Economics, Community
Management, & Equipment
- Money -
- Equipment -
Certain items found in other places and times are unavailable in
Testament’s setting. Here is a list of appropriate weapons, goods, and
services.
Except where noted, descriptions are the same as in the Player’s
Handbook.
Weapons and Armor
Weapons involving elaborate craftsmanship were much less common, and thus more valuable, in the ancient world, hence the price of many weapons in the Testament setting is a lot higher than in other d20 settings. Nobles often embellished their weapons with gems and other decorations, and masterwork or mighty weapons could be given names and acquire histories despite being non-magical.
Bronze Age weapons tended to be lighter than in later eras, because there was less need to penetrate heavy armor.
New Weapons
Clay Ball Thrower: Essentially a large sling, this Sumerian-era weapon
allows the wielder to hurl heavy clay balls at a foe.
Inscribed Sling Stone: Magical or holy symbols or words (or even the
name of the user) could be carved into sling stones, as a psychological attack (making the enemy think that magic weapons are being employed against it) in large battles. Use of inscribed stones in the Biblical Battlefield Resolution System gives the slinger’s Side a +1 Morale bonus, and gives the enemy Side a -1Morale penalty if they realize the nature of the stones (DC 15 Spot check).
- 69 -
- CHAPTER 6: Economics, Community Management, & Equipment -
Table 6-3a: Weapons, melee
Simple Weapons—MeleeWeapon Cost Damage Critical Range Increment Weight Type
Unarmed Attacks
Strike, unarmed (Medium-size) -- 1d3** x2 -- -- Bludgeoning
Strike, unarmed (Small) -- 1d2** x2 -- -- Bludgeoning
Tiny
Dagger* 4 gp 1d4 19-20/x2 10 ft. 1 lb. Piercing
Small
Mace, light 25 gp 1d6 x2 -- 6 lb. Bludgeoning
Sickle 12 gp 1d6 x2 -- 3 lb. Slashing
Medium-size
Club -- 1d6 x2 10 ft. 3 lb. Bludgeoning
Halfspear 5 gp 1d6 x3 20 ft. 3 lb. Piercing
Mace, heavy 60 gp 1d8 x2 -- 12 lb. Bludgeoning
Large
Great Staff, Metal-Shod 40 gp 1d10 x2 -- 20 lb. Bludgeoning
Quarterstaff*# -- 1d6/1d6 x2 -- 4 lb. Bludgeoning
Shortspear 10 gp 1d8 x3 20 ft. 5 lb. Piercing
Martial Weapons—Melee
Weapon Cost Damage Critical Range Increment Weight Type
Small
Axe, throwing 4 gp 1d6 x2 10 ft. 4 lb. Slashing
Hammer, light 5 gp 1d4 x2 20 ft. 2 lb. Bludgeoning
Handaxe 12 gp 1d6 x3 -- 5 lb. Slashing
Pick, light* 20 gp 1d4 x4 -- 4 lb. Piercing
Sap 1 gp 1d6** x2 -- 3 lb. Bludgeoning
Sword, short 100 gp 1d6 19-20/x2 -- 3 lb. Piercing
Medium-size
Battleaxe 100 gp 1d8 x3 -- 7 lb. Slashing
Flail, light* 40 gp 1d8 x2 -- 5 lb. Bludgeoning
Khopesh (sicklesword) 125 gp 1d6 19-20/x2 -- 4 lb. Slashing
Longsword 150 gp 1d8 19-20/x2 -- 4 lb. Slashing
Pick, heavy* 40 gp 1d6 x4 -- 6 lb. Piercing
Scimitar 150 gp 1d6 18-20/x2 -- 4 lb. Slashing
Warhammer 120 gp 1d8 x3 -- 8 lb. Bludgeoning
Large
Greatclub -- 1d10 x2 -- 10 lb. Bludgeoning
