Wealth feat?

[jdfrenzel]

I'm looking for a mechanic to allow characters to start with more wealth than typical. Wealth could be money or items of up to a set value. I think a feat would do the trick (a feat with the same power scope as Toughness, i.e., it grants a set GP value when the feat is taken, and that's it), but what value?

I'm not interested in a discussion on GP value limits/level, ECLs, CRs and other "game balance" issues. There has been plenty of that elsewhere, to be sure. I would be interested in feedback on whether such a feat (or other mechanic) should be limited to 1st-level only, or available once and only once. Anyone have anything currently? Suggestions welcome!


--- John

 

[Dirigible]

In IK, if you are a human and choose the favoured class for your region, you get a bonus; one of the options is an extra whack of cash (+~200-~400). There's something similar in FR, as I recall (+300 gp of gear or minor potions and scrolls appropriate to the region).

A background feat that granted +200-300 gp wouldn't be out of line, I think. However, as money is an expendable resource while HP are ever renewing, I certainly wouldn't take it.

 

[Afrodyte]

I've seen a feat like this in D20 Modern, and I don't think it was restricted to 1st level. However, D20 Modern did Wealth differently.

I think you have a good start so far. I like making it like Toughness, where you get a certain GP value each time you take it. As far as how much GP, I think 100 to 250 in liquidated funds is good.

 

[Scion]

Perhaps a feat that treats you as being half of a level higher on the wealth chart?

ie if you were level 7 normally you would have 19k worth of gear. but instead the character would have (27k - 19k)/2 + 19k = 23k.

Excess money comes in from whatever source makes sense for the character.. it doesnt even have to be money, it could be like a pseudo leadership feat. Back at his home/keep/whatever he has people who make him stuff and send it to him.. various pieces of equipment, food, magical items that they find/trade for/buy.. whatever..

it'd be interesting and fun I think hopefully not terribly overpowered.. doesnt seem to be just looking at it.

I know you said that you werent interested in whatever stuff based on balance.. but thats ok, you can modify just about anything to be in line with what you like. Hope you get what you want!

 

[AeroDm]

I saw a feat that granted x50 on your initial starting wealth.

Monte Cook's Arcana Unearthed had a feat (Windfall?) that granted you 1000 gp x character level and you could 'cash in' anytime.

I've seen a variation where you gained a few hundred GP at the time of taking it, and then gained enough a certain amount per month. In essence, you were given free 'Upkeep' at the 100 gp/month limit.

In my experiences most characters wouldn't take these feats.

 

[Nifft]

Wealth [General]
You have a source of income besides working.
Benefit: You own or are entitled to some income-providing real estate, company, pension or title. At 3rd level, you gain 1,000 gp or a single magical heirloom. You can write Notes (IOUs) which will be accepted by those who know of your wealth. In addition, the DM will give you extra stuff.
Penalty: Your income has a source, and you're going to have to write up & detail that source. Anything from a family vinyard to a trading ship to part ownership of a vein of iron.


Also, my House Rule'd Aristocrat gets this Feat for free if it's a character's first class level, else the character must take Wealth before taking any Aristocrat levels. (Aristocrats get HD d8, 6 skill points, and all good saves -- they're manipulative survivors.)

-- N

 

[John Q. Mayhem]

The AU feat is Wealthy, can only be taken at 1st level. It gives you 2 times the max starting gp at character creation, and the 1000 gp/level at one time in your career that AeroDM mentioned. It's suggested that it be given between levels 5 and 10.

 

[Vlos]

In the BoEDs there is a feat, Ancestral Relic. It is suppose to be limited to Good players, though I see no restriction in that.

It is also not takable till 3rd level, again I would think that its only takable at 1st level. In which case it wouldn't get powers 'awaken' till 3rd level.

Bust just some other thougts.

 

[jdfrenzel]

Thanks all! After going through all these, I kind of like both approaches (the "wealthy all the time" and the "windfall" one). +250GP for Windfall sounds good, take as many times as you like. As AeroDM pointed out, most players won't take this anyway. But if an NPC shows up loaded, it needs to be on the books. I think it may find more interest in low-magic and political campaigns.

As for "wealthy all the time", I like Nifft's take on it overall (anyone with a house ruled Aristocrat is alright in my book ), but the mechanics are light. Scion's post made me realize that in d20, wealth is a measure of your character level exclusively, and varies again for PCs vs NPCs. Odd. At any rate, the post hints at regular "windfalls" of some value enough to get you halfway to the next wealth level. Rough averages are +500/lvl from levels 1-10, +1500/lvl 11-15 and +3500gp/lvl from 16-20. These numbers get you close, but aren't perfect - you get more early in the progression, then get shafted towards the end. No biggie I think.

So for Wealthy, can be taken only at 1st level, provides an additional +500gp/lvl from levels 1-10, and +1500gp/lvl from levels 11-15, and +3500gp/lvl from 16-20. This could be cash, or DM approved items. Not sure what happens at Epic levels.

--- John

 

[Heretic Apostate]

There's a free Web Enhancement for WOTC's Wheel of Time RPG that includes a Wealth feat. Keep in mind, it relies on the WOT setting, so you'll have to modify it.

[quote="WoT_enh.pdf, available for free on WOTC website]

W​

​

​

EALTH​

It’s good to be rich. It’s even better to be born rich.


​

Background:​

​

​

​

Tar Valoner, Taraboner, Tairen.


​

Benefit:​

​

​

​

You begin the game with an extra 250 silver marks (mk). Furthermore, every time you go up in level, you can draw upon your family’s investments, gaining 250 mk for each point of Reputation you have when your level increase occurs. This wealth does not magically appear in your pockets; you must collect it from a family business, a relation, or some other source of your family’s wealth. If you cannot collect the money before you go up a level again, you lose the benefit for that level (but you can, of course, collect the money gained for your new level).


​

For example, you have a Reputation of 4 when you attain 7th level. You are entitled to immediately collect 1,000 mk—but you are traveling and can’t collect it right away. After a few weeks, you reach a place where you can collect it. In the meantime, you’ve gained another point of Reputation, but you still are entitled only to 1,000 mk, because you had only 4 points of Reputation when you reached 7th level. If your travels kept you away from your money until after you reached 8th level, you could not collect your 7th-level wealth. You could, however, collect your wealth for attaining 8th level—in this case, 1,250 mk: 250 mk multiplied by a Reputation score of 5.[/quote]​

Hope this helps.​

Personally, I'd allow a "respawning." After all, if an NPC is stuck at a certain level for several years, you can't tell me they don't draw on the family coffers a few times...​

Edit: Okay, it doesn't want to post right. Just highlight it or something...