Loot as you go, or no?

[Lanefan]

Add one more to the chorus of "loot as we go", in part because it means we don't have to bother coming back, and in part because sometimes the loot is more useful than what we already had.

Note, however, there's a difference between "looting" (taking stuff and shoving it in a sack) and "field-testing" (actually trying it out, or using it). Unless something's use is obvious (e.g. it was used against us and thus we know what it does) field-testing usually waits until camp, or even all the way back to town for really wierd stuff.

We keep a group list. If someone is specifically carrying something e.g. a Fighter is trying out a looted sword, that gets noted on the treasury list. Otherwise, we often just roll randomly to see who is carrying what if it becomes relevant, like in the last adventure I ran where they had to figure out how much party loot went with the two characters that got petrified... The treasure gets fully tested, identified, and divided once back in town. And curses are potentially very much in play at all times.

We don't often note temporary items on the character sheets until-unless they become permanent possessions if claimed from the treasury on final division; otherwise it just gets too messy.

Lan-"that sword you're wielding is about to be mine"-efan

 

[kitsune9]

Do your characters loot as they go through the adventure, or do they save the searching for hidden goodies and the opening of chests for later? Why?

Definitely loot as we go. Of course, back in ye olde days of 3.5 and playing RPGA, it was the opposite.

 

[Dross]

generally loot as we go, with the obvious exceptions of too large and or heavy to easily take now, or when you don't have time to actively search.

The most memorable time we didn't loot (time constraints mainly, searching a number of large storage rooms) we lost the whole lot, but WE caused the destruction and flooding of a tower. All that loot, GONE!

We also have a group treasure, with the idea that it is in the appropriate magical sack unless otherwise noted. To be ID'ed at an appropriate time.