The Jackal's View of World Economies

The economic situation has greatly changed since the days of the old global
economies. Nowadays, trade is usually restricted by distance, geography,
or by the presence of supernatural creatures in a region. Only big countries,
who have the resources to overcome these obstacles, can hope to have a stable
long distance trade agreement. The Coalition / Triax agreement for example,
relies on the ability of the two governments to trade equipment over long
distances, and to be able to protect those shipments.

In terms of micro economies, most small communities rely on the barter
system, since in many cases there is not a bank for a thousand miles.
Wilderness credits are usually accepted for a substitute, but the value of
such credits can often be disputed.

For large cities, electronic credits is the accepted method of monetary
transaction. The Coalition States, in particular, is based solely on the
electronic frontier to provide the economic matrix. Citizens in the Coalition
have a different notion of scarcity. In remote areas, scarcity refers to the
ability of getting food or a vital energy weapon. In the city, it is just a term
used to set the price of a particular item. Anything and everything is for
sale.

Especially in the underground. In this environment, it is often best not
to leave electronic footprints in their transactions. Instead, black market
items are used. Like the barter system, items or services for equal value
are exchanged. Items such as drugs, pre-Rifts artifacts, and cybernetic
components are all viable black market goods. Just don't get caught with them.