Longspear* 25 gp 1d8 x3 -- 9 lb. Piercing
Scythe 36 gp 2d4 x4 -- 12 lb. Piercing and Slashing
*See the description of this weapon in the PH for special rules **This weapon deals subdual damage, rather than normal damage #Double weapon
Table 6-1:
Barter Bluff Checks
Scarcity Target DCItem is abundant; everyone has one 30 Item is plentiful; all but the poorest have one 25 Item is reasonably common; available from
multiple sources in most markets 20 Item is hard to find; even in cities,
few dealers have one 15
Item is almost impossible to find; not everyone has ever seen one, and not every city even has one for sale (also including seasonal
goods out of season) 10
Table 6-2:
Knowledge (Trade)
Checks
Scarcity Target DC Item is abundant 10 Item is plentiful 12Item is reasonably common 14
Item is hard to find 16
- 70 -
- CHAPTER 6: Economics, Community Management, & Equipment -
Table 6-3b: Weapons, Ranged
Simple Weapons—Ranged
Weapon Cost Damage Critical Range Increment Weight Type
Small
Dart 2 gp 1d4 x2 20 ft. ½ lb. Piercing
Sling -- 1d4 x2 50 ft. 0 lb. Bludgeoning
Stones, sling (10) 1 sp -- -- -- 5 lb. --
Stones, sling, inscribed (10) 1 gp -- -- – 5 lb. --
Medium-size
Javelin 5 gp 1d6 x2 30 ft. 2 lb. Piercing
Martial Weapons—Ranged
Weapon Cost Damage Critical Range Increment Weight Type
Medium-size
Shortbow* 60 gp 1d6 x3 60 ft. 2 lb. Piercing
Arrows (20) 3 gp -- -- -- 3 lb. --
Shortbow, composite* 225 gp 1d6 x3 70 ft. 2 lb. Piercing
Arrows (20) 3 gp -- -- -- 3 lb. --
Clay Ball Thrower 3 gp 1d6 x2 30 ft. 1 lb. Bludgeoning
Clay Ball Shot (5) 3 gp -- -- -- 2 lb. --
Large
Longbow* 150 gp 1d8 x3 100 ft. 3 lb. Piercing
Arrows (20) 3 gp -- -- -- 3 lb. --
Longbow, composite* 300 gp 1d8 x3 110 ft. 3 lb. Piercing
Arrows (20) 3 gp -- -- -- 3 lb. --
Exotic Weapons—Ranged
Weapon Cost Damage Critical Range Increment Weight Type
Small
Whip* 2 gp 1d2** x2 15 ft.* 2 lb. Slashing
Medium-size
Net* 20 gp -- -- 10 ft. 10 lb *
*See the description of this weapon in thePH for special rules **This weapon deals subdual damage, rather than normal damage #Double weapon
Table 6-4: Armor
Armor Maximum Armor Arcane Spell Speed
Armor Cost Bonus Dex Bonus Check Penalty Failure (30 ft.) (20 ft.) Weight
Light armor
Padded 5 gp +1 +8 0 5% 30 ft. 20 ft. 10 lb.
Heavy cloth 50 gp +2 +6 0 10% 30 ft. 20 ft. 15 lb.
Leather cloak 10 gp +1 +9 0 0% 30 ft. 20 ft. 5 lb.
Studded leather cloak 75 gp +2 +7 0 0% 30 20 10 lb.
Medium armor
Hide 100 gp +3 +4 -3 20% 20 ft. 15 ft. 25 lb.
Scale mail 500 gp +4 +3 -4 25% 20 ft. 15 ft. 30 lb.
Breastplate 2,000gp +5 +3 -4 25% 20 ft. 15 ft. 30 lb.
Shields
Shield, small leather 3 gp +1 -- -1 5% -- -- 4 lb.
Shield, small wooden 9 gp +1 -- -1 5% -- -- 5 lb.
Shield, large leather 7 gp +2 -- -2 15% -- -- 8 lb.
Shield, large wooden 20 gp +2 -- -2 15% -- -- 10 lb.
Shield, tower 300 gp ** -- -10 50% -- -- 45 lb.
Extras
Helm 50 gp +2 -- -2* 5% -- -- 10 lb.
