So I have read the book, and am running it right now. My players just got out of Death house (barely) and are about to go into the town proper. In this town the only place to really spend money is Bildrath's Mercantile, which I already know my players will refuse to do because of his massively jacked up prices.
The only other "shops" in this module are Arasek Stockyard and Blinsky Toys. That is it, so far as I remember. So what do they do with these precious gems and gold they get?
The only other suggestion I have seen is some people put some shops in Vallaki (ala Curse of Strahd Reloaded) , which seems only natural for a town so large. The only change I would make is enable the Apothecary to sell healing potions. Which I am kind of tempted to do, if for no other reason so that they can buy them, even at an exorbitant price. They have burned through the ones I gave them in the intro (some good RP rewards) and the 4 they got in the Death House itself.
Do you think that would just ruin the verisimilitude of the setting? Or are the characters just supposed to be able to do nothing with this money? What do the people of Barovia do if there is no commerce?
You're supposed to either not spend stuff, or buy at huge markups. You can accomplish the same purpose by just massively reducing treasure, I'm not sure why it was structured this way other than a desire to give the PCs pain.
its a supply/demand idea. they can't import other than what the vistani bring in and don't have the spirit to manufacture much so supply is almost non-existent. if there's only one steel sword to be had in all the land, it's definitely not going for PHB prices. gold is really just a few steps above worthless. the only benefit imo of all the potential gold to be had in that land, is getting out alive with it. its not much use while you're there.
So I have read the book, and am running it right now. My players just got out of Death house (barely) and are about to go into the town proper. In this town the only place to really spend money is Bildrath's Mercantile, which I already know my players will refuse to do because of his massively jacked up prices.
The only other "shops" in this module are Arasek Stockyard and Blinsky Toys. That is it, so far as I remember. So what do they do with these precious gems and gold they get?
The only other suggestion I have seen is some people put some shops in Vallaki (ala Curse of Strahd Reloaded) , which seems only natural for a town so large. The only change I would make is enable the Apothecary to sell healing potions. Which I am kind of tempted to do, if for no other reason so that they can buy them, even at an exorbitant price. They have burned through the ones I gave them in the intro (some good RP rewards) and the 4 they got in the Death House itself.
Do you think that would just ruin the verisimilitude of the setting? Or are the characters just supposed to be able to do nothing with this money? What do the people of Barovia do if there is no commerce?
You're supposed to either not spend stuff, or buy at huge markups. You can accomplish the same purpose by just massively reducing treasure, I'm not sure why it was structured this way other than a desire to give the PCs pain.
its a supply/demand idea. they can't import other than what the vistani bring in and don't have the spirit to manufacture much so supply is almost non-existent. if there's only one steel sword to be had in all the land, it's definitely not going for PHB prices. gold is really just a few steps above worthless. the only benefit imo of all the potential gold to be had in that land, is getting out alive with it. its not much use while you're there.
Guide to the Five Factions (PWYW)
Deck of Decks
the players are supposed to finish the curse of strahd and get out of the barovia with fat loot.