Worldlines Wiki

Credits flow through the galaxy like blood through veins. In Worldlines, economic survival is as critical as combat prowess. A well-funded crew can outfit themselves properly, maintain their ship, and afford the bribes that keep authorities looking elsewhere. A broke crew scrapes by on salvage, takes desperate jobs, and dies when their equipment fails at the worst possible moment.

The economy of Worldlines reflects a fractured civilization where wealth concentrates in core systems while frontier worlds operate on barter, salvage, and hope.

12.1 The Credit System

The universal credit serves as the galaxy's standard currency, maintained through encrypted blockchain networks and backed by the Coalition Planetary Authority. While not every world accepts Coalition authority, nearly all accept credits.

Credit Denominations

Physical Credits: Rarely used except in frontier areas or illegal transactions
Digital Credits: Standard form, transferred via ID chips, credsticks, or secure networks
Anonymous Credsticks: Untraceable currency storage, essential for black market dealings

Credit Stability and Value

One credit represents purchasing power roughly equivalent to:

One standard meal at a colony cafeteria
Basic ammunition for 2-3 shots
Entry-level labor (per hour)

Credit value fluctuates by location:

Core Worlds: Stable, predictable, backed by strong institutions
Colony Worlds: Minor fluctuations, generally reliable
Frontier Stations: Variable value, sometimes backed by local scrip
Conflict Zones: Unstable, may crash or spike dramatically

12.2 Income and Expenses

Characters earn credits through missions, contracts, salvage, and trade. They spend credits on survival, equipment, and advancement.

Standard Living Expenses

Expense Category	Cost per Week	Description
Minimal (Street)	50-100 C	Sleeping in ship/shelter, basic rations, no luxuries
Basic (Spartan)	200-400 C	Capsule hotel, cheap food, public facilities
Standard (Comfortable)	500-1,000 C	Private quarters, varied diet, entertainment access
Elevated (Quality)	1,500-3,000 C	Good accommodation, quality meals, social activities
Luxurious (Elite)	5,000+ C	Premium housing, fine dining, exclusive services

Recurring Operational Costs

Ship Ownership:

Fuel: 3,000-15,000 C per refuel (depends on fuel type)
Port fees: 250-2,500 C per landing
Docking permits: 500-5,000 C per cycle
Maintenance: 1,000-10,000 C monthly (depends on ship class)
Insurance: 1-3% of ship value annually (optional but recommended)

Equipment Maintenance:

Weapon/armor repairs: 50-300 C per wear point removed depending on quality
Tool replacement: 10-30% of original cost annually
Specialized equipment calibration: 100-500 C per service

Medical Expenses:

Basic treatment: 250-1,000 C per visit
Emergency surgery: 2,000-10,000 C
Implant installation: 1,000-25,000 C (plus implant cost)
Pharmaceutical supplies: 25-500 C per item

Income Sources

Mission Contracts:

Simple delivery: 500-2,000 C
Standard security work: 1,000-5,000 C
Dangerous operations: 5,000-25,000 C
High-risk black ops: 25,000-100,000 C

Salvage Operations:

Equipment resale: 10-50% of original value
Component extraction: 50-500 C per successful operation
Intact technology recovery: 1,000-50,000 C (depending on rarity)

Trade and Commerce:

Legal goods margin: 10-30% profit
Restricted goods margin: 30-100% profit (with significant risk)
Information brokering: 500-10,000 C per valuable data packet

Services:

Technical repairs: 100-1,000 C per job
Medical treatment: 250-5,000 C per patient
Piloting services: 500-5,000 C per jump
Specialist consulting: 1,000-10,000 C per day

12.3 Markets and Trade

Market conditions vary dramatically by location, affecting both availability and pricing.

Market Types and Price Modifiers

Market Type	Availability	Price Modifier	Description
Core Worlds	Excellent	Base price	Earth, Mars, Venus—full selection, competitive pricing
Major Colonies	Good	+10-20%	Established settlements, regular supply chains
Minor Colonies	Fair	+20-40%	Smaller settlements, irregular deliveries
Frontier Stations	Poor	+40-80%	Remote outposts, supply chain terminus
Conflict Zones	Variable	+50-200%	War profiteering, extreme scarcity
Black Markets	Restricted goods	+50-150%	Illegal items, no questions asked

Supply and Demand

Prices fluctuate based on local conditions:

Shortages (Price increase 50-200%):

Medical supplies in plague zones
Ammunition in conflict areas
Food in famine regions
Fuel in isolated systems

Surplus (Price decrease 30-70%):

Agricultural goods after harvest
Salvaged equipment near battle sites
Standard items in manufacturing hubs
Outdated technology near tech centers

Trade Goods Categories

Consumer Goods: Clothing, entertainment, basic necessities
Industrial Materials: Raw metals, polymers, construction supplies
Technology: Electronics, computers, specialized equipment
Medical Supplies: Pharmaceuticals, equipment, surgical tools
Weapons and Armor: Legal restrictions vary by location
Luxury Items: Art, rare foods, precious materials
Contraband: Illegal drugs, weapons, stolen technology

12.4 Banking and Credit Storage

Credits exist as digital entries in secure financial networks. How you store and access wealth significantly impacts security and accessibility.

