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--- consolidated:economy:start [2023/12/31 10:32] – [The Copper Economy] johnb
+++ consolidated:economy:start [2025/04/29 09:34] (current) – [Economy] johnb
@@ Line 2: / Line 2: @@
 All D&D based worlds have a fractured, and questionable economy.  It sort of worked in AD&D I, but hasn't really evolved as the game has evolved, and see it as breaking down into the following social classes.
+As you read through this, bear in mind that one Pound/Dollar/Euro is worth somewhere between  1cp and 1sp.  Does that sound too little? Check out the equivalents below :) Game prices come from Pathfinder, the RL prices were found online in 2025.
+  * A mug of ale costs 4cp - The average price for a pint in England is £5.44 - although my region is (fortunately) below average in that respect :)
+  * A cheap meal costs 1sp -  It is about £4 for a MacDonalds Happy Meal.
+  * A short sword costs 10 gp - I just brought a second hand, reenacting, Hangar (a 17C short sword)  at 'mates rates' for £100 -  I just found new Hangars for sale online at £200 each (or £240 if I wanted them sharp).
 ===== The Copper Economy =====
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 ===== The Silver Economy =====
-Most NPC classes fit into the silver economy, which equates to the Average cost of living category.  They probably have one or two craft or professional skills, and run the small organizations that make the world work.  Small businesses are run by Experts, the local guard is mainly composed of Warriors and, local chapels are probably staffed by Adepts.  Local hunters might be warriors, the Town Clerk is probably an expert, and the local wise-woman is probably an adept.  However, The Silver Economy also includes a few commoners, who have managed to gain a level and some extra skill points, and a few low-level PC classes, with lowish stats and little ambition.
+Most NPC classes, and lower level PCs, fit into the silver economy - which equates to the Average cost of living category.  NPCs probably have one or two useful skills, work in the businesses and organizations that make the world work.  Small businesses are run by Experts, the local guard is mainly composed of Warriors and, local chapels are staffed by Adepts.  Local hunters might be warriors, the Town Clerk is probably an expert, and the local wise-woman is probably an adept.  However, The Silver Economy also includes a few commoners, who have managed to gain a level and some extra skill points, and a few low-level PC classes, with lowish stats and little ambition.
+//Average (10 gp/month: The PC lives in his own apartment, small house, or similar location—this is the lifestyle of most trained or skilled experts or warriors. He can secure any nonmagical item worth 1 gp or less from his home in 1d10 minutes, and need not track purchases of common meals or taxes that cost 1gp or less.//
+This is an average, and is about 3sp per day, however, some people will earn less, others more.  A very few will earn significantly more, perhaps putting them up to 20 or 30gp per month.
 Day to day transactions can be counted in either silver or copper pieces -  so better food, better clothes and a better living standard all around. There are, as always, a few more expensive items, although they rarely exceed 10gp in values.   However, many people in this part of the economy will have access to better, and more expensive, tools and equipment while they are at work.  For example, an apprentice smith might have access to masterwork tools and anvil at work, but only have a few small hammers to work with a home.  A town guard might pick up a chain shirt and crossbow when she gets into work -  although her 'personal' armoury might just be Padded Armour, Small Wooden Shield, Dagger and Spear.
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 ===== The Gold Economy =====
-Characters in this category think in Gold Pieces, although their ability to spend, and the items they have available varies.
+Characters in this category think in Gold Pieces, although their ability to spend, and the items they have available varies.  For the vast majority, this is the Wealthy Standard of living.
