Author Topic: Price for artistic work & random 'encounter' table for artistic reputation  (Read 1945 times)

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reddir

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Ok, this is niche, I know it. But I thought I would ask if anyone has ideas on improving this.

I am playing an 'artist' in a PF game (just think 3.5) and am trying to figure out what the prices for art should be. I haven't found any guidance in D&D material, including official and 3rd party.

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So first, I tried to figure out DC tiers for art, based on normal human limits.

Level 1, unskilled: newb
-  Int 10, Craft +0  ==  +0
- - range 1-20, Take-10 = 10 = Steady progress on DC 10 projects

Level 1, specialist: student
-  Int 11, Craft +(1+3), Skill Focus +3, masterwork tools +2  ==  +9
- - range 10 - 29, Take-10 = 19 = Steady progress on DC 19 projects

Level 3, specialist: typical professional
-  Int 11, Craft +(3+3), Skill Focus +3, masterwork tools +2, helper +2  ==  +13
- - range 14-33, Take-10 = 23 = Steady progress on DC 23 projects
-  (+2 if allow Synergy  ==  +15)
- - ( range 16-35, Take-10 = 25 = Steady progress on DC 25 projects

Level 5, specialist: legendary artist
-  Int 12, Craft +(5+3), Skill Focus +3, masterwork tools +2, 2 spec helpers +(2*3)  ==  +20
- - range 21-40, Take-10 = 30 = Steady progress on DC 30 projects
-  (+2 if allow Synergy  ==  +22)
- - (range 23-42, Take-10 = 32 = Steady progress on DC 32 projects)
-  (+4 if allow 2 Synergies  ==  +24)
- - (range 25-44, Take-10 = 34 = Steady progress on DC 34 projects)

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Second, I tried to list a price that a real world artist of each caliber might expect in the real world. I fully recognize that real world art is hard to categorize, at least for me. Even ignoring the 'priceless' pieces, art can range from $15 -> $2,000,000+. So, did my best - if you have better suggestions please let me know :)
Also, things seemed to go crazy in the 80's, so going to pretend they never happened... ;)

How about these equivalents?
DC 10 = $50
DC 19 = $500
DC 25 = $5,000
DC 30 = $50,000
DC 34 = $500,000
(rounded the numbers to 5*10x, since simple and functional)

The idea is that this is the best work each tier can attempt.
- I think this is good for their 'best' attempt...but seems high for 'typical' work
- perhaps set typical to half this? allowing them to spend 2x time for best?
- during and after times of significant prosperity, the price should probably move up 1 tier, and stay elevated until there is a serious blow to civilization.

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Third, I tried to convert these prices to in-game values. I'd once figured US$1 = 1 cp, which seems to work for most of the low-cost items.

TalentDCReal ValueGame ValueProductionCompletion
Unskilled Newb10$25(50)2.5(5) sp10gp/wk.25(.5) day
Specialist Student19$250(500)25(50) sp36gp/wk.7(1.5) days
Specialist Professional25$2,500(5k)25(50) gp62gp/wk4(8) days
Legendary Artist30$25k(50k)250(500) gp90gp/wk3(6) weeks
Legendary Artist's Best 34$250k(500k)2500(5k)gp115gp/wk22(44) weeks
(The production rate depends only on DC and skill check.)

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Fourth, I am trying to come up with a random table whereby the artist's rep can rise/fall, along with the price their art commands.

Based on Skill:Perform, bringing in the functionality of 'agents'. (thanks Kajhera!)
(If the artist's Craft check was below 20, subtract the difference2 from the result)

-20%: serious faux pas
-5% @ for next 3 checks: one aspect of the artist's work is out of favor (GM's choice)
+5% @ for next 3 checks: one aspect of the artist'w work is in favor (GM's choice)
+20%: revered critic's or royal favor

(price mods from aspects are tracked for each individual aspect and fully stack)

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How does all that look?

Suggestions welcome :)

[Edit - bad calcs on production rate (and therefore time to completion), now fixed]
[Edit - started reputation section]
« Last Edit: November 23, 2010, 11:36:19 PM by reddir »

Kajhera

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Re: Price for artistic work & random 'encounter' table for artistic reputation
« Reply #1 on: November 23, 2010, 10:41:59 AM »
There are so many varieties of art, you can probably make a piece of any price you wish, really. Your unskilled newb might weave one-copper bead bracelets, while your legendary artist may devote their time to a thousand-gold sculpture.

For an artist's reputation, perhaps reference the results of perform checks. You'll need 20 or higher on your checks to develop much reputation worth mentioning.

I personally treat art as a craft check, then wind up hoarding it, but then again my last artist was a dragon.

reddir

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Re: Price for artistic work & random 'encounter' table for artistic reputation
« Reply #2 on: November 23, 2010, 11:10:18 PM »
There are so many varieties of art, you can probably make a piece of any price you wish, really. Your unskilled newb might weave one-copper bead bracelets, while your legendary artist may devote their time to a thousand-gold sculpture.

For an artist's reputation, perhaps reference the results of perform checks. You'll need 20 or higher on your checks to develop much reputation worth mentioning.

I personally treat art as a craft check, then wind up hoarding it, but then again my last artist was a dragon.

I was hoping to find some workable system to determine price. That is why I tried to relate DC to real-world price.

For reputation, the 20+ is a good idea. That would take it out of the student range, the start of a professional career.
About using Perform checks... what specific Perform would you suggest? I like the possibility of including the work of an 'agent' figure here... very cool suggestion, thanks :)

The_Mad_Linguist

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Re: Price for artistic work & random 'encounter' table for artistic reputation
« Reply #3 on: November 24, 2010, 01:48:10 AM »
That normal human limit article has always struck me as more cherrypicking examples to fit his premise than actually making a good argument.

For example: commoner vs. housecat.
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reddir

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Re: Price for artistic work & random 'encounter' table for artistic reputation
« Reply #4 on: November 24, 2010, 02:15:20 PM »
That normal human limit article has always struck me as more cherrypicking examples to fit his premise than actually making a good argument.

For example: commoner vs. housecat.

Do you mean about the cat having a decent chance to slay the Commoner 1?

The fix for that is generally to make no min on the claw damage, isn't it? With the str penalty, the cat won't be doing much.

Kajhera

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Re: Price for artistic work & random 'encounter' table for artistic reputation
« Reply #5 on: November 24, 2010, 03:24:32 PM »
That normal human limit article has always struck me as more cherrypicking examples to fit his premise than actually making a good argument.

For example: commoner vs. housecat.

Do you mean about the cat having a decent chance to slay the Commoner 1?

The fix for that is generally to make no min on the claw damage, isn't it? With the str penalty, the cat won't be doing much.

One fix is grappling the cat.