Non-cheesy/broken ways to make gold (3.5/PF)

[Tanuki Tales]

What are some ways to make a good, healthy profit with the leadership feat and a score of 25 or higher without being cheesy/broken or ruining the local economy you're trying to be a part of?

[Eurus]

Well, there are those who would argue that using Leadership to make more gold than you're supposed to is cheesy in and of itself. Ignoring that, though, the easiest way is to just have your followers all have ranks and Skill Focus in a profession or craft skill. Make sure to spread them out across a kingdom/world, and not just leave them in one small village, so you aren't taking too much gold out of any one place.

[Elfin]

Well, you can use your Leadership feat to recruit cohorts with ranks in Craft and/or casters with item creation feats and set up shop...even sharing the profits with your cohorts, you'll make a nice stream of gold to supplement your adventuring income.

Edit: Ninja'd, it seems.

[Tanuki Tales]

Well, there are those who would argue that using Leadership to make more gold than you're supposed to is cheesy in and of itself. Ignoring that, though, the easiest way is to just have your followers all have ranks and Skill Focus in a profession or craft skill. Make sure to spread them out across a kingdom/world, and not just leave them in one small village, so you aren't taking too much gold out of any one place.

Well, the followers in and of themselves are pretty useless by the time you actually start to get them. So what other use do they serve then as some kind of fuel for your actual character? (via hard work or sacrifice or etc.)

[deuxhero]

Go Adventuring.

[hamishspence]

DMG2, discusses businesses in D&D- and what happens if the PC wants to run a business- how much time do they need to spend per week, etc. And Power of Faerun, discusses combining this with Leadership.

However, it may be unnecessary complication.

[Tanuki Tales]

DMG2, discusses businesses in D&D- and what happens if the PC wants to run a business- how much time do they need to spend per week, etc. And Power of Faerun, discusses combining this with Leadership.

However, it may be unnecessary complication.

Thanks, I'll look into both.

[Ormagoden]

perform checks during down time = gp

[Lysander]

Form an army and become a mercenary leader?

[snoopy13a]

Well, there are those who would argue that using Leadership to make more gold than you're supposed to is cheesy in and of itself. Ignoring that, though, the easiest way is to just have your followers all have ranks and Skill Focus in a profession or craft skill. Make sure to spread them out across a kingdom/world, and not just leave them in one small village, so you aren't taking too much gold out of any one place.

I wouldn't call it cheesy. However, the DM can easily place checks on it by requiring the PC to supervise the operation. Otherwise, the NPC underlings can embezzle or slack off, thus reducing the profits or even causing a loss.

[Tanuki Tales]

I wouldn't call it cheesy. However, the DM can easily place checks on it by requiring the PC to supervise the operation. Otherwise, the NPC underlings can embezzle or slack off, thus reducing the profits or even causing a loss.

Doesn't the definition of the feat say they're either loyal or devoted though?

[SethFahad]

My "Big Black Tome of Evil Do's and Don'ts for Easy Living" (c) suggests:

Use your followers to get ransom from their families. The more, the merrier...
Lot's of followers = Lot's of ransom money.

[Wings of Peace]

Get a job.