Marc17
Explorer
There is always just presenting them with so many coins and bullion bars that they cannot be accurately counted in a short matter of time. Counting, organizing, and transporting all of it would in itself be a major undertaking as it involves tons of metals and probably taking weeks. Such an undertaking that before they can get it all done, others might hear about it and try and steal some of it. (Original idea I had was to have a low level party kill off a small dragon that has been collecting tribute from surrounding villages. The hoard is basically one million copper pieces, many of which scattered all around the lair. Once the dragon is dead, then people will start trying to get some for themselves. Another option is that it is too much to treat as a treasure to carry out. Can the party actually deal with a wagon train of treasure? When they need it, they can always just go back and get what they need.)
Another idea I had but it might be outside of intended feel for the campaign, is that there is one or more trophies of evil triumphing over good in the treasure hoard, a desicrated corpse of an ancient hero, a branch of a destroyed elven holy tree with one acorn on it, etc. They have possibly even heard the tales of some of these from growing up. These are wrongs that should be righted, or stolen items that should be returned. Over all, thankless tasks that might not even be noticed since it has been so long. Along the way, they will encounter NPCs that need help. If they help the NPCs it might even jepordize getting the items back to where they belong. More thankless tasks. However, when they go to finally meet the BBEG, there are challenges in their way. The NPCs, if helped, happen to show up one at a time, to remove those obstacles to clear the way. Bonus if some of the NPCs are talking animals.
Another idea I had but it might be outside of intended feel for the campaign, is that there is one or more trophies of evil triumphing over good in the treasure hoard, a desicrated corpse of an ancient hero, a branch of a destroyed elven holy tree with one acorn on it, etc. They have possibly even heard the tales of some of these from growing up. These are wrongs that should be righted, or stolen items that should be returned. Over all, thankless tasks that might not even be noticed since it has been so long. Along the way, they will encounter NPCs that need help. If they help the NPCs it might even jepordize getting the items back to where they belong. More thankless tasks. However, when they go to finally meet the BBEG, there are challenges in their way. The NPCs, if helped, happen to show up one at a time, to remove those obstacles to clear the way. Bonus if some of the NPCs are talking animals.
