In the world of tabletop role-playing games, wealth isn’t always measured in gold coins. Often, the most valuable loot a party can find in a dragon’s hoard or a merchant caravan consists of raw materials and commodities. Whether you are running a high-seas merchant campaign or your players just raided a smuggler’s warehouse, having a solid D&D Trade Goods list is essential for immersion and balanced economy.
Why Use Trade Goods in Your Campaign?
Trade goods represent a stable form of currency. Unlike equipment, which sells for half price, trade goods are usually exchanged at their full market value. Furthermore, utilizing varied commodities like spices, ores, and livestock makes the world feel lived-in and economically diverse. Consequently, players might find themselves protecting a shipment of saffron with the same ferocity they would a chest of gems.
Standard List of Trade Goods for D&D 5e
According to the basic rules, these are the foundation of the medieval economy. These prices are generally fixed, making them a reliable “alternative currency” for savvy players.
- 1 cp: 1 lb. of wheat
- 2 cp: 1 lb. of flour or one chicken
- 5 cp: 1 lb. of salt
- 1 sp: 1 lb. of iron or 1 sq. yd. of canvas
- 5 sp: 1 lb. of copper or 1 sq. yd. of cotton cloth
- 1 gp: 1 lb. of ginger or one goat
- 2 gp: 1 lb. of cinnamon or pepper, or one sheep
- 3 gp: 1 lb. of cloves or one pig
- 5 gp: 1 gp 1 lb. of silver or 1 sq. yd. of linen
- 10 gp: 1 sq. yd. of silk or one cow
- 15 gp: 1 lb. of saffron or one ox
- 50 gp: 1 lb. of gold
- 500 gp: 1 lb. of platinum
Beyond the Basics: The Extended Trade Goods List
While the Player’s Handbook provides the essentials, it often leaves Dungeon Masters wondering about more exotic finds. In addition to the standard items, you might want to generate specific cargo for an abandoned warehouse, a sunken ship, or a bandit’s lair.
To create a more dynamic market, you can categorize your finds into three main groups:
- Drink, Edibles & Stuff: From common ale to rare honey.
- Luxury, Materials & Stuff: Including raw ores, fine silks, and rare dyes.
- Creatures & Livestock: Covering everything from chickens to exotic mounts.
Managing Logistics: Price, Load, and Packaging
When your players discover a stash of goods, they need to know three things: how much is it worth, how is it packaged, and how much is there?
- Check the Price: Prices are extrapolated from the core rules to ensure a plausible economy. Standard units of measure include lbs., liters, gallons, or even hit dice for creatures.
- Check the Load: Consider the “packaging.” Are they finding barrels of ale, baskets of fruit, or crates of iron ingots? Common units include sacks, jars, cases, and belts.
- Roll for Quantity: You rarely find just one of an item. Instead, roll to determine the stock. For example, a successful raid might yield 2d6 sacks of flour or 2d4 jars of honey.
Automate Your Economy
If you want to save time during your session prep, using a generator is the most efficient way to handle complex cargo. Moreover, this ensures that your world’s economy remains consistent and exciting for the players.
👉 Check out the Trade Goods Generator for D&D
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