Game in the Brain

I’ve been mulling around the wealth issue in GUPRS 4E and I’ve come to have made some interesting “mechanics” for determining character’s wealth, based on their Income and not the Predetermined Starting Wealth. A debate that has always come up in the forums is the very small amount of wealth afforded to the character. Pyramid Articles about Building Low tech landscapes and GURPS Fantasy complicates as it brings the parameter of family into consideration.

Shared Wealth. A character is assumed to be part of a family, this is because families were the most basic economic unit of Low-Tech times and, economically, individuals as economic units were exceptions. A character with the shared wealth of a family (or something like a family) begins the game with Shared Assets worth his Annual Income. This means members of his family contribute to a shared Standard of Living for their Status.
Characters with out the shared wealth of a family earns 1 level of wealth lower than that of his status and only meets a Cost of Living 2 levels lower than his actual status.

Ex. A TL3 Knight is usually at Least Wealthy will have $42,000 of shared assets*. A bachelor TL3 Knight would earn at Wealth (comfortable; $1,400) and would only need the Cost of Living of a Freeman Family ($600) to support his status as a Knight.
* The value of Land or Rights to Tax a those who lived on a land was equal the Annual income generated. The common agreement between all nobles regardless of culture and kingdom is to ransom a noble equal to their Annual Income. Sometimes earned and pain in full, was promised upon a early release, or not at all honored by the host party.
The value of the assets may earn as much to 3 to 5 times when being bought by another party, otherwise it is the minimum value of the assets when the family would be trying to sell it quickly.

Personal Assets. This is the cash value of a Character’s gear is equal to his twice his Disposable income. This includes, transportation, equipment, and his baggage train.

Ex. the same family man TL3 Knight will have $12,000 of personal assets. A bachelor TL3 Knight has $19,600.

A Quick Fix. Before GURPS4E low Tech (about a year from now) ever shows up, here are some quick fix rules to the Low tech.

Anomalies in Price and Equipment Weights. A compromise between accuracy and quick-resolution. .

1. Swords are 1/2 the price.
2. Metal Human Armor x4 the price, x0.56 the Wt.
3. Helmets are x3 the price, x.66 the Wt.
4. Metal Horse Barding x2 the price
   

Total $11,597

Typical Personal Assets of a TL3 Knight (11C). $2155 56lbs

1. Gambeson $30 4lbs
   
2. Double Riveted Mail Haubergeon $800 20lbs *
3. Light Riveted Mail Mail Sleeves and Leggings $280 13lbs *
   
4. Mail Coif with Arming Cap $150 3lbs
5. Legionary Helmet $450 4lbs
6. Military Belt (TL1 version of Web gear) $55 2lbs
7. Broadsword $300 3lbs
8. Mace $50 5lbs
9. Light Shield $40 2lbs

Heavy warhorse: Total cost $5,662

1. Strong war trained saddle horse $3,600,
2. Load: Rider (216) plus Gear (51) plus armor (81) = 304 / 375 (medium load)
   
3. Move 3/7 (medium encumbrance)
4. Horse Slam 2d-1 crushing
5. Bit and Bridle, Horseshoes, and War Saddle 42lbs, $335
6. Complete Mail Barding $1,660, 81lbs
   
7. Long Spear $60; 5lbs (skill-12; 1d+1 imp, plus 2d-1 imp when charging)
8. Rations x2, $4, 1lb
9. Ceramic Bottle of Water (1 liter) $3, 3lbs

Traveling Gear: $4,095

1. 2 Small Mules $2,000
2. Cheap Pony Cheap $750
3. Very Cheap Pony $325
   
4. Tent 4-man $300; 100lbs
5. Water Skins x6 (16 liters) 54lbs
6. Saddle Bags x3 $600 60lbs
   
7. Rations x120, $120, 45lbs

*Chain Mail — Why bother -by Dan Howard