Starting Wealth for new Dark Sun Campaign

[mgbeach]

Good evening everyone! Getting ready to start up a new Dark Sun campaign and I'm very jazzed. The players are all great and seem very into it.

I'm starting them at 2nd level and am having a bit of a time determining what their starting wealth should be. What's throwing me off a bit is that I'm using the Fixed Enhancement and Alternative Rewards systems. This is my first go DM-ing 4th edition, so any help is greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance!

 

[Dice4Hire]

If only 2nd level, I see little problem withthe 1st level 100. If you want them to have some healing fruits or alchemical supplies, bump it to 250.

That should be fair enough.

 

[mgbeach]

Ok, thanks. Going by what the Fixed Enhancement Bonus section of the Campaign Guide says, parcels 1 and 4 from DMG page 126 should be dropped. That leaves over the course of 1st level the following:

Level 4 Magic Item
Level 3 Magic Item
and 720 gp

It goes right along with what you said to divide the 720gp among the six players and end up with a total of 220gp (starting 100gp + 120gp from 1st level).

I mainly wanted to make sure I was understanding the parcel system correctly, and it looks like I am. Thanks again!

still very open to any other thoughts too

 

[Xyrlove Woodsoul]

Im curious. Are you using either of the weapon breakage rules?

 

[mgbeach]

Im curious. Are you using either of the weapon breakage rules?

Planning on going with the Reckless Breakage rule. I think it gives the proper amount of anxiety while leaving some level of control with the player.

 

[the Jester]

It's Dark Sun, right?

Assuming a party of five pcs, I'd start them with two pairs of sandals, one boot, three loincloths, a hat, 3 gallons of water, a wooden spear, a bone dagger and a broken stick.

 

[hvg3akaek]

Since the "drop two items" idea from the DSCS drops wealth by about 35-40% (largely depending on group size), if you give new characters an item of level +1, an item of level -1, and 10% of the gold of an item of level -1, this comes in that same rough 35-40% mark. They'd get two good items and a small smattering of gold, so you'd definitely need to be using inherent bonuses (as all Dark Sun games should ).

 

[Obryn]

At 2nd level, they should be fine with their normal money, given the inherent bonuses.

Besides, it's Athas. If you make it too easy, they'll get used to it.

btw - if you're starting a new game, I'm loving the adventure I'm running right now - The Vault of Darom Madar from Dungeon. It's pretty great, so far.

-O

 

[RangerWickett]

We started an 11th level Dark Sun campaign. The GM said, "You can either have any 3 nonmagical items from the PHB - weapons, armor, equipment - or roll a d10 and get that many items. Clothes are free, and you get 2 days of food and water."

I rolled a 7, which was great for my weapon master thri-kreen. The shaman rolled a 1, so he just had armor. He didn't even have a weapon until his spirit companion killed someone and he looted the guy's body.

 

[mgbeach]

At 2nd level, they should be fine with their normal money, given the inherent bonuses.

Besides, it's Athas. If you make it too easy, they'll get used to it.

btw - if you're starting a new game, I'm loving the adventure I'm running right now - The Vault of Darom Madar from Dungeon. It's pretty great, so far.

-O

Oh wow, thanks for mentioning that. I somehow missed that when looking at the issue originally. It looks pretty great, even if I just grab a few elements to weave into what I was going to do. Thanks again!