The standard annual upkeep of a character is equal to the square of their their levelin gp (£). Due to the fact that there are 12 sp in each gp, this is also the monthly upkeep of the character. Either assumes that the character is in a somewhat settled situation. If the character is living day-to-day then they may pay this fee in cp, but this works out to be 50% more expensive since there are 20 cp in each cp, but 30 days in each month (not accounting for the standard festivals).
A character is free to spend more than this amount and appear to be of higher status than they would normally appear to be. Conspicuous consumption is in fact encouraged; a miser that hoards their money may be wealthy but will not generally be treated as being wealthy (except by thieves wanting to steal their hoard).
If the character cannot pay their full upkeep over the year they are considered "poor." Their clothing and equipment will not be replaced as normal and will show the signs of their poor status; it will gain the fragile attribute for each of the levels the character is short paying their full annual upkeep (round up). This is the number of d6 that are rolled each month to determine whether a piece of the character's equipment need's repair [d6:1-3], breaks [4-5]. or is otherwise lost [6]. One piece of equipment will be affected for each roll. In choosing what equipment is affected, generally choose the most expensive piece of equipment the character owns. However if the character has hirelings, they will be the first to be lost, then henchmen. If a character has a stronghold, then this will generally be the first thing lost.
A character cabn choose to live at a lower social status, but will be treated as if that is their status. However note that as player characters start at second level their minimum assumed status is that of a townsman (£4 upkeep). This entitles them to certain benefits in society, such as freedom to travel and bear common weapons. Living on less than this amount may cause legal problems for the character.
Certain costs to the character may be expressed in terms of the character's upkeep. For example, the cost of an extra outfit is generally equal to the character's monthly upkeep. although court clothing may cost a character an amount equal to their yearly upkeep. And a dress for that royal ball, even more. Note that your normal clothing is technically replaced each year (as long as the character pays their upkeep).
Comparison with standard upkeep
The following table list the standard annual upkeep by social class and rank. Note that this upkeep is automatically included in the wages provided by their employment, although generally not in terms of actual money, but rather kind. Support may be just for the individual themselves, the individual and a spouse, of the individual and their family. Note that no rebate is provided if the character lacks a spouse or family; they are assumed to be working to eae costs.
The upkeep for a character can be directly comparedto these values. For example a starting character is considered to be the equivalent of a townsmen, and thus generally has a right to travel and a right to bear arms. Remember that the highest level character in this game is 12th, with an annual upkeep of £144, although it is entirely probably that such a character will have acquired a much more important position with a higher upkeep )fortunately provided by that position. Not that characters that have a formal position get "free" ipkeep at the appropriate level.
| Social Rank | Annual Upkeep |
|---|---|
| Beggar [1] | £0 |
| Peasant [2] | £1 |
| Freeman [3] | £2 |
| Townsman [4] | £4 |
| Guildsman [5] | £8 |
| Official [6] | £16 |
| Gentry [7] | £32 |
| Baron [8] | £64 |
| Count [9] | £125 |
| Duke [10] | £250 |
| Prince [11] | £500 |
| King | £1,000 |
| High King | £2,000 |
| Great King | £4,000 |
| Minor Emperor | £8,000 |
| Emperor | £16,000 |
| Great Emperor | £32,000 |
| World Emperor | £64,000 |
| Galactic Emperor | £125,000 |
| Cosmic Emperor [12] | £250,000 |
[1] A beggar does not need to pay upkeep but is required to make monthly survival skill tess to find shelter and food and avoid trouble with the authorities. An urban beggar usually requires a small city or greater to be eligible to make these rolls, unless the settlement has a poorhouse (or similar institution), generally sponsored by a religion that believes in charity to the poor. A beggar can also live in the wilderness as a hermit, living off the land. However this is often considered illegal by the noble that owns the land.
[2] Your typical peasant is not free and usually bound to the land (either through serfdom, slavery or tenancy). This is also the level of upkeep required for basic servants and slaves, labourers, and apprentices.
[3] The rural freeman or village elder. These usually have a rural job. This is also the upkeep required of a typical servant or slave or worker.
[4] A tradesman (owner of a non-guild business) in a town, or a salaried journeyman will typically have this level of upkeep. Also includes seniorr servants and slaves and skilled workers who are not guildsman. A rural master will also requirethis level of upkeep (living in the country is cheaper).
[5] The master in a guild (owner of a guild business) or junior official.
[6] A guild official (such as guildmaster, treasurer, or secretary), or a town or city official, such as a magistrate. A junior royal official.
[7] The owner of an estate, mine, or wealthy business. A knight. The mayor of a town or small city. A royal official. In general, a non-noble person of quality.
[8] Someone that holds a large estate directly from the sovereign. Note at this and higher levels it may be difficult to maintain this status without actually holding the appropriate title.
[9] A rich baron.
[10] A rich count.
[11] This refers to a sovereign prince (or poor king), such as the ruler of a city-state, rather than the son of a king (whose upkeep is provided as part of the king's family).
[12] Yes I am being ridiculous, but technically it is a game-approved rank within the aristocratic caste. Also at these levels the character's holding require much more in maintainance than the character's upkeep. Those planet-sized palaces for galactic emeprors are not cheap to keep clean.
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