Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Sinweave 02-28-07, 01:33 PM	I've got a quick (though not easy) question to all the DM's out there. The quintessential rogue, especially in D20 Modern (the setting most akin to what we're going to be playing in) is interested in primarily money, this we all know. The problem arises when through rogueish means the player is able to accrue more money than the other persons in the party, say by eventually (through hard work) assembling and managing a drug cartel as a possible example. Obviously this could be a potential problem, but the contextuality of the question is pretty specific, it's a d20 Modernish environment, there aren't going to be magic items and the character in question is not a combative character in the slightest, so in that regard the character isn't going to be better geared for combat as a result of extra-party affairs. The player has put forth his intentions for this sort of activity from the beginning, and has demonstrated that he's willing to put forth the effort and time into the roleplaying and the in game resources to making it happen. The real question is will this extra money that will eventually develop from a drug cartel imbalance the end game where the player has paid his dues in regards to capital in the beginning and invested the time and effort roleplaying?
Epicweaver 02-28-07, 01:46 PM	The real question is will this extra money that will eventually develop from a drug cartel imbalance the end game where the player has paid his dues in regards to capital in the beginning and invested the time and effort roleplaying?Only if you let it. Your player is going to use illicit means to achieve great wealth. Great perfect, fits thematically, yada yada yada... However, it's not all smiles and purple rainbows on the journey to the fat coin purse. Make him work for it. Use his cartel as a frequent subplot which requires the party to get involved to help him or have him risk total loss, imprisonment, or death at the hands of a rival organization, civic authority, or even someone hurt by his poisons. Use it as a plot device... and just keep the party as balanced as possible... Either they'll all flourish, or the rogue will get in over his head (after all followers are generally depicted as incompetent... he can't do everything himself so he's gonna need some capable people to make his cartel work). Allowing him to get ahead of the wealth curve isn't that bad, I'd say as long as he has less wealth then suggested for two levels higher then him I wouldn't really go after him that much. Either that or you could allow his wealth acquisitions take the place of alternate character growth (XP?).
Sinweave 02-28-07, 01:57 PM	Alright, I was planning on some bumps in the road, but it seems as though it's not entirely a bad idea; and I really like that possible Gold as a substitute for Xp idea, it's a nice concept. Thanks for the reply, apprietiate it =0)