Heroes for Hire Contracts - Downloaded from the Wizards Community, all coding removed by Solauren

Heroes for Hire Contracts

Post/Author/DateTime Post
#1
aradraugfea
Feb 04, 2010 14:17:40 Okay, two things. The first is rather specific to me, and then I think I'll just open the thread up to generic suggestions.

Firstly, one of my players inherited a business in the cogs from a buddy who died in Cyre, it's kinda of a general mercenary thing. Little inquisitive work, little body guard, some treasure hunting. You got the money, they'll do it. Now, so this one player doesn't end up drowning in cash, or anything like that, I have an NPC executing his friend's estate, handing all the day to day business of the company, covering business related expenses like traveling papers, or permits, occassionally outfitting the HQ with some nice 'lair' item. I'm thinking a gnome. What's a good way to justify this, or does it work as is? With him just some sort of bueracrat appointed by outside agency?

Secondly.
What might heroes for hire be hired to do?

Ideas I have so far:
'My husband's cheating on me, prove it!'
'We need someone not associated with the guard to check out this storage house'
'We think there's a spy in the city.'
'Protect this guy on his way to (location)'

They're all really general, and I'd like some fleshing out, if only for inspiration's sake, and I'd love to hear your own ideas.
#2
meshon
Feb 14, 2010 20:18:07 I once played in a game where we ran a book shop, but we did a lot of adventuring to support our little business. I think by the time we were around 4th level it was starting to be able to not lose money. There were some pretty fun rules for this in the DMG2 on page 180. However, that's the 3.5E DMG2.

I think it could work well. Your player doesn't have to worry about running the business, the PCs have a base and a fun NPC to offer some comic relief.

"It's a statue of the Gnome Hero Corwizllon!"
"Yes, but did it have to be gem studded?"
"Oh I got a good deal, don't worry!"

As to what they might be hired to do, that depends on how and where they advertise. If they're based in the Cogs I'm guessing at first they won't find much work to pay the bills, or at least not reputable work. You'll really be able to play on the group's reputation this way. The right job in the right circles could get them noticed by those with more valuable contracts. Once they start getting a little money, the gnome can start suggesting they maybe open an office in Upper Northedge... with him running the place of course.

Down in the Cogs:
"That guy owes me money, beat him up for me."
"I think there are monsters in my baby's closet."
"I have a meeting down here and need some guards that know the area."

The last one is the sort of thing that could get the group noticed outside the Cogs. Then you've got the whole world of Eberron to play with.

cheers,
Meshon
#3
Madfox11
Feb 15, 2010 4:55:29 What about getting involved in a cooperation war between the various factories down in the Cogs? Guard duty against spies, incursions of monsters from down below, helping the sewer engineers when they need to repair something down below, once they have a bit of a reputation protect young rich people looking for a thrill, and so on.
#4
aradraugfea
Feb 15, 2010 16:14:13 Looks like we might actually be going with Lower Dura/Cliffside for locale, but I imagine a lot of the suggestions so far could still work, I like the idea of them doing some jobs that, while they don't pay well, bring in a better class of client from that point on. Maybe as a way to wrap up the level.

The 'Heroes for Hire' bit I'm mostly just expecting to only last through Heroic Tier, but it depends on how things go. And I'd like them to slowly move up in the world, in a literal sense.

Never to the point where their clientele is exclusively upper class, probably never hitting the 'Upper' part of anywhere but Dura, but loosing the Noir feel, if just a little.

Thinking of intentionally dragging out the Heroic Tier a little, as a result, though I guess I could drag the 'odd jobs' aspect out through at least mid paragon, just have the jobs start taking them outside of Sharn proper.
#5
CraggleRock
Feb 16, 2010 9:36:24 A House Sivis gnome on retainer would be an extremely useful, but far from cheap, resource for any business. Depending on the nature of the business, this gnome could also work for The Trust, keeping an eye on the party to ensure that they don't become a threat to Zilargo at any point, or ensure that they don't blunder into the well-laid plans of The Trust.

