Why isnt Wealth a Knight option?

[Kalzazz]

I just find this really weird

[corwyn]

Originally Posted by Kalzazz

I just find this really weird

I find it kind of strange that only Bards and Thieves can start with wealth. I mean, it makes sense for those two, but it could make sense for most - maybe not Barbarians or Martial Artists, but why restrict backgrounds.

[Colarmel]

The thing that makes sense is, wealth creates a significant role for a character in town. It really is the Knight horning in on the Thief and Bard niche if he's also selling stuff at full price without them.

[Kalzazz]

I admit, when I think of Knights I think of 'the pinnacle of First World Force Projection', the sort of high expense hardware, like aircraft carriers. Except less modern

So the lack seems weird

[evileeyore]

Originally Posted by corwyn

...but why restrict backgrounds.

Exactly!

I mean no reason someone else shouldn't be able to pick up the slack if those two templates are missing.


Of course they can always buy it up later... but that's not the same (and besides it'll usually cost more dosh for anyone that isn't a Bard or a Thief).

[sir_pudding]

Originally Posted by Kalzazz

I admit, when I think of Knights I think of 'the pinnacle of First World Force Projection', the sort of high expense hardware, like aircraft carriers. Except less modern

So the lack seems weird

Aircraft carriers seem to be pretty bad at selling stuff for more.

[ericbsmith]

Originally Posted by Colarmel

The thing that makes sense is, wealth creates a significant role for a character in town. It really is the Knight horning in on the Thief and Bard niche if he's also selling stuff at full price without them.

Honestly, this right here is the problem. Wealth in GURPS has several components, only one of which is starting with more cash. Dungeon Fantasy cuts that down to just more cash and getting better prices in town. DFRPG might have been better off divorcing these entirely and creating a "Commerce Rank" which gives you better prices in town and then just requiring you to Trade Points for Cash for the extra cash part. That way the Thief and Bard could have Commerce Rank, but the Knight could be allowed to trade a lot of points for equipment.

[Stone Dog]

Even if they were landed knights drawing money from their property, it is likely going to be somebody in their employ that actually has "Wealthy" as an advantage under the DFRPG definition.

Which means I agree with Eric a bit. A differently named advantage for automatically having a better deal selling loot in town would be a good house rule at the very least. "Commerce Rank" sounds a little clinical though. Maybe something like "Marketeer?"

[Dalin]

Originally Posted by Stone Dog

A differently named advantage for automatically having a better deal selling loot in town would be a good house rule at the very least. "Commerce Rank" sounds a little clinical though. Maybe something like "Marketeer?"

Similarly, there could be an alternate version of wealth ("nest egg", "trust fund baby," or something) available to knights and others that doesn't include the bonuses to selling loot. It can't just be starting wealth, I think, because that would merely be the equivalent of converting points to cash, which should simply reduce character point value. So to make it worth the points, perhaps it provides a lump sum at start plus a stipend whenever you go back to town, or it offsets cost of living while in town, or something like that. Regardless, it explicitly doesn't include the mercantile skills. Further flavor could be added, of course, with a compulsive spending disad or various quirks ("Firmly believes that price always reflects quality.")

[evileeyore]

Originally Posted by Dalin

It can't just be starting wealth, I think, because that would merely be the equivalent of converting points to cash, which should simply reduce character point value.

I've never had anything "just reduce character point totals". It's always marked on their sheet, a part of their permanent record.

Points For Cash, Impulse buys, Bought Off Disads, Lost Ads, etc. All of it is permanently recorded on the sheet, all of it shows how 'powerful' the character has become over the years.

So to make it worth the points...

Points For Cash is already worth the points.