- 71 -
- CHAPTER 6: Economics, Community Management, & Equipment -
Khopesh: This sickle-shaped sword can be used normally by those
with Martial Weapon Proficiency. Those with Exotic Weapon Proficiency (khopesh) can make trip attacks with it, and gain a +2 bonus to attempts to disarm opponents (including the roll to avoid being disarmed it the disarm attempt fails). Weapon Finesse can be applied to the khopesh.
Metal-Shod Great Staff: This 10-ft, long staff is a hollow bronze pipe,
with a metal ball fixed at the end. This was a Sumerian-era weapon.
New Armor
Heavy Cloth: This armor consists of either thin cloth (e.g., linen) that
is boiled in oil or wax to stiffen it, or thick cloth (e.g., felt) that can turn away some blows or missiles. It is hot, scratchy, and uncomfortable.
Leather Cloak: This full-length thick leather cape trades off a minimal
protective value with the benefit of minimal encumbrance of the wearer.
Shields: Leather shields are made of hides stretched over wooden
frames. Wicker shields are included in this class. Wooden shields can include metal bosses or other reinforcements.
Studded Leather Cloak: This leather cape includes large metal rivets
(larger than in close-fitting suits of studded leather armor worn in later eras) to help turn the blows of weapons.
Tower Shield: This massive wooden shield is nearly as tall as the
wielder. Basically, it is a portable wall meant to provide cover. It can provide up to total cover, depending on how far a character comes out from behind it. A tower shield, however, does not provide cover against targeted spells; a spellcaster can cast a spell on a character by targeting the shield. A tower shield cannot be used for the shield bash action. This shield is rarely used by a solitary warrior: usually it is carried by a lightly- armed shieldbearer whose primary job is to protect the warrior, freeing him to use both hands for bow use, to control the reins of a chariot, or to cast spells.
Helm: In later eras, this full head covering was simply considered a part
of a suit of armor, but in the Testament setting it is sometimes worn with light armor or even on its own. Breastplate is the only armor type that comes with a helm automatically.
Bronze vs. Iron
Between about 1300 and 1000 BCE there was a technological innovation that revolutionized the lands of the Testament setting: the development of iron weapons. Armed with this dreadful marvel, a collection of tribes
known as the Sea Peoples began a series of raids and invasions about 1200 BCE, toppling empires, and displacing other tribes from their homes. Against bronze armor and shields, iron weapons have their threat range increased by +2. Meanwhile, against iron armor and shields, bronze weapons have their threat range decreased by -2 (although a natural 20 is still always a threat), and their critical multiplier decreased by x1 (to a minimum of x2).
Prices of iron weapons and armor are five times listed prices for most of the Bronze Age. During the transitional period from the Bronze to the Iron Age (1200-900 BCE), prices for iron items are doubled. After 900 BCE, iron weapons and armor become the norm and listed prices are used. Characters in the late Bronze Age require a special feat (The Secret of Iron, see p. 46) to craft iron weapons and armor. After the time of Solomon, this secret is universally known and PCs can work it without requiring special knowledge.
Chariots
Chariots were the battleships of the ancient battlefield, used to quickly transport firepower into range of the enemy while providing some measure of protection to the warriors inside that wasn’t afforded to archers on horse or camel back.
Early Sumerian chariots were heavy wooden battle-wagons, drawn by teams of donkeys or mules. They were comparatively slow, but very strong defensively.
The invading Hyksos brought the chariot into Egypt in the 17th century BCE, having made two innovations: the use of horses instead of donkeys, and a lighter, faster, more maneuverable wicker construction. The Egyptians adopted the chariot and turned it against the Hyksos, driving them from the country after a century of subjugation. Soon thereafter, use of the new fast chariot spread throughout the region, although the Assyrians continued to use heavy chariots, increasing the
Table 6-5:
Special and
Superior Items
Weapon or Armor CostWeapon, masterwork +600 gp
Arrow, or bullet, masterwork 21 gp
Arrow, or bullet, silvered 3 gp
Dagger, silvered 20 gp
Mighty composite shortbow
(+1 Str bonus) 450 gp
Mighty composite longbow
(+1 Str bonus) 600 gp
(+2 Str bonus) 900 gp
(+3 Str bonus) 1,200 gp
(+4 Str bonus) 1,500 gp
Armor or shield, masterwork +300 gp
Iron (pre-1200 BCE) x5
- 72 -
- CHAPTER 6: Economics, Community Management, & Equipment -
number of horses pulling and adding more archers and shieldbearers to their complement.
