Running a TL 5-6 Business - How to Model?

Trainik · 08-02-2012, 10:41 AM

Hey everyone!

I'm starting a campaign set in a tech level roughly equivalent to the American Civil War era. Long story short, the players slowly become the leaders of the town, have business interests, and organize public works projects, in addition to fighting. At the moment they all just showed up in town (we're playing out the first 5 years of the campaign quickly on forums before we actually sit down to play, so that the town is up and running).

The players will probably end up running businesses, like stores, banks, restaurants, farms, etc. I'd like to model these in a little more detail than a simple monthly job roll, but I also don't want them to have to worry about keeping nails and bolts in stock in a general store. The level of detail I'd like to hit is wages for employees, basic stocking fees, and construction costs, as well as of course income. Any advice on this? I know the Low-Tech Supplement 3 (which I don't own but would be willing to buy) has stuff about this, but that only covers up to TL 4. Has anyone used it, and would it apply equally here? Is there a similar supplement for a slightly higher TL? Alternatively, does anyone have any other advice?

Bottom line: I'm looking to add some fun by making their choices matter (e.g. whether to start a new business, whether to expand an existing one, etc.), without turning this into a PBEM accountancy correspondence course.

Thanks!

08-02-2012, 10:41 AM	#1
Trainik Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Evanston, IL	Running a TL 5-6 Business - How to Model? Hey everyone! I'm starting a campaign set in a tech level roughly equivalent to the American Civil War era. Long story short, the players slowly become the leaders of the town, have business interests, and organize public works projects, in addition to fighting. At the moment they all just showed up in town (we're playing out the first 5 years of the campaign quickly on forums before we actually sit down to play, so that the town is up and running). The players will probably end up running businesses, like stores, banks, restaurants, farms, etc. I'd like to model these in a little more detail than a simple monthly job roll, but I also don't want them to have to worry about keeping nails and bolts in stock in a general store. The level of detail I'd like to hit is wages for employees, basic stocking fees, and construction costs, as well as of course income. Any advice on this? I know the Low-Tech Supplement 3 (which I don't own but would be willing to buy) has stuff about this, but that only covers up to TL 4. Has anyone used it, and would it apply equally here? Is there a similar supplement for a slightly higher TL? Alternatively, does anyone have any other advice? Bottom line: I'm looking to add some fun by making their choices matter (e.g. whether to start a new business, whether to expand an existing one, etc.), without turning this into a PBEM accountancy correspondence course. Thanks!