Votan,
Let me ask you. Imagine that you find all of the treasure in G1. How much does it weigh? Now let us assume that you find all of the treasure in G2. Again, how much does it weigh? Finally, the same question for G3.
Of the three modules, G1 assumes the closest route to civilization. Assuming that you are not going directly through the module series (in which case, you need to carry all the treasure from G1, G2, and G3 at the same time), how do you recover it all?
On top of that, complete treasure recovery requires finishing the module before the giants have the chance to escape with their treasure into the next module of the series. Eventually, you might discover a bigger load of treasure in G3 (if subsequent giants escape), but not only is G3 now reinforced, but you have the problem of transporting said loot.
If the DM has been so generous with
bags of holding and the like that you have no problem with this, I call the DM incompetent. If the DM handwaves this, and then complains because the module gave away too much treasure, again the DM is incompetent.
Gary Gygax said:
In like manner, the hoard of a draon could destroy a campaign if the treasure of Smaug, in THE HOBBIT, were to be used as an example of what such a trove should contain. Not so for the wise DM! He or she will place a few choice and portable items, some not-so-choice because they are difficult to carry off, and finally top (or rather botton and top) the whole with mounds, piles, and layers of copper pieces, silver, etc. There will be much there, but even the cleverest of players will be more than hard put to figure out a way to garner the bulk of it after driving off, subduing, or slaying the treasure's guardian. Many other avaricious monsters are eagerly awaiting the opportunity to help themselves to an unguarded dragon hoard, and news travels fast. Who will stay behind to mind the coins while the rest of the party goes off to dispose of the better part of the loot? Not their henchmen! What a problem . . .
Not so the wise author, either! What Gygax suggests as problems with a D&D dragon's hoard are exactly the problems that Bilbo & Company are forced to deal with after Smaug's death -- slaying the dragon is not even close to the end of the matter.
Player skill is not merely defeating the guardians, and not merely locating the treasure -- it is also knowing what is smart to take and smart to leave behind. DMing skill is not merely reading a module text or running combats, but it using the rules to ensure that the campaign milieu stays within the golden mean between Monty Haul and the Killer Dungeon. The DM who says "I'm not going to enforce encumbrance or logistics because it makes things too hard for the players" and then rewards the characters as though logistics were taken into account has only himself to blame.
RC