Storage Methods

Secure Accounts Standard digital banking tied to legal ID

Security: Very High (institutional backing, encryption)
Traceability: High (all transactions logged)
Accessibility: Requires network access
Risk: Funds can be frozen by authorities or hostile factions

Credsticks Portable encrypted storage devices

Security: High (physical security, encryption)
Traceability: None (anonymous transfers)
Accessibility: Immediate, no network required
Capacity: Up to 500,000 credits per stick
Risk: Physical theft, loss, or destruction

Faction Accounts Banking through faction-aligned institutions

Security: Medium-High (depends on faction stability)
Traceability: High within faction systems
Accessibility: Enhanced services, priority treatment
Benefits: Potential interest, loans, or special services
Risk: Frozen during faction conflicts or standing loss

Dead Drops Hidden physical caches or terminal-based storage

Security: Variable (depends on location and concealment)
Traceability: None if properly established
Accessibility: Must physically access location
Risk: Discovery, looting, location compromise

Data-Split Accounts Distributed storage across multiple shell accounts

Security: Medium (complexity provides some protection)
Traceability: Low (difficult to track all fragments)
Accessibility: Requires Programming skill (TD 8)
Risk: Lockout on failed access, partial loss possible

Banking Services

Standard Services:

Secure storage (free with minimum balance)
Inter-system transfers (0.5-2% fee)
Currency exchange (1-3% fee for non-standard currencies)
Account security (encryption, biometric locks)

Premium Services:

Interest on deposits (0.5-2% annually)
Investment opportunities (variable returns, risk involved)
Priority transaction processing
Enhanced security protocols

Restricted Services:

Large credit transfers (requires documentation)
Cross-faction transactions (increased fees, delays)
Anonymous transfers (limited availability, high fees)

12.5 Loans and Credit Extensions

Sometimes opportunities or emergencies require more credits than you have. Borrowing fills the gap at a cost.

Loan Sources

Source	Max Amount	Interest Rate	Collateral Requirements	Collection Method
Banks/Corps	10,000 C	10% per story arc	Legal ID, active income	Account freeze, bounty
Faction Lenders	15,000 C	5-8% per arc	Standing ≥ +2	Standing drops, reputation hit
Loan Sharks	25,000 C	15-25% per arc	None (verbal agreement)	Enforcers, violence
Underworld Credit	Unlimited (negotiated)	30%+ per arc	Dangerous missions, blackmail	Critical story consequences

Taking Out a Loan

Process:

Approach lender with proposal
Roll Commerce or Deception vs. TD 6+ (varies by lender and amount)
Success: Receive agreed amount, terms established
Failure: Loan denied or terms worsen

Repayment:

Interest accumulates each story arc
Missed payments trigger consequences
Early repayment typically allowed without penalty

Consequences of Default

Banks/Credit Unions:

All secure accounts frozen immediately
Legal action initiated (TD 12 Programming to bypass)
Credit rating destroyed (higher costs for future services)
Possible arrest warrant in Coalition space

Faction Lenders:

Faction standing drops by 3 immediately
Access to faction services restricted or revoked
Possible bounty or asset seizure
Must resolve debt to restore standing

Loan Sharks:

Enforcers dispatched to "collect" (treat as Timed Threat)
May target associates or property
Violence escalates with time
Resolution requires payment, service, or dramatic escape

Underworld:

Permanent debt hook in character background
NPC blackmail or forced missions
May involve betrayal, theft, or morally compromising actions
Can become major story arc element

12.6 Black Markets and Contraband

Every system has an underground economy dealing in goods that legal markets won't touch.

Black Market Access

Finding black market contacts requires:

Investigation or Commerce roll (TD 6-10 depending on location)
Faction connections (criminal organizations provide access)
Streetwise reputation (established criminals recognize you)
Referrals (existing contacts introduce you)

Contraband Categories

Weapons and Military Equipment:

Unlicensed weapons (50-100% markup)
Military-grade armor and vehicles
Explosive devices and heavy ordnance
Restricted ammunition types

Pharmaceuticals and Drugs:

NexaDust and other recreational substances
Unlicensed medical supplies
Performance enhancers
Illegal stimulants and combat drugs

Technology:

Stolen or counterfeit ID chips
Hacking tools and malware
Surveillance equipment
Restricted AI systems

Biological Materials:

Illegal implants and modifications
Cloning templates
Genetic samples
Restricted organisms or compounds

Information:

Corporate secrets and blueprints
Government intelligence
Personal data and blackmail material
Restricted research findings

