Quick/simple question regarding exp from items

[ibldedibble]

Hey!

I was looking through the LL rules once again to make sure I wasn't missing anything and I read the "Awarding Experience" part which got me thinking... "items", does that include coins?

The reason I'm wondering is because I might be handing out a few GP more than I should if "items" does include coins and not enough non-coin treasure if it doesn't.

/Ibl

[Blood axe]

Im not understanding your question exactly- so if you could please be clearer. I'll try anyway.

You can give XP(Experience Points) for each GP (Gold Piece) value in treasure.
You can also give XP for magic items found. (like in 1E D&D)

[ibldedibble]

Im not understanding your question exactly- so if you could please be clearer. I'll try anyway.

You can give XP(Experience Points) for each GP (Gold Piece) value in treasure.
You can also give XP for magic items found. (like in 1E D&D)

The first part of your reply is exactly what I'm wondering about. Because the rules state "at the rate of 1 XP per 1 gold piece (gp) value of the item."
Would that mean that GP (or coins as I called them earlier) count as items as well or is it only items such as gems, statues and what not?

[Blood axe]

Im not understanding your question exactly- so if you could please be clearer. I'll try anyway.

You can give XP(Experience Points) for each GP (Gold Piece) value in treasure.
You can also give XP for magic items found. (like in 1E D&D)

The first part of your reply is exactly what I'm wondering about. Because the rules state "at the rate of 1 XP per 1 gold piece (gp) value of the item."
Would that mean that GP (or coins as I called them earlier) count as items as well or is it only items such as gems, statues and what not?

--------------------------

Do you mean if a player finds a suit of platemail he gets the gp/xp equivalent? Id say no. But thats an individual decision. Personally I dont give xp for gold at all. I give more XP for actions, role-playing,etc,etc.

So if you are lucky and find a 5,000 gp gem you go up a level or two?! Makes no sense to me. Bring it to the real world- a Priest wins the lottery and suddenly becomes the Pope. Or a boxer who never won a fight , now is the all time champ. Doesnt make sense. But it is just a game.

[rabindranath72]

Do you mean if a player finds a suit of platemail he gets the gp/xp equivalent? Id say no. But thats an individual decision. Personally I dont give xp for gold at all. I give more XP for actions, role-playing,etc,etc.

So if you are lucky and find a 5,000 gp gem you go up a level or two?! Makes no sense to me. Bring it to the real world- a Priest wins the lottery and suddenly becomes the Pope. Or a boxer who never won a fight , now is the all time champ. Doesnt make sense. But it is just a game.

You can never gain more than one level at a time, whatever the amount of XP you gain. This was true in B/X, Mentzer and AD&D, and I suppose Dan wrote something to that effect also in LL.
Regarding the topic of "why characters advance in level with gold," Gary wrote a lot in the DMG. The final point is, it's a "metagaming" concept used to "push" the characters to go adventuring. A priest winning the lottery would not gain anything, since he did not risk his life to gain the money. But if he killed a dragon and took its loot (and brought it home safely,) he might become the Pope! (assuming he is one level short from becoming one; otherwise, see the rules above.)

[ibldedibble]

Do you mean if a player finds a suit of platemail he gets the gp/xp equivalent? Id say no. But thats an individual decision. Personally I dont give xp for gold at all. I give more XP for actions, role-playing,etc,etc.

So if you are lucky and find a 5,000 gp gem you go up a level or two?! Makes no sense to me. Bring it to the real world- a Priest wins the lottery and suddenly becomes the Pope. Or a boxer who never won a fight , now is the all time champ. Doesnt make sense. But it is just a game.

No, I mean if the party finds 5000 GP, would that mean the party gains 5000 XP or is it only for gems and statues?

It's fine that you don't use that rule, but I intend to run it RAW, in which case it says "Characters only gain XP from treasure of a non-magical nature, at the rate of 1 XP per 1 gold piece (gp) value of the item.", which is why I've asked if GP indeed counts as an "item".

[rabindranath72]

It's the intrinsic value of objects which gives XPs; which obviously includes coins.

[ibldedibble]

It's the intrinsic value of objects which gives XPs; which obviously includes coins.

Thanks! Time to edit some of the treasure then.

[scadgrad]

I try to run it by the RAW as best as I can and it seems to work out. There are no GP values for magic items in RC the best I recall, and certainly none in LL/AEC. To that end, I award XPs for coinage, gems, jewelry and whatever monsters they defeat. Occasionally, a successful end to a chapter, etc. may earn an XP bonus.

I agree with EGG's metagaming concept that strongly urges the characters to go out looking for trouble. I also like a bit of the "we're always broke" vibe of Sword and Sorcery classics like Lieber, REH, etc. To this end, I use the Carousing Rules which usually result in hilarious twists and turns in our story. Needless to say, my players are always looking for something big to gank and then of course take its stuffz.