How much for a prostitute?

[jmartkdr2]

The fictitious 5e D&D economy is wild, resembling neither a medieval economy nor a modern one.

For practical purposes, the cost equivalence of a gp seems roughly anywhere from $5 to $25.

1 gp ≈ $5 to $25

Compare handforged combat worthy longsword:
15 gp ≈ $400
1 gp ≈ $26.67

Compare handforged combat worthy renaissance full armor
1500 gp ≈ $7000
1 gp ≈ $4.67

Personally, for the D&D economy, I suspect the 1 gp per $25, to be the more useful approximation.

Although we should let this thread die,

One thing to keep in mind is that this is pre-industrial (unless it's Eberron or something). All things are hand made, there are no cheap disposable products other than food and stuff that comes fully formed in nature.

So use handmade prices for everything and 1 gp is about $10 (in my area) seems to work well enough.

 

[Yaarel]

One thing to keep in mind is that this is pre-industrial (unless it's Eberron or something). All things are hand made, there are no cheap disposable products other than food and stuff that comes fully formed in nature.

So use handmade prices for everything and 1 gp is about $10 (in my area) seems to work well enough.

That is why when using modern price comparisons for the 5e equipment list, it has to be an artisanal handcrafted version of the item.


Yeah, 1 gp per $10, seems both reasonable and super-convenient for price estimates.

 

[Sorcerers Apprentice]

Sometimes it's sad to be reminded how easy-going the internet was 20 years ago.

 

[Yaarel]

It seems to me.

The sexual impulse includes a darkside. (Relating to predatory survival.)

The way I make sense of it is:

Sex is naturally − and vitally − a "playful" safe consensual gaming space.

Just like some D&D players play in a group who play Evil characters and explore themes of oppression and violence, some individuals can explore sex in "kinky" ways.

The moment the sex gaming stops be "fun" for anyone involved, it also stops being ok.

Sex requires a "session zero" to determine what is fun and what is not, for each player.

 

[Charlaquin]

It seems to me.

The sexual impulse includes a darkside. (Relating to predatory survival.)

The way I make sense of it is:

Sex is naturally − and vitally − a "playful" safe consensual gaming space.

Just like some D&D players play in a group who play Evil characters and explore themes of oppression and violence, some individuals can explore sex in "kinky" ways.

The moment the sex gaming stops be "fun" for anyone involved, it also stops being ok.

Sex requires a "session zero" to determine what is fun and what is not, for each player.

I think the issue here is not the subject of sex, but the objectification of sex workers that went on in this discussion.

 

[Yaarel]

I think the issue here is not the subject of sex, but the objectification of sex workers that went on in this discussion.

I agree. Some posts can come across as sexist, and in a dehumanizing way, similar to slavery or serfdom or exploitation of poverty.



Generally, I feel the ethical issue is more about adult consent versus nonconsensual services and images.

Consent also relates to the ownership of ones own body, which is a fundamental aspect of a human.

 

[Yaarel]

Abstractly relating. A news article describes a study demonstrating how current Artificial Intelligence applications are sexist and racist. The methodology learns from the "toxic stereotypes" inherent in many internet comments.

Currently, an AI application must be assumed to be harmful against marginalized communities − unless proven otherwise.



Removing toxic stereotypes from AI, seems similar to removing toxic stereotypes from D&D traditions.



Edit: The study can be found here.

 

[Seramus]

I'm always in favor of kind paladins volunteering to cure diseases, heal injuries, and provide addiction recovery Healthcare services in any fantasy sex work environment.

 

[UngeheuerLich]

That is why when using modern price comparisons for the 5e equipment list, it has to be an artisanal handcrafted version of the item.


Yeah, 1 gp per $10, seems both reasonable and super-convenient for price estimates.

I noticed, that 1GP = 100 Dollar is way closer.

4cp = 1 beer in a pub seems better if it equals 4 Dollars instead of 40cent.

I also don´t think it is totally inappropriate to speak about such a topic. Just ignoring that such things exist might do an equal disservice.
I do think however that everyone has to be treated with respect and not every comment in this thread was appropriate.

 

[Yaarel]

I also don´t think it is totally inappropriate to speak about such a topic. Just ignoring that such things exist might do an equal disservice.
I do think however that everyone has to be treated with respect and not every comment in this thread was appropriate.

I agree. Being candid and thoughtful about difficult social subject matter prevents problems that arise accidentally or unintentionally.

I noticed, that 1GP = 100 Dollar is way closer.

4cp = 1 beer in a pub seems better if it equals 4 Dollars instead of 40cent.

In my experience, cp and sp are negligible. In my own games, the players dont even loot them. They only use gp.

The D&D economy uses gp as the standard. In my campaigns, minor stuff like beer is all part of the "lifestyle" cost per day that is measured in gp costs per day, for "modest" on up.

To hire a sex worker feels necessarily in addition to any lifestyle cost. A more respectful approach to sex work feels more in line with more valuable services and crafts, more like spellcasting, weapons, and armor.

So, for my campaigns, 1 gp per $10 dollars would probably be more accurate − with better ethical implications. @jmartkdr2 convinces me, this is a useful exchange rate.

This would mean, a longsword is about 40 gp, and full plate is about 700 gp. These costs feel reasonable enough. And in this context, the price of a sex worker might be 50 gp per hour.