Here is a somewhat tongue-in-cheek diversion from what might be considered slightly more useful Random Tables. It has always been extremely interesting to me how the standard Equipment lists in these games do so much heavy lifting to telegraph Setting, and I often tend to see players new to the game gravitate to a few of the same things.
Allium sativum on the list alongside other, perhaps more practical, purchases for Dungeon Delving is one of these. Its mere presence seems to scream to some that the possibility of Vampires is not only very real, but something they ought to prepare for. The same way those lovely Saving Throw Categories, so starkly listed on their sheet, stoically advertise other dangers.
But what may have gone unnoticed is just how pricey that lovely little Bulb can be. A little casual research reveals that it tends to stay remarkably stable pricewise in these older games. Naturally, this led me to wonder Why?
So, here is a table of a Hundred ways to address this burning question (admittedly over-contemplated on my part) and these weird implications. It just goes to show that there are all sorts of lovely little nuances living in those lists that are hiding and waiting to be revealed by Referee’s with perhaps too much time on their hands.😂
"The duke issued punitive taxes on anyone farming or selling the stuff. He's currently trying to get it outlawed. Course, if you're looking for enough money to buy garlic anyway, I know a fella who'll buy a pint of yer blood, no questions asked. Or answered."
ReplyDeleteThis is hilarious. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteWhenever I read one of your tables I always marvel at how full of wonder and adventure each entry makes the world feel. Even a silly table like this makes me want to be in the worlds where these conversations like this come from any innocuous comment about a price!
ReplyDeleteI recently discovered your website and have been devouring your tables - both your design and content are really exceptional. I have to ask if this table was inspired by the reddit post about switching to the garlic standard? Because the idea that you maybe made a table based off a post I made has been delighting me to no end.
ReplyDeleteThe inspiration came from New Players asking me why it was so expensive compared to everything else on the list. I wanted to have some handy answers for them since this seemed to come up pretty frequently (they always seem to want to snag some Garlic, because it seems to imply that Vampires might be a thing they would have to deal with!) There have been a few discussions about cornering the market, but no concrete steps taken yet :)
DeleteWhat is going on in that illustration? And by that, I mean to say: Was that art commissioned by the Garlic Board at a way to arouse interest in garlic?
ReplyDeleteAs always, I'm finding your selection of illustrating interesting. Where do you find them? Do you rootthrough archive.org with screen capture at the ready? Your selections often hearken back to the original editions of Judges Guild modules.