Firan Survival Guide: Sponsors
From FiranMUX
Sponsoring is the process by which a character of a higher social class gives support to a member of a lower social class. Most commonly, sponsorships are performed by nobles, as this gives not only social but also economic advantages to the sponsoree. Nobles are limited in the numbers of sponsorees they can have at any point in time, typically between 3 and 5, dependent on their social stats. It's possible for non-nobles to sponsor those of a lesser class as well. For example, a middle class person may sponsor a commoner class person. An example of this might be a craftsman sponsoring their apprentice. In this case, however, the economic benefits of a noble sponsorship are not attained.
In order for middle class, commoner, and outcast characters to sell their goods or labor, they must have a noble sponsor. This is one of the federal laws of the Republic and is outlined in news federal laws3. There are relatively few things a non-noble character to do to gain money without having a sponsor. One of them is steady employment through the hire command or military enlistment. Such regular wages do not require a sponsor to earn and, if the character has a sponsor, are not subject to any fees. Unsponsored non-nobles can earn regular income from owning land. They can participate in most (but not all) competitions within the city, and earn stenis in prize monies.
All other forms of earning money require that a non-noble citizen have a noble class sponsor. This includes, but is not strictly limited, to:
- Selling goods (crafted or raw materials) to the market
- Selling ERP (labor)
- Performing services that are paid for outside of the hire code (entertainers, midwives, whores, etc.)
- Selling goods at the auction
- Selling goods to other PCs, including merchants
By law, a 75% sponsor fee on income earned must be paid to one's noble sponsor. For those selling goods, this fee is on the price of the good sold, not the profit derived. This fee applies to almost any income that requires a sponsor to earn (i.e., selling goods or services), but not to other means of obtaining money that do not require a sponsor (i.e., steady employment or prize winnings) unless stipulated in the sponsorship agreement. Failure to pay sponsorship fees will result in legal action for regulation violations, if caught. It can also seriously annoy your sponsor. However, there will be some characters who do not pay fees because it's 'in character' for them to break the law. Still others might sell goods and services without a sponsor at all. Most characters, however, will tend to be law-abiding citizens in this respect, unless implied otherwise on their character sheet.
Nobles do not require sponsor to sell their goods. However, society dictates that nobles only deal in goods befitting of their elevated station. Nobles can sell farm goods, alcohol, and weapons to the market, but no other items whatsoever. Though they can sell such items to other PCs it is looked upon disfavorably, and there will likely be social consequences if such transactions fall under public notice.
How do nobles make money then? One way is through the sponsorship fees paid by those they sponsor. Land income is another source, as is money from farming the land. They can win prize money. They may be employed in the military or by their clan, as a minister or some other official. They can have their sponsorees sell items for them, though this is typically nothing too blatant. Finally, they might simply sell goods they're interested in selling to PCs, and risk whatever social consequences might come of them. Selling horses, for example, might be something with no social repercussions, as horse breeding is a more noble appropriate pasttime. Mining gems to sell may simply look crass when done by a noble.
With sponsorship fees on the rise, trading is another way for the lower class to deal in goods and services. For example, if your character is a carpenter you might agree to made a chest for your friend, if they in turn make a new tunic and boots for you. No money would change hands, as only goods would be exchanged. How do sponsors figure into such transactions? In general, people who trade tend not to pay any fees, as no money changes hand. Is this legal? Well, no one has been charged with regulation violation for trading, but it's a matter that's not been challenged in court as yet. Best advice is to review the current federal laws (news federal laws), or consult a lawyer, or ask your sponsor, and then handle it how seems best for your character.
