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Cost of Water

Post/Author/DateTime Post
#1
Oninotaki
Apr 03, 2004 17:21:01 Back when I ran my 1st couple of darksun campaigns (when I was a little lad) I decided that I didnt like how cheap water was in a campaign world that was supposed to be very water poor.
So I decided that instead of the commoners from each city having to by their water they were branded at birth (or shortly there after) on the hand to show that they were citizens of the city and from then on ever day all they had to do was show their hand to the templars at the local watering whole the brand and they would then get 1 days worth of water. Anybody that did'nt have the brand of the city they were, or wanted more water had to pay for it. I usually would charge 1 sp for each additional days worth of water that you bought. Now that I look back on it I think that 1 sp might be a bit much for your average travaler.

So my question is this, how do you guys handle water in your campaign and what do you think of how I treated water in my past campaigns?
#2
zombiegleemax
Apr 04, 2004 0:42:28 I charge even citizens for their daily water at a rate of 2 bits per gallon during good times, or up to a whole bit per gallon during times of war or famine (and most people make only five to ten bits per week at best and still have to pay for food, taxes, etc so famines lead to comoners receiving less than 3 or so gallons of water each week if they're lucky). People who are known to be outsiders pay three times what a citizen would pay in most cities. In the villages, coin is all but worthless. Most villagers trade goods for water so most parties of adventures take up a little hunting for animal skins, meat, or plants to trade with the villages.

I normally try and keep the amount of water available to the PC in short supply. Only rarely during a game will they be traveling with 'enough' water to last them. If I know they're going on a 4 day journey, I try and make sure that things work so that they can at most stock up for 2 days. If its a 3 week journey, then at best, one weeks worth of supplies. Of course, we normally don't mind playing out the hunting and search for water while many gaming groups would rather handle things like that 'off stage'.
#3
zombiegleemax
Apr 05, 2004 12:13:24 We used a simple system: drinking at wells is free. But if you would take away water (fill your waterskin for travel, or bring a bucket of water to home, doesn't matter) you have to pay. You also have to pay if you have animals with you and you want to get water for them.

I think the city-states have stable water-base, as cities in the desert evolves (and more importantly remains alive) only where water is steadily available. The templars and SKs are also take care about preserving this water or else their city won't be long lived. A thirsting, rebellous city is an easy prey.
#4
Oninotaki
Apr 06, 2004 21:40:18
Originally posted by Nagypapi
We used a simple system: drinking at wells is free. But if you would take away water (fill your waterskin for travel, or bring a bucket of water to home, doesn't matter) you have to pay. You also have to pay if you have animals with you and you want to get water for them.

I think the city-states have stable water-base, as cities in the desert evolves (and more importantly remains alive) only where water is steadily available. The templars and SKs are also take care about preserving this water or else their city won't be long lived. A thirsting, rebellous city is an easy prey.

I like that idea alot actually. What do you charge them to take it with them though? Standard rulebook price or something else?

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 Oninotaki Apr 03, 2004 17:21:01	Back when I ran my 1st couple of darksun campaigns (when I was a little lad) I decided that I didnt like how cheap water was in a campaign world that was supposed to be very water poor. So I decided that instead of the commoners from each city having to by their water they were branded at birth (or shortly there after) on the hand to show that they were citizens of the city and from then on ever day all they had to do was show their hand to the templars at the local watering whole the brand and they would then get 1 days worth of water. Anybody that did'nt have the brand of the city they were, or wanted more water had to pay for it. I usually would charge 1 sp for each additional days worth of water that you bought. Now that I look back on it I think that 1 sp might be a bit much for your average travaler. So my question is this, how do you guys handle water in your campaign and what do you think of how I treated water in my past campaigns?
#2 zombiegleemax Apr 04, 2004 0:42:28	I charge even citizens for their daily water at a rate of 2 bits per gallon during good times, or up to a whole bit per gallon during times of war or famine (and most people make only five to ten bits per week at best and still have to pay for food, taxes, etc so famines lead to comoners receiving less than 3 or so gallons of water each week if they're lucky). People who are known to be outsiders pay three times what a citizen would pay in most cities. In the villages, coin is all but worthless. Most villagers trade goods for water so most parties of adventures take up a little hunting for animal skins, meat, or plants to trade with the villages. I normally try and keep the amount of water available to the PC in short supply. Only rarely during a game will they be traveling with 'enough' water to last them. If I know they're going on a 4 day journey, I try and make sure that things work so that they can at most stock up for 2 days. If its a 3 week journey, then at best, one weeks worth of supplies. Of course, we normally don't mind playing out the hunting and search for water while many gaming groups would rather handle things like that 'off stage'.
#3 zombiegleemax Apr 05, 2004 12:13:24	We used a simple system: drinking at wells is free. But if you would take away water (fill your waterskin for travel, or bring a bucket of water to home, doesn't matter) you have to pay. You also have to pay if you have animals with you and you want to get water for them. I think the city-states have stable water-base, as cities in the desert evolves (and more importantly remains alive) only where water is steadily available. The templars and SKs are also take care about preserving this water or else their city won't be long lived. A thirsting, rebellous city is an easy prey.
#4 Oninotaki Apr 06, 2004 21:40:18	Originally posted by Nagypapi We used a simple system: drinking at wells is free. But if you would take away water (fill your waterskin for travel, or bring a bucket of water to home, doesn't matter) you have to pay. You also have to pay if you have animals with you and you want to get water for them. I think the city-states have stable water-base, as cities in the desert evolves (and more importantly remains alive) only where water is steadily available. The templars and SKs are also take care about preserving this water or else their city won't be long lived. A thirsting, rebellous city is an easy prey. I like that idea alot actually. What do you charge them to take it with them though? Standard rulebook price or something else?