Powershop

A modular mini-game for shopping scenes in RPGs

Setting:

The PCs are shopping at a market or bazaar. The GM has determined that the players will be able to buy what they are looking for, but would like to spice up the results of the shopping endeavor.

You Need:

• A Game Master
• Two or more Player Characters (PCs)
• A deck of playing cards

How to Powershop:

1. The GM will briefly determine determine whether any players have advantages or disadvantages during this shopping trip. An in character advantage for this shopping trip compared to the other PCs might be higher charisma, better haggling skill, more familiarity with this store, etc. A disadvantage might be poor personal hygiene, bigotry of the townspeople, low intelligence, etc. (This whole determination should take no more than two minutes, though the players are welcome to make suggestions during that time about who should get an advantage or disadvantage.)

2. The GM will deal one to three cards to each player. Players with an advantage receive three cards. Players with a disadvantage receive one card. Other players receive two cards.

3. Players all reveal their cards. The player with the highest spade or club (aces are high) successfully buys the most expensive item he wants to buy, and discovers that it is of unusually high quality. (The GM should give some small in-game bonus to this high quality item.)

• The player with the lowest spade or club, or with no spades or clubs, successfully buys the most expensive item he wants to buy, and discovers that it is of unusually low quality (with some related, small in-game penalty for its use.)
• The player with the highest heart or diamond successfully buys the most expensive item he wants to buy, and only has to spend 75% the list price.
• The player with the lowest heart or diamond, or no hearts or diamonds, can buy the most expensive item he wants to buy, but only if he is willing 125% of the list price. The item will not be available at a lower price anywhere else during this game session.

In the case of a tie between two players, both players receive the appropriate shopping benefit or penalty.