The D&D Socioeconomic model

[Vern5]

Between reading The Order of the Stick and playing Icewind Dale, I had a sudden notion. Let's say that our world was more or less akin to the world of D&D. Civilization is plagued by monsters and other evil creatures. Magic is a well-defined science with Bachelors and Masters Degrees associated with learning the mystical arts. Life after death has not only been proven but also found to be reversible with the right kind of investments. In short, just try to blend the modern world with the Forgotten realms into the most congruous form possible.

In this strange new world, where do you think you would fit into society? Would you take on the high risk/high reward of group adventuring? Would you dedicate yourself to the mystical arts and invest in getting that Coveted Doctorate of Evocation you've always wanted? Perhaps alchemical enterprises would be more your preference?

And what kind of society would we inhabit where children were not only expected but encouraged to at least entertain the idea of risking their necks in bloody melee with the forces of evil in order to scavenge dungeons, lairs and tombs for wealth and fame?

What are your thoughts on this world and your possible place in it?

 

[Commissar Sae]

Looking at my talents and inclinations probably a mage of some kind, working in the academy towards an education degree so I could work with the apprentices, since I would already have a degree in Thaumaturgy and evocation. Chances are I would stay with the college of mages rather than risk my neck adventuring.

Maybe open a nice little alchemists lab with my my brother or girlfriend and make a steady living selling potions.

 

[Vern5]

And what kind of society would we inhabit where children were not only expected but encouraged to at least entertain the idea of risking their necks in bloody melee with the forces of evil in order to scavenge dungeons, lairs and tombs for wealth and fame?

What are your thoughts on this world and your possible place in it?

Addventuring probably isn't as popular as you would think. Someone has to cobble the shoes the adventurers wear and that'd be me. You just don't realize there are cobblers because you always play as adventurers and assume adventurers make up 99% of the population. Who said every D&D game ever takes play in the same canon? Hell, there is a reason adventurers are so looked up to. They are the only ones who can do it.

But think of how a the Western world's consumer/fame society works. Wouldn't everyone be trying to be an adventure like their favorite heroes of the time? And wouldn't big Adventurer supplying corporations keep pushing for more people to adventure in order to sell more of their products? Mainstream media would become obsessed with adventuring! MTV would be filled with shows about Teen Adventurers or a version of Jersey shore that's about a bunch of Low intelligence heroes trying to put their drama aside to kill the gnolls in their backyard.

 

[PhoenixUp]

Interesting topic.

I think I would have to go for that coveted Doctorate in magic. It's a path to power and respect that doesn't (generally) require getting stabbed by everything under the sun first.

 

[Plurralbles]

knowing the way I am now... I'd suck at magic, couldn't fight my way out of a paper bag... am talentless in every single way with only a savign grace of being average- so not too abysmally incapable.

Probably would be dead to be honest.

Starved.

I guess I could bea swords salesman.

 

[Vern5]

knowing the way I am now... I'd suck at magic, couldn't fight my way out of a paper bag... am talentless in every single way with only a savign grace of being average- so not too abysmally incapable.

Probably would be dead to be honest.

Starved.

You could be a Cleric and beg favors from the gods for a living?

 

[Vern5]

I would probably leap for the chance at Adventuring Fame. Maybe I could end up on the View or Good Morning America to be interviewed as one of America's most successful Melee Bards?

 

[thiosk]

oh, hardcore magic study and wizardry of course.

In our world I'm a scientist-- chemist specifically, so w-w-w-izzzrdddd isn't a big stretch.

Enchantment is typically my target in RPGs, but real enchantment has always been pretty lame in my opinion in most rpgs (because its generally overpowered)

 

[Littlee300]

I'd imagine myself being a chemist as my job but learning magic with online tutorials (lol )

Edit: Good topic.

Edit 2: I'd probably be learning magic with a lot of fervor considering all the power it may offer >

Edit 3: I'd imagine myself good chaotic though... questionably neutral chaotic.

