Primitive Screwhead
First Post
I have been on a project recently to relook at the economy of DnD for my home campaign, and one thing I have found scattered hither and thither is the concept of a gp limit to what is available in towns for 'shopping' characters.
I wanted to share my initial thoughts so that folks could help me refine this a bit. One of my major goals is to build in plot hooks into the 'shopping' experience without it feeling forced.
So, my goal is a low-fantasy, feudal society economy were dirt-farmers are dirt poor, and I am using the 'Silver Standard' for the world at large. There are three ways of getting equipment:
1> Purchase from a merchant if the value is less than the Low gp limit
2> Beat a skill challenge(s) to find and barter for an item if the value is less than the High gp limit {and possibly attract attention}
3> Make it yourself {which means find components!}
Population centers have goods available based on the size of the village/town, and also based on the type of town. {this part I haven't fleshed out yet}
The columns beyond high mean:
Magic Shop: An item of this level is available for direct cast purchase at a Guild or Artificer's shop
Magic Barter: An item of this level might be available for barter if you can find it
Potions: Potions of this level or less can be found from a herbologists, witchcrafter, or artificer.. but you will have to Gather Information to find the right place
Note, this table is in gp values, as the PCs work on a Gold standard. The world works on barter and Silver standard and will not likely have large amounts of coin around.... if any.
In a PoL world were the adventurers main 'work' is out in the country, this gives them reason to return to towns and seek out the larger population centers. After all, the gp limit works both ways.. its going to be really hard to barter off a +1 weapon in a Village.. they just can't afford it! {even with the 1/5th selling price}
I used the 'standard' population center definitions for this, but expect a Metropolis is similar to Rome or London... one per major nation and/or continent.
Large Cities would be your port cities that focus on trade, while everything else will be smaller.
Thoughts? Rotten tomatoes?
I wanted to share my initial thoughts so that folks could help me refine this a bit. One of my major goals is to build in plot hooks into the 'shopping' experience without it feeling forced.
So, my goal is a low-fantasy, feudal society economy were dirt-farmers are dirt poor, and I am using the 'Silver Standard' for the world at large. There are three ways of getting equipment:
1> Purchase from a merchant if the value is less than the Low gp limit
2> Beat a skill challenge(s) to find and barter for an item if the value is less than the High gp limit {and possibly attract attention}
3> Make it yourself {which means find components!}
Population centers have goods available based on the size of the village/town, and also based on the type of town. {this part I haven't fleshed out yet}
The columns beyond high mean:
Magic Shop: An item of this level is available for direct cast purchase at a Guild or Artificer's shop
Magic Barter: An item of this level might be available for barter if you can find it
Potions: Potions of this level or less can be found from a herbologists, witchcrafter, or artificer.. but you will have to Gather Information to find the right place
Code:
Size Low High Magic Shop Magic Barter Potions
Thorp 1 4
Village 5 20
Small Town 40 160 - - 1st
Large Town 125 500 - 1st 5th
Small City 150 600 - 2nd 15th
Large City 400 1600 1st 5th
Metropolis 1000 4000 2nd 8th
Note, this table is in gp values, as the PCs work on a Gold standard. The world works on barter and Silver standard and will not likely have large amounts of coin around.... if any.
In a PoL world were the adventurers main 'work' is out in the country, this gives them reason to return to towns and seek out the larger population centers. After all, the gp limit works both ways.. its going to be really hard to barter off a +1 weapon in a Village.. they just can't afford it! {even with the 1/5th selling price}
I used the 'standard' population center definitions for this, but expect a Metropolis is similar to Rome or London... one per major nation and/or continent.
Large Cities would be your port cities that focus on trade, while everything else will be smaller.
Thoughts? Rotten tomatoes?
Last edited: