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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Loonook" data-source="post: 5901951" data-attributes="member: 1861">This is why Profession checks exist <img src="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/joypixels/assets/8.0/png/unicode/64/1f642.png" class="smilie smilie--emoji" loading="lazy" width="64" height="64" alt=":)" title="Smile    :)"  data-smilie="1"data-shortname=":)" />.The lowest wage one earns for unskilled labor is 1 SP/day.  For those who have a bit of skill at something this can increase dramatically.  Half a profession check in GP for an average NPC (lvl 1 commoner, no special Int qualifications, ability to take 10) would come to 5-6 GP/week. 260-310GP/year is not a horrible wage... But then we look at costs.A Soldier (a base Warrior 1) makes 6 GP/month just for standing about in the employ of a castle's guard.  That same soldier may take cross ranks in Profession (Cobbler), gain a rank, and make an additional 5 GP/week.  A soldier in the employ of someone probably has a billet and Meagre fare, and has the ability to sell his arms and armor when he changes sides as long as outfitting and the keeping of his outfit is in his contract (not horribly uncommon in the day).  Most of his arms and armor are supplied by his master/mistress, and probably become swapped every couple of years so that can be factored in.Perhaps he also gets the right to keep what he finds on raids to a certain percentage (also not uncommon).  Figure 3 level appropriate encounters per year (bandits at the gates, a boar attacks the family dogs, reward posted etc.) and you have an extra 225 GP in pocket.225 + 72 + 260 - 557We have 46.41 GP/month coming in for our 1st level Warrior.  Not a horrible wage, but by the rules of Upkeep (3x DMG p. 130) he's looking at 12 GP/mo for Poor upkeep of his own, reduced by his Meager supplied fare (7GP/mo overall).  If he has a spouse with a skill they would clear around 60 GP/year, covering their own Meager upkeep, and cost an additional 84 GP/year for Poor upkeep.  Factor in a kid or two at half upkeep and you're looking at an additional 144 GP/year for upkeep costs as Poor.  557 - 144 - 84 - 84 = 245 GP/year.This figures a poor accommodation (possibly paying the liegelord for a couple of tick mattresses or a hovel near the household).  They will need to purchase clothing (2 GP covers 5 outfits for each member of the family, his guard's uniform would be provided) and other sundries not covered by Upkeep.  If he plays his cards right he could do pretty well for himself.  If he invests in durable goods for his household he could have a couple of Lanterns, a dog for company on guard duty (and perhaps a whelp for the hovel), and other finery.  This is of course not figuring in any taxation; if he and the missus were taxed a quarter of his income he would be looking at disposable income around 78.75GP while keeping his duties.In four or so years of encounters our Sample Soldier gains a level, becoming more competent as a guard (doubling his current monthly rate)... he may even gain a bit more power among the rank and file.  At this rate (72 GP/year) he may be able to afford some nicer things for the home.  That brings the overall income to 317 GP/year.  If he is taxed he would be bringing home 132.75 GP.  He still couldn't move to a Common standing (1152 GP increase in overall cost! yikes!).  He will be facing the same types of encounters with his same crew.  He will continue his steady progression of leveling for 12 years.  Over that time it is possible that his children have taken up skills and may supply additional income, additional children are present and non-contributing, or even that a mouth has been lost. Overall you're looking at people who just move up slightly in station.  Most adventurers, who sleep outdoors, can handle a monster, etc. don't think of the consequences.  An unskilled laborer is going to be scrounging silver and in Self-Sufficient levels of upkeep their entire lives.  A Smith, for example, could hire on 'apprentices' to do unskilled labor, provide food and board, and reap the profits... Just like in the real world <img src="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/joypixels/assets/8.0/png/unicode/64/1f609.png" class="smilie smilie--emoji" loading="lazy" width="64" height="64" alt=";)" title="Wink    ;)"  data-smilie="2"data-shortname=";)" />.In the math of D&D there are vague concepts of an economy.  It actually hangs pretty well together.  Adventurers sit in an echelon somewhere between high-powered merchant houses and sovereign stateholders.  They draw their wealth based on their circumstances, and carry around large amounts of it in hard assets.  Most PCs don't seem to believe in a lot of liquidity, reinvestment, or generally anything beyond 'getting a new shiny sword'.  A lot of DMs I talk to follow that route, and provide large amounts of filthy, filthy lucre for the purpose.Copper is worthwhile... When you're counting every penny.Slainte,-Loonook.</blockquote>

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