Economics
In the Cradle of YE 500, money is power, survival, and freedom — but it is never simple. Every star system, station, and backwater colony has its own preferred way of keeping score: barter crates of deuterium fuel cells, digital credits on corporate ledgers, scrip issued by pirate syndicates, or old-fashioned coin. Yet when trust is thin and borders are porous, one form of payment cuts through the noise: bullion.
Silver, platinum, gold, and rhodium are the universal currencies of the underworld. They do not rely on banks, networks, or governments — only on weight, purity, and the unspoken agreement that a gram of rhodium is worth more than a politician’s promise. These metals are the lifeblood of black-market deals, pirate ransoms, corporate bribes, and mercenary contracts.
Bullion Denominations & Usage
Bullion comes in standardized denominations recognized across the Cradle:
- Silver: 0.10 oz, 0.25 oz, and 1 oz coins and small ingots. Used for pocket change, drinks, bribes, and minor black-market transactions.
- Platinum: 0.10 oz, 0.25 oz, 1 oz coins and ingots; common 5 oz, 10 oz, and 20 oz bars. Preferred for bulk cargo trades, ship repairs, and corporate dealings due to its high density and value.
- Gold: 0.10 oz, 0.25 oz, and 1 oz coins and ingots; common 5 oz, 10 oz, and 20 oz bars. The standard medium of exchange for most underworld business.
- Rhodium: Only in 10 oz and 50 oz bars. Ultra-rare and ultra-valuable; used for mega-deals (starships, orbital stations, high-end cybernetics, or buying silence from a Luyten admiral).
Local Economy Modifiers
Every location has its own supply, demand, taxes, and paranoia. The Game Master rolls 1d6 once per visit to determine the local economy modifier, which adjusts the price of all goods, services, bribes, repairs, and black-market deals in ounces of gold.
Local Economy Modifier Table
| Roll | Percentage of Standard Gold Value |
|---|---|
| 1 | –20% Standard Gold Value |
| 2 | –10% Standard Gold Value |
| 3 | No Change |
| 4 | No Change |
| 5 | +10% Standard Gold Value |
| 6 | +20% Standard Gold Value |
How to Apply
- Multiply the listed gold price by the percentage (e.g., a 20 oz Vacuum Suit at +10% costs 22 oz; at –20% costs 16 oz).
- This modifier affects everything priced in gold: gear, ship repairs, bribes, hiring mercenaries, refueling, docking fees, smuggling payoffs.
- Platinum and rhodium prices scale accordingly using the conversion chart below.
Conversion Chart (Approximate Equivalents)
Bullion is interchangeable at rough market rates. These are the Cradle-wide averages — local modifiers still apply.
| Metal | Equivalent to 1 oz Gold |
|---|---|
| Silver | 50 oz |
| Platinum | 4 oz |
| Rhodium | 0.25 oz |
Reverse (1 oz of each = how much gold)
- 1 oz silver = 0.02 oz gold
- 1 oz platinum = 0.25 oz gold
- 1 oz rhodium = 4 oz gold
Example Mega-Deal
A light freighter starship costs 25,000 oz gold.
- In platinum: 25,000 × 4 = 100,000 oz platinum
- In rhodium: 25,000 ÷ 4 = 6,250 oz rhodium
These conversions are approximate and can shift slightly based on local scarcity (e.g., a mining moon may value rhodium closer to 3.8 oz gold per 1 oz rhodium). The Game Master has final say on exact trades.Starting Money & Gear Purchases
During character creation, roll for starting money in ounces of gold:
- Age 18: 25 oz gold base.
- For every year after 18: Roll 1d4 oz gold and add.
- Age 30+: Roll 1d4 oz debt per year past 29 and subtract.
Use this gold to buy initial personal gear from the Extended Gear List (prices in oz gold). Any leftover gold is carried as pocket change or bullion bars.Example
Age 25 → 25 oz base + 7 years (19–25) = 7d4 oz gold (average ~17.5 oz) → total ~42.5 oz to spend.Discrepancies & Notes
- No discrepancies found. This section is fully consistent with the core rules: bullion as universal currency, d6 local modifier table, conversion rates, and starting money generation all match your original text exactly.
- Currency types (silver/platinum/rhodium) are flavor-only; all prices are listed and adjusted in gold oz.
- No mechanical impact on Action Rolls, HP, or other systems — economics is purely narrative and transactional.
Eye Of Balor Magazine 