Black Market Risks

Legal Consequences:

Arrest and prosecution if caught
Equipment confiscation
Fines equal to 5-10x item value
Imprisonment (varies by severity and location)

Criminal Dangers:

Deals gone wrong (ambush, robbery)
Counterfeit or defective goods
Informants and undercover agents
Rival criminal organizations

Quality Issues:

20% chance items are inferior quality (reduce one tier)
10% chance items contain trackers or sabotage
5% chance items are complete fakes

Black Market Negotiation

Commerce or Deception checks determine outcomes:

Success by 5+: Excellent deal (10-20% discount, extra item, or valuable contact)
Success: Standard transaction at marked price
Failure: Poor deal (10-20% markup, inferior quality, or suspicious terms)
Failure by 5+: Scammed (lose credits, get nothing or worthless item)

12.7 Barter Economy

In frontier regions and during crises, credits become unreliable or unavailable. Barter fills the economic void.

Barter System

Instead of fixed credit values, items trade based on perceived need and relative scarcity.

Barter Value Guidelines:

Item Category	Typical Barter Value
Basic Consumables	1-2 days food, 1-2 Basic Components
Medical Supplies	1 week food, 3-5 Basic Components
Ammunition	1 meal per 10 rounds, 1 Basic Component per magazine
Light Weapons	1 month supplies, equivalent armor, or 10 Advanced Components
Services	Variable based on need and expertise

Barter Negotiation

Process:

Establish what each party wants
Make Persuasion or Commerce check (opposed if trading with skilled merchant)
Success margin determines deal quality

Barter Advantages:

No credit trail (untraceable)
Works when currency fails
Builds relationships through mutual need

Barter Disadvantages:

No standard values (everything negotiable)
Requires both parties want what other offers
Time-consuming compared to credit transactions
Can't split payments easily

12.8 Faction Economy and Trade Networks

Different factions control specific trade routes, resources, or markets, creating economic spheres of influence.

Faction Economic Control

Coalition Planetary Authority:

Controls most legal trade routes
Sets tariffs and regulations
Issues trade licenses and permits
Maintains credit stability

Orionis Mining Guild:

Monopoly on nexacite extraction
Sets nexacite prices
Controls fuel market indirectly
Requires guild membership for mining operations

Steel Lotus Syndicate:

Dominates Metronis black market
Controls smuggling routes through Sirius
Provides illicit goods and services
Protects smugglers for percentage

Veyron Salvaging Union:

Controls salvage rights in Sirius Belt
Sells recovered technology
Operates competitive salvage markets
Enforces salvage claims through force

Faction Economic Benefits

Positive Standing (≥ 65):

10-20% discounts on faction-controlled goods
Priority access to rare items
Favorable loan terms
Free or reduced shipping

High Standing (≥75):

20-30% discounts
Exclusive access to restricted items
Interest-free loans
Protected shipping routes

Allied Status (≥ 85):

30-50% discounts on select items
Access to faction-only equipment
Profit-sharing opportunities
Safe houses and support infrastructure

12.9 Economic Crises and Market Disruption

Markets aren't static—wars, disasters, and political changes dramatically affect prices and availability.

Crisis Types

Blockades:

Trade routes cut off
Prices increase 100-300%
Goods become unavailable
Smuggling becomes extremely profitable

Embargoes:

Specific goods banned
Black market prices spike 200-500%
Alternative sources become critical
Violations carry severe penalties

Hyperinflation:

Credit value crashes rapidly
Prices double daily or weekly
Barter replaces currency
Credsticks and physical goods retain value

Resource Shortages:

Critical supplies exhausted
Rationing implemented
Alternative markets emerge
Desperation drives crime and violence

Economic Collapse:

All markets fail
Pure survival economy
Violence over basic necessities
Complete social breakdown

Profiting from Crises

Opportunities:

Stockpiling before crisis hits (requires forewarning)
Smuggling across blockades (high risk, high reward)
Controlling scarce resources (moral complications)
Providing essential services (medical, repair, transport)

Risks:

Price volatility (market timing failures)
Legal consequences (price gouging laws, profiteering charges)
Moral weight (exploiting desperate people)
Target for theft or violence (visible wealth attracts danger)

12.10 Currency Alternatives

While credits dominate, alternative value systems exist:

Nexacite:

Universal value (energy, technology, mysticism)
Extremely scarce
Heavily regulated
Black market premium 500-1000% over legal prices

Information:

Corporate secrets worth millions
Intelligence data commands high prices
Blackmail material provides leverage
Personal data has market value

Favors and Reputation:

Faction standing opens doors credits cannot
Personal connections bypass normal channels
Reputation provides credit access
Debt obligations create power dynamics

Time and Service:

Expertise commands premium
Specialized skills create barter value
Contracted obligations generate income
Personal service repays debts