Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 Mr_Miscellany Jul 26, 2011 13:55:03	Hello All. I was wondering whether you have awarded (as a DM) or received (as a Player) treasure in Realms games other than gold, gems or magic items?   For example, have you ever awarded or received audiences with important nobles or rich merchants? Unique titles for heroic deeds or perhaps medals for same?   How about title to property or writs that state you are allowed free room and board within the borders of a kingdom? Maybe even writs that state you are owed favors? I ask because the idea of alternate treasure is intriguing to me. I’ve awarded titles to players in a previous Realms campaign, but they were very high level characters. Also, the group I’m running a Realms game for currently is low level, but a couple of the players are very experienced/old hands at D&D and I’m considering changes things up a bit to make it more fun for them. Any feedback regarding alternate treasure, whether from campaign stories from Realms games you’ve played in or new ideas of your own devising on the topic, would be appreciated. We’re playing in Cormyr, just after the war against Nalavarauthatoryl and her minions (1372 DR I think), but I’m not afraid to take things to Sembia, Waterdeep, the Dalelands and Myth Drannor and beyond in order to follow a cool treasure idea. [edit: Quick shout out to Roleplayingtips.com's article on Campaign Level Thinking for turning me on to the alternate treasure idea.]
#2 Stigger Jul 28, 2011 2:41:56	I'd recommend 3e's Heroes of Battle as a potential source of alternative awards for treasure, it has some fairly interesting ideas in it for that sort of thing as they relate to military campaigns and storylines.  You might also consider using the 'treasure locations' that showed up in the later part of 3e in various sourcebooks as inspiration.  Of course there's also the idea of finding cargo shipments and carrying them to their destination to maybe get in good with a merchant coster, or perhaps even establishing the party as a 'go to' band when caravans go missing.  Could be a good springboard for some interesting detective-stories, or maybe just some good ol' hack'n'slash.  At the very least a change of pace every now and then.  Its a concept that's worked out for me fairly well in the past, though it can get stale as a main party focus I've found, so I'd recommend using is sparingly, like when you're in need of a pause in the story for the bad guys to do something and want to distract the party a bit from the overarcing plot. I'd be a little cautious with the writs of owing favors personally... unless the letter describes some fairly strict limits and boundaries those favors dwell in.  Unless you like the idea of the PCs asking for far more than the noble, ruler, or merchant thinks they're worth and turning that reward into a dagger waiting to plunge into their hearts... which could be kinda fun really.  I'll give it a bit more thought though and see if my brain will produce any other ideas, or recall some of the stuff I've tossed out at my players.
#3 pruano Jul 28, 2011 10:50:35	I have once given an introduction letter as a reward for helping a merchant house representative. Said letter would allow them to meet personally, and on great terms, the leaders of said merchant house, which resulted in discounts on wares from their stores and a good network connection in a new town, where they were establishing themselves.
#4 brace_cormaeril Jul 28, 2011 19:19:51	Hello All. I was wondering whether you have awarded (as a DM) or received (as a Player) treasure in Realms games other than gold, gems or magic items?   For example, have you ever awarded or received audiences with important nobles or rich merchants? Unique titles for heroic deeds or perhaps medals for same?   How about title to property or writs that state you are allowed free room and board within the borders of a kingdom? Maybe even writs that state you are owed favors? I ask because the idea of alternate treasure is intriguing to me. I’ve awarded titles to players in a previous Realms campaign, but they were very high level characters. Also, the group I’m running a Realms game for currently is low level, but a couple of the players are very experienced/old hands at D&D and I’m considering changes things up a bit to make it more fun for them. Any feedback regarding alternate treasure, whether from campaign stories from Realms games you’ve played in or new ideas of your own devising on the topic, would be appreciated. We’re playing in Cormyr, just after the war against Nalavarauthatoryl and her minions (1372 DR I think), but I’m not afraid to take things to Sembia, Waterdeep, the Dalelands and Myth Drannor and beyond in order to follow a cool treasure idea. [edit: Quick shout out to Roleplayingtips.com's article on Campaign Level Thinking for turning me on to the alternate treasure idea.] Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Do so for characters of all levels.  It will increase the dynamism and richness of your game.
#5 Mr_Miscellany Jul 29, 2011 16:07:58	Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Would you be willing to provide some examples?
#6 Plaguescarred1 Jul 30, 2011 7:30:34	I have given PC different currencies or awards before: - Mirabar's Trade Bar (Black Iron, 10 gp) - Silverymoon's Trade Bar (Silver, 10-25-50 gp)  - Waterdeep's Harbor Moon Coin (platinum inset with Electrum, 50 gp) - Parcel of Land Granting Certificate in the Daleland (500 gp - 5,000 gp) - Bottles of Zzar (fortified fine wine 50gp - 500 gp) - Star Medal of Honor, awarded to have help defend Zundbridge.
#7 Mr_Miscellany Aug 02, 2011 15:36:35	Hello Plaguescarred, Thank you for the suggestions. I like the idea of valuable wines in particular.
#8 pruano Aug 04, 2011 19:33:27	I like the idea of valuable wines in particular. While looking for other things, found again these article series, which may be interesting (the last of which has an item quite useful for my campaign). They arent specific to the Realms, but can be easily changed.
#9 Plaguescarred1 Aug 05, 2011 17:18:31	Hello Plaguescarred, Thank you for the suggestions. I like the idea of valuable wines in particular. You're welcome Mr_Miscellany. If you like fine wine and rare cheese, the AD&D 2nd Edition Volo's Guides had a huge ammount of details I found lots of inspiration in them
#10 Stigger Aug 06, 2011 1:51:49	Same could be said of the Aurora's Whole Realms Catalog.