How have you creativly parted your PC's from their gold?

[shilsen]

They should be landing in Sharn soon. So there is of course the money changing, the docking fees, a wealth of the unlawful and gang types wandering around as well as merchants out to swindle all that they can . . . . Thanks for the ideas! And please feel free to add to them if there's something that hasn't been mentioned. I really am leaning towards sometype of a scam if I can pull it off. Anyone ever done that in a game?

Sharn? Hoo boy! In that case you can probably hit them with everything that has been mentioned in this thread and then some. A group of adventurers coming into Sharn and throwing around some money are going to draw the attention of all sorts of individuals and groups. If you've got the Sharn: City of Towers book (and if you don't, run out and get it), just pick some of the organizations which might notice the PCs and have them start proceedings to relieve some of their wealth. Depending on the particular group, it can range from completely straight-forward strong-arm tactics (the Daask brute squad) to much more subtle methods.

As for a scam, a simple approach you could take to start is to have the PCs be jumped by a powerful group and aided by some others. The different groups could belong to different crime factions in Sharn and next thing you know, the PCs find themselves being hired by their buddies to guard some important merchandise from the 'bad guys'. And then the long arm of the law punches in the door and grabs the PCs guarding the dreamlily shipment or whatever it is you want the stuff to be. Imprisonment, trials, fines, lawyers' fees - lots of options for some fun roleplaying. And it'll also give the PCs some motivation and enemies for their next few adventures. Or just have someone sell them a tower which doesn't exist

 

[Keeper of Secrets]

NPC's with poor investment opportnities or scams in the guise of investment opportunities!

 

[sfedi]

I tempt them with cool items or services to buy (transoprt, houses, terrain, useful magic items they are not aware of, etc).
I don't like to have them robbed of their money (even if it was my mistake).
I can easily adjust future treasures so as not to unbalance de level/treasure ratio.

Don't cheat your players, please.

 

[The Shaman]

Taxes, tolls, tithes, tzedakah, thievery, and "lifestyle maintenance.*

*As in, "You're not wearing THAT to meet the prince, are you?!?"

 

[Tinner]

Meatsinks

To steal a term in use on Kingdom of Loathing you need a meatsink.
The idea here is have the players willingly dump money that would otherwise be unbalancing.
If you just have the money removed via plots (ie. taxes, theft) then the players will see you being "adversarial" and will resent the loss of their cash.
If instead you convince them to sink their meat/money into something that gives them some cool status or bragging rights, but doesn't actually give them anything material then they will likely thank you for the opportunity.
Can they buy their way into nobility? What about local politics? Is there an abandonded building that is in the perfect location to become a pub? Every sailor needs a watering hole after all.
Setting up a business is an ideal ploy, since most businesses fail in the first couple years anyway, and a storefront is the perfect "fair" excuse to use tax-collectors and thieves.
There's lots of good RP opportunity in a store too. They'll need to interview staff, and find trustworthy guards and such for the times they're away adventuring.
Good luck.

 

[Altamont Ravenard]

Tempt them with ale and whores?