Rather than bother with a lot of bookkeeping (and because Guilders are more of a high score in a video game than they get used for actual buying of things), we tend to keep things simple and thus the idea of status and income levels came into play. Inspired by both the d20 Game of Thrones RPG and the favored son of AEG, L5R, Status is a general gauge of what a Hero’s standing is within Theah, and consequently, his wealth. A lot of this is simply flavor and up to the GM to decide, but it’s quite the useful tool to move along a plot: when you have a bunch of guys at Status 1, just throw a bag of money at them and watch them go anywhere you want.

However, people of higher Status can also throw their weight around. While maybe not to the extent of the rigid caste structure of Rokugan, PCs and NPCs of higher Status can call on constables or guards to detain and punish lower Status characters, get away with horsewhipping them over perceived slights, challenge them to duels without waiting for Guild sanction, and so on. Again, no hard and fast rules or rolls, just use common sense.

0. Destitute – barely scraping together enough guilder to buy moldy bread, and sometimes not even that much. Usually the result of a traumatic event in the Hero’s past (ie FWJ Backgrounds), and thus, rare. Has access to no income at all and so hardly owns anything. Can’t afford to even buy a meal, let alone lodging anywhere, and only owns the clothes on their backs and a rusty sword or broken pistol, along with any other scraps they may have scrounged up.

1. Peasant – a basic level of self sufficiency. Peasants, backwoods Ussuran farmers, some Vesten tribes, and natives of the Archipelago or New World are most likely to have this level of funds. Has access to only enough income to buy a few meals and the cheapest rooms at an inn (or has to sleep in the stables). Any extra clothing is going to be tattered and dirty, and any weapons owned are going to be of cheap but serviceable make.

2. Working class – owns enough to actually have a few guilders saved up and available to play with, but still has to be pretty frugal. Most 7th Sea Heroes will fall under this category. Can get decent room and board at most inns, and even splurge once in a while on the good stuff. A few changes of clothing, with possibly one outfit of above average quality, and sturdy weapons that were probably hand me downs or formerly used in the military.

3. Merchant class – at this point, Heroes are getting into some amount of moneylending and have access to quite a bit of funds. Characters with a few points in Inheritance (typically 3-5) or high ranks in Merchant knacks are at this income level. Able to rent the best rooms in average inns and even get in some of the higher class places with a bit of luck and a good Bribery roll. Many changes of clothes, with a few that are able to be taken someplace nice, and weapons that are in top shape and well made.

4. Lesser Nobility – the status of a typical Hero with the noble advantage, these Heroes have access to enough guilder to usually throw around like there’s no tomorrow. These Heroes are always in the best rooms, eating the most expensive foods. A wardrobe to play around with and jewelry to match. All weapons are going to be of the best make or family heirlooms.

5. Greater Nobility – the status of a Hero with the noble advantage and high Reputation to match. At this point the amount of guilders you can spend on even frivolous things can boggle the minds of those of lower status, since it’s usually more than they make in a year. You don’t stay in the best inns – you pretty much own them. You keep a tailor and designer on staff at all times. Your weapons, if you don’t simply buy someone to use them, are the best of the best.

6. Royalty – it’s rare for a player to ever reach this status, but if they do, the sky is the limit to how much they can afford or what they can try to get away with.