I am a little confused on how to purchase items.
It is my understanding I am allowed to purchase before, during and after an adventure. Before and after is easy, as long as what I am purchasing is an approved item. During the adventure is subject to the GM... or something. I am not clear on these rules yet, but it has not been an issue in the three games I have played.
My question is how do I properly record my purchases?
After my second game, I acquired enough gold to upgrade my weapon and armor. I added my purchases of a masterwork weapon, masterwork armor and some alchemical items, all valued at over 25 gp and wrote it on my inventory tracking sheet to show my GM.
It is my understand that I should have my GM write these purchases, or I write these purchases on the chronicle sheet, and have the GM initial. Then write the chonicle number on the sheet showing what sheet authorizes these purchases.
Then I record how much gold I spent on that chronicle sheet to come up with my total.
However, at the game, in the beginning of the game I told him I purchased some items, armor and weapon upgrades to mastework, and he said it didn’t matter. I was told it only matter if it was unusual items.
I am guessing this is a difference in what you are “supposed to do” and what “really happens”, is that right?
Should I always mention my purchases and only have them record it if they care? I am still going to record the gold spent on my #3 chronicle sheet, but should I write what I purchased as well, even though there is no signature?
What is the best practice here?
It’s possible that I have also misunderstood how to purchase. The Guide says:
The GM running the adventure must be present in order for you to purchase items. You can make purchases before, during, or after the adventure. All transactions that occur must be recorded on the character's Inventory Tracking Sheet and the total cost reflected on the Chronicle sheet.
I am not sure where I got the idea I needed permission or that the GM had to initial my purchases.
That eases my mind a bit.
So basically, I can buy whatever and as long as I record it on the inventory sheet. Ok, cool.
Ok. Let me read up on fame limits to make sure I understand them.
Thanks for the help!
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You also may run into some variation where, before there was an inventory tracking sheet, purchases were recorded on chronicle sheets and required GM initials to approve. The process has evolved over the years, and some players/GMs still use some sort of combination of both (myself included). Even I only recently started to remember to tell people that I don't have to initial purchases on their chronicle sheets, but I do make sure to watch the player record them on his inventory tracking sheet.
My general practice is to do both: use the inventory tracking sheet for purchases over 25gp, as well as list them on chronicle sheets (specifically for me, on the back of them). I do this mostly for my own benefit: it makes it easier for me to self-audit my characters and gives me some backup records in case something happens to one of the other documents. I'm well aware that only the tracking sheet is required.
Purchases before or after an adventure are only restricted by what your fame allows you to buy. As a GM, however, I encourage our players to purchase BEFORE adventures rather than after (because, most of the time, after an adventure I need people to clear out for either the next session or because the store is closing).
Purchases during the adventure can be tricky. I'd say at least half of the scenarios give you a chance to purchase equipment after the briefing from the VC or whatever the intro is. There are some, however, that don't give you that opportunity. Additionally, depending on the size of the town/city the scenario starts in (or, in some cases a ship), there may be restrictions on just how much equipment is available in a town.
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I think to Andreww's point, though, I have seen very few people actually enforce purchases in the GM's presence. It seems to be a regional thing, where some regions are very vocal about enforcing it and most regions do not.
I think last time this came up one person online said that they enforced it, and someone said that they'd once seen a dm enforce it bringing the total up to 2. Then it turned out they were the same person dropping it down to 1....
Venture-Captain, Pennsylvania—Pittsburgh
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I think to Andreww's point, though, I have seen very few people actually enforce purchases in the GM's presence.To be honest, neither have I; the most I've seen is players providing or GMs asking the total they're spending so the GM can put it on the chronicle.
My point is that technically, no purchasing is actually happening until the beginning of the next session, which of course means you're free to change your mind about your purchases right up until the next game actually starts.
Oh, I see what you mean. That makes sense.
I think to Andreww's point, though, I have seen very few people actually enforce purchases in the GM's presence. It seems to be a regional thing, where some regions are very vocal about enforcing it and most regions do not.I think last time this came up one person online said that they enforced it, and someone said that they'd once seen a dm enforce it bringing the total up to 2. Then it turned out they were the same person dropping it down to 1....
But that one person is very influential!
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Really should ask this to be changed officially.
You can only shop once you have your total on the chronicle sheet.
shopping takes time
But if you wait for the next session, you make all your purchases at the start when you don't have a chronicle sheet to put down your total on yet.
So there's really no good time to shop following the guide.
I took the advice of the forums and have recorded everything. Including an “incidental” purchase that includes random gear (rope, grappling hooks). That ending current wealth and what is on my tracking sheet match.
Since I have such little experience with this, and taking the experience of the group here, I’m hoping this to be sufficient.
I still have not read the fame rules or how to use prestige points, but that will come in time.
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I took the advice of the forums and have recorded everything. Including an “incidental” purchase that includes random gear (rope, grappling hooks). That ending current wealth and what is on my tracking sheet match.
Since I have such little experience with this, and taking the experience of the group here, I’m hoping this to be sufficient.
I still have not read the fame rules or how to use prestige points, but that will come in time.
Your character usually acquires access to equipment from the society in 4 ways:
It's on a chronicle sheet. You were the one that brought the item in for study, so you can buy it back once they’re done studying it in between adventures.
It's on the always available list. The society will let any members, including their most junior, buy mundane and alchemical weapons, armor and gear made of normal and special materials (other than dragonhide), alchemical equipment, scrolls and potions of first level spells.
You can spend 1 or 2 pp to buy an item worth up to 300 or 750 gp. Many adventurers use their first two PP to purchase a wand of cure light wounds or infernal healing this way. Even if they can’t cast it themselves, they can hand it to someone who can. This way, you pay for your own healing, even if someone else is operating your wand.
And most importantly, Fame. You can buy any legal item from the society that you meet the fame score for. (See the chart in the guide.) As you adventure your fame grows, and the society is more willing to open their vaults or have their craftsmen make items just for you. This means that if you have a character concept that requires a flaming, shocking, mithril kusarigama you don’t need to pray that you find one on the chronicle, you can get it made. Your purchase limit USUALLY exceeds the amount of gold on hand. While chronicle sheet loot looks very important, in practice only rare items, partially charged wands, and items you can’t normally buy (like an elven cloak of resistance) really matter.
Ok, that is helpful. I was scratching my head regarding the PP purchases and if there was a list. I did see the 350 gp value, but wrongfully assumed there was a proper list someone. I think this is a more elegant way to use it.
I really need to sit down a properly read the sections. I have skimmed them a few times, but that only means I have missed more than I absorbed.
Thanks for the help.
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Ok, that is helpful. I was scratching my head regarding the PP purchases and if there was a list. I did see the 350 gp value, but wrongfully assumed there was a proper list someone. I think this is a more elegant way to use it.
I really need to sit down a properly read the sections. I have skimmed them a few times, but that only means I have missed more than I absorbed.
Thanks for the help.
ICLY the joke is that the item access rules were designed by a gnome.
[url=https://docs.google.com/document/d/1n7D4Y_W6jzhVYi2UzJqRArsyb7k6Y_i4Jm_uojDuiII/edit]This
is a more forest than trees look at PFS, it should make some of the guide make some sense.
Venture-Lieutenant, Netherlands—Leiden
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I think to Andreww's point, though, I have seen very few people actually enforce purchases in the GM's presence. It seems to be a regional thing, where some regions are very vocal about enforcing it and most regions do not.
It's almost more the other way around. When we sit down to play I expect people to have done their homework. I don't want people not paying attention to the mission briefing because they're still doing purchases, or starting half an hour late.