Water Tax? - Downloaded from the Wizards Community, all coding removed by Solauren

Water Tax?

Post/Author/DateTime Post
#1
spellfire_junkie
Dec 21, 2006 17:51:29 I have only recently blown the dust off of my DS Expanded and Revised Box Set and have yet to finish preparing for play with a group, but I have a trivial question that I haven't seen answered in any other threads. What is the going rate for a day's worth of water in DS? In the old box, it is 2 bits for a gallon, but is 1 gp in the 3.5 PHB for a half gallon, which would convert to 1 cp in Athasian currency, by most standards. This is five times the price for half the quantity. Or, since it like metal, is a scarce resource, would it remain at 1 gp? I really doubt the latter option, but it is still worth mentioning IMHO. Also, what would the city-state tax on water sales within its walls be for a day's rationing?
#2
j0lt
Dec 21, 2006 21:33:17 That's actually a really good question!
Assuming a town well, it'd obviously be guarded. I'd imagine something like a lineup to a Dizney attraction. Maybe 1 bit for a single drink, and 1 or 2 cp for a day's worth? (just guessing here)
#3
dirk00001
Dec 22, 2006 10:48:42 I think the average athasian freeman is probably lucky to make more than a ceramic or two a day in wages, of which (according to PHB prices) at least 1 bit will go towards food and probably another for housing and other "very minor" expenses...and that's just for the worker. If he's got a family you're talking almost all of his wages being eaten up without even counting water.

So - 2 bits for a gallon of water is more than expensive enough, as that-plus-food is going to account for 1/2 of the money most people make each day. This is especially important when you think about individuals who have to feed and water livestock or slaves, or who require water as part of their business expenses. True, Athasians tend to fall more into the high- or low-end of the financial spectrum (rich landowners or next-to-homeless freemen/slaves), but still - there's some sort of middle/low-class that could barely make it at 2 bits per gallon, but would be totally wiped out if it were any more expensive.
#4
spellfire_junkie
Dec 22, 2006 12:48:27 Hmm, good point about the freeman/laborers. I guess to keep the waterskin at 4 lbs. (half gallon) from the PHB, it would sell at 1 bit. Anyway, thanks for the input.
#5
dirk00001
Dec 23, 2006 13:13:34
Hmm, good point about the freeman/laborers. I guess to keep the waterskin at 4 lbs. (half gallon) from the PHB, it would sell at 1 bit. Anyway, thanks for the input.

Yeah, that sounds right to me. NP.
#6
flip
Dec 29, 2006 7:41:41 PHB says it's 1 gold for a waterskin. That's the pouch to put and carry the water in, not the water itself. It doesn't list the price of water, but considering that a bottle of fine wine is only 10sp, it can't be that much...
#7
ruhl-than_sage
Dec 30, 2006 15:34:13 The price of water varies greatly from location to location and based on the current supply. As a general rule I would assume that most citizens of a given city-state other settlement are given a daily water ration from their locale well for which they do not have to pay.
#8
zombiegleemax
Jan 23, 2007 21:49:20 I agree that the cost of water should vary from location to location considering availablity. Characters have typically paid more at merchant forts than in cities - the water was free in Bitterwell if you could stand in line the longest - but Draj was the cheapest (5 beads a gallon). In Raam, it cost the PCs more to bribe the WellGuard than the cost of the water :D

Always keep the PCs on their toes in Dark Sun, I say. When they start to get comfy or take things for granted I stir things up.

Anyway, that's my two bits.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 spellfire_junkie Dec 21, 2006 17:51:29	I have only recently blown the dust off of my DS Expanded and Revised Box Set and have yet to finish preparing for play with a group, but I have a trivial question that I haven't seen answered in any other threads. What is the going rate for a day's worth of water in DS? In the old box, it is 2 bits for a gallon, but is 1 gp in the 3.5 PHB for a half gallon, which would convert to 1 cp in Athasian currency, by most standards. This is five times the price for half the quantity. Or, since it like metal, is a scarce resource, would it remain at 1 gp? I really doubt the latter option, but it is still worth mentioning IMHO. Also, what would the city-state tax on water sales within its walls be for a day's rationing?
#2 j0lt Dec 21, 2006 21:33:17	That's actually a really good question! Assuming a town well, it'd obviously be guarded. I'd imagine something like a lineup to a Dizney attraction. Maybe 1 bit for a single drink, and 1 or 2 cp for a day's worth? (just guessing here)
#3 dirk00001 Dec 22, 2006 10:48:42	I think the average athasian freeman is probably lucky to make more than a ceramic or two a day in wages, of which (according to PHB prices) at least 1 bit will go towards food and probably another for housing and other "very minor" expenses...and that's just for the worker. If he's got a family you're talking almost all of his wages being eaten up without even counting water. So - 2 bits for a gallon of water is more than expensive enough, as that-plus-food is going to account for 1/2 of the money most people make each day. This is especially important when you think about individuals who have to feed and water livestock or slaves, or who require water as part of their business expenses. True, Athasians tend to fall more into the high- or low-end of the financial spectrum (rich landowners or next-to-homeless freemen/slaves), but still - there's some sort of middle/low-class that could barely make it at 2 bits per gallon, but would be totally wiped out if it were any more expensive.
#4 spellfire_junkie Dec 22, 2006 12:48:27	Hmm, good point about the freeman/laborers. I guess to keep the waterskin at 4 lbs. (half gallon) from the PHB, it would sell at 1 bit. Anyway, thanks for the input.
#5 dirk00001 Dec 23, 2006 13:13:34	Hmm, good point about the freeman/laborers. I guess to keep the waterskin at 4 lbs. (half gallon) from the PHB, it would sell at 1 bit. Anyway, thanks for the input. Yeah, that sounds right to me. NP.
#6 flip Dec 29, 2006 7:41:41	PHB says it's 1 gold for a waterskin. That's the pouch to put and carry the water in, not the water itself. It doesn't list the price of water, but considering that a bottle of fine wine is only 10sp, it can't be that much...
#7 ruhl-than_sage Dec 30, 2006 15:34:13	The price of water varies greatly from location to location and based on the current supply. As a general rule I would assume that most citizens of a given city-state other settlement are given a daily water ration from their locale well for which they do not have to pay.
#8 zombiegleemax Jan 23, 2007 21:49:20	I agree that the cost of water should vary from location to location considering availablity. Characters have typically paid more at merchant forts than in cities - the water was free in Bitterwell if you could stand in line the longest - but Draj was the cheapest (5 beads a gallon). In Raam, it cost the PCs more to bribe the WellGuard than the cost of the water :D Always keep the PCs on their toes in Dark Sun, I say. When they start to get comfy or take things for granted I stir things up. Anyway, that's my two bits.