The First Sacrifice (OOC)

Yeah. Sounds like you are trading that for hurt feelings, though. He may be resistant to leaving his friend... again; Limpy was just another option for you guys if that happened.
Sure. If you believe wandering the forest without you is safe. The last time he did that it did not turn out all that well. :)
I just knew, today, that that question was going to come up. And I am unsure. Technically you are 'investing the money in the goodwill of the locals', which would be some form of 'buying a fix by throwing money at the problem'. But, unless you are planning spending much more time here, we can consider that similar to 'partying with the locals' (from BoL) which also 'buys you goodwill'.

So, in this case... maybe? It feels a bit like a cop-out? Are you not sidestepping the moral dilemma a bit?
Maybe justify it, in character, as deciding to take the money (hoarded 'wealth') from the villagers and forcing it to be spent on bettering the whole valley?

I feel there will be a price to pay for that, but c'est la vie?
Maybe on a very good Die of Fate roll.

Good point :D
Yeah, you're right. I guess that would be taking advantage of a technicality.
It should be us giving the money and not wanting anything in return. Something more like giving the gold to a random farmer on our way out. And perhaps a good roll farther down the line might bring something that follows from this generosity? But it should be without expectation.

But it might be necessary since we are not playing a game (or in a game world) where we can really make use of how it was (maybe?) intended.
Well... In BoL you are getting a party (or whatever you spend it on) which is important to your characters and a major motivation for the going out adventuring. The important element is that you 'throw it away', as you say: 'without expectation of something in return', but you are getting story out of it, and isn't that all we ever really get? BoL rewards you more for telling a better story (the more foolhardy the more XP).
I am not sure about that. That really would not fit in BoL or other games that use similar systems (Impulse Drive, for instance). The only requirement is that the coin is gone.

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I think we will have problems if we try to be too strict with this. Our party does not really fit the typical image of 'adventurers' and definitely not 'barbarian' ones.
Yes. But that does not mean that you can't get some return from it. Just that you can not directly buy that expected return. It is comes, so be it.

I say robin-hooding the valley and giving it to the men at the inn is good enough. Your intentions are not to improve yourselves, but to help the situation in the world, and that fits the concept and you characters.

Go for it.

We can talk about it outside the bar, and then double back.

Indeed.

@fossball: I don't think Norbert knows of an temples in this area [ref], nor anyone particularity trustworthy [ref] for that sort of money. His mind might go to his family (they are 'trustworthy' right?) but I (OOC) doubt that would really be approriate.

Unless you think you have a particularity interesting idea, I think there is no easy answer for this moral dilemma. Maybe Albert will have to settle for trusting the men you met at the inn? [ref] (Yes, those men who flip-flopped loyalties at the drop of a ... well, not a hat).

Finding a proper trustee for such a sum of money would take time.

Norbert is also welcome to be of the opinion that Roald and Albert should just keep it, that the village deserves to have some of its Gold taken away.

Seems that way. I do like the celebration feast afterwards.
True. If you get into a fight, it will help, but if you can talk your way out of it, it won't be a benefit.
No. And the story is better this way?

However, if you gamble on having these men (probably the innkeeper?) arrange the party you will Level Up, but won't know about whether they run away with your 'hard-earned' Gold or if you will return to a triumphant celebration feast day. This sort of gamble is also rather in character with the BoL origins. :)

I see that what I wrote is not what I intended.
I'll rewrite my post.

How much do we want to give to barky?

Ahsa gave Albert the same amount in his own pouch. [ref]

You each have 50 Gold, which is 1000 Silver which is exactly what you each need to reach Level 2.

If you hope to Level Up that will take all of it.

I assume you are not using some of the money to 'pay for Olaf's aid'? That he will be coming out of the good of his heart? Hiring Henchmen is the same as buying gear, that makes you stronger, so does not Level you up.

Only the money that 'vanishes' into the festivities (and therefore does not directly empower you) counts towards Levels.

I completely forgot about that.
Though, I'm not sure Albert has that money right now, since his backpack is still missing.

Just didn't want to give it all at once.
More like. ''Here's 3? Gold to organize a feast. There will be more when/if we return to do some good for the village.''
I thought that way there would be a bigger incentive to sway anyone in doubt of coming to our aid.

'if they die, they can't follow up on their promise, so we better make sure they get back in one piece '

That way you (vague) can send in the cavalry if we end up rolling badly at critical times.

You got that after you lost your packs.

You can do that. As was pointed out, the only real benefit Level 2 gives you is more HP. If you don't fight there is no benefit from Leveling Up....
Which should only happen if you do fight.

Leveling Up frst might be a better protection than hoping for deus ex cavalry.

Oh ok. I see.

In that case I'll hand over the treasure.

Oh right. Sorry. My brain is not working very well. I blame the heat.

So we'd both have to hand over all the money?

You each received the exact amount needed to get to Level 2. If you want Level 2 it will take all that she gave you. If you want to keep some of the money (to buy anything, or for any other purpose) then you won't reach Level 2 now.

This is basically the free Level you were promised a year ago for getting this far in the story. It is only 'free' if you discount the moral quandary (which you seem to have sidestepped quite nicely with giving the money away). An advantage of XP for Gold is that it is versatile, you could choose to spend the gold on gear instead (this also makes you stronger, so does not 'give' XP, though).

It is a lot of money to be dumping into the economy in one go, but I don't know if your characters would think about such broader implications.

For real? If so, we can try a ad-hoc, provisional Cure, and play it as a 'test of faith' type deal.

If you are genuine in your commitment to Raynor, then roll +CHA.
On a 6- as close to 'nothing happens' as we can get happens. Raynor looks askance at you and is displeased by your lack of faith, this might have minor narrative implications for a little while.
On a 7-9 Raynor takes you into the fold and grants you a boon. (Daryl recovers and is strengthened or healed enough to carry on).
On a 10+ Raynor welcomes you into the fold and grants you a boon. (Daryl is fully healed and rearing to go conquer, with a fair idea of where is enemies are).
On a 12+ the same as above, but even better. You can ask for another boon at some point in the near future.

If you are just dedicating yourself to Raynor, no matter whether he answers your prayers, then that will put you in even better standing with Raynor, but we will only see that in the fiction going forward.

In the unlikely event you are not genuine in your commitment, then... maybe we can try a 'Cure' of some sort, but we will need to work out the details. It will be less favourable than the above.

What do you do?

I have to say, if that works, it would be AWESOME! :)