Cash for Karma and Vice Versa Options

[Socinus]

Our group has decided to institute a Cash for Karma system (borrowed from a post I saw here (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) ) because almost all of our players are either Magicians, Adepts, and one Technomancer so consequently money is of very little use to us.

Our mundane wants to know if he could sell his own Karma for cash, because money is of far greater use to him. We're having difficulty coming up with an equitable exchange rate for him. Currently it's 20,000 for 1 Karma with a max of 5 per session if we want to buy Karma, but we arent sure what exactly to offer him in terms of cash.

What do you think?

[CanRay]

Well, I have Sleazy the Karma Spirit. He shows up when you want to sell Karma for Cash, in his White Ford E-250 Panel Van.

He offers credsticks, cash (Country Money or Corporate Script), gold coins, and easily pawnable items.

So far, my group hasn't taken advantage of this, mainly due to me using a fan-made drawing of Alice Cooper as a description of this guy.

[Marcus]

Well, I have Sleazy the Karma Spirit. He shows up when you want to sell Karma for Cash, in his White Ford E-250 Panel Van.

He offers credsticks, cash (Country Money or Corporate Script), gold coins, and easily pawnable items.

So far, my group hasn't taken advantage of this, mainly due to me using a fan-made drawing of Alice Cooper as a description of this guy.

LOL oh my. You should totally have it say something about candy on the side.

That just kills me. lol

[Dumori]

Dose he sell too?

[CanRay]

Sometimes, yes.

Here's the pic I used, I think.

Edit: Sorry, nope, this is the one I used.

[Dumori]

Sometimes, yes.

Here's the pic I used, I think.

Edit: Sorry, nope, this is the one I used.

Suits him well.

[jakephillips]

Our group has decided to institute a Cash for Karma system (borrowed from a post I saw here (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) ) because almost all of our players are either Magicians, Adepts, and one Technomancer so consequently money is of very little use to us.

Our mundane wants to know if he could sell his own Karma for cash, because money is of far greater use to him. We're having difficulty coming up with an equitable exchange rate for him. Currently it's 20,000 for 1 Karma with a max of 5 per session if we want to buy Karma, but we arent sure what exactly to offer him in terms of cash.

What do you think?

Probably my post (IMG:style_emoticons/default/twirl.gif) I make it the same both ways so cyber folks can get cool new gear and such. Depends on how much money is in your campaign. I normally set it so they can pick up a few extra points each run and still pay lifestyle costs. With attributes now costing 5x eats karma faster than a fat fifth grader eats candy. One of my street sams saved up for several runs to get to edge 6 only cost 30 karma.

[Elfenlied]

We use a system like this in our group. It's 5000 Nuyen for 1 Karma.

[Medicineman]

I know only a few Groups that use these Houserules and they convert 5000 or 2500 ¥ for 1 Karma (2500 cause it's streamlined with the Karma Rules)

@Socinus
Why don't You talk to Your GM and simply ask for more Karma ?

HokaHey
Medicineman

[Prime Mover]

We've used it. I allow it as long as theres a good reason behind the exchange.
We used the (IMG:style_emoticons/default/nuyen.gif) 5000-1 karma ratio.

[capt.pantsless]

@Socinus
Why don't You talk to Your GM and simply ask for more Karma ?

HokaHey
Medicineman

Either do this, or have the GM engineer some slightly different rewards for shadowruns. Mr. Johnsons could provide access to magical training, other mundane skill training or grant them karma-free contacts.

There's a ton of different ways to reward PCs besides just cash.

[Summerstorm]

I allow for it too. But not in fixed rates. I base my rate upon how much the people saved up, earned and need the other ressource. If they come by huge amounts of money, they can't just give it all to the mage and he "buys" himself a crapton of karma.

It's based upon how much you are willing to give up.

For example a millionaire mage may do it paying 100k per karma.

A dude totally down on his luck, and unable to earn that much cash (streetlevel, low magic-attribute/skill) may get a karma for 500 bucks.

I also trade karma for cash... Also depending on the ressources of the character: If he just don't NEED any karma: his bad, low payout. But if he is desperate for BOTH he can earn more cash. (I use the: karma is change- angle. Have him luck in some games, great investment etc. May start a story arc)

[TommyTwoToes]

Well, I have Sleazy the Karma Spirit. He shows up when you want to sell Karma for Cash, in his White Ford E-250 Panel Van.

He offers credsticks, cash (Country Money or Corporate Script), gold coins, and easily pawnable items.

So far, my group hasn't taken advantage of this, mainly due to me using a fan-made drawing of Alice Cooper as a description of this guy.

He should sell chloroform scented washcloths.

[Brazilian_Shinob...]

My group just recently adopted a trading system of:

give 1 karma for 2.5k nuyen
-OR-
give 5k nuyen for 1 karma

with no more than 2 karma being traded in either way, let's see how this ends up.

[Kruger]

Holy crap... 5000:1?

That's the bargain of the century, lol. How much do Beta Grade Reflexes cost again?

Cash for Karma is an inherently broken house rule because Karma is worth so much more to Awakened characters than money is to mundanes. Even at basic levels, a mage is getting enough Karma from every adventure to learn a new spell. The Samurai is not buying a pile of new gear or cyberware after every run. Like I said in another thread:

Mages who have too much money should be doing what any good, rich Magician should do. Models.

[Marcus]

Initiation don't come cheap, not to mention skill and stat improvements, more Martial arts, buying off flaws, all these things require the awakened to need a Cash to Karma program, and honestly there are plenty of reasons a Sam could use the reverse. Think rating 3 Delta grade move-by-wire grows on trees? Not to mention the giant pile of cash you probably gonna need to make the roll to find the damn clinic in the first place.

Nothing wrong with concept, just gotta find the balance of conversion sounds like we have 20k to 1 or 5k to 1 so far.

[jakephillips]

Initiation don't come cheap, not to mention skill and stat improvements, more Martial arts, buying off flaws, all these things require the awakened to need a Cash to Karma program, and honestly there are plenty of reasons a Sam could use the reverse. Think rating 3 Delta grade move-by-wire grows on trees? Not to mention the giant pile of cash you probably gonna need to make the roll to find the damn clinic in the first place.

Nothing wrong with concept, just gotta find the balance of conversion sounds like we have 20k to 1 or 5k to 1 so far.

All depends on the funding of your game. My numbers have changed over the course of the game as my players moved up the food chain in Seattle they got paid more and it costs more money for karma.

[Marcus]

All depends on the funding of your game. My numbers have changed over the course of the game as my players moved up the food chain in Seattle they got paid more and it costs more money for karma.

What i take away from that is your suggesting as you street cred increases and theoretical job price the conversion a ratio should slid up.

5k in the 1-4 SC 10k in the 5-8 SC and 20K 9+?