Wealth Tiers
Example Wealth Tier Upkeep Costs¶
These upkeep costs represent the minimum regular expense required to maintain a given Wealth Tier through coin alone.
They assume a stable location with access to food, shelter, and basic services.
Upkeep is typically paid monthly, though the GM may convert this to weekly costs for travel-heavy or unstable campaigns.
If upkeep is not met, the character's Wealth Tier begins to degrade over time, creating debt, obligation, or loss of standing.
Community Gifts, Assets, patronage, or institutional roles can reduce or replace these costs entirely.
Destitute¶
Upkeep: None
You are not maintaining a lifestyle.
Food, shelter, and safety are all uncertain.
You must account for nearly every expense.
Failure to secure food or shelter may impose conditions or Complications.
Poor¶
Upkeep: 300 cc per month
This covers simple meals, shared or low-quality lodging, basic clothing, and minimal local travel.
Unexpected expenses hurt immediately.
A few bad days can push you into Destitute status.
Modest¶
Upkeep: 1,000 cc per month
This covers reliable meals, private but modest lodging, ordinary clothing, local transport, and routine supplies.
Most day-to-day costs do not require tracking.
You can absorb small surprises without immediate hardship.
This is the most common tier for established adventurers.
Comfortable¶
Upkeep: 3,000 cc per month
This covers quality food, private rooms or a small residence, dependable travel, modest luxuries, and the ability to host or entertain.
Hiring help, paying minor bribes, or securing information is usually trivial.
You are expected to contribute socially and economically.
Affluent¶
Upkeep: 10,000 cc per month
This covers high-quality living, staff, frequent travel, social obligations, gifts, and influence-maintaining expenses.
Most expenses are abstracted away.
Failing to maintain this tier is noticed quickly and carries reputational consequences.
Affluence attracts attention, requests, and expectations.
Elite¶
Upkeep: Narrative or Asset-Based
Elite wealth is rarely maintained through liquid coin alone.
It is tied to land, institutions, monopolies, or political authority.
Upkeep is measured in obligations rather than currency.
Failure to meet expectations results in loss of power, not poverty.
Elite status almost always requires Community Gifts or equivalent narrative structures.
Temporary Lifestyle Shifts¶
A character may temporarily live above their Wealth Tier by paying the difference in coin.
Doing so draws attention and scrutiny.
A character living below their Wealth Tier may reduce upkeep costs, but risks reputation loss, concern, or political pressure.
Short-term changes do not immediately alter Wealth Tier unless sustained.
GM Guidance¶
Use upkeep costs as pressure, not punishment.
Missing upkeep should create story hooks, not accounting exercises.
If tracking upkeep does not meaningfully affect play, abstract it away until it matters again.