What's the value of D&D currency?

[Kichwas]

For a medieval economy we also need to debate the existance of 'Farmer Joe'. Most of these people are living in farming collectives rather than on their own land.

Money is for city folk though.

 

[Umbran]

Well, using the Player's Handbook, a typical 4th-level middle-aged human farmer with 7 ranks of Profession (farmer), and 9 Wisdom (average for a human peasant is 8, +1 for middle-age), typically earns 8 gold pieces a week by practicing their trade (average roll of 10 +7 ranks -1 Wisdom = 16 /2 =8). 8 gold pieces multiplied by 52 weeks is 416 gold pieces.

Note that this is for a typical 4th level middle aged human farmer. That is not neccessarily the same as saying that the typical middle aged human farmer is 4th level. By DMG standards, he probably isn't.

In a village of 500 people, on average the highest level commoner will be something like 10th level. There'll then be two 5th level commoners, four that are 2nd or 3rd level, and the rest are first level.

 

[Ackem]

Seriously don't bother trying to stretch the assumptions of D&D land into something coherant for commoners. It's built for Hero PCs and that's it and it's not "realistic" even with them.

If just the economics is giving you fits, consider that somewhere around 75% of the D&D populace, even armored and armed, would lose in a battle to the death with a housecat.

 

[Staffan]

Well, using the Player's Handbook, a typical 4th-level middle-aged human farmer with 7 ranks of Profession (farmer), and 9 Wisdom (average for a human peasant is 8, +1 for middle-age), typically earns 8 gold pieces a week by practicing their trade (average roll of 10 +7 ranks -1 Wisdom = 16 /2 =8). 8 gold pieces multiplied by 52 weeks is 416 gold pieces.

Um... I'd like to challenge a few of those assumptions.
1. Joe Average Farmer is not 4th level. He's 1st level, and will thus have 4 ranks in Profession (farmer).
2. The average farmer probably doesn't have Wis 8 (as a starting value). It's far more likely that he has 10-13. 10-11 is average on 3d6, and since farming is Wis-based you're likely to see more farmers with high than low wisdom. Let's call it 12 if he's middle-aged, for a bonus of +1.
3. Joe Farmer is very likely to have Skill Focus (Profession(farmer)) as his feat (or one of his two feats if human).

These three together lead to a Profession (Farmer) skill of +8. Assuming he takes 10 on his money rolls, that gives him 9 gp/week instead.

 

[Treebore]

Um... I'd like to challenge a few of those assumptions.
1. Joe Average Farmer is not 4th level. He's 1st level, and will thus have 4 ranks in Profession (farmer).
2. The average farmer probably doesn't have Wis 8 (as a starting value). It's far more likely that he has 10-13. 10-11 is average on 3d6, and since farming is Wis-based you're likely to see more farmers with high than low wisdom. Let's call it 12 if he's middle-aged, for a bonus of +1.
3. Joe Farmer is very likely to have Skill Focus (Profession(farmer)) as his feat (or one of his two feats if human).

These three together lead to a Profession (Farmer) skill of +8. Assuming he takes 10 on his money rolls, that gives him 9 gp/week instead.

Staffan,

You are using real averages instead of DMG published numbers. Thats what you get for being able to run a game off the top of your head.

 

[Kichwas]

If just the economics is giving you fits, consider that somewhere around 75% of the D&D populace, even armored and armed, would lose in a battle to the death with a housecat.

I was going to challenge this, but on looking at the stats for a housecat I have to agree - at least with low level characters.

The cat's damage should have been subdual unless it got a critical. But otherwise with three attacks it will often do 3 points of damage per round.

My bard bought a calico last session, maybe I can use her for intimidation checks.

If it comes down to it though, it looks like despite her 2 hit points she's a better combatant than Sisi (my bard).

 

[Tzeentch]

Staffan,

You are using real averages instead of DMG published numbers. Thats what you get for being able to run a game off the top of your head.

-- Where is average Joe Blow Commoner's stats listed in the DMG?

-- A point to note is that Commoners start with 5d4 gp. Presumably that can be used to cover any "startup" costs for basic equipment.

 

[I'm A Banana]

If you persist in trying to treat D&D item prices as a serious guide to in-game economic conditions, I will be forced to repost the example of the seven and a half billion chickens. And I do not want to repost the example of the seven and a half billion chickens. So don't do it, people!

Hong, you don't have the dangly bits (I hope) to post the example of the seven and a half billion chickens again....

 

[Geron Raveneye]

Heh, I just know that I'll face mutiny if I switch all "normal" equipment from gold to silver standards, only halve the prices for weapons and armor, and leave the prices for magical stuff as they are...but the temptation!!

 

[Staffan]

You are using real averages instead of DMG published numbers. Thats what you get for being able to run a game off the top of your head.

I wasn't aware that the DMG had stats for farmers in it - though I don't have the 3.5 books, so it might be in there regardless. I was thinking mostly about the "regular Joe" stat array (13, 12, 11, 10, 9, 8), and figuring that most farmers would be focused toward Wisdom and Constitution.

Hmm. How about these stats for Joe Farmer?

Name: Joe Farmer
Race: Human
Class/Level: Commoner/1
Str 11, Dex 10, Con 13, Int 8, Wis 12, Cha 9
Skills: Craft 1 +1, Craft 2 +1, Profession (farmer) +8
Feats: Skill Focus: Profession (farmer), Endurance
Attacks: Unarmed +0 (1d3§) or club +0 (1d6)
Hit points: 2
Saves: Fort +1, Ref +0, Will +1