Alternative rewards for players [Archive] - Wizards Community

Alternative rewards for players [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Furious D 18
08-15-05, 12:43 PM The players in my game enjoy receiving more than just gold, gems, and items for their exploits in the game world. The DMG says that land deeds and a reputation are good alternative rewards, but I'm looking for more. Does anyone have any ideas of alternative rewards like these that I could give to my players.... especially an evil group of players?
High Octane
08-15-05, 12:44 PM Wives.
Illion the Red
08-15-05, 12:52 PM Non-monetary rewards:

Honorary festivals.
Bardsongs/balads written of their exploits.
Discounts/free drinks.
Name and face recognition..."Look, Samantha, there goes Ulf the Unstoppable! Yes THE Ulf the Unstoppable!"
Nicknames of power.
Worshiping followers.
Invitation to special awards ceremony.
Specially crafted items. (Masterwork and personalized. Enchant at your own expense).
Wanna-be's dressing up like them.
Sinaz
08-15-05, 01:15 PM Heh, I find this amusing.

Lately, my players have been so enthralled with playing in general, that I have to remind them to examine slain foes and stuff for any possible treasure.

Just before leaving the last town, they geared up and found they were sorely lacking in funds... bargained some things so they could afford it, but in the end, I was like... 'hey, you've been forgetting to check bodies for loot, and I've been forgetting to dish it out.'

We all kind of laughed, and I fudged some wealth to keep things moving.

But I find it amusing that my players find reward in good fun combat and roleplaying.

cheers!
Dark_Druid
08-15-05, 01:34 PM Power.

or better yet:

Delusions of Power.

Personally I reward higher level characters with powerful alliances. Like, once my little brother rescued a baby bronze dragon from some...i forget. Anyways, the dragon's father was like, "hey, thanks, i'll give you one of my wishes ;)" So a couple "years" down the road my brother cashed in his favor and violia!

Brand new druid-friendly plate armor with mad bonuses :-)

anyways, it's a suggestion.
MasterRookie
08-15-05, 01:38 PM other rewards.

Well most of the good ones have been mentioned.

Keeps, castles and manor's
Their own town
A pack of gnolls that joined them once their alfa was slain
A ship or boat
Kegs of Liquor
Wanted posters of themselves
The ashes of a saint
A priceless stone or artwork with no abilitys
eternal life
WotC_Huscarl
08-15-05, 01:45 PM Favors from those in power, even localized power. Being on the local ruler's good side can be invaluable, especially if the DM tailors situations to play up that angle.

Favors from minor deities -- a bestowal of bravery, for example, that allows one free success on a saving throw whenever the player wants, or a bestowal of ferocity that allows one automatic (non-critical) hit in combat. This makes the player feel good and ups the heroism quotient without adding outrageous power or wealth to the campaign.

In short, think in terms of "Get Out of Jail Free" cards -- something that's rare and quite valuable in the right circumstances but has extremely limited use.

Steve
Sinaz
08-15-05, 01:50 PM ...
eternal life

Wow... what would you have to slay to earn that? ;)
nyysjan
08-15-05, 02:02 PM Wow... what would you have to slay to earn that? ;)

Note that he didn't say anything about youth, happines or health. :D
I would be very suspicious about that offer ;)
Board_Rider
08-15-05, 02:16 PM How about a free True Ressurection? FREE!! Coming from an evil church thats huge. Ain't to many churches of Pelor gonna take pity on a party down a couple because they didn't see the challenge in ransacking a town.
clarkvalentine
08-15-05, 02:19 PM Title. PCs can be knighted or be granted other titles of nobility.

Allies. PCs can gain allies both wealthy and powerful, and lowly but knowledgeable (it's amazing what people will say in front of a grubby guttersnipe...)

A ship. This leads to all sorts of possibilities for future adventure.

A stake in a business (legal or illegal, depending on who's doing the giving). "Hey, thanks for saving my family's bacon. In gratitude I grant you a 25% ownership in my import/export firm."

