having their cell phones there is cool, but don't want them to be playing on it the whole time we're trying to game.

I also, don't want to have to bring any electronic devices to the table myself. Set the example kind of thing for me.

Perhaps though, without them, it essentially becomes an impossible task. That's why I wanted to get some opinions on here. See what the general consensus is.

I have a feeling that you're correct though, and it's most likely too much work.


EDIT: To answer your question, yes, I would trust my players to not lie about it. I am just not sure if having them track it will ruin the game for them.

FWIW, I used excel when I was tracking the party's "group account". I had a spreadsheet set up to calculate the weight and value of the coins and treasure in their wagon. I didn't update it during play either; instead, I'd jot down notes about any transactions the PCs conducted, then I'd add them to the spreadsheet afterwards. Yep, this expanded my workload a bit.

 

[painted_klown]

FWIW, I used excel when I was tracking the party's "group account". I had a spreadsheet set up to calculate the weight and value of the coins and treasure in their wagon. I didn't update it during play either; instead, I'd jot down notes about any transactions the PCs conducted, then I'd add them to the spreadsheet afterwards. Yep, this expanded my workload a bit.

That is a good idea though. Track it myself, digitally, after the game. That way I can essentially have the best of both worlds. I have to admit, I don't like the idea of extra work though...LOL! Lazy DM, I am!!!

 

[painted_klown]

This might be up your alley:

5e Inventory Tracking Sheet (with Simplified Encumbrance)

Thanks for the link, I will have to check these out when I get home. At work now.

 

[the_redbeard]

This might be up your alley:

5e Inventory Tracking Sheet (with Simplified Encumbrance)

I use a variation of this.

My modifications: rests require a set amount of rations and water and healing hit dice requires consumables; each are linked to encumbrance. How much you rest and heal is linked to how much you carry, but the more you carry the more you may be encumbered and the less treasure you can carry.

Another modification: our group usually has a "treasure recorder" (aka quartermaster) each session. I made a sheet that the 'quartermaster' uses, with a column for each player. Before play, each player notes how many free slots their characters have before they go down an encumbrance category. When treasure is picked up, the quartermaster records which character (or henchman) is carrying the goods and lets us know if anyone becomes encumbered.

The benefit: with little increase in play time (minor set up overhead) we get accurate encumbrance reflected during the game. This has actually made for some intense sessions when hoards are discovered and players start making choices of dumping equipment to carry more loot. As they get more treasure, we know if they slow down. Slower movement means more wandering monster checks as well as it being more difficult to 'run away, run away.'

Plus if the henchman gets charmed, killed, or runs away in fear we know what they were carrying. (DM laughter!)

 

[GMMichael]

Lifestyle levels: every time your character passes a benchmark of gold owned, you can afford that level of lifestyle (and below) without paying for it. If you want, say, lodging that's above your lifestyle, you have to pay cash for it. Want some piss-beer? Don't need to deduct coins for it.

Generally, gear and investments will still require cash disbursement.

And +1 for the redbeard: Treasurer should be one of your player-jobs. Along with mapper, leader, and...

 

[designbot]

I use a variation of this.

My modifications: rests require a set amount of rations and water and healing hit dice requires consumables; each are linked to encumbrance. How much you rest and heal is linked to how much you carry, but the more you carry the more you may be encumbered and the less treasure you can carry.

Another modification: our group usually has a "treasure recorder" (aka quartermaster) each session. I made a sheet that the 'quartermaster' uses, with a column for each player.

I'd love to hear more about this, and/or see the sheet. How are consumables linked to healing hit dice?