Money

[sanctum_mod]

The money system in Sanctum is called Tokens, likely because the first Mayor was the same person who decided a permanent fairgrounds was the appropriate way to greet newcomers. Mind you, there isn't a physical component to this system, because all handling of funds happens through the TMB.

So what does a token get you? A pack of gum, most small hygiene products, a couple of condoms. For a general idea of how much various things cost, here's a small list of examples:

Food - A fast food meal for one person costs 5 tokens, a sit down restaurant 10, and anything above that can range up to 100 or so, with all the midpoints in between. Groceries are cheaper, of course, and a full week's worth of groceries can cost less than 50T if you're careful. Of course, food is free at the hostel, but the quality is sometimes questionable.

Clothing - If you want super special high-tech fibers that do amazing wonderful things, you could well be paying hundreds for each piece of clothing. If you just want something to cover your ass with, ye olde thrift store can outfit you for less than 20T an outfit. Of course, there are a lot of options in between, but a decent pair of brand new jeans is around 100T, a graphic t-shirt with a cute saying is 10-20T, and a fancy going out dress or suit is likely 200 or more, depending on fabric and style.

Tech - If you lose your TMB, not only do you lose all money stored on it, but a new one comes with a 50T negative balance for replacing it. 100T will buy you a good MP3 player, a cheap crappy TV, a decent radio, or a top of the line vibrator. Game systems vary widely depending on type - if you want something that will holograph your whole room up for you, expect to pay about 1000T, but basic systems played on the TV go for 100-200T.

Transportation - Standard methods of transportation in the city are various types of bikes, from pedal bikes to electric mopeds. The streets aren't set up for anything bigger than that. You can get a cheap bike with no bells and whistles for 50T, and mopeds range from 500 to 1000 or so, depending on how fancy you want them.

Housing - All utilities are included in rent for any type of housing, meaning that if you rent a house, you get heat, water, trash pickup, television, all those sorts of things included in the price. A small apartment can be had for 500T or so a month, a 3-bedroom house (or nice condo) for 1000-1500T. If you want a big fancy mansion with lots of crazy stuff, you'll be paying 5000T or more, and better have one hell of a job. Buying housing is possible, but doesn't happen often, since people come and go a lot. The hostel is free, but you get to sleep in a dorm with a bunch of other people, not a private room.

Business space - If you want to start a business, the Mayor's Council will spot you the first month rent on a basic commercial storefront for free! A small business loan is also available, so feel free to apply to start a business whenever you like. Do keep in mind that one must be reasonable with employee wages, prices, and how fancy your business starts out, though! Requests for player-run businesses can be made here!

Entertainment - Most of the fair games can be played for 1T, of course! Rides on the ferris wheel in the park and such are the same. Movies are 10T for basic 3D and such, but you can get a virtual reality experience for 30-40T as well. Entry into most clubs is cheap, around 10-20, with the assumption you'll be buying drinks and leaving tips. Sexual favors from professionals can vary widely, and some of the clubs will cut you a deal if you look like you need to relax. Overall, expect a night of sexual fun to cost 200-500, depending on how kinky or high-class you like it. Better yet, visit one of the sex educators supplied by the city and talk to them about your interests, and you'll probably wind up getting service for free, if you don't mind a little learning with your lay.

So how much do I make? - That depends on your job! If you work for an established business, you’ll be paid depending on what type of work you’re doing - basic grunt labor might be as cheap as 10T an hour, while something involving more mental capacity or training could be expensive. Most sex industry workers make quite a bit, but must do regular health screenings and work with reputable businesses, not as individual agents, though they are of course free to turn down any client they don’t like or stop any encounter (with a refund) at any time. If you would like to kill monsters for a living, the city does pay for that! Each monster in the bestiary comes with a kill price, and a TMB record is enough to get pay, you don’t have to drag the carcass in - the giant crows will take care of that.