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--- consolidated:economy:start [2023/12/31 11:02] – [The Gold 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 =====
@@ Line 40: / Line 46: @@
 ==== 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 ====
@@ Line 68: / Line 83: @@
 ==== 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.