Chariots were expensive objects, especially when the cost of the horses and the arms of the charioteers were considered. No nation could afford to field more than a few thousand of them at a time; when King David captured 1,000 chariots from the king of Zohab, he was forced to hamstring all but 100 of the horse teams because of the cost.
Chariots have two or three riders: a driver and a charioteer (armed with javelins or bow) and sometimes a shieldbearer. They provide one-quarter cover for the occupants (+2 AC, +1 Reflex save bonus); a shieldbearer increases this to three-quarter cover from attacks originating on his side of the chariot.
If a chariot driver is killed, the charioteer or shieldbearer may perform a move-equivalent action to grab the reins and attempt to control the craft. It requires a Ride check (DC 15) to take control of a runaway chariot; failure results in the chariot toppling, causing 1d10 damage to all occupants.
Chariots can be used for Trample attacks. The driver must make a Ride check vs. the target’s Armor Class to hit, and must make a second Ride check (DC 15 + the damage inflicted) to keep the chariot from toppling.
Masterwork Chariot: Masterwork chariots have a +1 bonus to their Ride
check modifier, +1 to Hardness, and they cost an additional 700 gp.
Goods and Services
Weights for all the items listed on Table 6-7: Goods and Services are their filled weights (except where otherwise designated). Items found in the Player’s
Handbook but not on this table are unavailable in the Testament setting.
Astrologer’s Tools: This consists of various instruments for measuring
planetary positions and calculating horoscope charts, as well as a library of standard texts. Use of these tools grants a +2 circumstance bonus on Knowledge (astrology) checks.
Average House: This was a very simple and common dwelling: an Israelite
four-room house, a Babylonian house with a courtyard, etc. Houses outside of walled cities were not typically bought; people made or bought bricks, then performed their own labor to construct the house.
Balsam: A crushed spice, the oil of which (persimmon) was the most
cherished of perfumes.
Camels: Camels were only domesticated after the 7th century BCE. Commoner’s Outfit: A simple belted robe or a long wool garment worn as a
wrap and fastened with a pin, and a pair of sandals. The clothing is likely to be uncolored, dyed a single color, or patterned simply. Egyptian commoners wore lighter linen clothing.
Desert Travel Garb: Light, layered clothing to protect against the sun
without being too heavy, plus a thick wool cloak for protection from wind, sand, and cold.
Entertainer: 1st-level experts with reasonably high Charisma modifiers. Fortress: As per Keep in the DMG.
Frankincense: An incense used in Israelite and Babylonian temples. Derived
from the gum of a tree found in southern Arabia.
Ginger (Costus): A spice also used as incense in the Temple of Jerusalem. Glass: Glass bottles date back to the 1st century BCE and, as such, are not
available in the Testament setting.
Granary: Stores up to 1,000 gp worth of grain.
Inn: Inns were scarce to non-existent in the ancient world, especially before
the invention of currency. Most inns were in large cities, or near breweries or pilgrimage sites. For the most part, travelers lodged with friends or with charitable strangers. Allowing travelers to stay and eat with a family was considered part of one’s duty by many ancient peoples, although travelers would often perform small labors in exchange for room and board.
Laborer: 1st-level commoners with average abilities.
Large Tent: Desert nomads lived in tents divided into multiple rooms (at a
minimum one room for men and another for women) by heavy curtains.
Meals: Poor meals might be composed of bread, beer, radishes, onions, and
dried fish. Higher quality meals might consist of bread, fish, grapes, sycamore figs, cucumber, and some sort of meat, and wine or beer.
Mercenary: Most professional mercenaries (such as the Kushite archers who
served in the armies of Egypt) are warriors of 2nd to 5th level.
