If you had gold.

[TelemontTanthul]

Okay, Let's say, YOU, a real person, was casually thrown into a DnD world.

And let us say that you had

A. No class levels (You are a commoner, despite what you may believe)
B. No equipment (Except basic clothing)
C. 12,000 Gold

And let's say that you could buy ANY magic item from ANY book. (An awesome merchant happens to be where you end up.) Crafting is out of the question, so no cutting corners.

What would you buy? Why? And what would you use it for?

Remember, you can BUY anything. So artifacts are also out, because they are not usually able to be bought.

[Rhydeble]

I'd get a caster to planeshift me back home.

[The White Knight]

I'd get a caster to planeshift me back home.

After buying a handful of wildly useful use-activated items of low-level utility spells, of course.

[TelemontTanthul]

...sigh...

Okay, let's say that there was no going back.

For the sake of argument.

[Tyndmyr]

Belt of Healing would be the first purchase, since I'm not particularly fond of bleeding. If I had UMD in any way, a wand of CLW would immediately follow.

Then comes trying to buy my way into wizard training.

[taltamir]

...sigh...

Okay, let's say that there was no going back.

For the sake of argument.

why? let him go home if he wishes... some people would chose that...

Me? I'd buy myself some wizard training.

[Teron]

A candle of invocation.

[Jergmo]

Wait, why would we be Commoners, and not Experts?

[charl]

One of those ioun stones that makes it so you don't need to eat or sleep. Then I'd try to find a psion to train me if they exist in the setting, otherwise wizard sounds nice.

[taltamir]

One of those ioun stones that makes it so you don't need to eat or sleep. Then I'd try to find a psion to train me if they exist in the setting, otherwise wizard sounds nice.

there is also a ring... ring of sustenance.

[Kosjsjach]

there is also a ring... ring of sustenance.

Which will still leave you with 190 pounds of gold.

Good call on the ring, though. One less thing to worry about.

As for myself... hmm... I'll have to get back to you on that, I can't think of anything that I remember falling head-over-heels for.
(Head over heels. What a delightfully old-timey-sounding phrase.)

Edit: A vestment of many styles from Races of Eberron would be cool; basically a limitless wardrobe. And I again agree with a previous poster on the utility of the healing belt.

Ok, so now I'm a stylin' commoner that never needs to eat and probably won't die from falling off a roof. I'm in a D&D world filled with undead and dragons and abberations (oh my), so my next priority is safeguarding myself against the world.

I'll let someone else decide the best way to do that. I'm not very good at it.

Edit again: replace vestment of many styles with hat of disguise. Bit more costly, but the increased utility is worth it.

[Lycanthromancer]

I'd buy a candle of invocation.

[edit] Ack. Somehow I didn't notice that that was already taken. So much for being cool and unique...

[Tyndmyr]

Psssh, that's what Pazuzu is for.

[Tackyhillbillu]

Bribe the DM?

[BooNL]

I agree with the basics:
- ring of sustenance
- hat of disguise
- healing belt

That will at least allow you to live in that world with (relative) safety.

I think the most sensible thing I could do is to buy a tavern, name it the Feisty Goat and surround myself with strong, able heroes. If you serve good ale, those adventurers will protect you better than any magic item out there.

[Dairun Cates]

Cloak of Prestidigitation (A Cloak that activates prestidigitation on a keyword) and Magical Gilded Farming Equipment with some kind of Super Ox if I can manage it.

If I HAVE to be a farmer. I may as well be Super Farmer.

[charl]

I think I'd want to be some kind of lorekeeper, or a nobleman. That way I could live a peaceful life and still live in relative luxury.

[kwanzaabot]

I think I'd want to be some kind of lorekeeper, or a nobleman. That way I could live a peaceful life and still live in relative luxury.

...until the barbarian Orc horde comes along.

[charl]

...until the barbarian Orc horde comes along.

That's when all that wizard training comes in handy.

[kwanzaabot]

That's when all that wizard training comes in handy.

.... you win this round.

[Yora]

I agree with the basics:
- ring of sustenance
- hat of disguise
- healing belt

That will at least allow you to live in that world with (relative) safety.

I think the most sensible thing I could do is to buy a tavern, name it the Feisty Goat and surround myself with strong, able heroes. If you serve good ale, those adventurers will protect you better than any magic item out there.

That'd be about my plan.

Make sure that my health is save, and then invest the money that's left.

[Tyndmyr]

Of course...I say I'd take the cautious route, but if my past experience is any guide, it'd probably be more of a "Hey guys, I heard you need another adventurer", resulting in my commoner butt getting into no end of trouble.

[JellyPooga]

To be honest, I'd probably fritter it away on useless, but cool, items like Dust of Dryness, Quaals' Feather Token:Tree and such.

Either that or a Rod of Wonder...

[Chrono22]

Huh... probably a Spyglass (functionally a Scrying Shard and a telescope combined), a Tome of Worldly Memory, and a Map of Unseen Lands.
For those that don't know: the spyglass would let me spy upon a target of my choice, as per the scrying spell.
The tome of worldly memory can be called upon to fill its blank pages with information about whatever I'm researching at the time.
The map of unseen lands charts your surroundings, including notable terrain features, locations, and dangers.

I doubt that covers all 12000 gp, but I'd rather not overthink it.

[Indon]

I think the most sensible thing I could do is to buy a tavern, name it the Feisty Goat and surround myself with strong, able heroes. If you serve good ale, those adventurers will protect you better than any magic item out there.

One CN group and your tavern, and entire town, could be leveled.

[Guinea Anubis]

I think the most sensible thing I could do is to buy a tavern, name it the Feisty Goat and surround myself with strong, able heroes. If you serve good ale, those adventurers will protect you better than any magic item out there.

This, we also know that none of the adventurers would mess with you thinking you are a retired high level adventurer.

[Johel]

Ring of Sustenance
Because that middle-age food just won't do. Also, less sleep, so less chance to be eaten by an owlbear. Yeah !!!
-2.500

Hat of Disguise
Because I'd need to blend in. Sooooo many opportunities.
-1.800

Ring of Feather Fall
Because nothing say "stupid death" like free fall
And it's fun to jump from a three-storey building.
-2.200

Boots of the Winterlands
Because nothing say "stupid death" like a cold.
Middle-age means no real (and cheap) medicine.
-2.500

Bag of Tricks, Rust
Because having a wolverine or a wolf ready to protect you is nice.
The boar and the black bear aren't bad, too.
-3.000

Now, I don't need food, drink or heat.
I have a suicidal bodyguard that most commoner will fear.
And I can change identity at will.
Future may be dark but I'll survive...

[SparkMandriller]

Partially charged wands.

[Zaq]

Some magical way of dealing with sanitation and providing creature comforts.

Look, there's a reason I'm not a brave heroic adventurer in reality, and it's only partially because I don't have magic to hide behind or demons to slay. I'm a soft and lazy bastard who's been thoroughly spoiled by 21st century conveniences. Magic can replicate at least some of that, so chances are good I'd try to take advantage of that.

Of course, having 12k worth of magic items and no class levels makes me a prime target for getting robbed, killed, or both, so yeah. Kill folks and take their stuff indeed.

[Johel]

Of course, having 12k worth of magic items and no class levels makes me a prime target for getting robbed, killed, or both, so yeah. Kill folks and take their stuff indeed.

You, sir, just summed up the whole situation : too much gold for too little power. So, live hidden, live happy.