Realm Management Traditional Economy

[Michele]

Originally Posted by benz72

Perhaps not immediate economic benefit, but I think a fair percentage or Earth's population would be less than absolutely certain about the characteristic differences of Egypt, Libya, Eritrea and Sudan if it weren't for things like pyramids.
Heck, a substantial portion of the modern Egyptian economy is from big piles of rock.
From Wiki
"Tourism is one of the leading sources of income, crucial to Egypt's economy. At its peak in 2010 the sector employed about 12% of workforce of Egypt[1] serving approximately 14.7 million visitors Egypt, and providing revenues of nearly $12.5 billion.[2] as well as contributing more than 11% of GDP and 14.4% of foreign currency revenues.[3]"

Sure - save that tourism is not a feature of "traditional economy". Certainly you can't say that today, Egypt's economy is a traditional one.
It's true that by the time of hellenism, tourists (wealthy ones) already existed, and there was a small economic effect of tourism, but I would say that by then, that part of the world was already moving beyond traditional economy.

[Michele]

Originally Posted by benz72

To pull in concepts from Civ, There may be a way to describe prestige projects that have economic effects in this system, and they sure as heck should consume a lot of resources (otherwise there really isn't much prestige)
Think of it as the realm equivalent of peacock feathers if you will.

Of course. And there is such a way. If you are embarking on a giant public works project to build better roads, that would be an Improve maneuver - good idea, but it probably doesn't get you a Resonance bonus.

OTOH if all that work goes into a building of no practical use, then you are Manufacturing your Natural RPs into what is essentially an immovable kind of Luxury Goods - which the GM may acknowledge gives you a boost in Resonance, if the pyramid/giant statue/marvellous temple is liked by most people in neighboring realms.

On top of that, if it seems realistic that people from other realms will travel, the GM would do well to keep in mind that the Windfalls listed on pp. 41-45 are "guidelines". So, if a theocratic realm builds a sanctuary on the spot where their most famous holy man is buried, and freezes Natural Resources (gold, gems) into Precious Goods that are reliquaries held there (Manufacture), and then successfully Bluffs about miracles happening there - the GM might decide that realm gets, by GM fiat, not a random Windfall, but a Pilgrimage Windfall.

[dcarson]

Some of your Luxury points would also go into smaller things. Fancier alters in local churches. Peasant dress clothing with massive amounts of embroidery using up production time. A statue of the king in every village.