cthulhu_duck
First Post
Thanks for the answers folks - if I wanted to add a poll to this topic, is that something I can do by editing the first post or would I need to start a new topic?
Do your players expect discounts for party made magic items?
- Thread starter cthulhu_duck
- Start date
I've played in a campaign where this was actually a plot point.
There were 5 Gods only in that campaign, each representing different things (as usual). "Clerics" were the only spellcasters, as the DM had combined both spell lists, made a list of "general" spells, and then assigned each God spells that only their clerics could cast (those lists were more expansive than the general ones). This was 2nd edition, btw. Anyway.. My character was a cleric of the God of Knowledge/creation. Only they could make magic items, identify them, cast any divinations, etc. Thing is, my God was very greedy. Each of his Cleric was expected to charge a set amount for the casting of -every- spell, except those cast on himself. And 75% of that cost went to the Church. Technically 25% went to the church, and 50% to the God (who, after all, provided the spells in the first place.
It -was- sorta annoying to have to charge party members every time they wanted a certain spell cast that only I could cast. I quickly started charging them only 75% of the "true" cost, forgoing my cut.. But they were still mad, and started charging me for spells -they'd- cast, or whatever else they'd do. It took me a while to make them believe that I wasn't seeing any of the money they were giving me.
There were 5 Gods only in that campaign, each representing different things (as usual). "Clerics" were the only spellcasters, as the DM had combined both spell lists, made a list of "general" spells, and then assigned each God spells that only their clerics could cast (those lists were more expansive than the general ones). This was 2nd edition, btw. Anyway.. My character was a cleric of the God of Knowledge/creation. Only they could make magic items, identify them, cast any divinations, etc. Thing is, my God was very greedy. Each of his Cleric was expected to charge a set amount for the casting of -every- spell, except those cast on himself. And 75% of that cost went to the Church. Technically 25% went to the church, and 50% to the God (who, after all, provided the spells in the first place.
It -was- sorta annoying to have to charge party members every time they wanted a certain spell cast that only I could cast. I quickly started charging them only 75% of the "true" cost, forgoing my cut.. But they were still mad, and started charging me for spells -they'd- cast, or whatever else they'd do. It took me a while to make them believe that I wasn't seeing any of the money they were giving me.
The group I have played with usually has the person who the item is being made for pay for the out of pocket costs, plus a little more for the wizard's time and loss of experience. If the party wizard is charging the same as Joe Schmoe artificer, I'd go to Joe Schmoe as reducing the wizard's experience for no discount ultimately is detrimental to the party.
shaylon
First Post
We have a pool of money set aside, the only person who wants his own share is the cleric, but he still wants a ton of items made.
Thankfully we have a house rule where xp can be transferred to the person casting the spell, so the cleric takes the xp hit for all of his cure stuff.
-Shay
Thankfully we have a house rule where xp can be transferred to the person casting the spell, so the cleric takes the xp hit for all of his cure stuff.
-Shay
Warbringer
Explorer
As this is negotiation between characters, the wizard and the fighter (?), they Wizard can attempt to charge what he wants, subject to peer pressure...
"Orc, what orc? I didn't see him looking at you. Now, if only I had those glasses of ...."
"Orc, what orc? I didn't see him looking at you. Now, if only I had those glasses of ...."
cthulhu_duck
First Post
Uneven equipment levels?
In discussion with another member of the group I've postulated the following two examples - the result being that it looks Item Creators who charge other party members full market price can end up better equipped - resulting in perhaps uneven equipment levels - have others seen this in action?
Example 1:
If we assume a party of 4 find 10000gp, and each gets a split of 2500 gp each.
If one is an item creator, who accepts commissions from others (at market cost from DMG)
for a 2000gp item each, and then makes himself something, then the end increase in wealth per character might look something like:
The item creator character has 2500 + 3000 [3 x 2000 gp items cost 1000 gp each to make, leaving 1000 gp profit per item] = 5500gp [using up 2000/25 = 80 XP per item, or 240 XP], which could be converted into a 10000gp item [cost to make 5000 gp and 400 XP] leaving 500gp spare in pocket and 640 XP down but with a 10000 gp item.
The other 3 characters have a 2000gp item + 500 gp coin = 2500gp each.
Result: The item creator character ends up much better equipped than the others but lower in XP.
Example 2:
If we assume a party of 4 find 10000gp, and each gets a split of 2500 gp each.
If one is an item creator, who accepts commissions from others (at production cost) for a 2000gp item each, and then makes himself something, then the end increase in wealth per character might look something like:
The item creator character has a 2500gp and is missing 240 XP, they have no extra coin from the making as they are making stuff at cost, but they could make themselves a 5000 gp item [2500 gp cost] and lose another 200 XP, leaving them broke and 440 XP down but with a 5000 gp item.
The other 3 characters have a 2000gp item + 1500 gp coin = 2500gp each.
Result: The item creator character ends up somewhat better equipped than the others but lower in XP.
In discussion with another member of the group I've postulated the following two examples - the result being that it looks Item Creators who charge other party members full market price can end up better equipped - resulting in perhaps uneven equipment levels - have others seen this in action?
Example 1:
If we assume a party of 4 find 10000gp, and each gets a split of 2500 gp each.
If one is an item creator, who accepts commissions from others (at market cost from DMG)
for a 2000gp item each, and then makes himself something, then the end increase in wealth per character might look something like:
The item creator character has 2500 + 3000 [3 x 2000 gp items cost 1000 gp each to make, leaving 1000 gp profit per item] = 5500gp [using up 2000/25 = 80 XP per item, or 240 XP], which could be converted into a 10000gp item [cost to make 5000 gp and 400 XP] leaving 500gp spare in pocket and 640 XP down but with a 10000 gp item.
The other 3 characters have a 2000gp item + 500 gp coin = 2500gp each.
Result: The item creator character ends up much better equipped than the others but lower in XP.
Example 2:
If we assume a party of 4 find 10000gp, and each gets a split of 2500 gp each.
If one is an item creator, who accepts commissions from others (at production cost) for a 2000gp item each, and then makes himself something, then the end increase in wealth per character might look something like:
The item creator character has a 2500gp and is missing 240 XP, they have no extra coin from the making as they are making stuff at cost, but they could make themselves a 5000 gp item [2500 gp cost] and lose another 200 XP, leaving them broke and 440 XP down but with a 5000 gp item.
The other 3 characters have a 2000gp item + 1500 gp coin = 2500gp each.
Result: The item creator character ends up somewhat better equipped than the others but lower in XP.
Rystil Arden
First Post
One of my friends played in another campaign where his LN Wizard, who the party of LG zealots hadn't been treating very nicely anyway, refused to sell for anything less than cost to make + 5 GP per XP, which was a hefty discount. His party got so pissed off that they went and bought the item for full market price from an NPC. That was really shooting the party in the foot on the part of the Rogue.
Peter Gibbons
First Post
I don't know about you, but I would expect a character who takes an item creation feat to end up "somewhat better equipped" than a character who takes, say, Power Attack instead. I mean, that's the whole point, isn't it?cthulhu_duck said:
Li Shenron
Legend
Peter Gibbons said:
Mmm... the creator does still end up better equipped, because the cost is 50% (you pay 100% if you buy from a shop or if you find the item in the treasure), and another benefit is that you can choose what to craft (as long as you have the requisite spells), while in shops you only choose if buying or not what's available, and in tresure you choose nothing.
But the truth is that if the fellows only cover the 50% cost, an item creation feat is always better when someone else in the party got it, and not yourself.
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