We are starting a new 12th level campaign (DnD 5e) within a few weeks and checking the higher level starting equipment I found that between 11 and 16 level the PC should start with 5,000 gp plus d10 x 250 gp and with two uncommon magic item. Assuming buying magic items is not a possibility (or very limited at best), how should I handle this?
I feel that if there is no good way to spend this money at the start of the game, it may cause problems with the PCs being too worried to do anything with that much at hand (just outright start with a cart stuffed full with cash) or just try to solve every upcoming problem with it (bribes, hire guards or even a small army).
Best Answer
A typical gold sink is tool proficiencies and languages; downtime
I recently joined a group at level 11 with similar guidelines. My choice was to add a tool proficiency (thieves tools) and two languages. The DM took a look at the tables in the DMG, also consulted the UA on downtime article from WoTC. We arrived at a price. It ate about 3300 GP to get those downtime benefits, and accounted for all of the downtime he had allowed for a character to have earned by 11th level.
On my own I made the decision to convert 1000 GP of gold into 2 500 GP diamonds (Raise Dead needs one of those) which DM approved, and I spent a little more money getting them set into a mundane amulet I wear around my neck. (Under my shirt/armor).
The rest was odds and ends, though getting a warhorse and the expensive barding is something I considered seriously.
Work with your DM if this idea appeals to you and arrive at some "how I used all of my summer vacations" upgrades to tools and languages.
If your DM likes the UA article on downtime, you could use some of the gold/down time to craft a particular magic item. (A rare one goes for about 2000 GP but takes about 50 game weeks, and the DM needs to rule on the need to face at least a CR 9-12 monster to find the necessary ingredients).