AugustNights
2011-10-10, 01:40 PM
Dungeon Metric
This measuring system is simply a tool I use for immersion, and perhaps for an odd form of simplicity. I have players that are familiar with the metric system and the imperial system at the same "table," as it were. While asking metric system users to familiarize themselves with the imperial system would be far easier than asking both to familiarize themselves with a new system, I find the new system creates an advantage in common ground, and a lack of real-world precision. It also grants more fudge room when it comes to the topic of real-world physics applied to D&D. This measuring system may not be appropriate for all games and players, as that it abstracts concepts and combat even further, and may create even more inaccuracies within the game. It also brings what may appear to be a heavy amount of additional book work in converting all measurements in the game as presented, but many of the conversions are quite simple. However it is important to note that the rough estimations are just that, rough estimations.
Mass/Weight*
UnitsRough Metric EquivalenceRough Imperial Equivalence
Stone(s)1 kilo2 pounds
Barrel(s)100 kilos200 pounds
Boulder(s)1,000 kilos2,000 pounds
*Assuming material plane is similar to earth
Distance
UnitsRough Metric EquivalenceRough Imperial Equivalence
Rod(s).5 meters1.5 feet
Pace(s)1.5 meters5 feet
Field(s)1 kilometer.5 miles
Volume
UnitsRough Metric EquivalenceRough Imperial Equivalence
Gourd(s)1 liter1 quart
Bucket(s)5 liters1.5 gallons
Cask(s)200 liters50 gallons
Time
UnitsComposed of
Second(s)1 second
Pass(es)6 seconds
Minute(s)10 passes, 60 seconds
Hour(s)60 minutes, 600 passes
Second(s)1 second
Day(s)24 hours, 144,000 passes
Tenday10 days, 1,440,000 passes
Month(s)3 tenday, 4,320,000 passes
Season(s)3 months
Year(s)4 seasons, 12 months, 360 days
Decade(s)10 years
Century(ries)10 decades
Millenium(nia)10 centuries
Speed
UnitsRough Metric EquivalenceRough Imperial Equivalence
Field(s) per hour (Fph)1 Kph.5 Mph
The Chump's Twopence
What does this change? Not a lot, really. Items weigh half as many "stones" as they did pounds, most all distances are divided by 5 and represented as "wings" (name derived from wing-span, a sometimes used term for the arm-span of a human, which is roughly a 5 foot distance in D&D) "paces" as that most distances are divisible by 5 feet, volume, usually represented as gallons, is mostly divided by four and represented as gourds, and applications of the craft skill may need to change from factors of seven to factors of ten. It's a lot of conversion, and maybe it's not worth it to some people. Since D&D is largely abstracted anyhow, I like the immersion that abstract measurements provide. It's what I use, and having it online makes it easier to show my players. Comments welcome.
Edit: April 16, 2013
* Changed "Wings" to "Paces"
* Added "Buckets" and "Casks" to volume.
* Converted tables to new format [Sept. 3rd, 2014]
This measuring system is simply a tool I use for immersion, and perhaps for an odd form of simplicity. I have players that are familiar with the metric system and the imperial system at the same "table," as it were. While asking metric system users to familiarize themselves with the imperial system would be far easier than asking both to familiarize themselves with a new system, I find the new system creates an advantage in common ground, and a lack of real-world precision. It also grants more fudge room when it comes to the topic of real-world physics applied to D&D. This measuring system may not be appropriate for all games and players, as that it abstracts concepts and combat even further, and may create even more inaccuracies within the game. It also brings what may appear to be a heavy amount of additional book work in converting all measurements in the game as presented, but many of the conversions are quite simple. However it is important to note that the rough estimations are just that, rough estimations.
Mass/Weight*
UnitsRough Metric EquivalenceRough Imperial Equivalence
Stone(s)1 kilo2 pounds
Barrel(s)100 kilos200 pounds
Boulder(s)1,000 kilos2,000 pounds
*Assuming material plane is similar to earth
Distance
UnitsRough Metric EquivalenceRough Imperial Equivalence
Rod(s).5 meters1.5 feet
Pace(s)1.5 meters5 feet
Field(s)1 kilometer.5 miles
Volume
UnitsRough Metric EquivalenceRough Imperial Equivalence
Gourd(s)1 liter1 quart
Bucket(s)5 liters1.5 gallons
Cask(s)200 liters50 gallons
Time
UnitsComposed of
Second(s)1 second
Pass(es)6 seconds
Minute(s)10 passes, 60 seconds
Hour(s)60 minutes, 600 passes
Second(s)1 second
Day(s)24 hours, 144,000 passes
Tenday10 days, 1,440,000 passes
Month(s)3 tenday, 4,320,000 passes
Season(s)3 months
Year(s)4 seasons, 12 months, 360 days
Decade(s)10 years
Century(ries)10 decades
Millenium(nia)10 centuries
Speed
UnitsRough Metric EquivalenceRough Imperial Equivalence
Field(s) per hour (Fph)1 Kph.5 Mph
The Chump's Twopence
What does this change? Not a lot, really. Items weigh half as many "stones" as they did pounds, most all distances are divided by 5 and represented as "wings" (name derived from wing-span, a sometimes used term for the arm-span of a human, which is roughly a 5 foot distance in D&D) "paces" as that most distances are divisible by 5 feet, volume, usually represented as gallons, is mostly divided by four and represented as gourds, and applications of the craft skill may need to change from factors of seven to factors of ten. It's a lot of conversion, and maybe it's not worth it to some people. Since D&D is largely abstracted anyhow, I like the immersion that abstract measurements provide. It's what I use, and having it online makes it easier to show my players. Comments welcome.
Edit: April 16, 2013
* Changed "Wings" to "Paces"
* Added "Buckets" and "Casks" to volume.
* Converted tables to new format [Sept. 3rd, 2014]