Arneson inspired alternative Treasure Generation

[derv]

Here’s another take on treasure generation taken from Arneson’s Adventures in Fantasy. This is meant to replace the table found in M&T p.22 for treasure found in lairs. It will produce fairly diverse outcomes, though not quite as rich of results as can occur with M&T.

I have modified and condensed Arneson’s table from a d10 table with 100 possible outcomes to a d6 table with 36 possible outcomes. I have also eliminated copper pieces from the table because I do not utilize them in my games. Additionally, I have altered how magic items are generated.

If you want to put copper back in, you would need to change the frequency of silver as an outcome. Replace five Sx1 with Cx1, three Sx2 with Cx2, and one Sx4 with Cx4. The occurrence of copper pieces makes up 37% of Dave’s table.

Magic items as a possible outcome make up 2% of Arneson’s table. Again, magic is more rare in my games, so it is only a possibility when Misc. Treasure is generated. Even then, it only happens 1 in 10 times when an artifact is present. If you want to return to Dave’s method, simply replace one of the Tx1 with Mx1. If you want more magic, make it Mx2 or replace two Mx1’s.

I have tripled the possible outcome of Misc. Treasure from Arneson’s table. On Dave’s table it occurs only 4% of the time.

Now, there may be certain creatures that you feel should have much richer hoards. Using the Treasure Types found in M&T, a possible alternative would be to modify results for types A, G, & H by a multiplier of x3 to x5. These are the only types I think warrant consideration. But, that’s up to you. I personally do not alter the results of the table, regardless of type, since there is also an 8% chance of rolling multiple times on the table, as is.

Of note, this table will produce no treasure approximately 8% of the time.

Here’s the figures I used from AiF in producing this table.

Arnesons AiF Treasure Generation

Number of Occurrences (100%)

Cx1 (15) Cx2 (12) Cx3 (4) Cx4 (4) Cx5 (2) =37%

Sx1 (4) Sx2 (7) Sx3 (1) Sx4 (1) =13%

G x1 (7) Gx2 (6) Gx3 (1) =14%

Cx1 & Sx1 (9) Cx1 & Sx2 (1) Cx1 & Sx4 (3) Cx2 & Sx1 (3) Cx2 & Sx3 (1) =17%

Jx1 (5) Sx3 & Jx1 (1) Gx2 & Jx1 (1) =7%

Mx1 & Cx1 (1) Mx2 & Cx1 (1) =2%

Tx2 & Cx1 (2) Tx1 & Sx3 (1) Tx1 & Gx3 (1) =4%

Multiple Rolls on Table =6%

C & S = approx. 67% treasures

Treasures of coins or gems have a 10% chance of not occurring or of having no value.

Treasure Generation Table

****	****	****	**First	Roll**	****	****	****
****	****	1	2	3	4	5	6
****	1	0	Sx2	Sx1	Sx1	Sx1	Sx2 Tx1
Second	2	Sx2	Sx1	Sx4	Sx1	Sx1	Sx4
Roll	3	Sx1	Sx1	0	Sx1 Jx1	Sx2 Jx1	Sx1
****	4	Sx1 Jx1	Sx1 Gx1	Sx1	Sx3	Sx1 Gx1	Sx1 Tx1
****	5	Sx1	Sx1 Tx1	Gx2	Gx3	0	Roll 2x
****	6	Gx1 Tx1	Gx1	Gx2 Tx2	Gx1 Jx2	Roll 2x	Roll 3x

S= silver piece (10 sp= 1 gp)
G= gold piece
Quantity= d6 x number listed x d6 (1-3= x10, 4-5= x100, 6= x500)

J= Gems & Jewelry
Quantity= 3d6 x number listed
Roll d6 for each one (1-4)= Gems (5-6)= Jewelry
Roll d6 for Gems (1-2)= rubies (3-4)= emeralds (5)= pearls (6)= diamonds
Roll d6 for Jewelry (1-2)= bracelet (3)= rings (4)= earrings (5)= broach (6)= necklace

Gem Value (gp): d6 >>> (1-2) 50, (3-4) 100, (5) 500, (6) 1000
Roll 1d6 on a roll of 1, gem at next higher level

