Cost to run an Inquisitive Agency [Archive] - Wizards Community

Cost to run an Inquisitive Agency [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Reebo Kesh
08-05-04, 05:21 AM Ok guys, need a little advice. I am starting a new Eberron campaign and have created the characters for my players and given them storyhooks and backgrounds (I want to introduce them to Eberron's grandeur bit by bit). Anyway one of the characters has inherited his missing (presumed dead) father's Inquistives business, sort of like a Detective agency for any of you not familiar with Eberron.

Now this character has 'hired' the other player characters to help him run the business. Questions that have arisen and require answers to are:

- How much to run the business? (Currently the office is leased at 100gp per month, located in Sharn)
- How should paid fees be split amongst the group?
- How much should be put aside for the business?
- Should the business owner get a bigger cut since he's the boss?

A couple of things to keep in mind
- There are no extra staff yet save the PCs
- Don't confuse the running of a business today with an fantasy based business, for starters there is no electricity or phone/fax bills to pay, no superannuation, no sick leave, no holiday pay etc
- I don't want the business owning player to cheat the others of their pay/reward/fees/treasure but I also didn't want just another NPC running the biz.

Any suggestions would be great.
Oh and Eberron rocks!
Reebo
hiryuu
08-05-04, 06:10 AM Originally posted by Reebo Kesh
A couple of things to keep in mind
- There are no extra staff yet save the PCs
- Don't confuse the running of a business today with an fantasy based business, for starters there is no electricity or phone/fax bills to pay, no superannuation, no sick leave, no holiday pay etc
- I don't want the business owning player to cheat the others of their pay/reward/fees/treasure but I also didn't want just another NPC running the biz.

Sure there is. Eberron's already gone through the age of reason, just with arcane magic instead of Earth's science.

There are the continual flame lights (but once paid for, that's it), there could be printing fees, flyer costs, contract copying costs (someone's gotta make copies of those contracts), costs for travel, getting the agents where you need to get them, and a variety of other sundry things. 100 gp per month? They have a prime location or something?

You could have copiers - sort of a box with silent image or arcane mark, perhaps? Put the paper in one tray and the document in another and it slowly forms a copy on the blank page. Would be a (relatively) cheap magic item, costing perhaps 2000 gp at most, I believe (if I guess the math right).

Being the boss would be like being the handler: he gets a bigger cut and passes out the money to the other PCs....but all of his own cash is used to operate everything (this means he usually might get paid less than the PCs, since he does things like buy weapons and tools needed for new jobs and pays for assistance, contacts, and everything else). The other PCs spend their money for their own specific needs and equipment, and the boss takes care of the group.
Reebo Kesh
08-05-04, 06:23 AM Thanks for the reply hiryuu
What do you think is a good montly rent charge for an office in one of Sharn's upper towers?
Gotta remeber though most 'customers' an Inquistive gets probably don't want to be signing contracts and leaving any identification behind. I could see the boss scribing and collecting info on cases and filling them in a cabinet but there probably wouldn't be any 'photocopying' done unless he copies the files himself and stores them off site.
Lets use a 1,000gp fee as an example, what would you say the break up of that, say percentage wise, would be with 4 character,s one being the business owner?
Reebo
hiryuu
08-05-04, 08:44 AM Oh, you need your contract. That way you can get payment fairly, and one of the clauses on said contract could be client secrecy. You also need the "xxxx Security/Investigation/whatever company is not responsible for property damage incurred to any premises that are the subject of investigation due to direc tor indirect action on the part of the aforementioned company's agents" clause. I know. I've been in games where we cause more damage to the building than the monster we were trying to catch.

100 gp is good for an upper tower office. I thought you meant on the ground. Oh, no. 100 gp pretty much covers that view in an upper portion of a tower, I'd think.