Edit 4: Too many people wanting to be a chemist... Must be come Evil chaotic and hire the next person saying he will be an assassin to take down the competition.

 

[AgentBJ09]

I would look into one of two professional paths.

- Master of Magic. Specifically the school of Illusion. Not all fights are won because you have the stronger ice blast.

- Merchant. Knowing how best to trade and barter, much less making a living out of it, sounds like something I would want to do.

 

[Ulfrick]

And what kind of society would we inhabit where children were not only expected but encouraged to at least entertain the idea of risking their necks in bloody melee with the forces of evil in order to scavenge dungeons, lairs and tombs for wealth and fame?

What are your thoughts on this world and your possible place in it?

Addventuring probably isn't as popular as you would think. Someone has to cobble the shoes the adventurers wear and that'd be me. You just don't realize there are cobblers because you always play as adventurers and assume adventurers make up 99% of the population. Who said every D&D game ever takes play in the same canon? Hell, there is a reason adventurers are so looked up to. They are the only ones who can do it.

But think of how a the Western world's consumer/fame society works. Wouldn't everyone be trying to be an adventure like their favorite heroes of the time? And wouldn't big Adventurer supplying corporations keep pushing for more people to adventure in order to sell more of their products? Mainstream media would become obsessed with adventuring! MTV would be filled with shows about Teen Adventurers or a version of Jersey shore that's about a bunch of Low intelligence heroes trying to put their drama aside to kill the gnolls in their backyard.

Essentially Adventurers would just be movie stars with a different skill set, and just like movie stars a) not everyone will get to be one b) 99% of people while they might fantasize about it wouldn't actually go out and try and c) we would all still complain about how they get payed too much.

Edit: I would probably set up a training school for adventurers since I already have fairly in depth knowledge of most if not all the basic skills they would be likely to use but am not the type who would actually be keen on going toe to toe with a dragon unless I had too.

 

[KingmanHighborn]

Just a freelance wizard, with my cat familiar, and maybe multiclass into monk...or more likely because of my alignment, a fighter with improved unarmed strike...but yeah...I mean in RL I draw, and write stories...and I'm 'this close' to being a high school history professor so...yeah books appeal to me and wizards need thier books. ^-^

 

[vashthblackseed]

I'd be that guy in the bar handing out "quests" like candy to all the adventures. And when they weren't looking, stab 'em in the back and pawn their shit.

 

[Atticus89]

I'd be a scholar of some sort. You'd find me since I have books and travel the land in search of knowledge. I wouldn't be the strongest physically, my knowledge of swords would be basic, and any magic I had would have to varied so that I know enough about anything but a master of nothing. And if I just so happen to anger the wrong people, I've got high diplomacy and charisma to help me.

 

[SilverKyo]

I would probably be an assassin. This is not because I hate people or stab all my friends in the back, but even back in middle school I've always had fun with and been quite adept at sneaking around and stealing shit when no one was looking. Also, I like knives... don't ask. So, assuming I put in the effort to be nimble and build lean muscle, yea, assassin would be my kind of thing.

 

[stutheninja]

id definitely be the blacksmith if at all possible. ive just always loved that vision of the blacksmith being the guy who got shit done, but you could also hit up the tavern and still expect to have great time. also when it came to sword play, you could always count on the blacksmith to be competent or a master of the weapons he crafts, that much only makes sense. either that or the parchment guy, nobody fucks with the parchment guy.

 

[Nezaros]

I'm pretty sure magic wouldn't be a universal power that everyone can harness, but if I were so lucky as to be able to use magic I would be a mage of some sort. Probably specializing in illusions and alchemy. One day I might become tired of this way of life and become a criminal, using my talents to prey on the weak and become rich. A future as lord of somethingorother would be my goal but doubtless unattainable.

Otherwise, just a common peasant. Probably a blacksmith.

 

[Flailing Escapist]

I'd do what I do every time we play dnd. Get drunk (real life). Then cast magical spells of fire out of my crotch(both). Which causes whatever stucture me and my comrades are in to catch on fire(magical realms of magic).
Everytime.