[Kobold Quarterly] Non-monetary rewards

[Stormborn]

In the 1st issue of Kobold Quarterly Wolfgang Baur talks about 8 non-monetary rewards. These include lore (knowledge they need in game), skill ranks, hit points, ability score boost, access to power (the ear of the Captain of the Guard, acceptance among the rich, etc), Sinecure/Honorary Posts, Recognition (or Fame), and Noble Titles and Arms (including the possiblity of levels in Aristocrat).

I was wondering how many of these you may have given out in a 3rd edition game. I specify which edition because I realize that older editions has some things built into them by way of reward that 3rd does not.

I have given out lore (regularly), skill ranks (or rather circumstance bonuses in my case and only once or twice), access to power (occasionally), and recognition (semi-regularly - like the unathorized pulps that got circulating about the PCs adventuers). In some cases I didnt think of them as "rewards" but as simple plot points that helped move things along.

Have you ever given out any of these? If so how did it work out?

 

[The Thayan Menace]

Glory is Priceless

In my friend's City of the Spider Queen campaign, my coolest rewards included earning the office of Necromantic Inquisitor ... and receiving Kelemvor's personal congratulations.

-Samir Asad​

 

[kaomera]

All of the above, except for hit points. "Other" would be bonus Feats recently, tame monsters as adventuring companions and access to "members only" dungeon levels in the past.

 

[Whizbang Dustyboots]

I'm planning to give out one of these in the not-near future in my campaign.

 

[Asmor]

Interesting idea for an article. I would like to subscribe to your newsletter.

Seriously, though, if this is the sort of things that are in Kobold Quarterly, I'll definitely have to give it a look-see. It might sound somewhat obvious, but often times simply stating the unstated can lead to great insight.

 

[exile]

I tend to stay away from mechanical awards beyond that which comes with normal level advancement, but two of my last three game masters regularly use these.

Most recently, my beguiler was captured by slavers. She awoke in a ship's cargo hold with a strange tattoo on her leg which gave her +2 CON, but -2 Will Saves (making for a more durable, more easily-controlled slave).

In another game, the DM gave all of the characters a bonus feat. I think my scout got run.

I appreciated both, but like the first a little bit better simply because it plays into the story.

Chad

 

[The_Gneech]

I frequently give skill ranks in things like Knowledge (Local) or Language. But I've given PCs all sorts of bene's over the years as the situation called for. When all else fails, on-the-spot XP bonuses are always popular!

-The Gneech

 

[Voadam]

I use non mechanical benefits, such as being given a commission by a king, lore, henchmen, monster pets, and access to powerful people (church loremaster for the wisdom god cleric pc for example). No mechanical benefits other than loot and levels.

As a PC I have sought access to powerful people, sources of lore and resources, gotten titles, etc.

 

[Kobold Avenger]

I'd actually be all right with giving a 1/day spell-like ability as a reward to a player, since the monsters tend to buy stuff up all the time whenever there's a bargain in the spell-like ability department store...

 

[Asmor]

It's not uncommon for that to be a reward in RPGA games.

My warforged has been able to use Cloak of the Sea, CL 16, since his first adventure, once per session (costs an action point to activate). After helping out some sahuagin, one of them left a mark on his shoulder. I've also got some lame ability to conjure food or something, totally useless to a psychotic, chaotic evil warforged who hates other species.