Let's see. First, I'd figure out how much the last job cost us, then deduct that. After that, I'd take the net and take 40%, then divide the rest evenly, and then bring any remainder back to me. That 40% I'd spend on anything that needed buying for the next job and a little cushion in case we run into financial problems somewhere down the line, or if I have to buy an emergency stool pigeon or pay off a law officer to get one of my agents out of jail. I'd also use that money to start building or maintain a contact network. I'd also start hoarding it for purchase of bigger and better gear down the line (imagine the look on another player's face when you present him with a +3 holy light crossbow and set of matching masterwork bolts, just the thing for taking care of the pesky Rakshasa your group just uncovered). Usually this leaves me with little or no money to spend for myself.

So, the 1,000 gp would get broken up as such:

400 goes to owner,
200 goes to each player.

200 goes into building contacts and gather information checks, 200 goes into "storage fund." Once the next job begins, anything left over from the previous 200 will be getting specialized gear, such as alchemical items, rope, grappling hooks, and so on.

The 200 each other player got would go to whatever they want. If someone did an exceptional job, I'd pay him a bit more, perhaps.
Reebo Kesh
08-06-04, 09:32 PM Thanks hiryuu, you have given me the perfect framework to build on. I bow to your wisdom :-)
Reebo
D4rkchylde
08-07-04, 03:47 AM Didnt his father leave him any money?
What about equipment owned by Company?

You might also have them look into placing Adverts in The Korranberg Chronicle (pg 133). It would help if you let them roleplay getting a contact there that will write articles about there successes thus generating a lot of good publicity for the firm.

I'll hit you back when I'm awake instead of half asleep with more ideas.

This is a really good concept, good work man!
gijoel
08-08-04, 04:10 AM 100 gp!!! What is it made out of gold and gingerbread!!!

If my memory serves me correct (and it does:-)) then a common manor house costs about 1000gp. Basically work out the cost of buying their offices outright and then multiply that by 0.1%. So 10 gp a month should do it.

As for how the players are organised, why not try a Nero Wolf scenario. The PCs' are hired by an eccentric inquistor who refuses to leave his house. The PCs go out gather clues, interview supects and get the occassional roughing up by the bad guys. The players work on comission and a cut of any treasure they find.

That way you don't have to worry about book keeping the player's business. But if you want to go that way then work out how much their monthly expenses are and regularly deduct it from them.

Things to keep in mind:

Standard of living.
Ask them how well they want to live and work out food and accomodation cost for the month.

Taxes
The King's gotta have his cut.

Equipment charges
Duh!

Lubrication!!
Somethings just go smother with gold
Reebo Kesh
08-08-04, 08:39 AM Well gijoel, maybe we should ask Kieth Baker how much a small office with reception would cost in upper level Sharn and see of 100gp/month is too much?
Reebo
MavrickWeirdo
08-08-04, 02:42 PM Business expences (Some of the party may be able to fufill or arange some of theses things).

Bank Account:
House Kundarak is a good place to keep the business's money.

A safty account is where Kundarak guaratees to "hold" money for you. Do not expect intrest, but it is good for a letter of credit.

An investment account is where Kundarak will offer you a share of any profits (or losses) they get from investing your money. They do not gaurantee the money in an investment account, but it offers the chance of profits, and plot hooks <We invested your money in a ship, and now that ship has disappeared. Of coures if you could find the ship we could recoup some of the losses.>

You might offer a deal where, every month they maintain a balance of 500gp or more, they get a free safe-deposit box (normally 10gp/day)

Health Insurance:
Actually it is more of a Pre-paying of medical expences. You set up an "account" with house Jorasco, so that if the party needs major healing they have already paid some of the cost.

A good deal would be if they commit to 10 gp a week they get a 10% discount on healing services.

Transportation:
A Lightning-Rail "account" would probably be something worth investing in later on (at higher levels).

A Skycoach "account" on the other hand could be usefull, within Sharn. <Makes it easier to follow a suspect even if you don't have cash "in-hand".>

Communication:
House Sivis may be a bit pricey for day-to-day use. A courrier service "account" would be quite a useful thing, withing Sharn.