Jewelry Value (gp): d6 >>> (1-3)= d6 x 100, (4-5)= d6 x 500, (6)= 2d6 x 1000

Loose treasure stored in (d6): (1-2)= sack, (3-4)= chest, (5)= leather pack, (6)= pottery

T= Misc. Treasure
Roll d6 for type:
(1) artwork, sculpture, vases, tapestry 2d6 gp x d6 (1-2= x10, 3-5= x100, 6= x500) d6 pieces
(2) plates, goblets, utensils d6 (1-5= silver 6= gold) d20 pieces
(3) weaponry or armor (roll for type x listed value) d20 pieces (1 in 6= ornate x5 value)
(4) ivory (100 gp x d6 per tusk) 2d6 pieces
(5) kegs of goods (roll for contents)
(6) artifact* (10% magical-reference M&T)

Content of Keg: d6 for size (1-4= 5 gal., 5= 20 gal., 6= 50 gal.): d6 for type x d6 for quantity
(1) wine 5 gp, (2) ale 1 gp (3) salt 10 gp (4) spice 10-100 gp (5) perfume 10-60 gp (6) oil 4 gp
*values are per gallon

Liquid weight= 8 lbs/gallon= 80 coins/gallon
Dry weight= 5 lbs/gallon= 50 coins/gallon

[derv]

I made some slight modifications to the table and some optional rules.

Treasure Generation Table

****	****	****	**First	Roll**	****	****	****
****	****	1	2	3	4	5	6
****	1	0	Sx2	Sx1	Sx1	Sx1	Sx1
Second	2	Sx2	Sx1	Sx3	Sx1	Sx1	Sx1 Tx1
Roll	3	Sx1	Sx1 Tx1	0	Sx1 Tx1	Sx2 Jx1	Sx4
****	4	Sx1	Sx1	Sx1 Jx1	Sx4	Sx1 Gx1	Gx2 Tx1
****	5	Sx1	Sx2	Gx3	Sx1 Gx1	0	Roll 2x
****	6	Gx1	Gx1 Jx1	Gx2 Tx2	Gx1 Jx2	Roll 2x	Roll 3x

Optional rules for Levels Beneath the Surface

Level:
1-2        no adjustment
3-4       +1 to first roll only
5-6       +1 to both rolls
7-8       +1 to first roll, +2 to second roll
9-10      +2 to both rolls
11-12    +2 to both rolls & double results
13+       +2 to both rolls & triple the results

[tkdco2]

Thanks for sharing! I'll give it a try.

[derv]

If you use the optional rules, all secondary rolls that result in “Roll 2x”, double final quantities instead. For results of “Roll 3x”, triple final quantities. These can compound. Otherwise, you could get trapped into a perpetual cycle of multiple rolls.

Let's say a party has descended to the 12th level of the Dungeon of the Drippling Dreadjunk where they defeat the nightmarish Puppylicker in it's lair of surrealist chew toys. In the corner is a giant porcelain dish full of....

Your first roll is a "4" +2= 6. Your second roll is a "3" +2= 5. This results in "Roll 2x". You double this to "Roll 4x"

You then roll "6" and "4" which results in "Gx2,Tx1". This is followed with results of "Roll 2x","Roll 3x", and "Gx2".

Gx2 & Tx1 + Gx2 are doubled right off the back, since it's the 12th level of the dungeon, to "Gx8 & Tx2".

So, for the gold- (d6 x 8 x d6)= 2 x 8= 16 x (5= 100)= 1600. I would then double this result= 3200, then triple that= 9600 gp.

For treasure, roll d6 two times resulting in "5" kegs and "3" weaponry.

For the kegs, I roll d6 for size, d6 for type, and d6 for quantity. This results in three 50 gal kegs of oil. So, I'll double this to 6 kegs, then triple it to 18 kegs. Each one of these kegs is worth 200 gp and weighs 400 lbs (4000 coins).

The weapons can be randomized however a GM would like. The main thing is that the quantity is d20 pieces. So, a result of "4" would end up being 24 pieces.