As for Paragon tier, I may suggest that the party goes from performing "odd jobs" for private individuals to performing them for cities, countries, or the larger organisations and Houses?
#6
aradraugfea
Feb 16, 2010 14:14:56
A House Sivis gnome on retainer would be an extremely useful, but far from cheap, resource for any business. Depending on the nature of the business, this gnome could also work for The Trust, keeping an eye on the party to ensure that they don't become a threat to Zilargo at any point, or ensure that they don't blunder into the well-laid plans of The Trust.

As for Paragon tier, I may suggest that the party goes from performing "odd jobs" for private individuals to performing them for cities, countries, or the larger organisations and Houses?

Well, I was thinking he was working as a member of an associated guild, not a member of the House proper.

And that could work. Go from working for private collectors to working for Morgrave, that sorta thing.
#7
aradraugfea
Feb 21, 2010 18:39:07 Here's a thought. I just read that Kaius III's sister is in exile in Breland. No official reason was given that I saw. Or, well, none that she'd know of. Perhaps she contacts a low paragon tier party and asks them to deliver a message to her dear brother, the king?
#8
Madfox11
Feb 22, 2010 3:43:50
The official reason is an exchange of hostages. One of Boronel's children is in Karnath. The onofficial reason has to do with the fact that Kaius does not want anybody nearby who would know he is not who is supposed to be.
#9
aradraugfea
Feb 23, 2010 17:42:26

The official reason is an exchange of hostages. One of Boronel's children is in Karnath. The onofficial reason has to do with the fact that Kaius does not want anybody nearby who would know he is not who is supposed to be.

Ah, I was not aware there was an official reason. (knew the real one) Course... Eberron's pretty low on 'hard canon' so I guess I could always have her claiming she doesn't know why.
#10
Madfox11
Feb 24, 2010 4:24:39 Well, the political correct terminology would of course be a cultural exchange project to facilitate an increase in mutual awareness and acceptance between the two royal families in an attempt to increase the chances of a lasting peace ;)

