Faction Stipend System

[Steve]

Things Guilds do off-screen?

[TarnishedSoul]

Yes.

For example, Candlekeep scribes copies of things for all the NPC visitors. I imagine that other guilds do other things for those background NPCs who are oft-forgotten.

[Steve]

I thought DMs control NPCs, and what they do, who for, and when it effects other NPCs.

EDIT: I'm not trying to be condescending, and I do not appreciate people attempting to flag my posts when they personally disagree with them—we are all supposedly allowed our opinions, which can and should be unique.

That said, my point is that NPC business and economy, even within Canon Lore Guilds, should not translate into "payments" to PCs, by default. Okay, there probably ARE services rewarded by coin within Guilds, i.e. Flaming Fist are paid for example.

But an issue I have is PCs and thus Players reaping an auto-reward just because they have an association with NPCs. Shouldn't it be that DMs issue rewards for
NPC interactions? As well, that Guilds are Player-run, and thus their internal economies are a Player responsibility, not a default?

[Tantive]

For instance the Thayan enclave is one of formost magical trade which would also have regular patrons from the population seeking business. Candlekeep to has a day to day business of scribing materials and copies that are sold to the living breathing world, we as players are not always aware of. Or elven villages that trade works of art. Etc etc.

[JCVD1]

I thought DMs control NPCs, and what they do, who for, and when it effects other NPCs.

EDIT: I'm not trying to be condescending, and I do not appreciate people attempting to flag my posts when they personally disagree with them—we are all supposedly allowed our opinions, which can and should be unique.

That said, my point is that NPC business and economy, even within Canon Lore Guilds, should not translate into "payments" to PCs, by default. Okay, there probably ARE services rewarded by coin within Guilds, i.e. Flaming Fist are paid for example.

But an issue I have is PCs and thus Players reaping an auto-reward just because they have an association with NPCs. Shouldn't it be that DMs issue rewards for
NPC interactions? As well, that Guilds are Player-run, and thus their internal economies are a Player responsibility, not a default?

Then I claim the hundred of thousands that were RPly dealt for my faction with the dukes and other commercial entities., a cut for all Thayan Dealings we paid from our Player run pockets and got nothing in return. RP and XP is OOC thing after all.

[Sputnik]

I'd be all for this if the Guild leader/appointed guildmate would have to put gold into this fund initially, and top it off when it gets low. Basically, the gold should come from players, not be conjured from thin air.

Otherwise, it's just free gold for being a cool kid.

It will worsen perception of the haves vs. have-nots divide, in my opinion. Being in a guild already has myriad benefits. Adding free gold to the mix is unnecessary, and alienates newer players or the players of "loner" types even more.

[TarnishedSoul]

Guild leaders can do that now; no system is required. The problem is that many of us leaders do not have the time to loot, because we are actively running the guild.

By all rights, my PC should receive payment for the duties that she performs at her workplace, which is able to generate revenue. My choices as a player are to bother the DMs, who then have to weigh the merits of rewarding me versus another guild leader, or propose a universal system that is designed to incentivize PCs into joining factions. I chose the latter option. To me, the automated system actually reduces any potential accusations of favoritism - because all guilds would be equally treated and rewarded.

[Sputnik]

Guild leaders can do that now; no system is required.

No, they can't. The leaders have to manually track down and meet with players in their guild in order to pay them. Someone mentioned this already. Take that tedium away, and it becomes easier to get the money from A to B, and frees up time that could be better spent running the guild and earning gold. (Although it could be argued that paying subordinates is part of running a guild, just not a glorious or fun part).

I have a PC who is a merchant; One who is a goon; Another that makes simple potions.
Should they too be rewarded for gold-earning activities performed off-screen?
Where do we draw the line?
Will that line then divide people even more, due to obvious bias favoring those in guilds?
(these questions are rhetorical)


Again, I fully support a system to automate the distribution of wealth within organizations.
I do not support giving people free gold.