A trusted servant. A useful or powerful cohort could be lent to a PC by a grateful NPC with many servants or lieutennants to spare.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Furious D 18 08-15-05, 12:43 PM	The players in my game enjoy receiving more than just gold, gems, and items for their exploits in the game world. The DMG says that land deeds and a reputation are good alternative rewards, but I'm looking for more. Does anyone have any ideas of alternative rewards like these that I could give to my players.... especially an evil group of players?
High Octane 08-15-05, 12:44 PM	Wives.
Illion the Red 08-15-05, 12:52 PM	Non-monetary rewards: Honorary festivals. Bardsongs/balads written of their exploits. Discounts/free drinks. Name and face recognition..."Look, Samantha, there goes Ulf the Unstoppable! Yes THE Ulf the Unstoppable!" Nicknames of power. Worshiping followers. Invitation to special awards ceremony. Specially crafted items. (Masterwork and personalized. Enchant at your own expense). Wanna-be's dressing up like them.
Sinaz 08-15-05, 01:15 PM	Heh, I find this amusing. Lately, my players have been so enthralled with playing in general, that I have to remind them to examine slain foes and stuff for any possible treasure. Just before leaving the last town, they geared up and found they were sorely lacking in funds... bargained some things so they could afford it, but in the end, I was like... 'hey, you've been forgetting to check bodies for loot, and I've been forgetting to dish it out.' We all kind of laughed, and I fudged some wealth to keep things moving. But I find it amusing that my players find reward in good fun combat and roleplaying. cheers!
Dark_Druid 08-15-05, 01:34 PM	Power. or better yet: Delusions of Power. Personally I reward higher level characters with powerful alliances. Like, once my little brother rescued a baby bronze dragon from some...i forget. Anyways, the dragon's father was like, "hey, thanks, i'll give you one of my wishes ;)" So a couple "years" down the road my brother cashed in his favor and violia! Brand new druid-friendly plate armor with mad bonuses :-) anyways, it's a suggestion.
MasterRookie 08-15-05, 01:38 PM	other rewards. Well most of the good ones have been mentioned. Keeps, castles and manor's Their own town A pack of gnolls that joined them once their alfa was slain A ship or boat Kegs of Liquor Wanted posters of themselves The ashes of a saint A priceless stone or artwork with no abilitys eternal life
WotC_Huscarl 08-15-05, 01:45 PM	Favors from those in power, even localized power. Being on the local ruler's good side can be invaluable, especially if the DM tailors situations to play up that angle. Favors from minor deities -- a bestowal of bravery, for example, that allows one free success on a saving throw whenever the player wants, or a bestowal of ferocity that allows one automatic (non-critical) hit in combat. This makes the player feel good and ups the heroism quotient without adding outrageous power or wealth to the campaign. In short, think in terms of "Get Out of Jail Free" cards -- something that's rare and quite valuable in the right circumstances but has extremely limited use. Steve
Sinaz 08-15-05, 01:50 PM	... eternal life Wow... what would you have to slay to earn that? ;)
nyysjan 08-15-05, 02:02 PM	Wow... what would you have to slay to earn that? ;) Note that he didn't say anything about youth, happines or health. :D I would be very suspicious about that offer ;)
Board_Rider 08-15-05, 02:16 PM	How about a free True Ressurection? FREE!! Coming from an evil church thats huge. Ain't to many churches of Pelor gonna take pity on a party down a couple because they didn't see the challenge in ransacking a town.
clarkvalentine 08-15-05, 02:19 PM	Title. PCs can be knighted or be granted other titles of nobility. Allies. PCs can gain allies both wealthy and powerful, and lowly but knowledgeable (it's amazing what people will say in front of a grubby guttersnipe...) A ship. This leads to all sorts of possibilities for future adventure. A stake in a business (legal or illegal, depending on who's doing the giving). "Hey, thanks for saving my family's bacon. In gratitude I grant you a 25% ownership in my import/export firm." A trusted servant. A useful or powerful cohort could be lent to a PC by a grateful NPC with many servants or lieutennants to spare.