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 aradraugfea Feb 04, 2010 14:17:40	Okay, two things. The first is rather specific to me, and then I think I'll just open the thread up to generic suggestions. Firstly, one of my players inherited a business in the cogs from a buddy who died in Cyre, it's kinda of a general mercenary thing. Little inquisitive work, little body guard, some treasure hunting. You got the money, they'll do it. Now, so this one player doesn't end up drowning in cash, or anything like that, I have an NPC executing his friend's estate, handing all the day to day business of the company, covering business related expenses like traveling papers, or permits, occassionally outfitting the HQ with some nice 'lair' item. I'm thinking a gnome. What's a good way to justify this, or does it work as is? With him just some sort of bueracrat appointed by outside agency? Secondly. What might heroes for hire be hired to do? Ideas I have so far: 'My husband's cheating on me, prove it!' 'We need someone not associated with the guard to check out this storage house' 'We think there's a spy in the city.' 'Protect this guy on his way to (location)' They're all really general, and I'd like some fleshing out, if only for inspiration's sake, and I'd love to hear your own ideas.
#2 meshon Feb 14, 2010 20:18:07	I once played in a game where we ran a book shop, but we did a lot of adventuring to support our little business. I think by the time we were around 4th level it was starting to be able to not lose money. There were some pretty fun rules for this in the DMG2 on page 180. However, that's the 3.5E DMG2. I think it could work well. Your player doesn't have to worry about running the business, the PCs have a base and a fun NPC to offer some comic relief. "It's a statue of the Gnome Hero Corwizllon!" "Yes, but did it have to be gem studded?" "Oh I got a good deal, don't worry!" As to what they might be hired to do, that depends on how and where they advertise. If they're based in the Cogs I'm guessing at first they won't find much work to pay the bills, or at least not reputable work. You'll really be able to play on the group's reputation this way. The right job in the right circles could get them noticed by those with more valuable contracts. Once they start getting a little money, the gnome can start suggesting they maybe open an office in Upper Northedge... with him running the place of course. Down in the Cogs: "That guy owes me money, beat him up for me." "I think there are monsters in my baby's closet." "I have a meeting down here and need some guards that know the area." The last one is the sort of thing that could get the group noticed outside the Cogs. Then you've got the whole world of Eberron to play with. cheers, Meshon
#3 Madfox11 Feb 15, 2010 4:55:29	What about getting involved in a cooperation war between the various factories down in the Cogs? Guard duty against spies, incursions of monsters from down below, helping the sewer engineers when they need to repair something down below, once they have a bit of a reputation protect young rich people looking for a thrill, and so on.
#4 aradraugfea Feb 15, 2010 16:14:13	Looks like we might actually be going with Lower Dura/Cliffside for locale, but I imagine a lot of the suggestions so far could still work, I like the idea of them doing some jobs that, while they don't pay well, bring in a better class of client from that point on. Maybe as a way to wrap up the level. The 'Heroes for Hire' bit I'm mostly just expecting to only last through Heroic Tier, but it depends on how things go. And I'd like them to slowly move up in the world, in a literal sense. Never to the point where their clientele is exclusively upper class, probably never hitting the 'Upper' part of anywhere but Dura, but loosing the Noir feel, if just a little. Thinking of intentionally dragging out the Heroic Tier a little, as a result, though I guess I could drag the 'odd jobs' aspect out through at least mid paragon, just have the jobs start taking them outside of Sharn proper.
#5 CraggleRock Feb 16, 2010 9:36:24	A House Sivis gnome on retainer would be an extremely useful, but far from cheap, resource for any business. Depending on the nature of the business, this gnome could also work for The Trust, keeping an eye on the party to ensure that they don't become a threat to Zilargo at any point, or ensure that they don't blunder into the well-laid plans of The Trust. As for Paragon tier, I may suggest that the party goes from performing "odd jobs" for private individuals to performing them for cities, countries, or the larger organisations and Houses?
#6 aradraugfea Feb 16, 2010 14:14:56	A House Sivis gnome on retainer would be an extremely useful, but far from cheap, resource for any business. Depending on the nature of the business, this gnome could also work for The Trust, keeping an eye on the party to ensure that they don't become a threat to Zilargo at any point, or ensure that they don't blunder into the well-laid plans of The Trust. As for Paragon tier, I may suggest that the party goes from performing "odd jobs" for private individuals to performing them for cities, countries, or the larger organisations and Houses? Well, I was thinking he was working as a member of an associated guild, not a member of the House proper. And that could work. Go from working for private collectors to working for Morgrave, that sorta thing.
#7 aradraugfea Feb 21, 2010 18:39:07	Here's a thought. I just read that Kaius III's sister is in exile in Breland. No official reason was given that I saw. Or, well, none that she'd know of. Perhaps she contacts a low paragon tier party and asks them to deliver a message to her dear brother, the king?
#8 Madfox11 Feb 22, 2010 3:43:50	The official reason is an exchange of hostages. One of Boronel's children is in Karnath. The onofficial reason has to do with the fact that Kaius does not want anybody nearby who would know he is not who is supposed to be.
#9 aradraugfea Feb 23, 2010 17:42:26	The official reason is an exchange of hostages. One of Boronel's children is in Karnath. The onofficial reason has to do with the fact that Kaius does not want anybody nearby who would know he is not who is supposed to be. Ah, I was not aware there was an official reason. (knew the real one) Course... Eberron's pretty low on 'hard canon' so I guess I could always have her claiming she doesn't know why.
#10 Madfox11 Feb 24, 2010 4:24:39	Well, the political correct terminology would of course be a cultural exchange project to facilitate an increase in mutual awareness and acceptance between the two royal families in an attempt to increase the chances of a lasting peace ;)