Hey cool people, I’m not sure if I’ve posted this in the right place, but I’ll have a go anyway.

So, one of the players I GM for has expressed an interest in getting their character to buy a small bar on Scintilla as a means of both a safe house, recruiting ground, and the chance of earning some extra Thrones on the side. The character in question is quite impulsive, has alcoholic tendencies, and has recently come upon a large sum of money, so buying a bar would be fully within character. So my question is, do you thing this is a feasible idea? How much should it cost to buy/run? How much money do you think the place would be able to make?

Any help/advice you guys can offer on this subject would be brilliant.

Thanks

I have PC who own property/businesses before and they are an awesome storytelling asset. As far as the economics of such a thing – that’s all subject to the world you’re game is set in.

Being able to retreat to a safe house in times of need is extremely helpful to the PCs but, eventually, when the party enemies discover it’s location the PC’s (who are probably used to being on the offensive) suddenly have to go on the defensive on their home turf.

The acolytes Inquisitor would likely not have a problem with that either as, in times of dire need, he and his acolytes can retreat to the safe house for medical attention, interrogate captives without intervention, re-equip, and repair vehicles.He could even order his acolyte to sell his property if, for some reason, they need to come up with a large sum of money very quickly.

As far as cost goes, modern mortgages are based on a lot of things. I would probably pick a profession that makes moderate level income – say 70 throne. Cut that in half (30) and multiply that by 12 (the number of months in a year = 360) then multiple THAT by 30 (homes are typically 30 year mortgages = 10800). Of course a 30-year mortgage includes interest to a bank which comes out to well over double or in many cases quadruple the value of the property but this is a BUSINESS with all sorts of setup costs. After setup, there will be monthly business costs which will take a chunk out of his income until the business starts turning a profit.

They’re a lot of fun and I suggest going ahead with allowing him to purchase property. What happens if the property happens to be in the territory of a gang that demands “protection” money? What if it’s on the border of a mutant turf war? What if the local business magistrate is corrupt? What if the employees are part of a heretical cult or something else?

I agree, with the above. A PC owning property like that is a God send for the story. one of my favorite stories I've ran 9with fading suns) centered around a bar that one of the PC's owned. Besides, as an acolyte, taking the initiative to establish a safe house, cover for money laundering (for those times when they need assets and don't want heretics with connections tracing said assets back to the =][=), an environment for casual information gathering and monitoring on a local scale, etc should be encouraged. In other words, go for it and let him purchase the property!

As for cost, I'd say let him hunt around giving him several options which range from 500 thrones more then he has to 500 less then he has (don't tell him this is how your setting the prices though ;-) ). Barter will, as always reduce the cost on success and should be played out to the hilt. Once up and operational, it will barely brake even, effectively costing him no money out of pocket to run but generating no money unless you come up with an interesting story involving the bar (such as the above mentioned protection money, schemes to generate fast cash with unforeseen consequences, etc). if he wants to increase his profits from his bar he will need Trade (merchant) helped by Logic and a lot of time not being an acolyte. Of course, he could always hire a manager who is competent, but then his profits should be determined by some combination of Scrutiny and Command (with trade (merchant) and logic assisting) with a failure resulting in an inept manager, bad months, or possibly a manager who's skimming off the top, or most anything else that could be fun.

In the end, always err on the side of fun. The reality of running a business is NOT FUN, don't go there. Keep it simple and and if it helps or deepens the story, then, by golly, make it happen!

I also have a feeling that the monetary system that's being introduced in Rogue Trader may help you out in even the owning and running of a bar. It may be worth checking that out when it hits the shelves.

Do it. I've had PC's own bars in WHFRP (either Miragliano or Marienburg,for the use of the wharfs). I've always let them aquire the deeds to a property rather than sold it, but it's an excellent money pit and roleplay tool. I put in a rough area, with lot of access, high crime, very run down and all sorts of problems from protection rackets and turf wars, to slumming nobles being obnoxious. It's reat it youallow the players to improve the place, as they continue to lose money but can see the light at the end of the tunnel (a train) with a proffitable business. It's a great cover source of information, safe house and social club. It oozes plot hooks. If profits get to high, attack. Repairs and fortifications to the bsiness they've put their blood sweat and tears arn't cheap, but build a sense of achievement. It increases the gameplay rewards (and punishments) you can hand out too. A PC gets to injuredor insane to continue...let him prop up (or run) the bar. It's good for creating intra party conflict too, escpecially if one PC keeps drinking the profits, thowing up, brawling with the patrons and wrecking the place. Now PC's will CARE about helping him sort out his pschological problems (maybee, they could kill him).

Rant done. I like (in game) bars.

Firstly, thank you all for the brilliant ideas...

In the end the player opted to blow all his cash on some top-of-the-line equipment instead, silly fool. He's still interested in making the purchase , be it at a later date now, and possibly with a bit more input from the rest of the group.