[TarnishedSoul]

Suffice it to say that we disagree, then. I appreciate your feedback all the same.

[Kiran]

But it would not be free gold?

It would be gold given to players based on their "job" within the known factions.

We are not talking a massive amount, lets take Candlekeep as a example, a acolyte might get paid as a example perhaps 1000 gold, the rest she or he gets would be free lodging, perhaps three meals a day or some such.

It just adds a bit of realism that pc's who do work in a guild/faction should be paid.

I understand people think this should come form the guild leaders, but they have more than enough on their plate than to go loot running all week just to pay for people. They are busy ensuring guilds, plots, issues and all sorts is taken care of.

[DM Hera]

Devils advocate.

First players belonging to multi guilds. Let's say an elf who is part of DA is also a CandleKeep person and on top of that a member of something else. Do they get to cash in three times?

Let's take this example to a player who has ten characters, they cash on all ten characters then mule gold to one pc? Even locking this system to CD key isn't great as some players from what I hear use multi keys.

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Second. I do not want a system that rewards guilds for not recruiting. Seams easy to create a guild and just collect coin instead of worrying about membership. Perhaps the tiers of gold on pay are on active members of the guild and not partial Alts but primary toon.


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Third what is the minimum time a player has to be on to get the reward? Do they just log cycle all their toons once a week to collect gold? And spend no actual time on that character rp'ing or anything. "I was just busy this week irl I should still get my reward?"

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Forth

[Tantive]

None of it is free gold, but if the leadership of candlekeep has to go lootrunning to pay the staff, that certainly goes quite against any form of roleplay of that faction. Same with the Thayan enclave, they by means of the roleplay, through thay should be able to use funds brought in from the state.

Some people simply have jobs and are part of factions where adventuring has no part of being. Do you think the players see any single coin gained or get a benefit from the mass amount of goods purchased through the npc vendors stationed there, who are part of the faction? Nope. Not currently, which makes little sense.

[Kiran]

Devils advocate.

First players belonging to multi guilds. Let's say an elf who is part of DA is also a CandleKeep person and on top of that a member of something else. Do they get to cash in three times?

Let's take this example to a player who has ten characters, they cash on all ten characters then mule gold to one pc? Even locking this system to CD key isn't great as some players from what I hear use multi keys.

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Second. I do not want a system that rewards guilds for not recruiting. Seams easy to create a guild and just collect coin instead of worrying about membership. Perhaps the tiers of gold on pay are on active members of the guild and not partial Alts but primary toon.


-----------

Third what is the minimum time a player has to be on to get the reward? Do they just log cycle all their toons once a week to collect gold? And spend no actual time on that character rp'ing or anything. "I was just busy this week irl I should still get my reward?"

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Forth

First - Good question, I imagine we would have to ensure there would be a cap somewhere, somehow, had not actually personally thought of this, and I am in multiple factions/guilds.

Second - I would hope no one would do such a thing, and in turn, it would be a system that would be overviewed so people did not just do as you just stated? Again, with anything new there needs to be a way to limit abuse. Whether by code or creative ideas.. will try and think of some of course.

Third - Would people do that? for a measly 1000 gold? Seems crazy to me... But again, might be a way to also limit this? How I do not know yet.

[Aspect of Sorrow]

Let's take this example to a player who has ten characters, they cash on all ten characters then mule gold to one pc? Even locking this system to CD key isn't great as some players from what I hear use multi keys.

Easy workaround is a persisted id on an item on the BIC which is then referenced in a database for the character. Moving the character to another GSID, CDKey, IP, all negligible as that ID persists in the BIC and the referenced information in SQL for that ID is static.

[TarnishedSoul]

I believe my earlier posts sufficiently answer the majority of your concerns, Hera.

• Guild leader would be responsible for speaking with NPC and adding accepted PCs and their rank to the system.

I've considered the fact that there might be guild leaders who try to make all of their members the same rank to earn maximum pay, but I think that's easily thwarted with a few checks and balances.

Simply put, abuse of the system can be caught.