Well, with nearly 50000gp of unwanted treasure being carted around I decided to have a merchant arrive trying to profit from the war. He was heading for fort Trevalay but the party met him first and much trading occurred
Anyone else folded and let the party shop
Pathfinder has shopping hard written into the rules
I won't. I've witnessed what overwhelming wealth can do in Giantslayer and don't want the same to happen in future campaigns. Instead, I'm trying to figure out a mechanism that will allow them to craft at least a little bit. Potions and alchemical items should be easy, since there is some economy and there are plenty of natural resources available for such things, but bigger items, including weapons/armor with special materials, should be much more difficult.
They do not lack for alchemical items. The hobgoblins carry loads of them! Plus we have a few npcs will some skill
There were always merchants among the survivors, but with limited resources. I kept it that way. Managing resources is part of the challenge of this Ap that helps separate it from the other APs.
We tried that at first. But it seemed weird to the players trading with their families (survivors) in effect? Plus they have so much stuff from the endless slaughter its ridiculous.
They gave lots of treasure to the refugees and I have let them sell the rest, and buy a few bits.
It will be a one off transaction until they get to Longshadow.
Adventure goes to great lengths to put players in a scenario where they are cut off from their regular routine of buying and selling everything they come across in attempt to make players be more resourceful.
GM throws that out and brings in merchant. Makes sense.
Players seem happy. That's the main thing in my book
Had the caravan attacked by a number of hobgoblin militias but it just got away thanks to the PCs help.
What about the svirfneblin trader, Novi? I've used her to good results in my campaign.
She was visiting the troglodytes and actually followed the PCs around the dungeon to ascertain their purpose. They managed to beat her Stealth check once or twice, seeing a shadow in the distance disappearing between the stones. Before facing the troglodyte boss they actually managed to perceive her and proceed to parlay. She gave them some information about the next encounters and some backstory about the dungeon (also a glimpse of the mythology around the Vault Builders), establishing trust with the PCs. Turns out she is pleased with the idea of another group taking the caverns, one that's liable to trade the cavern's many crystals with her (I portrayed the troglodytes as seeing the gems as holy relics).
At that time, the end of mod one, I thought it a bit weak that a merchant had arrived!! until the PCs ended up with a ridiculous amount of stuff to sell. They are now all 9th level, and have shopped in Longshadow!!!