Economics

Each region has their own internal economic structure. These are briefly noted below. In many cases, economics fades into the background during gameplay except as flavor. The individual members of a Cohort are assumed to be able to handle day-to-day personal transactions within any culture without any game mechanics involved. That is, if it wouldn’t give any mechanical benefit, it is handled without mechanics.

Cross-cultural trade or larger transactions within a culture are handled with barter using the Resources system. As noted there, Resources are intentionally ambiguous to allow flexibility in storytelling and practical use in play. The biggest thing to note here is there is no universally accepted currency such as credits or coinage. The closest thing to universal currency are Moonshards, and these are still variable in value from place to place, person to person, and so tie into the barter system. The Guild is the closest analog to a banking system with their credits/debits backed with Moonshards.

Freemarket

The Guild Barons work on a credit/debit system, as well as with reciprocity in action. That is, doing something beneficial for a Guild Baron can have economic weight. The entire city is essential an open market with goods from all over Anasta.

Helis

The Order of the Sun collects goods produced by the region and distrubutes them to residents. The outer ring of Helis (the Aurora) is an open market only loosely tied to the greater economics of the city. It is run by Guild Barons who negotiate directly with the Order for permits to trade. It is essentially a smaller version of Freemarket with indirect oversight by the Order of the Sun.

Er’Den

The Wilders are communal and laizez-faire. Every member simply stockpiles what they want into a community stash and members are able to freely take what they need or desire. Resources in the Verdant Mountians are generally abundant and this approach is easy for them. Only when an obvious inbalance arises do the leaders intervene.

Darkshore

The economy of the Sisters have a currency in the form of rare gemstones onto which are carved icons of religious significance. These gemstones are also the foci for Naga Ethertech (rather than Archon Moon Relics).

The Silver Crescent

The Moon Wardens operate with a gift economy, trading in handmade daily effects (clothing, pouches, cooking utensils, etc.) that are often works of art in themselves. Such gifting is understood to be an expression of belonging and loyalty to each other. This habit persists with the rare outsider that is allowed within the Crescent.