How much to hire the PCs for. [Archive] - Wizards Community

How much to hire the PCs for. [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Nerdicus
11-01-07, 03:30 PM In my campaign the PCs have been hired by a trio of gnomes to escort them from Karnath to Zilargo. Lurgenslyre to Trolanport to e exact. THe characters are all level 4 and there is a group of 7 of them hired to escort the trio and I can't decide on a good price for this.

The gnomes have promised them rewards upon getting them safely home in the form of jobs. The gnomes have told the group that they hire adventurers to go all over Khorvaire and beyond to investigate things. SO this is the main payment they are expecting, but they are expecting some sort of coinage for their hard work.

Oh yeah, the group knows for a fact that the gnomes are being followed by a band of warforged who have been chasing them since they were in the mounrlands(the gnomes, not the PCs. The PCs haven't been to the ML yet)

Anyone know roughly what they should be getting for payment?
Revvecor
11-01-07, 04:23 PM I would say a base rate of 15gp/day/PC would be acceptable for there journey. If the PCs were to face prolonged conflicts (with the warforged) that put there life at risk they deserve a larger sum of money.

One thing to keep in mind is that gnomes are highly regarded for their development of magic items, and that a cash of magic items could be more appropriate as a form of payment then cold hard cash.
Just_some_Evil_Wizard
11-01-07, 05:51 PM I'd look closely at the rates of how money and xp are gained. Keep them in the balance, so that the PC's are at least, but not much wealthier than the DMG suggests.

On the other hand, you also have to keep their payment in a reasonable price range; the ECS gives prices for dragonmarked hirelings, and IIRC there are also prices for House Deneith mercenaries by level. The PC's power level and prestige should be roughly equal to NPC's of this kind, perhaps a bit lower.

If these two factors cannot be combined, make changes in the adventure - more treasure to be found or more money drains, such as the need for special equipment, bribes, spells etc.
Burningspear
11-03-07, 08:55 PM As long as it does not unbalance your game, and you have certain control over what they spend their money on then i don't see any problem with how much you pay them, as long as it does not disturb the balance of your story line.

but it does end to make you involved on what the pc's spend their money on, and they might not be in the like for it :plotting:

to give an example:
me and some friends in 1 campaign had some sidetracks going on,
on of the pc's wanted to make some extra money with which to setup a small trading coster, that eventually would make some profit, but not enough to change the whole game, just a nice amount that would be useful for further investment and to use for backup things like making a secure home, and furbishing that out.
The DM allowed this, as long as the money was not used for magic item acquiring or any other short term boosts for the party, it was ok though for bribes and the like.
(character in question was a rogue/ ranger, follower of Waukeen, goddess of trade etc.)

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Nerdicus 11-01-07, 03:30 PM	In my campaign the PCs have been hired by a trio of gnomes to escort them from Karnath to Zilargo. Lurgenslyre to Trolanport to e exact. THe characters are all level 4 and there is a group of 7 of them hired to escort the trio and I can't decide on a good price for this. The gnomes have promised them rewards upon getting them safely home in the form of jobs. The gnomes have told the group that they hire adventurers to go all over Khorvaire and beyond to investigate things. SO this is the main payment they are expecting, but they are expecting some sort of coinage for their hard work. Oh yeah, the group knows for a fact that the gnomes are being followed by a band of warforged who have been chasing them since they were in the mounrlands(the gnomes, not the PCs. The PCs haven't been to the ML yet) Anyone know roughly what they should be getting for payment?
Revvecor 11-01-07, 04:23 PM	I would say a base rate of 15gp/day/PC would be acceptable for there journey. If the PCs were to face prolonged conflicts (with the warforged) that put there life at risk they deserve a larger sum of money. One thing to keep in mind is that gnomes are highly regarded for their development of magic items, and that a cash of magic items could be more appropriate as a form of payment then cold hard cash.
Just_some_Evil_Wizard 11-01-07, 05:51 PM	I'd look closely at the rates of how money and xp are gained. Keep them in the balance, so that the PC's are at least, but not much wealthier than the DMG suggests. On the other hand, you also have to keep their payment in a reasonable price range; the ECS gives prices for dragonmarked hirelings, and IIRC there are also prices for House Deneith mercenaries by level. The PC's power level and prestige should be roughly equal to NPC's of this kind, perhaps a bit lower. If these two factors cannot be combined, make changes in the adventure - more treasure to be found or more money drains, such as the need for special equipment, bribes, spells etc.
Burningspear 11-03-07, 08:55 PM	As long as it does not unbalance your game, and you have certain control over what they spend their money on then i don't see any problem with how much you pay them, as long as it does not disturb the balance of your story line. but it does end to make you involved on what the pc's spend their money on, and they might not be in the like for it :plotting: to give an example: me and some friends in 1 campaign had some sidetracks going on, on of the pc's wanted to make some extra money with which to setup a small trading coster, that eventually would make some profit, but not enough to change the whole game, just a nice amount that would be useful for further investment and to use for backup things like making a secure home, and furbishing that out. The DM allowed this, as long as the money was not used for magic item acquiring or any other short term boosts for the party, it was ok though for bribes and the like. (character in question was a rogue/ ranger, follower of Waukeen, goddess of trade etc.)