The WFRP First Edition rulebook states that 7/- a day is the minimum cost of an acceptable standing of living. Anyone spending less than 7/- a day on subsistence is clearly on the decline and will begin to lose social standing within his peer group. Thus a character will lose one Social Standing Point for every day he fails to satisfy the 7/- Rule. If his Social Standing drops to zero he will also drop a Social Class and starts again with 1D4 Social Standing Points in the lower class. Anyone who drops to Class D with a Social Standing of Zero is immediately classed as a beggar. Nobility must spend 7/- per day per Social Standing Point in order to maintain their social position as it is particularly expensive to keep up appearances amongst the nobility.
Homebrew Rules
The Gamemaster may make certain adjustments to the 7/- Rule to account for a characters specific situation.
- If the character owns a horse, mule, donkey, pet or familiar the GM may decide that an additional payment is needed to look after them as well as the characters needs.
- If the character owns specific types of weapons, equipment or tools that logically would require special care to keep in good working order the GM may decide that the cost of maintenance should be added to the 7/- rule.
- If a character becomes ill or injured in such a way that specialised care or diet is needed then the GM may decide that this increases the cost of living.
These adjustments will be discussed and agreed with the player in advance.
Travelling in the Wilderness
Characters may accumulate up to 10 days of credit against the 7/- rule by spending up to 3gc 10/- before setting out on a journey. This is the equivalent of buying ten days rations and essentials before leaving town. This will avoid losing social standing whilst living in the wilderness. Characters who fail to do this will simply lose one social standing point per day whilst they are unable to look after themselves and will eventually return to civilisation looking far less civilised than when they left. e.g. dirty, dishevelled and hungry. However, this is nothing that a hot bath, good meal and a quick change of clothing cannot put right the cost of which will be 1gc per standing point lost.