I want to make Mangayaw’s economy less about buying stuff with gold and more about bartering and debt. So I’m gonna experiment with some new rules. I think it sounds good so far, but who knows, it might all fall apart in play.
Big inspirations are Gubat Banwa, Weird North, and The Black Hack.
Comments are always welcome so let me know what you think!
Gold and Treasure
Ginto or Gold (gt) is how things are valued in the islands, but gold itself is not commonly in circulation. Instead, gold takes the form of Treasure (1000 gt), and is hoarded by Datus, rewarded to Timawas, and worn and flaunted by anyone who has it. Treasure grants legitimacy to one’s words, actions, and rule.
Commodities
Trade and barter of commodities is how the economy flows in the islands. Below are 4 levels of value of commodities: Cheap, Valuable, Expensive, and Ornate.
The value of commodities differ from Barangay to Barangay, and the Mangaawit can roll to determine the exact price in gold. For items not listed here, determine its value accordingly.
Commodities of the same value level can commonly be bartered for another. 3 commodities of the same value level can be offered to buy a commodity of the next value level, provided the buyer is interested in such commodities. In the same way, 3 or more Grand commodities make up a Treasure
Common (2d10 gt)
Abaca Fibers, Bamboo, Chicken, Dried Fruit, Dried Seed Jewelry, Oripun Hiring Fee (1 week), Rattan Basket, Rice, Rice Cakes, Root Crops, Sago, Small Iron Tool, Smoked Meat/Fish, Wooden Tool
Valuable (2d10 x 3 gt)
Animal Skin, Boar Tusks, Carabao Horns, Coconut Oil, Copper Jewelry, Deer Antlers, Dye Woods, Forest Game Meat, Fruit Bundle, Honey, Iron Tool, Kalamay, Pearl, Pottery, Salt Block, Textile, Turtle Shell, Vinegar, Wine
Precious (2d10 x 10 gt)
Beast of Burden, Betel Nut Box, Brass Gong, Ceremonial Weapon, Dugout Canoe, Formal Gown, Gold Nugget, Gold Pin, Gold Ring, Jade Jewelry, Kudyapi, Medicinal Oils, Porcelain, Small Firearm
Grand (2d10 x 30 gt)
Golden Headdress, Gold Ornamental Chain, Small Artillery, Small Outrigger Boat
Debt
Debt is used by folk with power and Treasure to leverage wealth, favors, and servitude. Roughly, 1 Debt = 1 Treasure. Be sure to take note of who you owe Debt to and who owes Debt to you.
You owe Debt to another character when:
- You borrow Treasure
- You buy something you cannot yet afford
- You are saved from a precarious situation
- You surrender or are spared from from a fight
You can free yourself from Debt when:
- You pay back an equal amount of Treasure
- You serve your debtor for an extended amount of time
- You accomplish a dangerous or difficult task given by your debtor
- You take the side of your debtor at important crossroads
- Your debtor releases you from it
Running from Debt is frowned upon, and even a cause for revenge, in the islands. If you do so, your words hold no meaning and your actions hold no power.
Social Castes
Debt and your control over it largely determines your social standing.
Those with Debt and no Treasure are called Oripun. They are the common folk, toiling to repay their debtors.
Those free from Debt are called Timawa. They are elites and knights, respected by Oripun and coveted by Datus.
Those who are owed Debt and those who are generous with Treasure, so much that they have a following, are called Datu. They are Barangay leaders, generals, warlords, and teachers. But Datus are not free from debt. Debt between Datus is a common part of politics on the islands.
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