The Eternal House at New Avalon
Staff, maintenance, and construction costs
Current Staff and Wages
Whorfin's primary priority in hiring these 24 people is to employ good-hearted folk who are happy and fulfilled doing good deeds. That's the first job of the House, and the staff is crucial. For example, the guards have to be comfortable and friendly with children, firm and courteous with drunk beggars, and fierce with intruders and brigands. The healer must be sympathetic and gentle. Etc.
Whorfin pays twice the standard rate for wages (determined by the first edition DMG and GM Michael). All employees also get room and board at the House.
Wages (gp per month)
6 maids 12 3 cooks 12 6 guards 12 arms trainer 6 2 grounds keepers 4 2 handymen 8 healer 20 teacher 6 agent 10 house holder 6 Total monthly wages 96 Whorfin actually pays 100 per month, with the extra 4 gp per month used for staff presents, rewards, incentives, and the like.
The guards are signed to a contract that in addition to wages gives them training that will eventually make them first level fighters (long sword specialists if I can manage it). The contract binds them to serve me for at least a year after they get to first level, at a generous rate of pay (double the going rate). The arms trainer is hired to train the 0-level fighters.
Of the staff, two are half elves and one is an elf. Determined randomly, the half-elves are a guard and a groundskeeper, and the elf is a handyman.
The house holder has informed Whorfin to expect a employee turnover of anywhere from 10 percent to 20 percent per year. That is either from people moving on, firings, accidents, etc. Those on contract are less likely to leave but it still happens.
Maintenance Expenses
Base Costs
On an annual basis, maintenance costs one percent of total renovation costs. One percent of 4505 gp makes that 45 gp per year. But in order to be continually improving the quality of the house, Whorfin actually pays 45 gp per month, that is, 12 times the needed rate. The extra will go towards:
- 1) Community outreach and good deeds.
- 2) Improving general quality of the house.
- 3) Making the chapel and conservatory nicer.
- 4) Paying the odd musician and artist to sit in residence from time to time.
- 5) Annual municipal tax of 50 gp per year.
Extra Costs
Wages are detailed above.
The agent receives an extra 5 gp per month, for use as an "expense account" for needed costs -- taking a client out to eat, buying a source a drink, greasing a palm, whatever. More than that is available if he or she can convince me there is a reason for it.
Whorfin has contracted for "protection" services from a local group of "businessmen." This service, reinforced by Quest spells, costs 50 gp per month.
That puts total costs at 100 gp in wages, 45 gp in upkeep, 5 gp in agent expenses, and 50 gp for protection money. That makes 200 gp per month total maintenance expenditures costs.
In general, Whorfin expects the Eternal House to run at a total loss; that is, he expects to pay the full 200 gp per month. There is no plan to eventually break even or turn a profit. However, donations are welcome, and some services, such as spells cast for profit, care for the sick, use of the library, and tuition may generate a little revenue from time to time.
New Avalon Eternal House Construction Price List
Renovation and Construction (gp)
Base Cost 1755 Thief-resistant walls 200 Light green, forest green trim 100 Landscaping 150 Well 50 Fire-resistant roof 300 Upper floor door 100 Heavy iron-bound front door 20 Two secret doors 50 Locks 50 50 20 100 50 Furnishings 150 Extra (nice) furnishings 300 55 Light fixtures (10 ea) 550 Clock 100 Subtotal 4095 10% Architect's Fee 410 Total 4505 Upper floor Eternal PC rooms (except for mine) are unfurnished at present. Eternal PCs can furnish to their own taste (and expense).
An additional 500 gp was spent on the chapel interior, accounted for as the cost to cast two Divination spells.
Whorfin paid 500 gp to purchase the property and building initially.
Architect: Scirhus of Manville, human, looks pretty reliable. Always in a hurry, usually on time.
Site Map | 28 May 98
copyright © 2001 by Michael Moran Alterio, Michael Babriecki, Harry Ching, Stephen Martin, and Donald R. Parrish III (all rights reserved)