Revising Plerion’s Trade Rules
I just wasn’t happy with the way I had written the trade section of Plerion.
I’ve never been very well-versed in economics and trade, so I had great difficulty going into that chapter in a way that was functional to the game. I tried my best, but I just couldn’t get it right.
After quite a bit of experimentation, I think I have managed to bridge the gap and finally present to you this revised section. I’m really excited to share it with you!
What’s New in the Trade System?
The trade system has undergone a complete overhaul. The goal was to create something that felt dynamic, engaging, and, most importantly, fun without getting bogged down in complicated economic theory.
The revamped system introduces the following core ideas:
Supply and Demand Mechanics: Planets have their own economic profiles now, determined by what they can produce and what they desperately need. Agricultural planets aren’t pumping out electronics, and high-tech worlds are willing to pay top credit for raw materials. This gives players a tangible way to strategize their trade routes, as opposed to feeling like they’re just moving numbers around.
Price Variations and Market Fluctuations: Trade is no longer static! Planetary wealth influences the base prices of goods, but galactic events—wars, pirate blockades, or even economic booms—can now drastically change what players pay or receive for their cargo. Every trade decision carries a risk/reward element. Is it worth trying to smuggle weapons into a war-torn system? Or should you stockpile food to sell to a planet suffering from famine? The decision is in your hands.
Dynamic Trade Events: I’ve also added a d20 table for random trade events, which can drastically shake up the economy at a moment’s notice. From planet-wide famines to first contact with alien species, these events inject some much-needed unpredictability and tension into what used to feel like a very mechanical part of the game.
Why Make These Changes?
The old system was too poor and semplicistic. I wanted trading in Plerion to feel like an adventure in its own right, with players balancing market trends, reacting to sudden disruptions, and making dangerous (but potentially profitable) decisions.
Take the Price Variations. Before, I had just a static price list that barely considered the economic differences between planets. Now, wealthier planets offer you a great deal on local goods but pay premium prices for luxury imports, while poorer planets make it harder to profit unless you’re bringing something they absolutely need. You get a sense of the galaxy being alive—each planet its own economic microcosm that can change, thrive, or collapse based on the greater galactic stage.
Then, there’s Market Fluctuations. These came from the realization that trade isn’t just about where you buy and sell—it’s about timing. A planet might desperately need fuel after a hyperlane collapses, or a corporate monopoly might drive up the price of electronics. By introducing these kinds of events, trading becomes more like a strategic minigame, where players are forced to weigh the risks and rewards of where and when to take their cargo.
I also wanted to give players more narrative hooks through the Dynamic Trade Events. A smuggler’s paradise might pop up in a lawless system, or a natural disaster could suddenly make basic supplies skyrocket in value. These events give the GM plenty of material to work with, and they help keep the players on their toes.
Looking Ahead
For now, this trade system is available on the web SRD, and I encourage you all to give it a try in your campaigns. I’m still deciding whether it’ll make its way into the printed rulebook, but that depends on the feedback I receive.
I’ll be honest, Plerion hasn’t had the reception I hoped for, but I’m not ready to give up on it just yet. I think this trade system really adds a new layer of depth to the game, and I’m eager to see what stories you all create with it. After all, it’s about the journey through the stars—and if you can make a few credits along the way, why not?
As always, I’d love to hear your thoughts and experiences with the new system. Please feel free to drop me a line, and if you do use these new trade rules, let me know how they worked for you and your players!
Until next time, happy trading!