Pricing...
Ok, lets remember that while we can define spicific components in terms of Tech Levels easily right now, and a similar system could be used to define the amount of magic in a component or hit die, we (well I) stripped out the whole Cosmos system, so the "inherent tech or magic level" of an area or cosmos is not something that should be built into the pricing system. (note: a cosmos system as a sort of meta-universe setting as an add-on is a cool idea but not one that was worth putting into these "core" rules as it is an implied setting or setting frame work). What we do need to define is a Cultural Tech Level. This represents the level of technology a given culture can easily make. This could very widely. Steam-punk Gnomes and goblins might be CTL 4, but the Lizard folk 3 weeks away in the jungles and swamps are CTL 0. This has nothing to do with any limits on possible technology for an area/cosmos/setting. It's just what they currently know how to do. It has no implications as to what is possible, if they will develope better tech, etc.
Anyways: pricing things is fairly simple. Every component has a "level." Some devices, like engines, allow you to set the level depending on your needs as the builder, other components have a set level in their description, such as a Catapult is always level 2. Once you know the Level of a device, you can then determine if it's a technological device or a magical device.
A magical device is priced like it made around a spell of hte same level. wounderous item type pricing. Regardless of your culture, magic always costs the same.
technological devices are not so straight forward. They cost a flat rate if the Level matches your Cultural Tech Level. if its lower (1 level or more) it costs half that amount. if it 1 higher in level then your CTL, then costs double. If it is more then 1 higher in level then your CTL, it is not possible to make it with even the cutting edge tech of your culture.
note that the pricing for CTL is based of the culture your in at the moment. If you traveled back in time to the stone age, you'd be at CTL 0 despite your knowledge of computers, because the culture your in would still only have fire and wheels. getting a fusion rocket replaced by steam-punk gnomes isn't going to help you, but a high level wizard might be able to get a decent replacement.
Ok, lets remember that while we can define spicific components in terms of Tech Levels easily right now, and a similar system could be used to define the amount of magic in a component or hit die, we (well I) stripped out the whole Cosmos system, so the "inherent tech or magic level" of an area or cosmos is not something that should be built into the pricing system. (note: a cosmos system as a sort of meta-universe setting as an add-on is a cool idea but not one that was worth putting into these "core" rules as it is an implied setting or setting frame work). What we do need to define is a Cultural Tech Level. This represents the level of technology a given culture can easily make. This could very widely. Steam-punk Gnomes and goblins might be CTL 4, but the Lizard folk 3 weeks away in the jungles and swamps are CTL 0. This has nothing to do with any limits on possible technology for an area/cosmos/setting. It's just what they currently know how to do. It has no implications as to what is possible, if they will develope better tech, etc.
Anyways: pricing things is fairly simple. Every component has a "level." Some devices, like engines, allow you to set the level depending on your needs as the builder, other components have a set level in their description, such as a Catapult is always level 2. Once you know the Level of a device, you can then determine if it's a technological device or a magical device.
A magical device is priced like it made around a spell of hte same level. wounderous item type pricing. Regardless of your culture, magic always costs the same.
technological devices are not so straight forward. They cost a flat rate if the Level matches your Cultural Tech Level. if its lower (1 level or more) it costs half that amount. if it 1 higher in level then your CTL, then costs double. If it is more then 1 higher in level then your CTL, it is not possible to make it with even the cutting edge tech of your culture.
note that the pricing for CTL is based of the culture your in at the moment. If you traveled back in time to the stone age, you'd be at CTL 0 despite your knowledge of computers, because the culture your in would still only have fire and wheels. getting a fusion rocket replaced by steam-punk gnomes isn't going to help you, but a high level wizard might be able to get a decent replacement.
