GM In Need of Wealth and Encounter Balance.

[Icy Turbo]

Hello everyone! Previously I posted a thread asking about things to include and not include in my campaign which I am slowly building up to
running. This thread is linked here:

http://paizo.com/threads/rzs2r33w?What-Should-I-AvoidBan-From-A-Core-Pathfi nder#15

Now that I have taken the time to read this, I feel confident in what I want to do with my campaign. Now the big question: Right now I am basing the overall story and encounter layout roughly on the Crypt of the Everflame Module (Level 1). The story is somewhat similar, but since I do not have the module the encounters, items and treasure locations are being made for the campaign by me. So far it is as follows:

Roughly 6 enemy encounters, mostly Undead and Necromancers, but if the players do not head to the crypt immediately they will probably encounter Bandits or Goblins. The party at this time is roughly 4 people, a bard, cleric, rogue and what I assume might be a druid. Encounter numbers will be rolled, but I am roughly at lowest having it be 1/1 for the party.

I have a total treasure value of roughly 1,500 GP, whether this be from in the city or in the tomb. This includes potions, scrolls, trade goods and other items located in shops, or items found within the crypt in secret treasure rooms.

Does this seem relatively balanced? Or should I make some changes? I am a first time Pathfinder DM, so any info helps.

[Smallfoot]

How much are you modeling on Crypt of the Everflame? IIRC it's a module, designed (in PFS) to give successful characters 3xp and thus bump them up a level. My character got 1398gp out of it, so I guess that's what PFS standard would be for a first level character. You could use that as a guideline, but it's a matter of what you envision for the campaign. The advancement might be too slow and the gold too much, or vice-versa.

Assuming you want to level the players up, 1500gp split four ways would be really low for PFS, but for a home campaign might be entirely appropriate. Just consider what resources you want the characters to have available and adjust accordingly.

As an old AD&D 1st edition player who just recently returned to RPGing, I really like the way PFS handles xp. Three adventures or sessions per level feels like a reasonable rate for advancement. Typical PFS modules have 3-4 encounters, so again, if you're modeling off Crypt, you might add a couple more so the players go through 8-9 fights before they level up.

From my POV it's cool if you want to run a low-gold, low-magic campaign - by which I mean both money and magic are hard to come by - as long as the players know about it in advance and agree. This method would tend to make the characters' inherent abilities more important than their stuff. It doesn't sound as if you'd have anyone trying to craft magic items, but that's an area to watch out for.

Good luck!