DMG2 and running a business.

[krupintupple]

a PC in my campaign mentioned something toward this end and after a quick read, i'm fairly interested in it myself. the mechanics seem sound, however, i'm not so sure i, or the PC, want to be cooped up in a building, running a business while their friends are out and about, doing what adventurers do.

i wonder if a PC could simply pay, or work out a system of credit with a 3rd party, such as an expert craftsperson or something, do run the business for them. i'd suggest using the leadership feat to accomplish this, but it seems like overkill, and better spent on attracting an adventuring companion. is there a ruleset for hiring a non-cohort NPC for such a long-term basis? i'm sensing i should read up on 'hirelings'

i'd like to think of these rules framing the PC as a 'silent investing partner', who rights wrongs, pitches in and occaisonally straightens out the business, but leaves most of the managing up to a full-time manager.

 

[rgard]

a PC in my campaign mentioned something toward this end and after a quick read, i'm fairly interested in it myself. the mechanics seem sound, however, i'm not so sure i, or the PC, want to be cooped up in a building, running a business while their friends are out and about, doing what adventurers do.

i wonder if a PC could simply pay, or work out a system of credit with a 3rd party, such as an expert craftsperson or something, do run the business for them. i'd suggest using the leadership feat to accomplish this, but it seems like overkill, and better spent on attracting an adventuring companion. is there a ruleset for hiring a non-cohort NPC for such a long-term basis? i'm sensing i should read up on 'hirelings'

i'd like to think of these rules framing the PC as a 'silent investing partner', who rights wrongs, pitches in and occaisonally straightens out the business, but leaves most of the managing up to a full-time manager.

The hireling costs are on page 105 of the DMG. A clerk costs 4 sp per day and a mercenary leader gets 6 sp per day so I think your business manager would be somewhere in that price range. The mercenary leader is a 2nd level Warrior. For each level higher than second for the mercenary leader, you add 3 sp per day for the pay. If the PC hires a higher level 'Expert' class NPC to manage the business, I'd do something similar. Maybe a base of 5 or 6 sp per day for the first 2 levels of expert then 2 or 3 sp extra per day for each additional level.

I agree that the silent partner is the best approach. I wouldn't have the PC get too much involved unless you use the business ops as an adventure hook. See the 1e example two paragraphs down.

One of my PCs had a money glut in our 3.5e campaign so I talked with the DM about buying an existing business in the city in which we were based. The DM was fine with it. I'm not certain how much thought he put into it, but the PC would get a report about how much money was made each week. The PC didn't run the business at all, just kept the former owner on as a salaried manager and gave him a percentage of the profits. It worked out fine.

Back in 1e days our characters took their loot and purchased merchant ships and started plying the trade routes. I think the DM in that case used the merchant rules from Traveller as a basis for determining profits or lack there of. This business led to several adventures when our ships would get attacked by pirates or a kraken and we went out with the following run to fight the threat ourselves.

Thanks,
Rich

 

[Kid Charlemagne]

It makes total sense for him to do the silent partner thing. I had a PC cleric who ran a gambling house, and he hired a manager to oversee day-to-day operations. The advantage to the PC of using the leadership feat in this instance is that it practically guarantees absolute loyalty, whereas a hireling could have any motivation. I wouldn't (personally) screw with the business very much in game - I think its fair game to use it to hang plot hooks on, but not to mess with too much. For example, in my game there was a plot hook that the cleric had an understanding with a high-ranking thieves guild member so that he didn't have to pay protection money; when that contact died, it sparked a small plotline to arrange a permanent arrangement.

Back to your actual question - I think rgard's suggestions on salary are good; you could also use the profession rules to guide you on salary. And the PC may have some ideas on that as well; my experience is that PC's will think those numbers are pretty low, and make their employees even better paid (to stave off doubts about loyalties).

 

[rgard]

Sorry, I didn't address your thoughts for using the Leadership feat for this. I wouldn't burn up one of the followers or the cohort to run the business. If the PC does have the leadership feat I'd either not have it not effect the business or maybe have the leadership feat give a bonus to the potential profit (if it's randomized) to reflect that the PC is a better leader due to the feat.

Thanks,
Rich

 

[rgard]

The advantage to the PC of using the leadership feat in this instance is that it practically guarantees absolute loyalty, whereas a hireling could have any motivation.

I didn't think of that. You are correct. That's the way I would DM it if the PCs used an NPC acquired through the Leadership feat.

And the PC may have some ideas on that as well; my experience is that PC's will think those numbers are pretty low, and make their employees even better paid (to stave off doubts about loyalties).

That is my experience as well. My PCs always paid more.

Thanks,
Rich

 

[blargney the second]

I had a PC who owned an arms dealership with two old army buddies (NPCs). The business would supply to basically anyone looking for implements of war. My PC went around the region finding contracts to buy or sell equipment. One of the partners crafted items full-time, while the other executed the contracts that I set up.

It worked out nicely by giving me a small source of income on my investment, and more importantly it supplied our party with the occasional plot hook.
-blarg