Scribe/Bookeeper:
Someone needs to keep track of all these "accounts". :D

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Reebo Kesh 08-05-04, 05:21 AM	Ok guys, need a little advice. I am starting a new Eberron campaign and have created the characters for my players and given them storyhooks and backgrounds (I want to introduce them to Eberron's grandeur bit by bit). Anyway one of the characters has inherited his missing (presumed dead) father's Inquistives business, sort of like a Detective agency for any of you not familiar with Eberron. Now this character has 'hired' the other player characters to help him run the business. Questions that have arisen and require answers to are: - How much to run the business? (Currently the office is leased at 100gp per month, located in Sharn) - How should paid fees be split amongst the group? - How much should be put aside for the business? - Should the business owner get a bigger cut since he's the boss? A couple of things to keep in mind - There are no extra staff yet save the PCs - Don't confuse the running of a business today with an fantasy based business, for starters there is no electricity or phone/fax bills to pay, no superannuation, no sick leave, no holiday pay etc - I don't want the business owning player to cheat the others of their pay/reward/fees/treasure but I also didn't want just another NPC running the biz. Any suggestions would be great. Oh and Eberron rocks! Reebo
hiryuu 08-05-04, 06:10 AM	Originally posted by Reebo Kesh A couple of things to keep in mind - There are no extra staff yet save the PCs - Don't confuse the running of a business today with an fantasy based business, for starters there is no electricity or phone/fax bills to pay, no superannuation, no sick leave, no holiday pay etc - I don't want the business owning player to cheat the others of their pay/reward/fees/treasure but I also didn't want just another NPC running the biz. Sure there is. Eberron's already gone through the age of reason, just with arcane magic instead of Earth's science. There are the continual flame lights (but once paid for, that's it), there could be printing fees, flyer costs, contract copying costs (someone's gotta make copies of those contracts), costs for travel, getting the agents where you need to get them, and a variety of other sundry things. 100 gp per month? They have a prime location or something? You could have copiers - sort of a box with silent image or arcane mark, perhaps? Put the paper in one tray and the document in another and it slowly forms a copy on the blank page. Would be a (relatively) cheap magic item, costing perhaps 2000 gp at most, I believe (if I guess the math right). Being the boss would be like being the handler: he gets a bigger cut and passes out the money to the other PCs....but all of his own cash is used to operate everything (this means he usually might get paid less than the PCs, since he does things like buy weapons and tools needed for new jobs and pays for assistance, contacts, and everything else). The other PCs spend their money for their own specific needs and equipment, and the boss takes care of the group.
Reebo Kesh 08-05-04, 06:23 AM	Thanks for the reply hiryuu What do you think is a good montly rent charge for an office in one of Sharn's upper towers? Gotta remeber though most 'customers' an Inquistive gets probably don't want to be signing contracts and leaving any identification behind. I could see the boss scribing and collecting info on cases and filling them in a cabinet but there probably wouldn't be any 'photocopying' done unless he copies the files himself and stores them off site. Lets use a 1,000gp fee as an example, what would you say the break up of that, say percentage wise, would be with 4 character,s one being the business owner? Reebo
hiryuu 08-05-04, 08:44 AM	Oh, you need your contract. That way you can get payment fairly, and one of the clauses on said contract could be client secrecy. You also need the "xxxx Security/Investigation/whatever company is not responsible for property damage incurred to any premises that are the subject of investigation due to direc tor indirect action on the part of the aforementioned company's agents" clause. I know. I've been in games where we cause more damage to the building than the monster we were trying to catch. 