I asked my DM yesterday (before our session today) that before we leave the town to continue our quest, I'd like to buy an extra coin pouch and fill it with gravel.
The plan: if we get stopped by bandits asking for gold, I offer them the gravel-filled coin pouch as payment for safe passage. If they decide to open the pouch to inspect the "gold", I waste him with my crossbow+rogue sneak attack via distracted target (if the DM allows it). A good opening to a fight? A waste of 5 sp on a gold purse? What does the internet hivemind think?
If I were running it, there would be some kind of check, like your deception v bandit’s insight. Probably, I’d give the bandit advantage, since small rocks are not the same size and shape as coins, and metal and rocks do not make the same sound. I mean, fill one bag with rocks and another with quarters, I’d bet you can tell the difference.
But if you won, sure, I’d give you the surprise round.
If you're gonna kill them, kill them. If you're throwing it to make them decide whether to go after you or the coinpurse and you run for it, fill it will copper pieces...so it sounds and hits the ground the exact same as gold.
Oh, and I agree that the gravel idea won't pass a perception check.
It reminds me of that piece of advice I heard John Mulaney repeat in one of his comedy specials... The advice is that you should carry a money clip with just a few bucks held in it (just enough for someone to not be able to tell how little money it actually holds), and if someone tries to rob you, show them the money clip, then throw it into a bush or something and then just run while they scramble to find your money clip, which is probably worth more than whatever tiny amount of cash you still have in it.
It reminds me of that piece of advice I heard John Mulaney repeat in one of his comedy specials... The advice is that you should carry a money clip with just a few bucks held in it (just enough for someone to not be able to tell how little money it actually holds), and if someone tries to rob you, show them the money clip, then throw it into a bush or something and then just run while they scramble to find your money clip, which is probably worth more than whatever tiny amount of cash you still have in it.
Exactly...and they would hear the change clink and dnd rules (regardless of the fact that gold weighs more than copper in real life) are around 50 coins to a pound. 50 copper are only worth half a gold as is the pouch itself so your not risking much (1 gold) throwing it in the bushes. Also, if you're a smith...maybe you could gold plate some copper coins and then you could actually open the pouch to show it. Or use the minor illusion cantrip to make the copper look like platinum, which makes it look like you are tossing 500 gold worth of coins. If you're really mean, have a poison needle inside the pouch (attached so it doesn't poke someone from the outside).
In some worlds coins are not exactly the same size or even shape. the value is a stated in the DMG and PH.
If you have a safe smith of metal worker you can have copper blanks made of each size/shape.
Using a coin bag as a kosh or weapon is counted as an improvised weapon in 5E.
They also have pretty poor stunning/knock out rules. Which tends to nerf the thief. And also pretty much everyone else who just wants to knock out or stun an opponent, instead of fighting them down to 0 hit points and then saying you want to knock them out..
A role of US quarters in a paper wrap and placed inside a sock could be used to kill someone pretty easy. A quick prison weapon is a block of soap in a sock.
In some worlds coins are not exactly the same size or even shape. the value is a stated in the DMG and PH.
If you have a safe smith of metal worker you can have copper blanks made of each size/shape.
I don't know if this is the official ruling in the rulebook or anything, but the logic I always used was that Coins are valued by weight. So all gold coins in the world are roughly the same weight, and what they're stamped with is functionally unimportant. I don't remember where I heard that as the explanation, though... I think I heard it in an actual play podcast, but I don't remember which one.
Its often seen in art work also. But your correct none of it is official.
It all depends on just how gritty your world gets. In ours we often had nations at war and to stop counter fitting, or at least to make it harder, they would change coin size and shape between the nations. That way merchants can not trade in enemy coin either.
Coin shaving is often a common way to gain a few bucks out of a pile of coins. Just evenly shave the edge down and keep the shavings. Its also why modern coins have the knurling around the outside edge. The ridges. If they are gone the coin has been shaved. The lip around the edge is to make sure they stack nice.
The illegal movement and trade in different realms coin is a great way to make a few bucks also. If you have two nations at war its even better.
In some worlds coins are not exactly the same size or even shape. the value is a stated in the DMG and PH.
If you have a safe smith of metal worker you can have copper blanks made of each size/shape.
