Controlling Inflation

The GM should be careful not to let
the PCs get too rich too soon. Rather
than drive up prices, make expensive
things (ships, noble titles, etc.) avail-
able, and give the heroes opportuni-
ties to invest in interesting long-term,
high-risk ventures (e.g., bankrolling
an inventor). Alternatively, arrange an
occasional catastrophe to keep the
PCs broke – or simply an adventure
where no amount of money can
replace brains.
In a high-tech world, there is no
limit to the advantages you can buy
with money. In a low-tech environ-
ment, once you have one good suit of
armor, one fine weapon, and a couple
of fine horses, there’s not much else
you can buy to enhance personal
prowess. But you can hire an army . . .
Finally, be realistic about the value
of loot. Armor, combat vehicles, and
similar military materials are likely to
be damaged after a fight – the PCs will
be lucky to get 1/3 “retail value” if they
drag this kind of hardware into town.
(A very realistic GM will assess the
PCs maintenance costs for repairing
their own vehicles, weapons, armor,
etc., too.)