Of Rods, Barrels, and Castings: Units of Measure in Faerûn

When adventurers in Faerûn tally their loot, when merchants count their wares in the bustling streets of Waterdeep, or when a dwarven stillmaster measures out moonshine in the Underdark—there’s one thing they all rely on: units of measure. But unlike our modern world of liters, kilograms, and miles per hour, Faerûn’s systems are delightfully inconsistent, hyper-regional, and infused with centuries of tradition, trade, and even magic.

Let’s take a tour through the wonderfully eclectic system of measurement in the Forgotten Realms.

Quantity Units: From Pieces to Pallets

Faerûnian traders deal in discrete units when counting physical goods—especially when it comes to adventuring gear, weapons, fabric, or food.

Weight Units: Medieval Heft with Mystical Variance

Faerûn may lack precision scales in every village, but weight still matters—especially to caravan masters and tax collectors.

Different regions may also use local names (like “kiv” in Rashemen or “zenk” in Thay), each reflecting unique cultural needs.

Volume Units: Casks, Jars, and Magical Bottles

Alchemists, distillers, and apothecaries are fastidious about their liquids—whether it’s healing potion or dwarven ale.

Magical volumes may defy expectations—a decanter of endless water, for example, does not comply with any rational standard.

Length and Fabric: From Elves to Ells

Clothiers and mapmakers in Faerûn often measure in units both familiar and fantastical.

Some elven cultures use units like the “moonstep” (about 3.3 feet) or the “petal’s fall” (a subjective unit of time/distance).

Area and Agriculture: For Land, Fields, and Armies

Land grants, farming plots, and battlegrounds are measured in larger units.

Magic and Alchemical Units

The arcane arts introduced unique measurements for magical substances and energies:

• “Casting” (cst): One complete spell effect, used in crafting and alchemy.
• “Soul-shard”: A necromantic unit for capturing essence (not legally recognized in Waterdeep).
• “Pinch,” “Smidgen,” “Dash”: Extremely small units often used in potion brewing and cooking—especially halfling kitchens.

Standardization… Or Not

Faerûn doesn’t have a single standards board—each city, guild, or kingdom may have their own versions of the same unit. Thankfully, major trade cities like Waterdeep, Baldur’s Gate, and Calimport have codified equivalents for inter-regional commerce. Some larger organizations—like the Lords’ Alliance—even issue measurement tokens to help travelers convert between standards.

Final Thoughts

Units of measure may seem mundane, but in a world of dragons, liches, and flying ships, they’re a grounding force. Whether you’re an adventurer dividing loot, a merchant measuring goods, or a mage crafting potions, understanding these units means operating safely and fairly in a realm where even the size of a spoonful could mean life or death.

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