Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Passer 03-30-05, 03:10 PM	I'm trying to think of other kinds of rewards to give besides: Gold Non-magical treasure- to be sold for gold Magical items- to be used or sold for gold Equipment I can't think of much that isn't a just some sort of treasure that is only good for it's monetary value.
RogerWilco 03-30-05, 03:16 PM	XP - Experience points? Some DM's also work with Karma points: you get them for realy good roleplaying and can use them to reroll one diceroll for exampe. feats, skillpoints, stat modifiers, etc. The favor of some high ranking NPC (The King is their best friend after the rescue of his daughter)
Tyus Kanan 03-30-05, 03:31 PM	-property -titles -adoring fans -a drink at a local tavern named after them -a song written about them -fame -promotions within an organization -political missions -a ship -a small fortress -Jenna Jameson
smaugchow 03-30-05, 03:37 PM	Knowledge Ability boosts Specal abilities Land Slaves Nobility Infamy (fame) A holiday Discount for life Freebies A concubine (Jenna Jameson! Good call!)
Draco Strang 03-30-05, 03:47 PM	Land is a big one. The possibilities for land are endless.
Arkonth 03-30-05, 04:23 PM	Social standing Freebies at taverns Love interests
Tyus Kanan 03-30-05, 04:27 PM	"Land is a big one. The possibilities for land are endless." so are the possibilities for Jenna Jameson! ;)
Greyseed 03-30-05, 04:32 PM	I've found just having someone in position of moderate power owe them a favor quite motiviating.
MrkGrismer 03-30-05, 04:34 PM	Books that give familiarity with a creature/type of creature for the purpose of shapechange/wildshape Groupies Statues dedicated in their honor Promises you don't intend to keep...
Vorin 03-30-05, 04:36 PM	Fame! Fame fame fame! Bards can write songs of their exploits! Statues of them can be commissioned! Especially Statues! Statues are the best! Nothing like walking into a park and seeing a statue of YOU! Or walking into a manor and seeing a picture... of YOU! Sorry, I'm just addicted to the idea.
psionichamster 03-30-05, 04:48 PM	salvation? atonement? 350 fresh rabbits? carts, wagons, or traincars (as the setting calls for it) introductions maps invites into society/court/the guild eternal gratitude of damsel xyz the hand of aforementioned damsel in marriage their soul back release from previous contracts/debts/etc redemption the list goes on namaste, the hamster
Thoronmir 03-30-05, 05:01 PM	In my campaign, “Treasure” breaks down into specific categories: Permanent Magic Items: Just what it sounds like. Most of my games are low-magic and magical weapons or armor are pretty rare. There is no “commerce” in such items so they’re rarely ever converted into cash. Consumable Magic Items: Potions, scrolls, etc. A little more common than magical items, and there are apothecaries and scribes who peddle in such magicks in larger cities. Money: Your classic, cliché, chest of gold (or silver or copper). Monetary Equivalents: Gems, jewelry, silver tea sets, an ebony and ivory chess set, ruby encrusted chamber pot, etc. Often, the PCs decide to keep some of these items, others they sell (and there is a ready market for such things in my world). Useable Gear: This group covers anything the party may find that it can use … everything from a set of Masterwork Thieves Tools and a closet full of Sunrods to climbing gear and crowbars. Books, Maps, and Treatises: Due to the scholarly nature of some of my players, these items have been given their own category. If I were to show up on game night with absolutely no adventure to run, all I would need to do to keep my players happy is tell them, “You enter the building and the first room you find is a massive library.” They’ll spend the rest of the night scouring the shelves for books and devising a way to transport their hoard back to town. “Heavy” Items: Chests, beds, armoires, carpets, tapestries, bookshelves … I never cease to be amazed at what my players may decide to loot from the BBEG’s lair. Rarely do they ever try to sell these items; the PCs usually claim them to furnish their current digs. Oddly enough, the item of “mundane” treasure most prized by my PCs is to find a wagon somewhere on the premises (they never remember to bring their own). Animals: Okay, so the party has infiltrated the Bandits’ lair, slain all the bad guys, and just finished looting the treasure room. On their way out, they pass by the stables. A score of Light Warhorses stand in the crude corral, chewing on straw. Perhaps the PCs need to upgrade their own mounts; perhaps they can sell the horses; perhaps the beasts are stolen and the PCs can either return them to their owners (see Prestige Awards, below) or sell them and risk being condemned as horse-thieves themselves. Either way, the animals have value. As do the cheetahs chained at the foot of the evil priestess’s throne or the giant python guarding the pit at the cult’s underground lair. Land Grants: As noted by other posters, title to land can be extremely valuable. Whether by official deed or simple occupation, owning land allows the party to establish a permanent base. Prestige Awards: Favors owed by powerful (and even some powerless) NPCs always have value. Becoming titled may not carry with it any immediate financial benefit, but it certainly raises Harvey’s reputation and prestige to be officially known as Sir Harvey. I sometimes use formal “Boons” to reward PCs. If they’re hired by a powerful NPC and they perform their job well, in addition to any previously agreed-upon recompense, their patron may grant them a Boon, which they can call upon whenever it suits the PCs. For example, the Bishop of Sheldenshire might reward the party with a written declaration of the party’s service to his Temple and an injunction that any followers of his deity should aid the party when called upon. The party might then show the Bishop’s document to the Vicar at Dunsmoor to convince him to help hide them from the evil minions of the BBEG.
