Coin

[Flinglecask Digroot]

On the national boards, there is a somewhat odd post about an in-game bank system. Is there such a system in place in this chapter? I, personally, think this would detract a lot from the game atmosphere. If there's going to be a bank, rep it. Make it assailable by PCs and NPCs alike. There is no place in the game world that shoud be unbreachable. That's my take.

But the discussion thread, if it can be called that, does raise a point that Bill hit on before: the scarcity of coin and the expense to the chapter to buy it. What is the actual cash cost of coin for the chapter? The thread seems to state that for $150, the chapter could get 1,000 gold pieces, or 500 gold and 500 platinum, or 300 silver, 500 Gold and 200 Platinum.

Are any plans for this chapter to make a coin buy? Is this something you are going to make a call for cash donations to help accomplish? Although I am all for the northern lands having a gem-heavy economy, because it is so wild, nothing beats the clink of coin in the purse. Also, for those players that travel (not me, usually), gold is more valuable than gems. If buying more coin for the chapter will help out, then I think we should ask for cash donations, and I'd be willing to kick some into the pot.

There's other interesting discussion in that thread. For example, if the standard treasure drop (if there is such a thing) is in silver instead of gold, then there's an incentive for people to cash in their silver for gold, which has coin coming back to NPC camp. Heck, if I were a merchant with enough resources, I'd do this in-game as my PC for a small fee. Once the treasure drop decreases frequency and increases to a gold instead of silver, then there's less trading in going on.

I'd love to hear any others' thoughts on the subject.

[Bud Lewis]

I love our gem based economy, but as for traveling players and the in game theme, I would like to see more coin coming in towards Sanctuary. As our little town gets larger we've been drawing in more traders and bigger people, and with that usually comes coin. But this never really happens due to our out of game lack of coin.

What I don't want to see (whcih I don't really need to worry about in our chapter), is things like animals dropping coin. Monsters should have loot that makes sense. Another note being, banked gold has become just that for me. Banked gold. I really can't do a whole lot with it, because I know out of game that we're lacking out coin, so I don't want to take a pile out because it just makes logistics more difficult.

As an idea, maybe setting up a "Coin of Sanctuary" donation pot at check in would be useful. Even if people just tossed the change in the their pocket in or they're change from the event fee if they want to it would probably add up pretty quickly.

[Admin]

This is a fairly difficult area. And there's more to it, in our case, than just taking up a collection for $150 and getting more coin.

The chapter never got a full initial coin order because royalties were never paid to International for coin. We came into the chapter about $2,500 in debt in money owed to National. Jay and I are paying that money in installments out of our pockets. With the other expenses that have been paid for with the limited event proceeds, there just isn't enough there to even put money toward it.

We will get a coin order once that money is paid down to the point that International feels like we're worth the investment of shipping some coin our way. I do not believe that we are in a position in this chapter, honestly, that we could just call International up, charge $150 on a credit card, and pick up 1,000 coin. Even if they would accept it, it's really not something I would feel comfortable doing until we were on better financial footing in that respect.

And, similarly, while I appreciate that we have some players who might have some money that they could spend on the chapter and that they'd like to direct where that money be spent, it's not all that economically feasible. As I mentioned in another post, Jay and I dropped $1,500 plus plate and title costsm on that beast of a van so that we could have props at the last event. John kicked in $500 so that we can share it with Grand Rapids. Ben kicked in another chunk towards it, but we're still out over $900 toward the purchase. That's money that came out of our pockets and could have gone toward the chapter debt... which in turn would have led to... coin!

We just need everyone to be more patient on this topic. I'm not a big fan of the concept of "banks" either, which is why I haven't put in a policy requiring players to bank coin (which some chapters do). However, if you don't bank coin, then you will have to be patient about receiving it. We'll get there, once more disposable income can be disposed of in International's coffers.

[Bud Lewis]

Bill,

It's nice to have that explained, and now that I know the actual numbers, myself as well as a number of others seem much more likely to donate straight cash if that's what the chapter needs the most. I know it's not a possibility for everyone but with some actual perspective on it, I know I'll pitch in a little extra with each event, happily.

[Borak Logan]

Bill,
On my toon i do have some coin from the old days... looks like there was a currency change from coin to gems... any chance of a exchange?

[Admin]

No, there wasn't a currency change. Coin is still valid. We just put out a mix of coin and gems now, for a combination of in and out of game reasons.

[Flinglecask Digroot]

Thanks for the detailed explanation, Bill. I had no idea so much background was involved, making a challenging issue even more challenging. It's awesome that you and Jay are so up front with all of this stuff.

You are absolutely right re: the need for patience on the part of the PCs. I hope you don't see my post as being overly anxious. It was more in the spirit of problem solving - how to raise the cash, how to get coin coming back to the chapter, etc.

I am glad to see that forced banking isn't in the cards. Even voluntary banking I dislike.

Do you think the lack of an auto max out will generate a return flow of coin? How many people are actually paying hard coin to max out, as opposed to NPCing or the like? In a system of weekly goblin blankets, which I am a big fan of because it increases donations and thus improves the game, it's hard to justify paying 10, 20, or 30 gold to max out for a few extra blankets a year, when you can get so many blankets in other ways. Believe me, I don't want to see this system change. I only raise the point because I do not see paid max out as a viable way to recoup coin.

The better ways, in my opinion, are lower denomination, more frequent treasure drops (mentioned above), NPC merchants that sell formal magic components, formal scrolls, shatter resistant components, finished magic items, and the like. I've also seen, in another game, an information broker NPC pull in several hundred gold in one visit to town, because the information was good and was critical to the town. I also like the idea of the PCs being able to hire NPC factions for coin, and having those deals make a difference in the big picture.

Just some ideas. In the meantime, I am more than happy to get gems and other non-coin treasure, along with the occasional coin.

I can't wait until the next event!

[thebard]

Drop all the components you got, and I'll never complain about a lack of coin.