Hey all, looking for some advice. Recently getting back into DnD and have been elected to introduce this fantastic game to my friends. Since I’m the only one with any real experience, I’ve been forced into the roll of DM. We are several sessions in now and loot seems to be the only real problem I’m contending with. I’ve tried to let the PCs decide what they want to do, but every session there seems to be an issue. “I opened the chest” or “I searched the body” Some PCs agree with trying to share for the betterment of the group while others have a more video game approach of this is all mine now lol. We are all gamers and I’m finding it difficult to break those habits and find a balance. Curious to hear how other DM’s handle treasure, loot etc?
My players are pretty evenhanded about it. Generally one hols onto the money for the session and at the end will work out what that is when split between everyone.
I‘d point out the obvious that both the characters and players might get upset with them if they hold onto everything, and they won’t get far if they can’t trust each other.
If it’s still a problem, maybe give a bag of holding to whoever is most likely to distribute the loot. Or, when a player says they search an enemy for booty, ask the rest of the party what they’re doing while the first one searches. Do they each search someone else? Do they race to the same person to take their stuff? Maybe make it a Dex check to see who gets there first.
Remind the party that this is a business relationship and that the characters would have negotiated shares into this business venture prior to them beginning to adventure. Each member adds a particular set of skills to the group and contributes to their success. Point to a film like "Oceans 11"; each member of the crew has a set of jobs to do and they get a share of spoils should the job be successful. Should a member of the party feel they are not being fairly compensated they can leave and that leaves a hole the party.
Furthermore, a portion of the spoils found should be used as working capital. The discovery of items should be followed by discussion for how these items can be benefit the party as a business venture and allow them explore more lucrative opportunities. This is the characters career and they are invested in a business group.
It’s really a session 0 discussion. Have them, out of character, sort it out amongst themselves.
In my games, we throw all the money, art, jewelry type stuff into party treasure, and distribute items to the character who would get the most use from it. One player tracks the party treasure, and pays out of it when needed, a room at the inn, a bribe, whatever. Before long, the money really becomes them having more than they need. Once you’ve bought/found plate mail for the fighter, about the only time money comes up is for the wizard to scribe a spell, or to purchase an expensive component. And since there’s usually more cash than the characters can spend, no one really cares too much if some need more money to make their characters work. I guess, we’ve never had someone rp that they’re greedy or something, but if someone wants to do that, it’s another OoC conversation to make sure it’s not annoying the other players.
Try to get the players to treat this as a business and they should share out equally.
They could even go as far as "pirate" shares. The ship or company gets 60 to 70 percent of the total and the players split the rest evenly. The company shares go to bettering the company.
But I would not stop the odd pocketing of founds goods. Small things that will not effect the party. Some players just need to feel like they are getting a small bit of something more than others. Its not bad if kept small and the other party members accept it as a part of life.
Get them to agree between sessions when there is no actual loot on the line and specific circumstances favours one or the other to create bias. It can be finders keepers, done by vote on who it would suit best, dice rolls rap battles, it doesn't matter so long as they agree to it.
Then enforce it.
My party assesses who it would fit best, then of it's close, who deserves the item more. It works out fairly egalitarian to boot. It has to be agreed in advance though - people's logic tends to be flexible and they employ motivated reasoning when there are benefits on the line.
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If you're not willing or able to to discuss in good faith, then don't be surprised if I don't respond, there are better things in life for me to do than humour you. This signature is that response.
Hey all, looking for some advice. Recently getting back into DnD and have been elected to introduce this fantastic game to my friends. Since I’m the only one with any real experience, I’ve been forced into the roll of DM. We are several sessions in now and loot seems to be the only real problem I’m contending with. I’ve tried to let the PCs decide what they want to do, but every session there seems to be an issue. “I opened the chest” or “I searched the body” Some PCs agree with trying to share for the betterment of the group while others have a more video game approach of this is all mine now lol. We are all gamers and I’m finding it difficult to break those habits and find a balance. Curious to hear how other DM’s handle treasure, loot etc?
My players are pretty evenhanded about it. Generally one hols onto the money for the session and at the end will work out what that is when split between everyone.
I‘d point out the obvious that both the characters and players might get upset with them if they hold onto everything, and they won’t get far if they can’t trust each other.
If it’s still a problem, maybe give a bag of holding to whoever is most likely to distribute the loot. Or, when a player says they search an enemy for booty, ask the rest of the party what they’re doing while the first one searches. Do they each search someone else? Do they race to the same person to take their stuff? Maybe make it a Dex check to see who gets there first.
Remind the party that this is a business relationship and that the characters would have negotiated shares into this business venture prior to them beginning to adventure. Each member adds a particular set of skills to the group and contributes to their success. Point to a film like "Oceans 11"; each member of the crew has a set of jobs to do and they get a share of spoils should the job be successful. Should a member of the party feel they are not being fairly compensated they can leave and that leaves a hole the party.
Furthermore, a portion of the spoils found should be used as working capital. The discovery of items should be followed by discussion for how these items can be benefit the party as a business venture and allow them explore more lucrative opportunities. This is the characters career and they are invested in a business group.
It’s really a session 0 discussion. Have them, out of character, sort it out amongst themselves.
In my games, we throw all the money, art, jewelry type stuff into party treasure, and distribute items to the character who would get the most use from it. One player tracks the party treasure, and pays out of it when needed, a room at the inn, a bribe, whatever.
Before long, the money really becomes them having more than they need. Once you’ve bought/found plate mail for the fighter, about the only time money comes up is for the wizard to scribe a spell, or to purchase an expensive component. And since there’s usually more cash than the characters can spend, no one really cares too much if some need more money to make their characters work.
I guess, we’ve never had someone rp that they’re greedy or something, but if someone wants to do that, it’s another OoC conversation to make sure it’s not annoying the other players.
i agree with petepan3.
Try to get the players to treat this as a business and they should share out equally.
They could even go as far as "pirate" shares. The ship or company gets 60 to 70 percent of the total and the players split the rest evenly. The company shares go to bettering the company.
But I would not stop the odd pocketing of founds goods. Small things that will not effect the party. Some players just need to feel like they are getting a small bit of something more than others. Its not bad if kept small and the other party members accept it as a part of life.
Thank you all, appreciate the feedback.
Get them to agree between sessions when there is no actual loot on the line and specific circumstances favours one or the other to create bias. It can be finders keepers, done by vote on who it would suit best, dice rolls rap battles, it doesn't matter so long as they agree to it.
Then enforce it.
My party assesses who it would fit best, then of it's close, who deserves the item more. It works out fairly egalitarian to boot. It has to be agreed in advance though - people's logic tends to be flexible and they employ motivated reasoning when there are benefits on the line.
If you're not willing or able to to discuss in good faith, then don't be surprised if I don't respond, there are better things in life for me to do than humour you. This signature is that response.
Session zero is the best place to have the party work this out.
CENSORSHIP IS THE TOOL OF COWARDS and WANNA BE TYRANTS.