Post/Author/DateTime	Post
cloud_gray 03-25-07, 01:34 AM	I am have been a player who just recently started as a DM. One of my players has stated that as a long term goal, his character would like to own a inn or a bar. He has asked how much it would cost to buy one, and I haven't come up with an answer yet. They are still 3rd level, so I should have a little time. Also, is there any problems related to this I should watch out for? Any help would be appreciated.
Banning 03-25-07, 04:20 AM	Do what I did. Let the players get it... then have some reaccuring villain like.. set fire to the place or something when its not insured.
AffableDoomwalker 03-25-07, 04:23 AM	I'd say take a little more time and let them grow a bit in experience and finances. As for problems? You're the DM, have fun with it :P
Fireclave 03-25-07, 04:35 AM	The biggest issue, IMO, is how involved to your players want to get with their new business. If your players want to get really involved with the management of their bar'n'inn, that could mean a lot less travel. But it could also be a great opportunity for an urban campaign. Politics, rival guilds, hired hobgoblin thugs, sewer adventures, the works. If you have a large enough city, you can have an entire campaign just within the city limits. The DMG2 has rules for starting and running businesses as well as a sample city with enough plot hooks to keep your players entertained for quite a while.
krichaiushii 03-25-07, 09:59 AM	It could be an excellent reason to take Leadership - the PC ends up with some loyal followers to run the inn whilst he is off adventuring and procuring new decorations (trophies), foods/recipes/spices, and alcoholic beverages. Having an inn reputed to serve only the finest drinks in the planes means LOTS of traveling and RPing to secure exclusive trade rights and the like. In the end, I wouldn't burn the place, but I would have the local thieves' guild try to shake it down for "security" money. Legitimate taxes; jealous other innkeepers infecting it with vermin/disease/etc.; thieves targetting the inn's guests; rivals spreading rumors about the place being run by thieves or outright murderers (or serving sentient beings as "food"); people discussing treachery or rebellion in a private room may result in some uncomfortable "guilt by association" situations with local authorities. Lots of fun can be had. Mostly, though, just let it earn enough money to stay financially viable (cover expenses, plus a little profit), with the occasional good or bad month (lots of profit or not enough money to even cover expenses). It should provide a nice "homebase" for the PCs (free rooms, too!) that has constant, loyal NPCs and a good meal.
cloud_gray 03-25-07, 10:41 AM	Thanks for the replies. You have given me some good ideas. I am interested in how much I should charge them for the building. The DMG has listed 1,000 gp for a simple house and 5,000 gp for a grand house. I was thinking around 10,000 for the building, but wanted to get your ideas about that. Thanks all.
Manic Man 03-25-07, 10:43 AM	A few ways of calculating the cost i) Strong hold builder's guide. Its 3.0 but still workable ii) DMG2, runnning business section iii) The craft skill+leasing the land. I recommend the DMG2 method, it simplifies the business running part as well.
cloud_gray 03-25-07, 11:31 AM	Thanks. I'll check that out.
The-Half 03-27-07, 03:08 PM	Thanks for the replies. You have given me some good ideas. I am interested in how much I should charge them for the building. The DMG has listed 1,000 gp for a simple house and 5,000 gp for a grand house. I was thinking around 10,000 for the building, but wanted to get your ideas about that. Thanks all. I'm thinking that is kinda high. A grand house is 5,000gp. In my opinion a "grand house" would be one of the noble houses... aka a handful of floors, dozens and dozens of rooms. Large land (gardens, courtyards, etc;). So I cant imagine an average inn costing more than 5,000gp. Or is a grand house not the same as a noble house or mansion???
WiscDM 03-27-07, 03:17 PM	Have the party buy the building but it is totally empty. They will need to fill the bar with tables and chairs, maybe the fireplace is damaged and needs repair. The kitchen will need all the supplies and appliances that a kitchen would. They would need to hire a bartender, cook, waitrers/waitresses. They would need to put beds and sheets and things in the rooms of the inn.... all of that stuff they would need to buy or trade for. They could fill the walls of the tavern with their trophies and things but that could bring the attention of thieves. While out on an adventure their inn is robbed so they decide to set up traps or pay tribute to the thief's guild. Perhapse they can only afford meger accomodations at first with stray beds but as they advance and make more money they can afford better things and can charge more money from patrons. I hope your PC is prepared to spend a lot of time with Expenses vs Income.
StoneStokes 03-27-07, 03:30 PM	Another idea: instead of letting him just buy the inn or tavern, let it be part of the treasure reward for the adventure. There are lots of ways to do this. Also, you should double check with your player. He may want to have his PC retire from adventuring upon ownership of an inn. Before you invest a lot of time and energy in creating adventure hooks around the inn, you should ask him about this. Of course, if his PC becomes an NPC proprietor of the inn, you could still use those very same hooks for the rest of the party (and that player's new PC). (BTW: my current character is adventuring in order to earn enough scratch to buy an inn also. :) )
yellowdingo 03-27-07, 08:19 PM	Threetuntavern Stone Building (40'x80') single floor 19,000gp A Tun of wine costs 4800gp x 3=14400gp Profitability: must charge 3gp minimum for single pint of wine