I don't know if this is the official ruling in the rulebook or anything, but the logic I always used was that Coins are valued by weight. So all gold coins in the world are roughly the same weight, and what they're stamped with is functionally unimportant. I don't remember where I heard that as the explanation, though... I think I heard it in an actual play podcast, but I don't remember which one.
That's pretty much always been the default assumption in D&D worlds, with a few exceptions like Dark Sun and Dragonlance, which didn't use the standard copper/silver/gold/platinum currency. Few players would find that trying to figure out the exchange rate between Neverwinter and Amn to be exciting.
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Find your own truth, choose your enemies carefully, and never deal with a dragon.
"Canon" is what's factual to D&D lore. "Cannon" is what you're going to be shot with if you keep getting the word wrong.
I asked my DM yesterday (before our session today) that before we leave the town to continue our quest, I'd like to buy an extra coin pouch and fill it with gravel.
The plan: if we get stopped by bandits asking for gold, I offer them the gravel-filled coin pouch as payment for safe passage. If they decide to open the pouch to inspect the "gold", I waste him with my crossbow+rogue sneak attack via distracted target (if the DM allows it). A good opening to a fight? A waste of 5 sp on a gold purse? What does the internet hivemind think?
You surely can attempt to convince highway bandits that a pouch of gravel is full of gold coins, i'd have a Deception vs Insight contest where a if they loose, they let you pass in exchange and if they win, they suspect something odd and verify the content. Declaring intent to attack at this point would immediately command Initiative. I might grant you advantage for initiating the attack or inspiration for the idea.
Different master idea: Make your own coins. Say, from clay. Inscribe glyph of warding* ** on each. Stand back as the bandit chief opens the bag.
And no, I'm not saying all the coins will go off like firecrackers. I'm saying it'll be fun. I imagine bandit chief taking out a coin, looking at it in disbelief, going 'by all the rot that festers and creeps in the dark, what is thi ...' *BOOM!*
/roll initiative.
* The trigger is 'getting angry because you've just been handed a bag of home-made clay coins.'
** Also, I realise they changed to spell to be no fun at all. Unless I chose to define 'it's place' as being 'this coin pouch'. Then it works just fine =)
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Blanket disclaimer: I only ever state opinion. But I can sound terribly dogmatic - so if you feel I'm trying to tell you what to think, I'm really not, I swear. I'm telling you what I think, that's all.
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I asked my DM yesterday (before our session today) that before we leave the town to continue our quest, I'd like to buy an extra coin pouch and fill it with gravel.
The plan: if we get stopped by bandits asking for gold, I offer them the gravel-filled coin pouch as payment for safe passage. If they decide to open the pouch to inspect the "gold", I waste him with my crossbow+rogue sneak attack via distracted target (if the DM allows it). A good opening to a fight? A waste of 5 sp on a gold purse? What does the internet hivemind think?
If I were running it, there would be some kind of check, like your deception v bandit’s insight. Probably, I’d give the bandit advantage, since small rocks are not the same size and shape as coins, and metal and rocks do not make the same sound. I mean, fill one bag with rocks and another with quarters, I’d bet you can tell the difference.
But if you won, sure, I’d give you the surprise round.
If you're gonna kill them, kill them. If you're throwing it to make them decide whether to go after you or the coinpurse and you run for it, fill it will copper pieces...so it sounds and hits the ground the exact same as gold.
Oh, and I agree that the gravel idea won't pass a perception check.
Food, Scifi/fantasy, anime, DND 5E and OSR geek.
It reminds me of that piece of advice I heard John Mulaney repeat in one of his comedy specials... The advice is that you should carry a money clip with just a few bucks held in it (just enough for someone to not be able to tell how little money it actually holds), and if someone tries to rob you, show them the money clip, then throw it into a bush or something and then just run while they scramble to find your money clip, which is probably worth more than whatever tiny amount of cash you still have in it.