Mule: Israelites were forbidden to breed mules, but were allowed to purchase
them.
Myrrh: A sacred incense derived from the resin of a tree in Kush, far south
and east of Egypt.
Noble’s Outfit: Similar to a commoner’s outfit, but the garments have layers
of linen, fringes, and more coloration. This also serves as the royal outfit for the rulers of poor city-states.
Table 6-6: Chariots
Type Hit Points/Hardness Ride Check Modifier Speed Trample Damage Weight Cost
Early (Sumerian, Hittite) chariot 120/10 -5 50 ft. (donkey/mule) 1d10 500 lb. 800 gp
- 73 -
- CHAPTER 6: Economics, Community Management, & Equipment -
Adventuring Gear
Item Cost Weight
Bell 1 gp *
Blanket, winter 5 sp 3 lb.
Candle 1 cp *
Case, map or scroll 1 gp ½ lb.
Chain (10 ft.) 300 gp 2 lb.
Crowbar 2 gp 5 lb.
Fishhook 1 sp *
Fishing net, 25 sq. ft. 4 gp 5 lb.
Flask 3 cp *
Flint and steel 1 gp *
Grappling hook 10 gp 4 lb.
Hammer 5 sp 2 lb.
Ink (1 oz. vial) 8 gp *
Ink brush or pen 1 sp *
Jug, clay 3 cp 9 lb.
Ladder, 10-foot 5 cp 20 lb.
Lamp, common 1 sp 1 lb.
Lamp Oil (1-pint flask) 5 sp 1 lb.
Lock
Very simple 20 gp 1 lb.
Average 40 gp 1 lb.
Good 80 gp 1 lb.
Manacles 75 gp 2 lb.
Mirror, small bronze 5 gp ½ lb.
Mug/tankard, clay 2 cp 1 lb.
Olive Oil (1-pint flask) 5 cp 1 lb.
Papyrus (sheet) 1 gp *
Papyrus (high quality) 2 gp *
Pick, miner’s 3 gp 10 lb. Pitcher, clay 1 sp 5 lb. Pole, 10-foot 2 sp 8 lb. Quern 1 gp 10 lb. Rope, hemp (50 ft.) 1 gp 10 lb. Sealing wax 1 gp 1 lb. Sewing needle 5 sp * Soap (per lb.) 5 sp 1 lb. Spade or shovel 2 gp 8 lb. Tent 10 gp 20 lb. Torch 1 cp 1 lb. Touchstone 1 sp ½ lb.
Vial, ink or potion 1 gp *
Whetstone 2 cp 1 lb.
Wine Press 5 gp 10 lb.
*negligible weight
Class Tools and Skill Kits
Item Cost Weight
Alchemist’s lab 500 gp 40 lb.
Artisan’s tools 5 gp 5 lb.
Astrologer’s Tools 250 gp 100 lb.
Disguise kit 50 gp 8 lb.
Healer’s kit 50 gp 1 lb.
Holy symbol, wooden 1 gp 1/10 lb.
Holy symbol, silver 100 gp 1 lb.
Musical instrument 5 gp 3 lb.
Musical instrument, masterwork 100 gp 3 lb.
Olive branch -- *
Scale, merchant’s 2 gp 1 lb.
Spellbook
(blank, scrolls) 35 gp 10 lb.
(blank, clay tablets) 20 gp 50 lb.
Thieves’ tools 30 gp 1 lb.
Table 6-7: Goods and Services
Thieves’ tools, masterwork 100 gp 2 lb.
Tool, masterwork +50 gp *
*negligible weight
Clothing
Item Cost Weight
Commoner’s outfit 1 sp 2 lb.
Desert travel garb 3 gp 4 lb.
Noble’s outfit 30 gp 6 lb.
Priest’s vestments 5 gp 6 lb.
Qedeshot’s outfit 5 gp 3 lb.
Royal outfit 200 gp 10 lb.
Containers and Carriers
Item Cost Weight Holds or Carries
Dry Goods
Barrel 2 gp 30 lb. 10 cu. ft.
