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Post by waysoftheearth on Jul 18, 2015 0:41:09 GMT -6
The 3LBBs provide two pieces of advice re: the cost of locating men-at-arms to hire:
M&M p12 (NON-PLAYER CHARACTERS): The player wishing to hire a non-player character "advertises" by posting notices at inns and taverns, frequents public places seeking the desired hireling, or sends messengers to whatever place the desired character type would be found (elf-land, dwarf-land, etc). This costs money and takes time, and the referee must determine expenditures.
versus:
U&WA p23 (OBTAINING SPECIALISTS & MEN-AT-ARMS): In order to hire either of these classes of persons it is necessary to do one or both of the following: Post notices in conspicuous places, stating the positions open and who is offering such employ; or have servitors circulate in public places, seeking such persons as are desired. The weekly cost of either method is from 100-600 Gold Pieces.
The former section is, arguably, relevant to player-types only. On the otherhand, it is led by a para that says the players "will be desirous of acquiring a regular entourage of various character types, monsters, and an army of some form." with an army of any form implying men-at-arms.
The title of the latter section makes it relevant to men-at-arms, but while a 100-600 gp weekly cost may be inline with ultra-expensive specialists, it is two orders of magnitude greater than the monthly cost of keeping men-at-arms. It seems unreasonable to spend 600 gp to locate men-at-arms whom you can then employ for 2 gp per month.
Do you allow low level players to hire men-at-arms? What does it take/cost to locate them?
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Post by cooper on Jul 18, 2015 10:55:02 GMT -6
Yes, it costs 100-600gp to post notices and criers, but that gets you the attention of all such men looking for work. As to how many men there are? Dave Arneson played with 30% of the population were Fyrd and 1/2 of this Fyrd was under command of the local lord, So 15% of population, males of military age, could be available for work, but a good rule of thumb is to follow the leadership rules as laid out in the monster section for humanoid groups, in that it takes at least a hero to lead 30+ men and that a lord/super-hero can only manage up 300 by himself. Some modules, like B2 list who is available in the inn.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jul 18, 2015 11:58:57 GMT -6
For typical normal men at arms, 10-60 GP worth of drinks at the nearest tavern. They will work for 5 to 10 GP per dungeon expedition.
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Post by derv on Jul 18, 2015 20:40:07 GMT -6
Do you allow low level players to hire men-at-arms? What does it take/cost to locate them? Yes, I allow low level players to hire men-at-arms and I only limit it to what they can afford as support and upkeep and what the reaction tables bear. This self imposed monetary limit is generally sufficient. Michael's suggestion seems reasonable as a cost to locate them or otherwise giving a street urchin a few gold coins to spread the word with the promise of more should enough show up at an appointed time. The guide lines for advertising and brokering are unrealistic for starting players. They are more suited to forming large expeditions or starting a stronghold, with hiring specialist or higher level NPC's as an occasional exception once players work their way up in level and wealth.
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Post by waysoftheearth on Jul 19, 2015 0:37:00 GMT -6
Some good advice above, thanks for the comments.
@gronanofsimmerya, your 10-60 gp outlay seems more realistic for non-Lords pulling together a motley crew for a dungeon crawl... is that one off the cuff, or is it printed somewhere?
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jul 19, 2015 0:54:20 GMT -6
It's based on actual play in Greyhawk.
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Post by everyfan on Jul 19, 2015 18:46:22 GMT -6
I've spent god-knows how long trying to figure out how the LBBs wanted me to handle that. Guess Gygax just neglected to put it in
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jul 19, 2015 21:01:42 GMT -6
"decide how you would like it to be, and then make it just that way!" -- Dungeons & Dragons, Vol 3, Page 36
It doesn't say how much it costs to get a horse shod either, or to have a sword sharpened, or a lot of other stuff.
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bycrom
Level 3 Conjurer
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Post by bycrom on Sept 24, 2015 10:48:02 GMT -6
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EdOWar
Level 5 Thaumaturgist
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Post by EdOWar on Sept 24, 2015 15:41:35 GMT -6
Okay, that's a very handy little table. Thank you for sharing.
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Post by coffee on Sept 25, 2015 7:26:49 GMT -6
Yeah, that's pretty spiffy! Thanks!
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