All D&D based worlds have a fractured, and questionable economy. It sort of worked in AD&D I, but hasn't really evolved as the game has evolved, and see it as breaking down into the following social classes.

Copper pieces are the everyday currency of Commoners and equates to the Poor cost of living category. The majority of their food, clothing and equipment is priced in copper pieces. Light comes from candles and torches, they eat a lot of bread and vegetables such as potatoes, peas and onions, cottage cheese might appear in the countryside, but harder chesses and meat are a treat or for special occasions. That doesn't mean they don't have more expensive items, just that they don't have many of them. Those they do have, are more commonly priced in silver pieces, rather than gold pieces, and anything costing more than one or two gold pieces is a real rarity.

Most are unskilled commoners, in that they don't have skill ranks in Craft or Professional skills, who work as labourers or in similar occupations. They dig fields, fetch things, load ships, work in a stable, do laundry, serve in a bar, wash up in a restaurant or perform similar basic tasks. They might have skill ranks in diplomacy, handle animal or other skills, just not craft, knowledge or profession. If they have weapon skills, it is probably with a quarterstaff, club or sling.

A few commoners do have craft or professional skills, but only ever one, and they are liable to be employed in that area of work. A foundry labourer might pick up basic Craft:Blacksmith skills, a kitchen hand might pick up Craft:Cooking, while a boat-hand might have Profession:Fisherman or Profession:Sailor. In which case, they might be proficient in using weapons that could be used as tools in their trade.

This doesn't mean that all commoners are starving, dressed in absolute rags, with no gear to their name - just that their lives are based on the cheapest, most readily available, food, clothing and equipment.

Most NPC classes fit into the silver economy, which equates to the Average cost of living category. They probably have one or two craft or professional skills, and run the small organizations that make the world work. Small businesses are run by Experts, the local guard is mainly composed of Warriors and, local chapels are probably staffed by Adepts. Local hunters might be warriors, the Town Clerk is probably an expert, and the local wise-woman is probably an adept. However, The Silver Economy also includes a few commoners, who have managed to gain a level and some extra skill points, and a few low-level PC classes, with lowish stats and little ambition.

Day to day transactions can be counted in either silver or copper pieces - so better food, better clothes and a better living standard all around. There are, as always, a few more expensive items, although they rarely exceed 10gp in values. However, many people in this part of the economy will have access to better, and more expensive, tools and equipment while they are at work. For example, an apprentice smith might have access to masterwork tools and anvil at work, but only have a few small hammers to work with a home. A town guard might pick up a chain shirt and crossbow when she gets into work - although her 'personal' armoury might just be Padded Armour, Small Wooden Shield, Dagger and Spear.

They provide the basic structure, support and organization that the world needs and, overall, they live a fairly comfortable life.

Characters in this category think in Gold Pieces, although their ability to spend, and the items they have available varies.

PCs tend to think in Gold Pieces, they get their initial wealth in GP, and when they start adventuring they gather loot in Gold Pieces - a handful of Silvers generally means nothing to them. While they don't have a lot of influence to start with, they gain influence as they progress, and by fifth or sixth level are generally as wealthy as most aristocrats and could have a minor title or a business of their own - although their wealth is often found in equipment, rather than businesses or land. By tenth level, many PCs are as wealthy as nobles and may have lands or estates that cement their noble status. At higher levels, a few PCs might even have strongholds that elevate them into the realms of lesser royalty.

These guys have both money and influence at a local level, although they may seem somewhat parochial to the Nobles. Senior administrators, military officers, established priests, skilled professionals, most mid-level PCs and many others fit into this category. They make enough money that they can afford some expensive items, but not enough to live on the best foods and wines. They might have a few magic items, can dress, convincingly, as courtiers, and can eat at good restaurants - and they might even live in a mansion. These people make sure the world keeps running, providing the management and leadership that the other need.

These are the people who make sure that the world works properly. Examples include: -

• The Town Mayor - who oversees local laws and trade opportunities.
• Officer of the Guard - who has a company of guards to add wait to her thoughts.
• High Priest of the local temple, who oversees all the local shrines and chapels.
• The Local Squire - who 'owns' half a dozen tenanted farms, and whose own fields supply most of the grain for the town.
• A successful business person - whose businesses employ a significant portion of the town's residents.
• Dwarf Clan-holder - whose mines supply most of the metals and ores for the district.
• The Sleazy Landlord - who rents housing to the working classes.
• A Local Crime Lord - he might not be openly powerful, but he controls a lot of underhand activity.
• A Powerful Wizard - who everyone is in awe of.

The possibilities are endless, and not always obvious.

The wealth and influence of nobles vary dramatically - but they probably have a noble estate, or even a palace, as their main home and may well have other homes spread around the country. They can dress flamboyantly, and often choose to do so, they flaunt their jewellery and wealth, often appear unconcerned about money and probably have a title such as a Baron, Count or Duke.

They have significant local influence, and can often influence decision at a regional or national level.

Lesser royalty often have the same sort of wealth and influence as Nobles. However, Monarchs, such as Kings, Queens, Sovereign Princes and Sovereign Dukes might have absolute power and the wealth of a nation to spend. Their projects can include beautifying whole cities, building a great road (that might go nowhere) or diverting a river to make their own personal lake - all for their own pleasure. Some monarchs use their wealth to better their country and the lot of their people. Most royals come somewhere in-between those two extremes.