100 gp is good for an upper tower office. I thought you meant on the ground. Oh, no. 100 gp pretty much covers that view in an upper portion of a tower, I'd think. Let's see. First, I'd figure out how much the last job cost us, then deduct that. After that, I'd take the net and take 40%, then divide the rest evenly, and then bring any remainder back to me. That 40% I'd spend on anything that needed buying for the next job and a little cushion in case we run into financial problems somewhere down the line, or if I have to buy an emergency stool pigeon or pay off a law officer to get one of my agents out of jail. I'd also use that money to start building or maintain a contact network. I'd also start hoarding it for purchase of bigger and better gear down the line (imagine the look on another player's face when you present him with a +3 holy light crossbow and set of matching masterwork bolts, just the thing for taking care of the pesky Rakshasa your group just uncovered). Usually this leaves me with little or no money to spend for myself. So, the 1,000 gp would get broken up as such: 400 goes to owner, 200 goes to each player. 200 goes into building contacts and gather information checks, 200 goes into "storage fund." Once the next job begins, anything left over from the previous 200 will be getting specialized gear, such as alchemical items, rope, grappling hooks, and so on. The 200 each other player got would go to whatever they want. If someone did an exceptional job, I'd pay him a bit more, perhaps.
Reebo Kesh 08-06-04, 09:32 PM	Thanks hiryuu, you have given me the perfect framework to build on. I bow to your wisdom :-) Reebo
D4rkchylde 08-07-04, 03:47 AM	Didnt his father leave him any money? What about equipment owned by Company? You might also have them look into placing Adverts in The Korranberg Chronicle (pg 133). It would help if you let them roleplay getting a contact there that will write articles about there successes thus generating a lot of good publicity for the firm. I'll hit you back when I'm awake instead of half asleep with more ideas. This is a really good concept, good work man!
gijoel 08-08-04, 04:10 AM	100 gp!!! What is it made out of gold and gingerbread!!! If my memory serves me correct (and it does:-)) then a common manor house costs about 1000gp. Basically work out the cost of buying their offices outright and then multiply that by 0.1%. So 10 gp a month should do it. As for how the players are organised, why not try a Nero Wolf scenario. The PCs' are hired by an eccentric inquistor who refuses to leave his house. The PCs go out gather clues, interview supects and get the occassional roughing up by the bad guys. The players work on comission and a cut of any treasure they find. That way you don't have to worry about book keeping the player's business. But if you want to go that way then work out how much their monthly expenses are and regularly deduct it from them. Things to keep in mind: Standard of living. Ask them how well they want to live and work out food and accomodation cost for the month. Taxes The King's gotta have his cut. Equipment charges Duh! Lubrication!! Somethings just go smother with gold
Reebo Kesh 08-08-04, 08:39 AM	Well gijoel, maybe we should ask Kieth Baker how much a small office with reception would cost in upper level Sharn and see of 100gp/month is too much? Reebo
MavrickWeirdo 08-08-04, 02:42 PM	Business expences (Some of the party may be able to fufill or arange some of theses things). Bank Account: House Kundarak is a good place to keep the business's money. A safty account is where Kundarak guaratees to "hold" money for you. Do not expect intrest, but it is good for a letter of credit. An investment account is where Kundarak will offer you a share of any profits (or losses) they get from investing your money. They do not gaurantee the money in an investment account, but it offers the chance of profits, and plot hooks <We invested your money in a ship, and now that ship has disappeared. Of coures if you could find the ship we could recoup some of the losses.> You might offer a deal where, every month they maintain a balance of 500gp or more, they get a free safe-deposit box (normally 10gp/day) Health Insurance: Actually it is more of a Pre-paying of medical expences. You set up an "account" with house Jorasco, so that if the party needs major healing they have already paid some of the cost. A good deal would be if they commit to 10 gp a week they get a 10% discount on healing services. Transportation: A Lightning-Rail "account" would probably be something worth investing in later on (at higher levels). A Skycoach "account" on the other hand could be usefull, within Sharn. <Makes it easier to follow a suspect even if you don't have cash "in-hand".> Communication: House Sivis may be a bit pricey for day-to-day use. A courrier service "account" would be quite a useful thing, withing Sharn. Scribe/Bookeeper: Someone needs to keep track of all these "accounts". :D