Draco Strang 03-30-05, 09:26 PM	Thronomir wins. Good job Thronomir. I'm impressed with your excellent breakdown of treasure types. Actually, I think all of these categories should find their way into the DMG II (even though I'm sure it's too late) to help clarify/expand on how to reward players.
kliate 03-30-05, 09:37 PM	Contacts & Allies: The PCs who save a village from brigands should be able to find many ways for the village to help them in the future. Whether it's asking the blacksmith to forge a sword worthy of being an heirloom or a local bard able to help the characters accomplish their objectives. Enemies: Even gaining enemies can be "rewarding" for the characters. Such opponents can make for remarkable surprises down the line. Favors & Reputation: If the PCs are reptuted to have saved a poor innocent child from a pack of wolves, perhaps a nearby druid may volunteer to come to their aid the next time the PCs find themselves in more trouble than they can handle.
Alynn 03-30-05, 09:52 PM	My party after helping some blinkdogs, now have a pack of them protecting them as they pass through the rest of the forest, (only have 2.5 more days of travel through it anyway) but they will find that those next two days will be strangely encounter (bad ones) free. And hte young pup that they rescued will follow them... quite loyal with the cleric (who was the first to move in to help and took the heat off).
Didge 03-31-05, 12:20 AM	Reward for the Players? What? Were they expecting something other than to be grateful that they survived the encounter? ;)
James Wildspell 03-31-05, 01:48 AM	Lots of good ideas here, most things seem to have been covered. But what about a positive side-effect to some otherwise bad magic? For instance if a PC was Petrified by some spell or effect, they could develop a permanent Stoneskin . Or a PC that took dozens of hits from Magic Missle now gets a save for 1/2 damage. :cool:
Chthonic 03-31-05, 04:53 AM	Here's a few more non-standard player rewards... Citizenship: Being granted citizenship of a particular kingdom, empire or citystate should be a big deal for the players. It grants players rights and protections which would not historically be available to the general mass of slaves and freepeople. Historically, citizenship has given access to politcal bodies such as city assemblies, allowed people to own land and allowed them to marry other citizens. It also gave them legal standing and recousre to the courts to solve disputes. Non-citizens were often subject to higher rates of tax and were sometimes limited in what business activities they could pursue. Free Passage/Access: Being able to enter or cross an area forbidden to common folk is very useful. The nature of the area is up to you but it could be something like a noble's private lands which lie between the PCs current location and their objective. Having free passage allows the players to avoid having to choose between skirting round the area or entering uninvited and risking the noble's ire. It could also be access to a location such as a library. Books were very expensive and highly valued possessions and the idea of a public library is a very new one. Getting access to something like a university library should open up a lot of adventures. The PCs might go through maps looking for the location of an ancient kingdom's treasury. They might find a book of prophecy which talks about their deeds. They come across that elusive clue on how to put the BBEG to rest once and for all.
Mirikon 03-31-05, 11:05 AM	Depending on the level of magical energy in the world (And how active the party spellcaster has been) every so often (1/100 encounters or so) roll on the Rod of Wonder table, and slap that affect on one of the PCs. Or perhaps for every 100 offensive spells that hits the PC, they get 1 point of SR? This makes a gradual thing, that isn't gamebreaking and still makes the players feel like they've gotten something.
jack77 03-31-05, 01:12 PM	My players, who have a Compact with the Emperor of Constantinople receive for proper execution of their services, and for six years service: farm lands in Anatolia, severance pay upon certain circumstances, a grant of freedom from Land taxes in perpetua, allowed to assume teaching posts at the War College, or training posts in field forces with appropriate ranks, can take up vows or be granted living quarters at any church with an attached monastery, can have a small estate built for them at state expense, are granted the right to levy and collect taxes in the Imperial theme in which they live (they cannot tax for their own ends, but can to equip and arm a force for common and mutual protection- and they can use such taxes to help pay to equip and arm their own self and their own private forces, provided those forces operate for the good of Byzantium), and may take a seat with the Emperor during Communions and High Mass performed on High Holy Days. In addition they may keep any treasure they take not directly involved with a particular mission, have access to imperial and church libraries for research, have access to Imperial ministries, armories, stables and supply depots, church and civil officials, as well as ambassadorial status in foreign governments on certain missions. Depending on the mission they are also supplied with tools and equipment appropriate to the mission which they do not necessarily have to return. Finally they often have access to the most advanced devices, inventions and weaponry of the state, such as access to supplies of Greek Fire. These Networks of political, civil, military, religious and economic institutions and allies often save them huge stores of resources they would ordinarily have to expend themselves (thus indirectly increasing their wealth by savings), as well as often providing equipment which tips the balance of power on difficult assignments and missions in the favor of the party. Jack.
Mr. NewFox 03-31-05, 02:43 PM	There was also a thread some time ago about non-standard treasure you should look at. It pointed out the fact that the bad guys (especially the BBEG) won't just have their money lying around in sacks, but will actually buy stuff with it-- things like expensive furniture, statues, silverware, toys, knick-knacks, etc. These things can be quite valuable, though not obviously "treasure" at first glance.
jack77 03-31-05, 07:02 PM	An excellent point. By the way, you've got to be the best looking Mr. I've ever seen. How do you get your hair that way?
DeWayne 03-31-05, 09:47 PM	Friendship. A couple years ago I was running a game where the party ended up being friends with a captain on the city watch in one of the largest cities on my world. While his superiors gave him credit for some of the things the party did, if the party needed backup the watch was willing to help them out - at least if they ran the request through him. So long as they didn't go too far overboard, he was also able to cover for them. Statues have serious possibilities. Think of it: your character just hit town, he meets Jenna Jameson working as a tavern wench, he doesn't brag to her about being the guy that saved the town a few years ago, but he does take her through the park as he's escorting her home at the end of her shift at the pub. She's bound to notice, and he make points for playing it cool. :cool:
twad 03-31-05, 10:10 PM	cookies? Chocolate chip cookies if it was really something great.