Aristocrat NPC Wealth? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Aristocrat NPC Wealth? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
AaronDireBear
02-12-08, 10:41 AM Hi, I've always felt that the wealth per level was a bit low for the aristocrat class, given that they logically shouldn't own a mansion with the amount of money they give.

What do you other DMs usually do for aristocrat wealth by level?
_Jayne_Cobb_
02-12-08, 10:50 AM Hi, I've always felt that the wealth per level was a bit low for the aristocrat class, given that they logically shouldn't own a mansion with the amount of money they give.

What do you other DMs usually do for aristocrat wealth by level?

He's an NPC. Give him what you want him to have for the purpose for which you use him.
wonlee76
02-12-08, 11:35 AM I give the Aristocrat NPC whatever I deem appropriate. There are inheritence laws afterall. Any "extra" wealth outside of the guidelines can be chalked up to the wealth his ancestors earned that has been passed down to the NPC.
spectralphoenix
02-12-08, 11:38 AM The wealth per level bit really means "equipment by level" - it's a measure of how much equipment the NPC should have to maintain their power level, as well as how much loot the PCs get for killing them. If it can't be readily looted by the PCs and doesn't improve the NPC's combat abilities, it doesn't count. And if there isn't going to be a combat encounter than the NPC has whatever you care to give them.

It doesn't mean that every 3rd level commoner has a couple grand worth of farm equipment stashed in their hovel either.
wrecan
02-12-08, 12:19 PM Hi, I've always felt that the wealth per level was a bit low for the aristocrat class, given that they logically shouldn't own a mansion with the amount of money they give.

What do you other DMs usually do for aristocrat wealth by level?

Treat an aristocrat not as a single NPC, but as an encounter. A 4th level aristocrat wandering around with the treasure to be found on a 7th level NPC is going to get mugged by a 5th level rogue (who will then be backstabbed by a 6th level rogue, who will then be killed by a 7th level rogue, thus restoring the cosmic NPC wealth level equilibrium).

Instead, an aristocrat should be guarded by NPCs and the whole bunch treated as an encounter with an appropriately treasured EL.

A 4th level aristocrat guarded by four 6th level NPC fighters equipped with masterwork armor and weaponry can safely carry around a lot more treasure. Note that most of his wealth should be safely either tied up in investments (like land grants) or stored away in a vault with traps commensurate with the value of the money held within.
Dan Hemmens
02-12-08, 08:13 PM Spectral Phoenix has the right answer on this one. "Wealth" is just an equipment guideline, it's not a measure of somebody's total possessions. Give your nobles standard WBL in usable stuff and as much as you like in land, serfs, and family portraits.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
AaronDireBear 02-12-08, 10:41 AM	Hi, I've always felt that the wealth per level was a bit low for the aristocrat class, given that they logically shouldn't own a mansion with the amount of money they give. What do you other DMs usually do for aristocrat wealth by level?
_Jayne_Cobb_ 02-12-08, 10:50 AM	Hi, I've always felt that the wealth per level was a bit low for the aristocrat class, given that they logically shouldn't own a mansion with the amount of money they give. What do you other DMs usually do for aristocrat wealth by level? He's an NPC. Give him what you want him to have for the purpose for which you use him.
wonlee76 02-12-08, 11:35 AM	I give the Aristocrat NPC whatever I deem appropriate. There are inheritence laws afterall. Any "extra" wealth outside of the guidelines can be chalked up to the wealth his ancestors earned that has been passed down to the NPC.
spectralphoenix 02-12-08, 11:38 AM	The wealth per level bit really means "equipment by level" - it's a measure of how much equipment the NPC should have to maintain their power level, as well as how much loot the PCs get for killing them. If it can't be readily looted by the PCs and doesn't improve the NPC's combat abilities, it doesn't count. And if there isn't going to be a combat encounter than the NPC has whatever you care to give them. It doesn't mean that every 3rd level commoner has a couple grand worth of farm equipment stashed in their hovel either.
wrecan 02-12-08, 12:19 PM	Hi, I've always felt that the wealth per level was a bit low for the aristocrat class, given that they logically shouldn't own a mansion with the amount of money they give. What do you other DMs usually do for aristocrat wealth by level? Treat an aristocrat not as a single NPC, but as an encounter. A 4th level aristocrat wandering around with the treasure to be found on a 7th level NPC is going to get mugged by a 5th level rogue (who will then be backstabbed by a 6th level rogue, who will then be killed by a 7th level rogue, thus restoring the cosmic NPC wealth level equilibrium). Instead, an aristocrat should be guarded by NPCs and the whole bunch treated as an encounter with an appropriately treasured EL. A 4th level aristocrat guarded by four 6th level NPC fighters equipped with masterwork armor and weaponry can safely carry around a lot more treasure. Note that most of his wealth should be safely either tied up in investments (like land grants) or stored away in a vault with traps commensurate with the value of the money held within.
Dan Hemmens 02-12-08, 08:13 PM	Spectral Phoenix has the right answer on this one. "Wealth" is just an equipment guideline, it's not a measure of somebody's total possessions. Give your nobles standard WBL in usable stuff and as much as you like in land, serfs, and family portraits.