We are going to be starting this portion of the AP next session. We use a message board to handle things like buying items, talking battle tactics, etc so it gives us more time to game when we meet. I usually give the players a preview of what’s coming next week so they realize the long sea journey ahead of them. They are posting on the boards how to handle getting a crew, arming the ship, cargo, etc.
One of the players suggests asking Lavinia for a 3-month advance in pay to help them prepare for the voyage. Not a bad idea and I have no problems with the request. Then another player throws this statement out to the group-
“We need to figure out what to charge Lady Vanderboren for the use of our boat during the voyage”
I didn’t say anything since it wasn’t directed to me but inside I’m thinking “What!?!?” How do you think I should handle the request if they decide to ask her? Maybe I should just use Avner to finance the use of their boat since he is a “primary” financial backer of the expedition. Similar to what was suggested in another thread already except the PCs would be choosing to take his gold (and thereby, work for him). Lavinia could just inform the PCs her finances are tapped so she’ll inquire with some of her acquaintances and see what she can do for them.
I was not expecting them to charge Lavinia for the use of their boat. They seemed to take to her really well so far so that statement took me back a bit. No one really replied so maybe the matter will not come up again but if it does how do you think I should handle it?
If the PCs expect Lavinia to pay them for the use of the Sea Wyvern, she should let them pay the cost of hiring and maintaining the crew and all of its cargo.
That's one of the things they are discussing on the message board! The cost of hiring of the crew, what sort of cargo they want to carry, and all of the costs involved. I think they planned on paying for it themselves already. I suppose once I told them Lavinia planned to finance the voyage they may not ask her to pay for the use of her ship.
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That's one of the things they are discussing on the message board! The cost of hiring of the crew, what sort of cargo they want to carry, and all of the costs involved. I think they planned on paying for it themselves already. I suppose once I told them Lavinia planned to finance the voyage they may not ask her to pay for the use of her ship.
One thing I'm planning to do when I get the chance to run the Savage Tide adventure path is offer the PCs a stake in the adventure:
I can't really afford to pay you up front, but I can offer each of you a share in the venture. After we establish contact with the colony, it should begin to pay-off rather quickly.
Lavinia could offer more than one share each, and could give the PCs the opportunity to invest in more if they wish.
Purchasing a share costs 1,000 gp (Whatshisname Miravachi has several dozen or more; it's not really necessary to go into much detail as long as his investment is at least 60% of the investment) and returns 20 gp a week after the venture takes off - basically when the ships successfully make it to the colony. They wouldn't know ahead of time the return on it, though.This would let them get 'paid' for the transport without getting money up front. It might also help get them more invested in the business of running the colony and more likely to do stuff for the colony without direct payment.
Improvements in the colony could also increase the weekly return, if you wanted to do that.