Wizards are supposed to be rich, right?

[Li Shenron]

Unfortunately for you, I don't think D&D rules really are on your side.

And it's not that your DM is wrong, he's probably just running the game as it is supposed to be. For instance, it's quite common that you cannot normally sell items at their market price but only at half their price (tho maybe there is not even an actual written rule acout it...).

Anyway to cut it short, if I was your DM I would simply ask you:

Do you really want to roleplay a business for your character, or are you looking forward for a way to have more money than the DMG guidelines?

Because if you answer the first, the solution could be to let you be quite free and compensate perhaps with a little less treasure during the campaign.

 

[lukelightning]

The DM might not want to get into the rules for running a fantasy business. Your perform check at least should get you some "spare change" (RAW with a +30 modifier you can easily get 3d6 gp/day performing in a prosperous city).

As for the homophobic comments, tell him that "I'm sure there is some noble who wants to hear tales of Legolas the Gay!"

 

[Faraer]

The most common way is investment of money gained by adventuring or spellcasting-for-hire.

 

[PallidPatience]

The most common way is investment of wealth gained by adventuring or spellcasting-for-high.

I disagree. If this were the case, why are there cities? Why are there communities? How do people eat? If business is not profitable, there will be no business. If selling things doesn't earn you money, no one will do it. If this is the case, where do the PCs get their weapons and armor? Who trained the wizard and why? How does he learn new spells? No world can exist if trade is not profitable. If adventuring is the only real way to earn wealth, fame, and power, no one will settle down. There will be no kingdoms to protect. There will only be farmers, and adventurers. Even that will begin the seed of trade, as adventurers will trade things of value to the farmers for food. That approach is far better in a primitive, pre-civilization sort of game, I think. Otherwise, it's pointless.

Even assuming that trade is not worthwhile, doesn't that invalidate adventuring? Why bother to unearth vast riches if no one thinks they're worth anything? Why face the dragon to take its hoard if no one else wants it? What's the point if there's no value to it at all? If there is no profit, there is no motivation.

If the world has no trade, it's lost its verisimilitude, and I might as well be playing a video game. At least I know that the video game doesn't support such things, whereas my PH has suggestions for alternate methods of earning money (such as performing, trading, etc.) which were shut down by the OP's DM.

Then again, if you'd like to be told "no, your character's skills and abilities are invalid", be my guest. YMMV

 

[Faraer]

I don't understand what you're saying. Who said trade isn't worthwhile?

 

[PallidPatience]

The OP's example implied it heavily. I apologize for making it seem as though I thought you said or meant that. I was merely implying your statement to the OP's example situation.

 

[szilard]

Having spells cast for you costs (Caster Level x Spell Level x 10) gp. That should work both ways.

-Stuart

 

[Stalker0]

Not hearing all of the facts I would suggest not being too hard on the dm.

The fact is, without dm control, any decently high level wizard can make large amounts of money just sitting around casting spells, which negates part of the appeal of adventuring.

Now maybe he's being a tad too harsh, but if you allow unchecked use of the fabricate spell for instance, you can quickly have a character whose raking in the moolaw.

 

[Harmon]

Anyways... the problem here is - as others have pointed out - not your creativity, but the DM's lack of appreciation of it.

I think Thanee has a great point here, your GM is seriously lacking.

My suggestion-
Keep trying to make some coin, be inventive- offer to strengthen the city walls with Wall of Stone, Wall of Iron, or some other combination, offer your services on the cheap.

Locate buyers and make them scrolls.

If all this fails then collect what you can together and head out on the adventure the GM wants you go go through. Inform the Cleric (if your have one) that you will need a Create Food and Water daily and would like a Heroes Feast in the morning. Refuse to enter or stay in Inns or Taverns unless you have a little coin you want to blow on drinks.

Should the GM ask why you are not entering Inns and Taverns, inform him that you have no stories worth telling that will get you drinks or food and your character would rather not be tempted to order and not be able to pay for drinks and food.

I take it that you are rather short on scrolls (when a wizard is short on coin they seldom have scrolls left)? If this is the case then combat when you get where you are going will quickly get down to HtH so make sure you have a good staff to wack someone with.

Oh, and lastly- no wizards arn't suppose to be rich, they are suppose to be able to support themselves though.

Best of luck, and hope your GM can see the light sooner, rather then later.

 

[Rhun]

You are a powerful wizard. Demand tribute from the smallfolk!


I also agree with all others about your DM.