Basket 4 sp 1 lb. 2 cu ft.
Chest 2 gp 25 lb. 2 cu. ft.
Pouch, belt 1 gp ½ lb. 1/5 cu. ft.
Sack 1 sp ½ lb. 1 cu. ft.
Spell component pouch 5 gp 1/4 lb. 1/8 cu. ft.
Liquids
Cup 2 gp * 1 ½ pint
Flask 3 cp * 1 pint
Jug, clay 3 cp 1 lb. 1 gallon
Mug/tankard, clay 2 cp * 1 pint
Pitcher, clay 2 cp 1 lb. ½ gallon
Vial 1 gp * 1 ounce
Waterskin 1 gp * ½ gallon
*negligible weight
Commodities
Item Amount Cost
Amulet, mekhtet (unenchanted) 1 1 gp
Cow 1 50 gp
Flour 1 lb. 5 cp
Iron (late Bronze Age) 1 lb. 100 gp
Iron (early Iron Age) 1 lb. 20 gp
Iron (mid-Iron Age) 1 lb. 5 sp
Linen 1 lb. (sq. yard) 8 gp Ox 1 50 gp Pig 1 5 gp Sheep 1 12 gp Silk 1 lb. (2 sq. yards) 20 gp Wheat 1 lb. 1 cp
Food, Drink, and Lodging
Item Cost Weight
Beer
Gallon 2 sp 8 lb.
Mug 4 cp 1 lb.
Banquet (per person) 10 gp --
Bread, loaf 2 cp ½ lb.
Inn stay (per day) 5 sp --
Meals (per day)
Good 7 sp -- Common 3 sp -- Poor 1 sp -- Wine Common (pitcher) 2 sp 6 lb. Fine (pitcher) 40 gp 1 ½ lb.
- 74 -
- CHAPTER 6: Economics, Community Management, & Equipment -
Obelisk: These structures (similar in shape to the Washington
Monument, but often decorated with carvings to honor the builder and his favorite gods) were one of many monuments built by New Kingdom pharaohs. For every half million gold pieces spent, it requires a year to build an obelisk. The largest obelisk still standing from Egyptian times is 105 feet high. Traditionally, obelisks were made in pairs.
Olive Branch: The druid class is not especially appropriate to the
Testament setting. If employing the class, an olive branch provides a
regional substitute for holly and mistletoe.
One-Room Hut: Few lived in such buildings on a permanent basis:
they were instead seasonal shelters for shepherds, temporary lodgings for hermits, etc. Multiple huts could be clustered together to form the houses of poor rural Babylonians.
Palace: As per Mansion in the DMG.
Pepper: There were a number of peppers used in the Testament region,
all derived from desert plants.
Priest’s Vestments: A robe of cotton (or a leopard’s skin in Egypt),
denoting the status as the servant of the divine. Likely colored or patterned.
Pyramid: The huge pyramids of Giza containing the mummified bodies
of monarchs in their cores are an artifact of Old Kingdom Egypt; in the time of the Testament setting new Egyptian pyramids are 10 to 20 ft. tall, and commemorate the lives of individuals while their actual bodies may be buried elsewhere. Similar constructs can be found in Nubia to the south of Egypt proper. This same construction cost applies to ziggurats; step-pyramids built on the plains of Mesopotamia. For each million gold pieces spent, it requires one year of construction time.
Qedeshot’s Outfit: An especially alluring and sacred costume for
Canaanite temple servants.
Quern: A household mill for grinding grain into flour. Consists of one
large, concave stone, and a smaller, rounded millstone.
Royal Outfit: A truly opulent garment worn by a pharaoh or great king,
or his chief wife. Likely to be very colorful, with inset jewelry or other ostentatious features.
Saffron: Used in incense and cloth, this desert-grown flower was very
expensive: it took 75,000 flowers to make one pound of this substance.
Slaves: The price given for slaves is an average throughout the Testament
region. Israelites bought as slaves by other Israelites command lower prices depending on how close the next Sabbatical year (when all