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Jan 30, 2013 -- 4:55AM, Mojake wrote:

So my group is starting a new campaign soon, and I got this idea. 

Basically, I'm going to try and buy a plot of land close to a main city, and start building a quarry/mine. I'll then capture humanoid enemies in manacles etc. or buy slaves to work on the quarry. I'll also hire staff to look after the quarry while I'm off adventuring. 
Surely mining for ores and valuable materials will bring me more profit for better items.

I was wondering if anyone else has ever done anything similar, such as opened a shop or something?  

We once had a very short campiagn (it litrally lasted one session because the party was so disfunctional that the DM got annoyed and decided to rotate) where three of the players had a snake oilsman business, me as a wizard, a =swindling begiler and a Lawful Evil Knight.

Essencally, our plan was to roll up into the village with our cavavan and, via a section of bluff checks, convince the crowd that (a) the bull semen we are selling really does make one healthy, with super strength and great vitality and (b) it's actually bull seman at all, but merely salted water. Once we had sold a bunch for mostly small amounts of gold (often enough to make back the money and a bit more beside)

It was how we met more random elements of our party, the bard saw our stand and brought some before he was going for a major concert. He then went on to preform terribly as we had dried out his throat and by the time he had come back, we packed up and fled, letting the diguse spell wear off as we assumed our normal appearances. XD

A party business could be a fantastic roleplaying oppertunity, but only if the party is all aboard and the DM is willing. Often as said, I would set these guidelines

1) Is this venture a major part of your partys identity? If so, is the DM willing to accomidate that?

a) Yes! Go wild with the idea, have quests make deals and get rich. Often this might bring around a confontion, violent or otherwise with a major business who finds the new pressence unwelcome.

b) Maybe, but it's not really a focus of the party. It could always be a small venture that earns X amount of money when you roll into a village. It can also provide a good cover for moving around. My case fell in the latter. Three members of the party were assissins, a cleric, a bard and us, the business was merely a small part of what was done. Though it could serve a good hook now and again.

c) No! If thats the case, just got to accept that dungion crawling is your main source of income. Though that isn't a bad way to live.

my DM once had us set up our own city, which was quite fun. however, i reccomend getting the leadership feat, and getting a cohort. they will remain loyal to you, and you can be sure that your quarry foreman wont just take over.

In my forgotten realms campaign of:

Two wizards (one support and one aggro)
A barbarian (good for only making things explode into a gory mess)
Me the bard (Who has crappy stats apart from charisma. Fumbles are constant to the point where I impaled myself on my longsword during our second encounter)

The party has been considering for a few campaigns now whether or not to invest in a merchant caravan or the local brothel. The rothel has a quite reasonable turnover profit wise however swaying the party of chaotic good characters has been quite a challenge for me who is morallly grey.

Any ideas on how to sway the party?