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From: ee163acp@sdcc13.UUCP (DARIN JOHNSON)
Newsgroups: net.games.frp
Subject: Re: How do YOU fleece PCs?
Message-ID: <195@sdcc13.UUCP>
Date: Wed, 10-Apr-85 11:41:42 EST
Article-I.D.: sdcc13.195
Posted: Wed Apr 10 11:41:42 1985
Date-Received: Sun, 14-Apr-85 02:07:07 EST
References: <2441@drutx.UUCP>
Organization: U.C. San Diego, Academic Computer Center
Lines: 45

> There has been some discussion of ways to keep magic users from
> obtaining mass quantities of magic objects.  This is along the
> same line.
> 
> When do you know that PCs have too many goodies? What is your 
> favorite way of separating PCs from their funds--the nastier 
> and more devious the better, of course.  I am an inexperienced 
> DM and could use some pointers.  I don't think that I've given 
> them too much yet, but it may be time to taketh away.

Well, unless your players are very good friends of yours, don't be too
devious or nasty, it takes away from their fun too.  My best suggestion
is too arrange an encounter where they will be forced to use up most of
their charged items (also scrolls and potions).  They won't look to you
as stealing their magic, but rather think that they were glad they had
it in the first place.  For magic swords of drain life (+5 of course)
I suggest have a monster that can drain magic (a magical Xorn or
something) and have it drain a relatively expendable item.  The players
will probably try to depend upon other means than these valuable magic
items.  However, when their life is in the balance, they may end up 
sacrificing these (of their own free will) to save themselves.  I know 
most players should be used to having magic items disappear, but when it
is only there first and second favorite item, they get suspicious.

Another good method that lets the players in on the fun is to have a
master theif or assasin steal this item.  When the players follow the
(not too obvious) trail and capture this theif, he will have claimed to
have sold it to somebody.  This can lead into a major quest if the item
was very valuable (or sentimental :-) ).  

For things like a girdle of fire giant strength (my nemesis) there are a
few suggestions.  One, have the object lower in value after a
particularly vexing encounter,  such as putting a nick in a magic sword.
This is much more plausible when it was used against a magical creature.
My solution for the girdle is to have all fire giants know the key word
to turn them off (heretofore unknown, sages may pay handsomely for this
magic word).  If you are in a really nasty mood, have the giant
reach down, unbuckle it and walk off (if the players let him).  After a
few encounters like this, players tend to be more conservative in their
playing.

Sorry to post this if your players read, but I think other people have
the same problem.  Anyway, be creative, not devious.

  Darin Johnson