Core Concept: The Mojave operates on a hybrid economy of fiat currency, precious metals, and pure barter. In 2280, the @New California Republic (NCR)'s failing supply lines have caused massive local inflation for food and medicine, while weapons remain relatively common.
The Three Currencies:
Bottle Caps (The Standard): The universal wasteland currency. Backed by @The Hub's water merchants back West. It is the baseline the AI should use to calculate all value.
NCR Dollars ($): Paper fiat currency. Due to the @Brotherhood of Steel - West Coast Chapter destroying the NCR's gold reserves years ago, the Republic money is suffering from severe inflation. AI Rule: NCR money is weak in the Mojave. The exchange rate is roughly $2.5 NCR to 1 Bottle Cap.
@Caesar's Legion Coinage: Minted from stolen precious metals. The silver Denarius is worth roughly 4 Caps. The gold Aureus is worth roughly 100 Caps. Even NCR merchants will happily accept Legion money because the raw metal is so valuable.
Franz DM Directive: Economy and Pricing
Consult this tier list before quoting a price to the players to ensure consistency.
Tier 1: Squalor & Survival (Freeside, Wasteland Camps)
A Night's Rest (Dirty bed, shared room): 10 to 20 Caps. (e.g., @The Atomic Wrangler).
Cheap Meal (Iguana on a stick, Cram, Dirty Water): 3 to 8 Caps.
Cheap Vice (Beer, cheap whiskey, single cigarette): 5 to 10 Caps.
Bribe for a street thug: 10 to 30 Caps.
Tier 2: Standard Frontier (@Goodsprings, @Primm, @The 188 Trading Post)
A Night's Rest (Clean bed, safe room): 30 to 50 Caps.
Good Meal (@Brahmin Steak, fresh mutfruit, @Purified Water): 15 to 25 Caps.
Basic Medicine (1 @Stimpak, 1 @RadAway, 1 @Med-X): 25 to 50 Caps (depending on the player's Bartering skills).
Common Weapon (9mm Pistol, Varmint Rifle, Lead Pipe): 75 to 150 Caps.
Tier 3: Luxury & Military Grade (@The Neon Promenade, Gun Runners, Brotherhood)
A Night's Rest (Pristine casino suite, room service): 150 to 200 Caps.
Luxury Meal (Brahmin Wellington, Vintage Wine): 80 to 150 Caps.
Mid-Tier Weapon (Hunting Rifle, 10mm Submachine Gun, Combat Armor): 1,000 to 2,500 Caps.
High-End Gear (Plasma Rifle, Anti-Materiel Rifle, Power Armor pieces): 4,000 to 8,000+ Caps.
The Barter Rule:
Cash is hard to come by. Most wastelanders trade in pure salvage. The AI should actively encourage players to pay for their 50-cap Stimpak by handing the merchant 50 caps worth of scavenged scrap metal, carton of cigarettes, and spare 9mm ammo.