D&D General Elephants are cheaper than Warhorses

[Xeviat]

I double checked and they're the same price as they were in 2014. The elephant is 200 gp and a Warhorse is 400 gp. I'm waiting for my wife to start screaming "where's my elephant?".

For funzies, the internet says an elephant has about 1,000 lbs of meat. Rations are 2 lbs and cost 5 sp. 1,000 lbs of rations cost 250 gp, or more than an elephant.

D&D economics are silly.

 

[Charlaquin]

I double checked and they're the same price as they were in 2014. The elephant is 200 gp and a Warhorse is 400 gp. I'm waiting for my wife to start screaming "where's my elephant?".

For funzies, the internet says an elephant has about 1,000 lbs of meat. Rations are 2 lbs and cost 5 sp. 1,000 lbs of rations cost 250 gp, or more than an elephant.

D&D economics are silly.

Well, even if you assume rations are made exclusively of elephant jerky, and elephants’ bones, cartilage, and other inedible parts are weightless, 50 gp doesn’t seem unreasonable to cover the labor cost dressing the carcass and butchering and curing the meat.

 

[sevenbastard]

Well, even if you assume rations are made exclusively of elephant jerky, and elephants’ bones, cartilage, and other inedible parts are weightless

I think the 1,000 lbs of meat is just what you can get out of the 6,000 to10,000 lb elephant.

Other parts of the elephant probably also have value. So buying and butchering elephants is probably a lucrative side hustle.

 

[pukunui]

Could the higher cost of the warhorse simply be due to the breeding and training that goes into making a horse that can ride into battle without flinching?

I bet a “war elephant” would cost even more!

 

[Shiroiken]

Assuming there's no rarity issue, it makes a level of sense. A warhorse is trained, whereas an elephant is just an elephant. A war elephant would be both badass and more expensive.

Edit: ninja'd!

As for the food aspect, there's work involved in being a butcher. The meat will spoil quickly without preservation by someone trained. Rations are designed to stay preserved for a long time, as opposed to raw meat.

 

[Dioltach]

There's probably a warranty component in the warhorse. If it breaks down during battle, a new one will be brought up to you. A few minutes' paperwork, check it for existing damage, and you're on your way.

 

[MichaelSomething]

Here's an economics question; Would you pay ten bucks for a product that would correct D&D's economy???

 

[GrimCo]

TBH, prices in D&D were always wonky. Economy of d&d world also never made much sense when compared to real world economy. It's better to just not to think about it too much.

 

[Moonmover]

Nearly all warhorses are produced by General Horseworks Inc., which has bought out all its competitors and jacked up the prices. Sadly, Fearûnian antitrust laws have failed to keep up with these changes in the industry.

Remember to support your local horse breeders, if you still have any in your area.

 

[Snarf Zagyg]

I think the 1,000 lbs of meat is just what you can get out of the 6,000 to10,000 lb elephant.

Other parts of the elephant probably also have value. So buying and butchering elephants is probably a lucrative side hustle.

Elephant Slaughter: THE AP.
-The little-known, and worst selling, AP for 5e.