D&D General Why would a Druid want money in a “gold for XP” game?

[not-so-newguy]

The druid can collect the gold and "spend" it by hoarding it in a bog. And then use it at an appropriate time to flood the market and tank the local kingdom's economy, returning "civilization" to a state of nature.

Now that’s playing the long game

Of course the druid spends the money!

Cash Rules Everydruid Around Me
CREAM
Get the XP
Dollar dollar bill y'all.

Gangsta’ druids

 

[lowkey13]

*Deleted by user*

 

[not-so-newguy]

Here’s the list I compiled so far

-Buy a tract of land (with a twist)
-PUT IT BACK IN THE GROUND. Bonus xp for dwarf druids
-Feed aurumvoraxes with precious metals
-melt it down and create sickles, lotsa sickles.
-buy precious spell components
-Train villagers to maintain lands in the most efficient and nature-friendly way possible.
-Bribe villagers to import lumber and other natural resources.
-Import dangerous beasts to defend the land
-Pay rangers to protect the land
-Sacrifice loot to a lake or bog, just like the Ancient Celtic people.
-Donate money to Druidic order
-Get drunk, party like it’s 1999
-Hoard Gold, then saturate the market with gold, watch the value of gold drop. Destroy civilization and dance on its ashes.
-First you get the money, then you get the power.

 

[David Howery]

did druids have to pay those whopping high training costs in 1E to advance in levels? That was one thing that was kinda contradictory in 1E.... a few of the classes had to limit their worldly possessions (including cash), but still had to pay big training costs, so they ended up having to load up on the GPs anyway...

 

[MichaelSomething]

Paladins may be an issue also.

Orphanages arnt cheap ya know.

 

[Kurotowa]

Start by asking what the Druid wants. I mean, obviously they want something they can't get back at the druid grove, otherwise why would they have left to become an adventurer? You shouldn't assume that every Druid is a selfless devotee with no personal goals beyond the advancement of their faith, any more than you'd assume that of Clerics or Paladins. So besides the ideas that have already been offered...

Do they want revenge? Maybe someone burned down their grove, maybe someone killed their father, revenge tales are an ancient classic. Well, who says they have to do it themselves? Maybe they're putting bounties on the outlaws that did them wrong, setting the hunters of men to do their dirty work.

A natural life is not a monastic one. Druids don't have to live on roots and berries. In fact, what better way to enjoy nature's bounties and share them with others than by throwing lavish public feasts? They're a way to impress the masses, they give you an excuse to spread coin to hunters and farmers that follow your faith, and damn if you don't love a good roast boar.

Nature's wisdom means nothing if it isn't put into practice, and that means getting it into the ears of powerful and influential people. And if they won't come to the grove, well, you'll go to them. I mean, obviously not in person, that'd take forever. But you've written a set of scrolls distilling your philosophy and offering ideas on how it can be applied by city folk without abandoning their cities. Now you just need to hire scribes to make copies and send them around with the bribes gifts to get them into the right hands.

 

[pming]

Hiya!

Idea 1: Yeah, the "buy land to keep it 'wild', with the power of the king and queen behind it".

Idea 2: To buy stuff, obviously! Nobody said a Druid can't partake in the pleasures of 'civilization'. At least in moderation. Especially if the Druid uses the money to "donate to influential noble houses" so that the druid can have a proxy "in the government" to present/oppose laws, edicts, endevours, etc that the druid would otherwise have no say-so. You know the saying..."Money is power..."

Idea 3: Buy land, start a "grotto" and pay for advertising to get started on the whole "followers" thing. A nice big camp to house trainees of 'wilderness guides' for the area that will hire themselves out to people wanting safer passage through the area. The druid can train the 'knowledge' part and he can hire a ranger, fighter, sylvan paladin, or other martial-based class to handle the 'physical' part of training. (This may step on some toes in regards to rules/allowing of followers and whatnot...I'm not sure...never played any 5e over 7th level, and that was only one PC since 5e came out with the Starter Set).

Idea 4: Gift it to powerful woodland creatures that DO want/like/need treasure. Dragons, Hags, Dryads, Giants, etc. all might be quite appreciative of a Druid who pays them for, well, just being themselves...but keeping the druid informed of various goings on's. Plus, it doesn't hurt to be able to call in a favour from a Green Dragon, a trio of Stone Giants and a Dryad when the need arises. Generous 'gifts' would likely ensure this.

^_^

Paul L. Ming

 

[Umbran]

Pay villagers to import wood, rather than logging

In a feudal system, farmers generally don't own their land - farmers typically work for a wealthy land-owner. The more land someone owns, the greater their political power. And, that land is where they get their yearly revenue. So, outright buying land is unlikely.

However - paying nobles to keep their land in a natural state, and paying to support farming families who are then not farming as much, is reasonable.

 

[TaranTheWanderer]

Serfs might be treated poorly. Use money to convert people to your religion and to sow propaganda among the masses. Convince them they're better off living in the wilderness where they can be free. The druid uses the money to afford them to leave their Lords, train them, feed them and then fight against the established government. Promise them their own lands and riches. Raze cities to the ground and pay for the war effort.

 

[not-so-newguy]

Current compiled list

-Buy a tract of land (with a twist)
-PUT IT BACK IN THE GROUND. Bonus xp for dwarf druids
-Feed aurumvoraxes with precious metals
-melt it down and create sickles, lotsa sickles.
-buy precious spell components
-Train villagers to maintain lands in the most efficient and nature-friendly way possible.
-Bribe villagers to import lumber and other natural resources.
-Import dangerous beasts to defend the land
-Pay rangers to protect the land
-Sacrifice treasure to a lake or bog, just like the Ancient Celtic people.
-Donate money to Druidic order
-Get drunk, party like it’s 1999
-Hoard Gold, then saturate the market with gold, watch the value of gold drop. Destroy civilization and dance on its ashes.
-First you get the money, then you get the power.
-training costs
-leave it to the player to decide.
-revenge for a past grievance.
-throw huge festivals, make converts
-Staying within the confines of the pseudo-medieval D&D political system…
—a) Go straight to the top! Get the king or queen to give land for precious treasure.
—b) Influence local nobles to return the land to its natural state.
-Find skilled Followers to serve as protectors and guides of the wilderness.
-Use it to gain favor, influence, and news from intelligent monsters in the wilderness (Dragons, Hags, Giants, etc).
-Find serfs being treated poorly, use money to buy converts and spread propaganda, train them to fight and promise them riches... Destroy civilization and dance on its ashes.