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Okay. so we started a campaign
My player is playing an escaped slave. He wanted to have escaped with 2 other slaves, and they stole an elephant from their captors. I had him pay the cost for a specialist slave (lv1 bard) for both of them, and he paid the cost for the elephant (from the Adventurer's armory).
It seemed a bit strange that you can afford an elephant with level 3 wealth per level if the elephant is a CR 7 monster, but I allowed it. He asked how much it would cost to give it the same combat training as a horse. (We looked at the priced things and extrapolated it as 1.5 x cost).
Issue 1. He wants to take leadership later and asked if these things would count against his leadership. I originally said no (he paid for them already, why punish him for it later), but then he pointed out to me that familiars and animal companions count against it (which also doesn't quite sound fair to me). Do purchased animals and slaves and whatnot count against leadership? Why do familiars and animal companions count against it? that seems like youre penalizing that class (from all appearances, unfairly as well)...
Issue 2. Buying other beasts: After the elephant, players are asking about buying other things. Things I don't have prices for. What do I charge a player for a (insert animal not listed in the armory here). what if they want something more exotic (Say, a reefclaw, or a giant eagle, or a griffon). I'm not inclined to say no, my game is a sandbox type game. I wont just drop it in their laps, but if they want to hunt down some eccentric mages to buy exotic mounts, I wouldn't mind working it in, but I've got no idea how I should price them. (though I know to charge 1.5x price for combat training to be included. :))
Issue 3. This one is preemptive, but given the other issues popping up, I'm sure it's just a matter of time: what sort of thing should I give for the price if they try to buy exotic slaves (minotaurs, as an example) or try to hire monstrous mercenaries? If they're bought or hired, should they count against leadership?
Looking for input and advice. if someone has formulae to get a ballpark number even better.
tl;dr:
1.1 - Do purchased animals count against leadership?
1.2 - Why do familiars count against leadership?
2 - Advice or a formula to calculate the market price for exotic animals or magical beasts not in the armory?
3.1 - Prices for monstrous slaves?
3.2 - Prices to hire monsters?
3.3 - Should they count against leadership?
1.1 - Do purchased animals count against leadership?
No. (Purchased animals never gain levels, so they quickly get left behind by familiars, cohorts, animal companions, etc.)
1.2 - Why do familiars count against leadership?
I'm not a fan of that rule, personally. I like what they're trying to accomplish, just not the way they're going about it with a -2 numeric disadvantage.
The rational is that they don't want a single player in the party having an entourage and taking up too much time compared to the other party members.
2 - Price
3.1 - Price
3.2 - Price
It pretty much blows RAW/RAI out of the water if you start having hirelings who can fight effectively. I'd suggest making the price a % of the WBL (wealth by level) for the hired character.
3.3 - Should they count against leadership?
No.