More thoughts on Loot

Bruce and I were discussing loot some more the other night. Neither of us are really keen on the challenge method that Dave proposed previously. I find it a bit confusing and I am concerned with keeping track of the challenges.

Bruce suggested that maybe we convert all of the treasure into cost values, total the cost of the treasure and divide by the number of characters to determine the share. Characters could then use their shares to "buy" items off of the list at cost (i.e. half price).

Refining this idea, I propose the following:

1. Convert all treasure into its GP cost.
2. Total the treasure to determine total treasure value (TTV).
3. Divide the TTV by the number of characters to determine a share. Items deemed as "party treasure" are taken off of the top before the TTV is divided to determine the shares.
4. Determine a pick order. Do this each time treasure is divided. (no more running pick order)
5. Each character can use his share to "buy" an item off of the list it GP cost (i.e. half price). Characters would pick in order. Continue picking in order until the treasure is divided or everyone has opted out.
6. If someone wants to take an item that has a greater value than their remaining share, the remainder of the party must cover the difference from their shares. The picking character will end up with a debt for the next time treasure is split and will receive no additional treasure from the current loot (unless the entire party agrees to allow them to continue adding debt.
7. Whatever is not picked is sold to fund the remaining shares.

 An example of this system. A party of four characters defeats an evil band of brigands. The loot from defeating these opponents is:

 
730 SP – 73 GP
2000 GP
Jeweled belt buckle with “I fight for glory” on the front – 200 GP
8 – 100 GP pearls – 800 GP
400 GP worth of diamond dust – 400 GP
+1 longsword – 1157.5 GP
+1 dagger – 1151 GP
+1 studded leather armor – 587.5 GP
+2 Cloak of Resistance – 2000 GP
MW Full Plate – 825 GP
Wand of Cure Light Wounds (50 charages) - 375 GP
4 potions of Cure Light Wounds – 100 GP
MW heavy mace – 156 GP
MW Breastplate – 175 GP

The total treasure value is 10,000 GP. Assuming that the Cure Light Wounds wand is tagged as party treasure, the TTV reduces to 9625. The share for each character would be 2406.25 GP.

Let’s assume the pick order is:

Fighter (2406.25)
Rogue (2406.25)
Cleric (2406.25)
Sorcerer (2406.25)

A mock pick would sort out like this :

Pick round 1
Fighter – takes +1 longsword (2406.25-1157.5=1248.75)
Rogue – takes +1 studded leather (2406.25 – 587.5=1818.75)
Cleric – takes +2 cloak of Resistance (2406.25-2000=406.25)
Sorcerer – takes +1 dagger (2406.25-1151=1255.25)

Pick round 2

Fighter – takes MW full plate (1248.75-825=423.75)
Rogue – takes potion of CLW (1818.75-25=1793.75)
Cleric – takes MW breastplate (406.25-175=231.25)
Sorcerer – takes potion of CLW (1255.25-25=1230.25)

Pick round 3
Fighter – takes potion of CLW (423.75-25=398.75)
Rogue – takes potion of CLW (1793.75-25=1768.75)
Cleric – takes MW heavy mace (231.25-156=75.25)
Sorcerer – pass (1230.25)

Pick round 4
Fighter – takes belt buckle (398.75-200=198.75)
Rogue – pass (1768.75)
Cleric – pass (231.25-156=75.25)
Sorcerer – pass (1230.25)

The end result is the characters get the items they picked plus some money and the party has a wand to use as party treasure.

If the same treasure, minus the 2000 GP, was divided, the results would be something like this:

Pick round 1

Fighter – takes +1 longsword (1906.25-1157.5=748.75)
Rogue – takes +1 studded leather (1906.25 – 587.5=1318.75)
Cleric – takes +2 cloak of Resistance (1906.25-2000=-93.75)
Sorcerer – takes +1 dagger (1906.25-1151=755.25)

Pick round 2

Fighter – takes MW full plate (748.75-825=-76.25)
Rogue – takes potion of CLW (1318.75-25=1293.75)
Cleric – pass (-93.75)
Sorcerer – takes potion of CLW (755.25-25=730.25)

Pick round 3
Fighter – pass (-76.25)
Rogue – takes potion of CLW (1293.75-25=1268.75)
Cleric – pass (-93.75)
Sorcerer – takes potion of CLW (730.25-25=705.25)

Pick round 4

Everyone passes.

The end result is the characters get the items they picked and some characters get some money. The party has a wand to use as party treasure. The fighter carries a debt of 76.25 and the cleric has a debt of 93.75. The total debt is 170. The two characters with a positive balance take the GP hit subtracting 85 GP from their remaining totals. That leave the rogue with 1183.75 and the sorcerer with 620.25. Next time treasure is divided the fighter and cleric would have their shares reduced by their debt and the rogue and sorcerer would have their shares increased by a credit of 85 GP each.

I think I like this method. There is not too much extra bookkeeping as we need to determine the costs of items to sell the anyway. The debt and credits would also need to be maintained. Someone should likely be the "banker" to make sure that no one overspends. I think taht this will offer a more even distribution of the wealth and will allow characters that do not have anything they can use in a particular treasure the ability to purchase things that they need because they will have more money to spend.

Thoughts?