2010 Oct 15 8:42 AM

Food always tastes better when you’re hungry

The Lamentations of the Flame Princess equipment prices differ considerably from the B/X prices. In B/X, chainmail costs 40gp, while in LotFP it costs 150gp. Your first level fighter will be in leather, just like the thief. I’ve spoken with several people who consider the LotFP prices a disagreeable concession to economic realism. I’m not generally a big proponent of RPG realism, but the LotFP prices are good because they give the players something: anticipation. Playing a level 1 fighter, I’m really looking forward the first big treasure haul that will give my character the security of metal armor.

3 comments:

Scott October 15, 2010 at 9:06 AM

I do want to see how it plays out before making a final decision, but my worry isn’t with how much it costs PCs to buy things, it’s how much those things are potentially worth when recovered from enemies. Even if the Ref is fairly draconian about how much you can get on the dollar, things like warhorses are gold mines on the hoof. Parties would be better off to dry-gulch a cavalry patrol and sell the horses, even at 10% of market value, than to go into dungeons.

(I did check, though, and it’s not actually more economical to hire linkboys, eat them, and pay the weregild than it is to buy food at the inn. Unless you’re buying really fancy food.)

JDJarvis October 15, 2010 at 10:24 AM

I wouldn’t call the prices in LOTFP economically realistic. I’d say the price lists are sensibly gamist and gives the players something to do with their PC’s loot after the 3rd or 4th session of play.

JimLotFP October 15, 2010 at 12:10 PM

This is one reason why I create a half-separation of the ideas of money and treasure. Sure, you can make a killing selling horses (but those things are branded and they hang horse thieves, doncha know), but that won’t net a single experience point.

A lot of the prices for things like horses and plate armor were taken from the idea of a knight being extremely expensive to field, not to mention if you follow the idea of cutting out most common magic items you need some sort of “equipment accomplishment” within the game. “I can afford chain mail now! … and plate! BAD ASS!”

But if you look in Tower of the Stargazer, I don’t skimp on potential treasure either. If you get that hoard, well, maybe the fighters can all get plate, but then again maybe you want to set up your magic-user with a lab and library and make some potions and scrolls before the next adventure? Decisions decisions.

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