So my characters have a pile of gold...

1. So my characters have a pile of gold...

   #1

   A quick guide of what to do if your PCs get too much. (On behalf of CrimsonShadow, with much aid of MoonHunter.)
   
   
   So what to do if they are too wealthy?
   
   - Taxes - always a good start. Besides common taxes, there can suddenly arise "special taxes" on the wealthy adventurers. No ruler's advisor worth his salt should pass a good opportunity!
   
   - Speaking of tax collectors, wealth attracts thieves of all kinds, crooks, burglars, and brigands. A fantasy setting is a dangerous place. Their wealth could be the basis for entirely new adventures. If robbing the players, a thief could leave a note... making it personal and launching the players on a new quest.
   
   - Make them "develop their characters more" to find new ways to spend money - so they find a liking for that delicious wine and foods and whatnot.
   
   - Look at what happens in our world to people that become to be known as rich. Besides thieves, suddenly everyone needs their help, for charity, investment or whatever. Even family and friends could be shown in a new light when they borrow some money. (Also see the plot Jackpot for inspiration.)
   
   - However powerful they may be, if they become really wealthy, they will need bodyguards just to get through the streets.
   
   - Make it a plot hook - a wealthy villain that secretly bought all they sold starts to do evil stuff. Now they have to face this evil (expenses) and think twice before they spread magic items, quality weapons, spellbooks or whatever around. Blind selling for profit is often not a good idea.
   
   - Fantasy worlds often have no banks, and gold can be bulky. Let them worry about proper storing and the means to protect the wealth (more expenses). Investment takes time and can fail easily.
   
   - Or have a whole army come after them. With so much money, nobody is powerful enough to protect it, especially if the army has the support of magic.
   
   
   Nobility
   
   "Nobility" is a word for a whole array of means to deprive the PCs of their money, and to add plot hooks. In modern worlds, you could replace the word for "celebrity" and adapt most pitfalls.
   
   
   - Bribes. Err, _gifts_ to those that can grant a noble title.
   
   - To be a knight, there has to be quality armour and lots of equipment and personnel... which they may have, mostly. But when they find out a noble suit of clothing costs as much as their platemail...
   
   - So all the gear - clothes, jewelry, more clothes, all of fine quality and design.
   
   - Plus, these guys don't know the prices - they can be gouged by every merchant they meet. "Oh sir, this is not just silk, it is Cathay silk. As you can see, it is of a much finer quality." "The Sir should not be seen in lesser garb. This helps him make a statement." etc.
   
   - They need lessons for skills that adventuring does not teach (remember the new Zorro movie). Foremost, there is the ettiquite they must learn (yes, a character skill to train up).
   
   - A noble must have land/property, and the manor home of course.
   
   - And now they just can't beat up the people who piss them off. (Well sure they can... but then they become outlaws...)
   
   - Also, every noble needs a coat-of-arms - there are costs for registering one, putting it on all your stuff, and the annual tithes to King's treasury coming with that. (And fun things like the law stating they can't become noble until they have a crest; and only nobles could register one - solve that.)
   
   - And now that you are noble and such, the king could ask you to do "favors" or a military action for the kingdom.
   
   - But if they fulfil the King's wishes, they may be suddenly "too popular", "too close to His ear", or "too trying to get higher". All sorts of intrigue follows. (Including backstabbing, and assassination attempts).
   
   - On the other hand, there is always "The King is afraid that you are so rich and powerful that you will take over, and declares you enemies of the state." Or lets you declared heretics by the church - so the King is all innocent, and result the same. (And that stigma can cross national borders...)
   
   - And especially beware of insulting a high-ranking noble or High-priest.
   
   
   A few sources on the ways of spending money:
   
   Luxury items
   
   Loot and rewards
   
   Treasure. It happens.
   
   
   Your ideas are welcome.

2. Re: So my characters have a pile of gold...

   #2

   There is always the "Voluntary Loan to the Crown", a schtick popular among deadbeat medieval monarchs.  If one refused to lend to them, there were usually severe consequences, but if one pressed the king for repayment, the repercussions were usually worse.  The Templars learned that, to their sorrow.

3. Re: So my characters have a pile of gold...

   #3

   I have always had success with enticing PCs to "invest"...only to have them lose their shirts in speculative land deals or other shady enterprises. The possibilities are endless.

4. Re: So my characters have a pile of gold...

   #4

   Ah, yes. And then they will be drawn to investigate and seek revenge on those that have abused their investment. Or at least any group I have been in would immediately look for blood to replenish their empty pocket books...at least gain a favor owed.

5. Re: So my characters have a pile of gold...

   #5

   I have always dealt with excess gold in the most horrific manner known to man.
   
   BILLS
   
   Entourages cost coin, as do mounts for them. Acquired lands need upkeep, ranging from repairing broken down equipment, paying taxes, or simply payroll for the guards in the PCs new tower.
   
   The main thing is that when I can forcast a PC windfall, I will arrange a few money sinks for the PCs to stumble into. This is ample room for RP since there is interaction with npcs making repairs, dealing with old loyalists who oppose the PCs covertly and the like.
   
   

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