Further input (sorry for length):
1.) Agreement on valuing and selling all non-magical loot, and allowing people to take items as a portion of their share (unless there are multiple people who want claims, in which case they can dice or bid for them). My attempt:
5 longbows (40 gpv each = 200 gpv, 50% for used = 100)
2 suits of splint (75 gpv each = 150, 50% for used = 75)
1 suit chainmail (70 gpv, 50% used = 35)
1 suit studded (30 gpv, 50% used = 15)
2 shortswords (7 gpv each = 14, 50% used = 7)
1 shield (10 gpv, 50% used = 5)
1 mace (5 gpv, 50% used = 2.5)
silver skull pin (25 gpv)
7 emeralds/diamonds (100 gpv each = 700)
gem-covered shortsword (125 gpv)
platinum tankard (100 gpv)
silver coffer (75 gpv)
broken crossbow bolt (???)
12 small gems (25 gpv each = 300)
huge diamond (1000 gpv)
platinum holy symbol (???)
steel map case and map (???)
gem-studded mithril bracers (???)
Not including questionable items, that's 2564.5 gpv in gear, jewels, and objet d'art. Add in 487 gp and 112 pp (value = 1120 gpv), that's a total of 4171.5 gpv in pure cash or equivalent value. Split 10 ways, that's 417 gpv for each of us.
Can we estimate a value for the holy symbol and bracers? I presume the value of the map and the broken bolt are hard to fix, but I would say both are above 0.
The duke might be interested in the map, but Galen would like a chance to copy it first.
2.) I suppose I can agree that being willing to test an item should give some sort of precedence...but I still have some concerns:
a.) I did not know this going in; I assumed (perhaps foolishly) that treasure would be divvied evenly or by lot at the end, as this was how loot was handled on most of my other outings. I suppose perhaps things like this should be discussed beforehand.
Bertram (the party leader) did mention it, though:
1st dwarven expedition thread, pg. 18 wrote:We'll do an even split at the end of the adventure. Normally we pick lots, and if two or more want the same item we dice over it. So don't feel like you've missed out just yet.
b.) Had I known, Galen might well have been more forward in taking/testing items...the risk of a curse is pretty small, statistically speaking.
c.) On that note, I worry this could lead to 'grabbiness' when it comes to magic, which I prefer to avoid.
d.) Under no circumstances should anyone be allowed 2 items before everyone has had a choice of 1.
First and foremost...let's see what people are interested in. If 1 person wants something and nobody else does, there's no argument and that person gets it, no fuss no muss. The only need for dicing or dibs is if people disagree on distribution.
3.) I count 9 items that are likely of a permanent and useful nature; 3 items of a temporary or dubious nature; and the demon longsword. If we can test the boots and find that they still work (Galen is willing to do this test, if others agree), then they can be added to the first group.
A:
Dragon Shield +1
Broadsword +1 of Momentum
Thunder Hammer +2
Needle Dagger +1
Elvish Peace Ring
Dragon Helm
Lion Shield +1
Silver Lance +1
Holy Magic Amber Batman
B:
Vial of green goo
Scroll of Cleric spells
Damaged Briar Boots
C:
Demon Longsword +2
I really hope that the Briar Boots still work; that gives enough class-A items for everybody to get 1. In this case, I'd suggest let people pay part of their treasure share for the class-B items.
If they don't, then maybe we can combine the scroll and the goo as 1 share (of value only to a cleric, but still pretty nice, and there are 4 of us).
Are we willing to let not-Bromric walk around with that sword? And if so, does it count as Bromric's share? If both, that makes the divvy simpler in the event that the boots don't work.
Preliminary divvy, if people like the stuff they grabbed:
-Hammer for Ulf
-Dagger for Constance
-Lion Shield OR Amber for Martin
-Dragon Shield OR Demon Sword for Bromric
-Sword OR Lance for Bertram
-Dragon helm for Mokatah
-Ring and possibly Boots up for grabs
-Galen, Krysta, Seadu, and Abi need to pick
While I must admit the idea of Ulf having a badass hammer to match his name is an awesome one, Galen would like that hammer as well (not least because it keeps him and his 2 HP out of combat)...but he'd also like one of the shields, or the helm.
I'd suggest people list off the items they'd LIKE to get, in order of preference; we can maybe work some or all of this out just by compromising and being agreeable.