D&D 5E New DM questions on dishing out treasure

[TheSwartz]

Dutifully preparing for my first DM session... Was wanting some advice, and also a couple questions I just can't figure out.

I'll be running Curse of Strahd.

1. Take any run of the mill encounter, as a general rule, if my PCs kill any NPCs, should I use the Individual Treasure tables (by CR) on page 136 in the DMG?
2. I notice on these individual treasure tables that NONE have magic items listed. Just coins. When would you give a random magic item? Or would you only stick with what is listed in the module (see question #4)
3. When would you use the Treasure Hoard (by CR) tables starting on page 137? I think I have an idea, but I thought I'd go ahead and ask for more ideas.
4. However, for encounters that are specifically laid out, there is sometimes a paragraph labeled "Treasure". Is this to be given out IN ADDITION to rolling on the Individual Treasure table?

Thanks!

 

[Ancalagon]

In theory, the module should specify what treasure is to be given out (although in some cases they will say "roll on the table" or some such). I would be very surprised that the module has no treasure in it. I don't own this adventure however so my advice is of limited value.

 

[TheSwartz]

I would be very surprised that the module has no treasure in it.

OK, sorry, now I have to give a warning about SPOILERS in order to give examples.

There are places where treasure is specified, like a camp that has a specific "Treasure Wagon" among all the wagons in the caravan. And, I think I saw certain NPCs may have treasure specified; but many don't. Like, all the NPCs in that caravan don't have treasure listed for either named or unnamed NPCs; just this one treasure wagon. Or, what if my crazy PCs want to kill off Ireena or Ismark right out of the gate (they might do that...).

So, what I question is, if it's not specified, then do you roll? I'll give a couple more examples:

1. the PCs walk into a chapel and there are 3 Revenants (CR5 each) at the alter who automatically attack. No treasure is listed.
2. A little different example with 3 hags (CR7 each cause it's a coven); but in this example, there is a room in their lair under a bed with a paragraph, labeled "treasure" with 125 gp of gems. Consulting the table for CR7, I could see that might be an appropriate value when converted to coins. But I wonder if this is IN ADDITION to these NPCs individual value?

ALSO, if it's a random encounter, do you roll? That wouldn't have specific treasure listed.

Thanks!

 

[GX.Sigma]

The answer you're looking for: Use whatever the module says. If it doesn't say there's treasure, there's no treasure.

The real answer: It's your game. If you feel there should be treasure, put some treasure there. Modules usually get a lot of things wrong; it's up to you to fix them.

Take any run of the mill encounter, as a general rule, if my PCs kill any NPCs, should I use the Individual Treasure tables (by CR) on page 136 in the DMG?

As a general rule, I never give out treasure unless there is a good reason to do so. If a creature isn't on its way to go shopping, it probably isn't carrying money.

I notice on these individual treasure tables that NONE have magic items listed. Just coins. When would you give a random magic item?

I'd never give a random magic item.

When would you use the Treasure Hoard (by CR) tables starting on page 137?

When I'm writing an adventure, and want to decide what sort of treasure is available.

There are places where treasure is specified, like a camp that has a specific "Treasure Wagon" among all the wagons in the caravan. And, I think I saw certain NPCs may have treasure specified; but many don't. Like, all the NPCs in that caravan don't have treasure listed for either named or unnamed NPCs; just this one treasure wagon.

It says "The Vistani keep all their treasure in this wagon." So that's probably why individual treasure isn't listed. Note that the other Vistani camp (area G) has its own little treasure table to roll on for each wagon.

Or, what if my crazy PCs want to kill off Ireena or Ismark right out of the gate (they might do that...).

They generally don't have treasure listings for friendly NPCs. So, resolve it how you will. You might use the lowest-level hoard table. If a player killed Ireena in my game, I'd have Strahd appear, slaughter all the PCs except the one that did it, and take that one home to the torture chamber (assuming they're low enough level for that to be an option; if not, there are other ways of exacting vengeance). But sure, there's theoretically some moderate family fortune squirreled away somewhere.

ALSO, if it's a random encounter, do you roll? That wouldn't have specific treasure listed.

Some random encounters have treasure listed; see page 52 for two examples.

 

[TheSwartz]

Thanks for the clear answers. I know it's sort of a dumb list of questions, but I just wanted to be sure.

One thing I want to do, is to make this a campaign where the PCs feel like they're barely scrapping by; literally have to worry about where they will stay the night or how they'll be able to eat. So, I was hoping things on the treasure side would be as minimal as it seems (by mostly following what's literally listed in the encounters).

If a player killed Ireena in my game, I'd have Strahd appear, slaughter all the PCs except the one that did it...

Love it!