+//Wealthy (100 gp/month): The PC has a sizable home or a nice suite of rooms in a fine inn. He can secure any nonmagical item worth 5 gp or less from his belongings in his home in 1d10 minutes, and need only track purchases of meals or taxes in excess of 10 gp.//
+Again this varies, the [[https://www.d20pfsrd.com/gamemastering/other-rules/downtime/managers/|Downtime Managers Page]] lists managers earning from 2gp per day  (60gp/month)  to 5gp per day  (150gp/month)
 ==== Player Characters ====
-PCs tend to think in Gold Pieces, they get their initial wealth in GP, and when they start adventuring they gather loot in Gold Pieces - a handful of Silvers generally means nothing to them.  While they don't have a lot of influence to start with, they gain influence as they progress, and by fifth or sixth level are generally as wealthy as most aristocrats and could have a minor title or a business of their own - although their wealth is often found in equipment, rather than businesses or land.   By tenth level, many PCs are as wealthy as nobles and may have lands or estates that cement their noble status.  At higher levels, a few PCs might even have strongholds that elevate them into the realms of lesser royalty.
+PCs tend to think in Gold Pieces, they get their initial wealth in GP, and when they start adventuring they gather loot in Gold Pieces - a handful of Silvers generally means nothing to them.  While they don't have a lot of influence to start with, they gain influence as they progress, and by fifth or sixth level are generally as wealthy as most aristocrats and could have a minor title or a business of their own - although their wealth is often found in equipment, rather than businesses or land.   By tenth level, many PCs are as wealthy as aristocrats and may have lands or estates that cement their status.  At higher levels, a few PCs might even have strongholds that elevate them into the realms of the nobility and perhaps even lesser royalty.
 ==== Aristocrats ====
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 These are the people who make sure that the world works properly.  Examples include: -
-  * The Town Mayor - who oversees local laws and trade opportunities.
+  * The Town Mayor.
-  * Officer of the Guard - who has a company of guards to add wait to her thoughts.
+  * Military Officer.
-  * High Priest of the local temple, who oversees all the local shrines and chapels.
+  * Abbot of the local temple / Monastery.
   * The Local Squire - who 'owns' half a dozen tenanted farms, and whose own fields supply most of the grain for the town.
-  * A successful business person -  whose businesses employ a significant portion of the town's residents.
+  * A successful business person.
-  * Dwarf Clan-holder - whose mines supply most of the metals and ores for the district.
+  * Dwarf Clan-holder.
   * The Sleazy Landlord - who rents housing to the working classes.
-  * A Local Crime Lord - he might not be openly powerful, but he controls a lot of underhand activity.
+  * A Local Crime Lord.
-  * A Powerful Wizard - who everyone is in awe of.
+  * A Powerful Wizard who everyone is in awe of.
+  * The Headmaster of the local college, Guild Head, Military Officer, senior Lawyer etc etc ...
 The possibilities are endless, and not always obvious.
+Note:  While it is seen as inappropriate today -  historically (and in my fantasy worlds) wealthy and influential people are expected to use their positions and influence to improve their own wealth and influence -  and to do the same for family members.  The Town Mayor, for example, has probably appointed her brother in an important position ....
+==== The Really Wealthy ====
+This is when things get a bit silly, and we reach the Extravagant standard of living.
+//Extravagant (1,000 gp/month): The PC lives in a mansion, castle, or other extravagant home — he might even own the building in question. This is the lifestyle of most aristocrats. He can secure any non-magical item worth 25 gp or less from his belongings in his home in 1d10 minutes. He need only track purchases of meals or taxes in excess of 100 gp.//
 ==== Nobles ====
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 ==== Royalty ====
-Lesser royalty often have the same sort of wealth and influence as Nobles.  However, Monarchs, such as Kings, Queens, Sovereign Princes and Sovereign Dukes might have absolute power and the wealth of a nation to spend.  Their projects can include beautifying whole cities, building a great road (that might go nowhere) or diverting a river to make their own personal lake - all for their own pleasure.  Some monarchs use their wealth to better their country and the lot of their people.  Most royals come somewhere in-between those two extremes.
+Lesser royalty often have the same sort of wealth and influence as Nobles.  However, Monarchs, such as Kings, Queens, Sovereign Princes and Sovereign Dukes might have absolute power and the wealth of a nation to spend.  Their projects can include beautifying whole cities, building a great road (that might go nowhere) or diverting a river to make their own personal lake - all for their own pleasure, while some monarchs use their wealth to better their country and the lot of their people.  However, most royals come somewhere in-between those two extremes.