CALLING ALL MAGIC SHOP OWNERS, PART II: How much do you make?

[DM_Matt]

A PC of mine is running a magical/special item business and I need to adjudicate his profits.

He sells normal goods of various sorts, particularly more expensive custom-made and/or decorated weapons and armor, in addition to stocking minor items and making more expensive ones by comission.

His shop is located in on prime real estate in the expensive part of Waterdeep. The intent is to cater to higher-level adventures and nobles.

He has a deal with the church of Mystra by which they enchant the items and take half the profit.

He has deals with craftsman of more obscure items that he cannot make in-house, with the similar agreements agreement (they get 25% of the profit, only applies to the profit on the non-magical portion of an item), but he can make all but the most obscure items inhouse.

Ignore issues of rent. he does have a morgage on it, but thats being dealt with separately

How much money should this shop make per week/month/year?

 

[Grendel]

First pull him out of the campaign unless the rest of the party is willing to sit around for several years and wait for him to get established.

Now that he is an npc, all the rest of the party to continue to play normally.

Finally when the character rejoins the party compare his current equipment/ treasure value with what he should have according to the DMG. If he is above that, then reduce his equipment appropriately (guess his bussiness failed). If he is under that amount then adjust his assest accordingly.

No problem
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If you and the other players are wiling to roleplay the situation out. look at the characters proffession (shopkeeper), sense motive, bluff, and persuasion.

Have the character make rolls vs. these skills at a DC based on the amount of trade in the area, and time of year (more purchases in warmer months), and the types of items he is attempting to sell (the more expensive the lower his consumer base).

Base the bussiness success on those outcomes, the greater the success the greater the profit, the higher the failure the more the losses.

I would recommend adding circumstance bonuses to those roles as the character becomes established (+1 per 6 months, capping at +4).
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Lastly if the character is trying to do this overnight then allow him to buy goods at market price and sell them at half market value as described by the DMG.