Living Standard

All characters have a standard of living that defers some of their expenses, granting them free access to properties, goods, and services. See Living Standard. Non-magical, non-combat attire, food, maintenance, institutional fees, tutoring, sundries, and self-care are all factored into the term 'Living Expenses' and need not be paid for in a story unless they are services from a higher standard of living. A character may also own a single home appropriate for their living expense - and trade it in as their living standard improves - but may not profit by its sale.

Every character is by default 'Middle-Class' - it's recommended that a player chooses defines a standard of living that makes sense for their character. Your character should usually be able to justify not spending on a Living Expense based on how their Living Standards are described. Self-Destitute, Self-Sufficient, Lower-Class, Middle-Class, Upper-Class, and Political-Class are the available Living Standards and they may be changed at any time within reason.

• Impoverished: This character is homeless and struggles finding their next meal. They must pay for everything they buy, or else acquire it by other means.
• Self-Sufficient: This character acquires everything they need from their environment, including food and shelter. Sometimes they trade goods for services.
• Lower-Class: This character rents or owns a small, single-roomed hovel, or they shack up with someone else. They typically purchase low quality goods and services available to the working class.
• Middle-Class: This character owns a mid-sized apartment with 2-4 rooms. They can afford occasional high quality goods and services, but not every day.
• Upper-Class: This character owns a villa or manor with facilities and workshops. They almost exclusively purchase high quality goods and services, and employ others to facilitate their lavish lifestyle as part of their living expenses. These are usually titles, wealthy merchants, or their heirs being afforded this benefit.
• Political-Class: This character regularly serves as a patron to local services and developments as part of their living expense. They usually own some manner of castle or estate appropriate for the region they govern. To be Political-Class in a region that supports it, your character must have an appropriate Duty purchased with Merits.

Slaves use the same living standard as their master allows them. They may not be able to spend money freely depending on the nature of their situation.

How your character was educated is up to you. There are no formal rewards out-of-character for degree paths, only in-character acknowledgment of academia. You are welcome to start with an education or accolades that make sense for your character. Provided you show the incompetence of your character if they are underqualified, any position can be flubbed or weaseled into - your wage (but not your Standard of Living) will still be limited by this system, however.

Antarok Handbook

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