What is the median level of the population of your gameworld?

[A'koss]

Commoners IMC are handled somewhat differently than in the DMG. They can gain levels fairly easily along with feats, skills and ability score bonuses but no combat ability. That is, no BAB bonuses, no additional HPs beyond 1st level, no Saving Throw increases. A commoner can gain toughness in order to gain extra HPs or multiclass into a Warrior (again, slightly revamped for my game) or other true fighting class.

With that in mind, commoners are ranked thusly:

Novice: Com 1
Trained: Com 2-4
Experienced: Com 5-7
Expert: Com 8-10
Master: Com 11-15
World Renoun: 16+

In some of the more dangerous regions, there may be statutory combat training for everyone so everyone has at least 1 level in Warrior in addition to their Commoner levels.

A'koss.

 

[Ibram]

I voted for 3rd...

a punk kid just starting out at the forge/brewery would be level 1

after a year there he'd move on to lvl 2

with some training he'd reach 3

towards the end of his life, assuming it was a relativly long one the guy might reach 4

Thats if the guy doest put himself out any, or his life is relativly boring (devoid of barbarian envasions or wizardly acts)

higher ups in a town (shop keepers and such) hit 3 fairly early, and probably reach 5 by the time they die. ambitious types (mayors, head of a town guard) probably end their lives at 7th

10th is in may ways the limit of mortal experience. even a conquering warlord who devistates a continent would probaly never pass that point. It requires not just effort but extrordinary circumstance to push someone past that point.

 

[S'mon]

I'm interested to see how few GMs actually use the DMG's standard, which appears to be a legacy from the 0th level/Normal Men of previous editions. Looks like most GMs are putting the median level at 2nd or 3rd. I wonder if the 'official' demographics will change with 4th edition? In a typical CRPG the 'normal people' of the world are often very high level by D&D standards; few CRPG designers think twice about making Town Guards 5th or 10th level.

I like the idea of having most people be 2nd-7th with 10th the limit for ordinary mortals; for a low-fantasy setting especially I think this works well.

 

[Aust Diamondew]

Your average Joe is usually level 2 (early-mid Teens and Children are level 1).

Level 3-4: Experienced
Level 4-6: Veteran
Level 7-9: Experienced Veteran
Level +10: Uber Elite

I like your table Gez. Maybe I'll use something similar.

 

[painandgreed]

IMC, young adults are typically 1st and 2nd levels. Experienced adults are 3rd and 4th. Older and leader types are running around 5th and 6th. The odd venerable NPC might be 7th or 8th. That's for humans and similar races. In general, experience is based on age and the conditions they live in. Elves and dwarves with their long lifespans generally are of a higher level for realative age. You can figure that any 500 year old elf you run across has learned a decent amount during their lifetime and could be considered high-level.

 

[Evilhalfling]

teenagers are 1st level. 2nd for most, ambicous craftsmen, squad leaders make 3rd. Ship captains, guard lieutants, and town elders up to 5th. Non-militant rulers can hit 9th

 

[TwinBahamut]

I voted 10th.

After all, you asked for the median. If I voted anything less than 10th, it means there are no 20th level NPCs in the campaign at all, and that surely isn't true.
Keep in mind, median is different than the mean (or average). It is simply the halfway point of possibilities, not a weighted average. You might want to adjust the poll if at all possible.

 

[S'mon]

I voted 10th.

After all, you asked for the median. If I voted anything less than 10th, it means there are no 20th level NPCs in the campaign at all, and that surely isn't true.
Keep in mind, median is different than the mean (or average). It is simply the halfway point of possibilities, not a weighted average. You might want to adjust the poll if at all possible.

What are they teaching kids (or twin platinum dragons) these days? :\

Median level - the level at which half the **population** are below that level, half the population above. So in 101 people if the 51st is 2nd level, that's the median level. Average level would be sum total of all levels divided by the number of the population, which will usually be higher than the median.

Interestingly, by your definition if you allow Epic NPCs then the median level is 'infinity' because the maximum level is infinite, and half infinity...

 

[FreeTheSlaves]

Median ECL 3, CR 1.

Aw rats, I get median mixed up, I mean ECL is the default level for a random Joe.

 

[Ace]

levels work this way

Prentice/Just out of boot camp etc 1

Skilled Apprentice/ Graduated MOS 2

Journeyman/Soldier 3

Experienced Journeyman/ Soldier 4

Expert Journeyman/Soldier 5

Master/Veteran 7