Economics: Animated Objects

Permanent animated objects can essentially be living machines. Imagine an animated carriage that does not need horses to operate. Or just machines that can replace workers like a mining machine.

Animated Objects require a 11th level cleric and a 14th level wizard. The cost is 3,000 xp, 660 casting cost for the cleric, and 700 casting cost for the wizard. Let's assume 15,000gp for the experience point cost. This means a permanent animated object costs 16,330gp. This seems like it is very expensive. For worker replacement you can assume an animated object works roughly three times as much. A trained laborer makes 3sp. Let's say the animated object would be worth 1gp per day. It would take about 44 years for this to pay off. So it is hard to see this being done. But if the object can perform the work of 10 men it might be worth it.

Possible uses, a living cargo hauler. A gargantuan animated object with wheels is not unreasonable to assume. It moves as fast as a heavy horse, but can carry 15 times as much, and it never tires. So if you had need to buy 15 heavy horses (3,000gp) you might consider the gargantuan cargo carrier.