Watch Crits for Breakfast, an adults-only RP-Heavy Roll20 Livestream at twitch.tv/afterdisbooty
And now you too can play with the amazing art and assets we use in Roll20 for our campaign at Hazel's Emporium
Exactly...and they would hear the change clink and dnd rules (regardless of the fact that gold weighs more than copper in real life) are around 50 coins to a pound. 50 copper are only worth half a gold as is the pouch itself so your not risking much (1 gold) throwing it in the bushes. Also, if you're a smith...maybe you could gold plate some copper coins and then you could actually open the pouch to show it. Or use the minor illusion cantrip to make the copper look like platinum, which makes it look like you are tossing 500 gold worth of coins. If you're really mean, have a poison needle inside the pouch (attached so it doesn't poke someone from the outside).
Food, Scifi/fantasy, anime, DND 5E and OSR geek.
In some worlds coins are not exactly the same size or even shape. the value is a stated in the DMG and PH.
If you have a safe smith of metal worker you can have copper blanks made of each size/shape.
Using a coin bag as a kosh or weapon is counted as an improvised weapon in 5E.
They also have pretty poor stunning/knock out rules. Which tends to nerf the thief. And also pretty much everyone else who just wants to knock out or stun an opponent, instead of fighting them down to 0 hit points and then saying you want to knock them out..
A role of US quarters in a paper wrap and placed inside a sock could be used to kill someone pretty easy. A quick prison weapon is a block of soap in a sock.
Functionally, I'd just say that this is a Deception check to try and gain advantage on your first attack during a surprise round.
Find your own truth, choose your enemies carefully, and never deal with a dragon.
"Canon" is what's factual to D&D lore. "Cannon" is what you're going to be shot with if you keep getting the word wrong.
I don't know if this is the official ruling in the rulebook or anything, but the logic I always used was that Coins are valued by weight. So all gold coins in the world are roughly the same weight, and what they're stamped with is functionally unimportant. I don't remember where I heard that as the explanation, though... I think I heard it in an actual play podcast, but I don't remember which one.
Watch Crits for Breakfast, an adults-only RP-Heavy Roll20 Livestream at twitch.tv/afterdisbooty
And now you too can play with the amazing art and assets we use in Roll20 for our campaign at Hazel's Emporium
Its often seen in art work also.
But your correct none of it is official.
It all depends on just how gritty your world gets.
In ours we often had nations at war and to stop counter fitting, or at least to make it harder, they would change coin size and shape between the nations. That way merchants can not trade in enemy coin either.
Coin shaving is often a common way to gain a few bucks out of a pile of coins. Just evenly shave the edge down and keep the shavings. Its also why modern coins have the knurling around the outside edge. The ridges. If they are gone the coin has been shaved. The lip around the edge is to make sure they stack nice.
The illegal movement and trade in different realms coin is a great way to make a few bucks also. If you have two nations at war its even better.
That's pretty much always been the default assumption in D&D worlds, with a few exceptions like Dark Sun and Dragonlance, which didn't use the standard copper/silver/gold/platinum currency. Few players would find that trying to figure out the exchange rate between Neverwinter and Amn to be exciting.
Find your own truth, choose your enemies carefully, and never deal with a dragon.
"Canon" is what's factual to D&D lore. "Cannon" is what you're going to be shot with if you keep getting the word wrong.
You surely can attempt to convince highway bandits that a pouch of gravel is full of gold coins, i'd have a Deception vs Insight contest where a if they loose, they let you pass in exchange and if they win, they suspect something odd and verify the content. Declaring intent to attack at this point would immediately command Initiative. I might grant you advantage for initiating the attack or inspiration for the idea.
Different master idea: Make your own coins. Say, from clay. Inscribe glyph of warding* ** on each. Stand back as the bandit chief opens the bag.
And no, I'm not saying all the coins will go off like firecrackers. I'm saying it'll be fun. I imagine bandit chief taking out a coin, looking at it in disbelief, going 'by all the rot that festers and creeps in the dark, what is thi ...' *BOOM!*
/roll initiative.
* The trigger is 'getting angry because you've just been handed a bag of home-made clay coins.'
** Also, I realise they changed to spell to be no fun at all. Unless I chose to define 'it's place' as being 'this coin pouch'. Then it works just fine =)
Blanket disclaimer: I only ever state opinion. But I can sound terribly dogmatic - so if you feel I'm trying to tell you what to think, I'm really not, I swear. I'm telling you what I think, that's all.