Coinage: Difference between revisions
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More specifically, ''encumbrance'' (enc.) is a combination of the weight and clumsiness of gear measured in coin-weight equivalents (cn), where {{unit|cn|1}} equals approximately {{frac|10}} of a pound in weight and awkwardness. For example, a {{unit|lb||1|2}} wineskin filled with a quart of water/wine (∼{{unit|lb|2}}), would weigh ∼{{unit|cn|25}}, but has an enc. of {{unit|cn|30}}. | More specifically, ''encumbrance'' (enc.) is a combination of the weight and clumsiness of gear measured in coin-weight equivalents (cn), where {{unit|cn|1}} equals approximately {{frac|10}} of a pound in weight and awkwardness. For example, a {{unit|lb||1|2}} wineskin filled with a quart of water/wine (∼{{unit|lb|2}}), would weigh ∼{{unit|cn|25}}, but has an enc. of {{unit|cn|30}}. | ||
==Other units== | |||
A D&D mile (Dmi) is {{unit|feet|6,000}}, and thus apparently a fantasy equivalent to the ≈6076-foot nautical mile rather than the 5280-foot land mile. | |||
A nautical mile (Nmi) is one minute of latitude ({{unit|1°||1|60}}), making Earth’s meridional circumference {{unit|Nmi|21,600}}. Since Earth is not a perfect sphere, the actual length of a minute of latitude varies between {{unit|m|1,813}} and {{unit|m|1,861}} with a ''de jure'' average of {{unit|m|1,852}} (≈{{unit|ft|6076.12}}). | |||
The original intent for the meter was to be one ten-millionth of 90° of latitude, making Earth’s m.circ. {{unit|km|40,000}}. The best measurements at the time were slightly off and Earth’s actual m.circ. is ≈{{unit|km|40,003}}. | |||
From this one can extrapolate that a standard D&D fantasy world could be: | |||
# a {{unit|Nmi|21,600}} ≈ {{unit|km|40,003}} m.circ. spheroid like Earth, | |||
# a {{unit|Dmi|21,600}} ≈ {{unit|km|39,502}} m.circ. spheroid with {{abbr|2½%|2.4891%}} less surface area than Earth, or | |||
# a {{unit|Dmi|21,600}} = {{unit|km|40,000}} m.circ. sphere with D&D feet/inches etc. {{abbr|1¼%|1.2598% • 1 D&D inch ≈ 25.72 ㎜}} longer than standard feet/inches. | |||
Revision as of 19:04, 5 June 2018
A standard [d20] coin weighs about a third of an ounce, so fifty coins weigh a pound.
| Coin | cp | sp | ep | gp | pp |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Copper (cp) | 1 | 1⁄10 | 1⁄50 | 1⁄100 | 1⁄1000 |
| Silver (sp) | 10 | 1 | 1⁄5 | 1⁄10 | 1⁄100 |
| Electrum (ep) | 50 | 5 | 1 | 1⁄2 | 1⁄20 |
| Gold (gp) | 100 | 10 | 2 | 1 | 1⁄10 |
| Platinum (pp) | 1000 | 100 | 20 | 10 | 1 |
Background
Original D&D—“Basic” through Rules Cyclopedia—coins have an encumbrance of ∼ 1⁄10 pound each.
More specifically, encumbrance (enc.) is a combination of the weight and clumsiness of gear measured in coin-weight equivalents (cn), where 1 𝖼𝗇 equals approximately 1⁄10 of a pound in weight and awkwardness. For example, a 1⁄2 lb wineskin filled with a quart of water/wine (∼2 lb), would weigh ∼25 𝖼𝗇, but has an enc. of 30 𝖼𝗇.
Other units
A D&D mile (Dmi) is 6,000 feet, and thus apparently a fantasy equivalent to the ≈6076-foot nautical mile rather than the 5280-foot land mile.
A nautical mile (Nmi) is one minute of latitude ( 1⁄60 1°), making Earth’s meridional circumference 21,600 Nmi. Since Earth is not a perfect sphere, the actual length of a minute of latitude varies between 1,813 𝗆 and 1,861 𝗆 with a de jure average of 1,852 𝗆 (≈6076.12-ft).
The original intent for the meter was to be one ten-millionth of 90° of latitude, making Earth’s m.circ. 40,000 ㎞. The best measurements at the time were slightly off and Earth’s actual m.circ. is ≈40,003 ㎞.
From this one can extrapolate that a standard D&D fantasy world could be:
- a 21,600 Nmi ≈ 40,003 ㎞ m.circ. spheroid like Earth,
- a 21,600 Dmi ≈ 39,502 ㎞ m.circ. spheroid with 2½% less surface area than Earth, or
- a 21,600 Dmi = 40,000 ㎞ m.circ. sphere with D&D feet/inches etc. 1¼% longer than standard feet/inches.