10th level characters and wealth levels

[Kershek]

What kind of overall wealth do you forsee 10th level characters having? Do you see them having their own stronghold and land by that point? How about servants and displayed treasures from their adventures? How powerful politically do you expect them to be?

Does it seem less likely for 10th level characters to have these items in 3e than it did in previous versions? It seems to me that it does.

For instance, the amount of game time it takes to level is much shorter. I found that a module I ran for a group (Speaker in Dreams) caused them to increase three levels in the span of a week of game time. With these huge jumps, it seems they don't have much time to create their own stronghold and enjoy it before they are such high levels they are constantly adding to it.

Also, if they spend any substantial amount of money on a stronghold, then that means their personal (i.e. magic item) wealth level won't be as high as others without one. It would be dangerous for them to go out and adventure when under their DMG wealth suggestions, since monster difficulty assumes certain power levels of a party when fighting them. Plus, it delays them from getting the kinds of magic items they've bookmarked for their characters. Also, I don't see them having treasures of their adventures hanging up in such a stronghold, since it would be more beneficial for them to sell them for cash turnaround so they can make more items for themselves.

Do you find that, because of this, people don't bother with strongholds anymore? I'd like to hear arguments from both sides.

 

[Ravellion]

I don't think they would have land or stronghold unless the DM gives it to them as quest reward. The problem is that I don't think the game designers even wanted the players to have strongholds there already: the game should now be easily playable all the way up to 20th level, something which in 2e simply wasn't the case, so you gave the characters strongholds and political clout, to take away the emphasis on combat.

Also, before 3e you couldn't really buy magic items, so people bought vast quantities of land instead.

Rav

 

[jasamcarl]

What kind of overall wealth do you forsee 10th level characters having? Do you see them having their own stronghold and land by that point? How about servants and displayed treasures from their adventures? How powerful politically do you expect them to be?

Does it seem less likely for 10th level characters to have these items in 3e than it did in previous versions? It seems to me that it does.

For instance, the amount of game time it takes to level is much shorter. I found that a module I ran for a group (Speaker in Dreams) caused them to increase three levels in the span of a week of game time. With these huge jumps, it seems they don't have much time to create their own stronghold and enjoy it before they are such high levels they are constantly adding to it.

Also, if they spend any substantial amount of money on a stronghold, then that means their personal (i.e. magic item) wealth level won't be as high as others without one. It would be dangerous for them to go out and adventure when under their DMG wealth suggestions, since monster difficulty assumes certain power levels of a party when fighting them. Plus, it delays them from getting the kinds of magic items they've bookmarked for their characters. Also, I don't see them having treasures of their adventures hanging up in such a stronghold, since it would be more beneficial for them to sell them for cash turnaround so they can make more items for themselves.

Do you find that, because of this, people don't bother with strongholds anymore? I'd like to hear arguments from both sides.

I believe the Stronghold Builder's guide states that, if a stronghold is near a source of income (mine, land, toll, whatever), the pcs can choose to develp it and recieve an income of 3% of the stronghold's total value. They would still probably take a hit, however.

 

[Aaron2]

I dunno. I don't really have a grasp of the relative percentages of land ownership among 1e vs. 3e campaigns. When playing 1e/2e, I never owned large amounts of land. However, in my 3e game I do (not a great bit but reasonalble). I think that a lack of specific rules for land management are a great hinderence for DMs adding such stuff in their campaigns. Having the rules readily available also encourages players to find ways to get land in order to "try them out." That, I see, as a big flaw with the DMG.

That being said, I feel that some DMs will encourage that sort of thing and some players will want it. Other game groups may not care since its "boring".

The wealth guidelines is probably among the least important factor.

Aaron

 

[Greybar]

What kind of overall wealth do you forsee 10th level characters having? Do you see them having their own stronghold and land by that point? How about servants and displayed treasures from their adventures? How powerful politically do you expect them to be?

Depends entirely on your campaign. What story are you telling? If it is a political one and your PCs are becoming big movers and shakers at 10th, then I wouldn't be surprised at titles, positions, and strongholds.

If you're trekking through the wilderness in search of a long-lost civilization, then "wealth" means having enough food to eat tonight that doesn't taste like swamp-rat or that dull mana stuff that the cleric can summon up.

John

 

[jgbrowning]

Re: Re: 10th level characters and wealth levels

I believe the Stronghold Builder's guide states that, if a stronghold is near a source of income (mine, land, toll, whatever), the pcs can choose to develp it and recieve an income of 3% of the stronghold's total value. They would still probably take a hit, however.

That's just a number they pulled out of thin air to help make adventurers get out and adventure.

Owning land was very profitable historically in almost every time period typical in D&D play.

joe b.