The Cost of a House

[Nemesis Destiny]

Yeah it's 25k gold for 300 spaces. Which 300 spaces is not alot. A good size inn is more than 300 spaces and not worth 25k. I would say 25k silver or 2500 gold.

A good size inn is also not built like a castle, i.e. thick stone walls (typically), battlements, sturdy seige-resistant doors, and so on.

Assuming though that you don't want all those things for a typical house, I think moving a step down in currency is a good way to represent that.

 

[Zaran]

A good size inn is also not built like a castle, i.e. thick stone walls (typically), battlements, sturdy seige-resistant doors, and so on.

Assuming though that you don't want all those things for a typical house, I think moving a step down in currency is a good way to represent that.

That was the deal though. They stated that 300 space thing was despite any trappings. It was a flat fee to throw out there instead of actually making a real guide with building materials and such. I was very disappointed. I felt like they threw out that article as way to say "See, we gave you what you asked for! A stronghold guide!" and it was only done half-donkeyhorsed.

Even if it was a castle with the same amount of space it has to be affordable by the players and 25k is not affordable until close to Epic.

 

[Nemesis Destiny]

If you want a really detailed Strongholds book, there was such a book published for 2e, but I don't recall the prices being any better.

I guess it depends on how closely your group(s) follow the wealth-by-level rules.

Really, an article like this is more a starting point; food for thought for a DM. They're not even official in the first place, so it's not like you can use them in LFR or whatnot anyway. I agree though that in their current form, these rules kind of suck, and as a DM, I would do it somewhat differently.

 

[Zaran]

If you want a really detailed Strongholds book, there was such a book published for 2e, but I don't recall the prices being any better.

I guess it depends on how closely your group(s) follow the wealth-by-level rules.

Really, an article like this is more a starting point; food for thought for a DM. They're not even official in the first place, so it's not like you can use them in LFR or whatnot anyway. I agree though that in their current form, these rules kind of suck, and as a DM, I would do it somewhat differently.

One should never have to go to a previous edition for information. I have the 3.0 edition Stronghold Builders book but in a world where they think everyone that buys books is new they should put out a 4e version or at least keep adding to their Dragon Articles on the subject.

 

[Nemesis Destiny]

I get what you're saying, and your position in general, but my response to their lack of product on the topic is, "Meh."

Having to make stuff up myself to fill in the blanks doesn't really bother me; half the time when they do the work for me, I end up not liking what they've done and feel inclined to change it anyway. I've always liked fiddling with rules bits though, and have never been into organized play at any level. I concede that it might suck for the gamers that are into organized play, or have a "if it ain't on the page, it ain't on the stage" kind of DM.

Generally, though, I disagree that you should never have to go to a previous edition for information. The designers themselves are doing this right now, because they finally realize that some of that old stuff just "got it right." Good or bad, there are things to be gleaned and learned from prior editions.

 

[S'mon]

The 1e DMG has detailed castle construction rules; AIR a decent castle will set you back in the region of 30,000gp. Beats the 3e DMG which declares that a fortress costs 1 million gp! Although you can get a magic, portable, Daern's Instant Fortress for 50,000gp...