Probably depends on the book, the author, all sorts of things similar to a real-world book cost. I usually do it in silver because that's where a lot of miscellaneous things are priced at. Maybe a few gold if it's an older book or by someone famous.
I like what I said, but i guess I also use a homebrew setting with a different economy where mass public teleportation of goods/people is 5 gold per person so...
Bear in mind that paper (one sheet) costs 2 sp (though typical book binding will produce 4 pages per sheet -- each sheet is folded in the middle and scribed on both sides).
In addition to the material costs, I think it's important to recognize that books were hand written and hand copied, including what we'd call "page layout" to include illustrations and illuminations. A book was a big effort pre Gutenberg. There wasn't mass production. It took masses of time to produce. They weren't things like the Farmer's Almanac that was considered IIRC a sort of annual disposable product. The rarity of books is sorta why IRL Bard equivalents were so important pre-print society, oral traditions were the main way information was retained and disseminated by the bulk of the population.
Digressing, but I'm sort of curious those who've artificed or whatever mechanical reproductions of book in their game world. How would magic scripts play into that? Are spell books required to be handwritten or are there like magical script kiddies out there?
Anyway, the hand-crafted nature presumptive of "books" in D&D is why extensive libraries are so rare in most D&D worlds. Kinda curious whether Eberron and Ravinica book culture is script or print based.
It should be noted that by the wording in the preface of Volo's guide to Monsters and Mordy's Tome of Foes that both of those books are meant to be read by characters as well as players.
The price of 25 gp seems reasonable to me, because it was expensive.
One of the greatest inventions of history was the Printing Press. Before that, all books were hand made and usually works of art.
From this website http://medieval.ucdavis.edu/120D/Money.html, it lists books on fencing from around 1400, averaging a bit under 1 British Pound, which would also get you about 6 months of schooling, or about the cost of a 2 "storey" cottage.
It should be noted that was the cost of a new/good condition book. They had a thriving used book market and they also rented out books as well.
A price of 25gp implies that a book can be crafted in 5 days, using 12.5g in materials. That's actually quite a lot faster than a medieval scribe (wikipedia gives a figure of 15 months to produce a complete bible, though that would be two volumes).
A price of 25gp implies that a book can be crafted in 5 days, using 12.5g in materials. That's actually quite a lot faster than a medieval scribe (wikipedia gives a figure of 15 months to produce a complete bible, though that would be two volumes).
A spellbook has 100 pages and costs 50gp. If a standard book also has 100 pages, but is made from less expensive materials then it’s only about 1/10 the size of a Bible, maybe less.
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I know this may seem silly, but I was wondering, how much does a novel length book cost in the D&D world?
BoringBard's long and tedious posts somehow manage to enrapture audiences. How? Because he used Charm Person, the #1 bard spell!
He/him pronouns. Call me Bard. PROUD NERD!
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HERE.Probably depends on the book, the author, all sorts of things similar to a real-world book cost. I usually do it in silver because that's where a lot of miscellaneous things are priced at. Maybe a few gold if it's an older book or by someone famous.
Buyers Guide for D&D Beyond - Hardcover Books, D&D Beyond and You - How/What is Toggled Content?
Everything you need to know about Homebrew - Homebrew FAQ - Digital Book on D&D Beyond Vs Physical Books
Can't find the content you are supposed to have access to? Read this FAQ.
"Play the game however you want to play the game. After all, your fun doesn't threaten my fun."
It costs 25g. See book.
Wow, that's a lot.
BoringBard's long and tedious posts somehow manage to enrapture audiences. How? Because he used Charm Person, the #1 bard spell!
He/him pronouns. Call me Bard. PROUD NERD!
Ever wanted to talk about your parties' worst mistakes? Do so HERE. What's your favorite class, why? Share & explain
HERE.I like what I said, but i guess I also use a homebrew setting with a different economy where mass public teleportation of goods/people is 5 gold per person so...
Buyers Guide for D&D Beyond - Hardcover Books, D&D Beyond and You - How/What is Toggled Content?
Everything you need to know about Homebrew - Homebrew FAQ - Digital Book on D&D Beyond Vs Physical Books
Can't find the content you are supposed to have access to? Read this FAQ.
"Play the game however you want to play the game. After all, your fun doesn't threaten my fun."
Bear in mind that paper (one sheet) costs 2 sp (though typical book binding will produce 4 pages per sheet -- each sheet is folded in the middle and scribed on both sides).
In addition to the material costs, I think it's important to recognize that books were hand written and hand copied, including what we'd call "page layout" to include illustrations and illuminations. A book was a big effort pre Gutenberg. There wasn't mass production. It took masses of time to produce. They weren't things like the Farmer's Almanac that was considered IIRC a sort of annual disposable product. The rarity of books is sorta why IRL Bard equivalents were so important pre-print society, oral traditions were the main way information was retained and disseminated by the bulk of the population.
Digressing, but I'm sort of curious those who've artificed or whatever mechanical reproductions of book in their game world. How would magic scripts play into that? Are spell books required to be handwritten or are there like magical script kiddies out there?
Anyway, the hand-crafted nature presumptive of "books" in D&D is why extensive libraries are so rare in most D&D worlds. Kinda curious whether Eberron and Ravinica book culture is script or print based.
Jander Sunstar is the thinking person's Drizzt, fight me.
It should be noted that by the wording in the preface of Volo's guide to Monsters and Mordy's Tome of Foes that both of those books are meant to be read by characters as well as players.
The price of 25 gp seems reasonable to me, because it was expensive.
One of the greatest inventions of history was the Printing Press. Before that, all books were hand made and usually works of art.
From this website http://medieval.ucdavis.edu/120D/Money.html, it lists books on fencing from around 1400, averaging a bit under 1 British Pound, which would also get you about 6 months of schooling, or about the cost of a 2 "storey" cottage.
It should be noted that was the cost of a new/good condition book. They had a thriving used book market and they also rented out books as well.
A price of 25gp implies that a book can be crafted in 5 days, using 12.5g in materials. That's actually quite a lot faster than a medieval scribe (wikipedia gives a figure of 15 months to produce a complete bible, though that would be two volumes).
A spellbook has 100 pages and costs 50gp. If a standard book also has 100 pages, but is made from less expensive materials then it’s only about 1/10 the size of a Bible, maybe less.