The DM Giveth, so the DM Taketh Away?

[Corsair]

ThirdWizard, that reminds me of an encounter my party just had in the town of Nulb in RttToEE. The found Lareth in the herb shop, and Lareth just wanted them to go away. They were debating whether or not to attack him (the paladin detected him as evil) but finally decided: "This guy is powerful enough to live in a ghost town which is literally full of undead and other nasties. Do we really HAVE to pick a fight with him?"

 

[The_Gneech]

A 4-5th level party against a rakshasa, who is apparently very sure of himself, and a henchman? Exit stage left. Like the time my PCs met a lich, who just waved them away because he couldn't be bothered. Not gonna try their luck with that!

Well, on top of everything else they had a crossbow specialist and a cleric with plenty of bless spells, and they had a record of taking on much harder challenges without breaking a sweat, so like I say it was theoretically a tough-but-winnable fight. (This was also in 3.0 days ... I notice that the rakshasa CR has bumped up a point from 9 to 10 since then.)

I have been considering a rematch, however ... they're 7th-8th level now, and would probably love the chance to get their hands on him...

-The Gneech

 

[diaglo]

lessons learned?


i mean if you give 2nd lvl PCs 30000gp and they start spending it like they got money to burn.


doesn't it seem like well... people would notice.

however, if that same group takes the money and only spends small unmarked coins at multiple places instead of one big splurge... then... just like real life... maybe it won't hit the radar.

 

[dfmoss]

Our Current Campaign

I am currently involved in a homebrew campaign in which our fairly low level characters found a pretty good stash - 5700 gp. We were all 2nd or 3rd level.

We had been warned that the creature ruling the area was dead set against anyone but him having precious metals or steel. We blundered into a fight with him and lost badly. We had to give up everything made of steel, gold, silver or platinum. Our coppers we were able to keep, along with a few gems.

We stragled back to civilization with just about nothing. Think about it, you have a steel or iron belt buckle holding up your pants!

The DM later said that he was very surprised when we did not high-tail it back to a town and do something safe with all that gold. He was further surprised when we proceeded deeper into this creatures domain. Our own choice and there went all the loot.

 

[JoeGKushner]

lessons learned?


i mean if you give 2nd lvl PCs 30000gp and they start spending it like they got money to burn.


doesn't it seem like well... people would notice.

however, if that same group takes the money and only spends small unmarked coins at multiple places instead of one big splurge... then... just like real life... maybe it won't hit the radar.

But what happens when the characters are higher level? Do other people not notice or does the GM just not bother with it because it's too petty and the party has level appropriate funds?

 

[diaglo]

But what happens when the characters are higher level? Do other people not notice or does the GM just not bother with it because it's too petty and the party has level appropriate funds?

what do you mean what happens?

hopefully, they have learned lessons by the time they reach higher levels.

so they use the lessons learned.

the GM therefore only challenges them with something new.

their reputation... based on the level and missions accomplished... may be their biggest ego boost and their biggest threat level now.


edit: a relative of someone they killed and took things from may be looking for them. hiring someone to kill them. trying to reclaim thru the law some family heirloom. etc...

 

[JoeGKushner]

Uh... I meant that if they're higher levels and spending large sums of cash, does the Gm still have some, at this point, lowly bandits come after him, or does he just wave his hands and move onto other encounters that are more powerful?

If you're saying that at lowever levels they spend a lot and risk getting attacked by bandits, etc..., then if they're higher level and spending a lot, that risk should still be there, but because they're higher level, most DMs aren't going to bother with that as it's generally a waste of time in most cases.

I've seen it done where it's like the scene where a bad guy walks into a cop bar, and that turns out pretty funny and allows the players some time to shine and show off their abilties, but most GMs I've seen are interested in getting to the next big thing in the encounter.

 

[diaglo]

this is where knowing the PCs background helps.

you can work hooks from the background into the reasons for challenging the party. you can get them to find ways to "bury" their treasure. or store it with friendly NPCs. like higher level mentors.

you can "tax" them. lawful good paladins or clerics may want to tithe.

you can get them to do things like spend on gather information... hiring scribes or bards to write about them or make up ballads...

 

[diaglo]

Uh... I meant that if they're higher levels and spending large sums of cash, does the Gm still have some, at this point, lowly bandits come after him, or does he just wave his hands and move onto other encounters that are more powerful?

If you're saying that at lowever levels they spend a lot and risk getting attacked by bandits, etc..., then if they're higher level and spending a lot, that risk should still be there, but because they're higher level, most DMs aren't going to bother with that as it's generally a waste of time in most cases.

I've seen it done where it's like the scene where a bad guy walks into a cop bar, and that turns out pretty funny and allows the players some time to shine and show off their abilties, but most GMs I've seen are interested in getting to the next big thing in the encounter.

well.. that's why i mentioned reputation.

perhaps low level bandits know these guys are tough. so they get more help. or more powerful help.

or maybe higher level NPCs hear of the challenge to their own reputation the party poses.

but yeah. you can have them mop up the low level guys first. and then do a Kung Fu Hustle style... bad guy show up

 

[ThirdWizard]

I have been considering a rematch, however ... they're 7th-8th level now, and would probably love the chance to get their hands on him...

Ooh, I wonder what he's been up to in the meantime.