City Specific Tax Rates

[Alistair]

Hello! I have a question/suggestion all in one, lol. We've always had city-specific tax rates, however I've noticed that there is a considerable discrepancy in tax rates between cities without much justification for some of them. For example, there is not a considerable free institution in Ne'haer that would warrant the additional 8% taxes, when compared to Scalvoris which has a great deal of considerable institutions and social structures, whilst the city has a 0% additional tax rate.

Rynmere makes sense as it offers a 4% extra rate but in exchange for universal access to the University. However, Scalvoris has more than just this benefit without recourse, and Ne'haer doesn't seem to have any clear stated institutions with universal access that are of tangible benefit to most PCs. So, that's why this is a suggestion and a question all in one --

Am I wrong? Are there some benefits that I'm unaware of? If not, I would suggest that we look into city taxes and weigh them based on what the city actually offers its PCs for free; otherwise it's kind of an arbitrary wage decrease (or lack of decrease) and it dis-incentives players from writing there.

[Pegasus]

Heya

Interesting thoughts.

Mine are:

1) The cost of the university is the same in all three places (Ryn, Viden, Scalv) All of the cities you've quoted have the Order of the Adunih etc - is that the free stuff you're meaning?
2) We've always had different taxes (or lack thereof) per city. We don't have a centralised government on Idalos, why would we have centralised systems like that?
3) I'm confident that the mods of the three cities you've quoted there (Ryn, Ne'haer and Scalv) have considered their taxes and have done so with plot potential and etc in mind.

Hope that clears that up?

[Alistair]

This... unfortunately does not clear it up for me, as the fact remains that there is still no solid reasoning for it; it's a bit arbitrary. Hidden plot reasons don't seem plausible as a reason, as what plot potential is there for a starting 0% city tax despite having superior public institutions and systems? Unless Scalv's economy is about to crash due to poor budgeting, I don't... really see how it makes sense when compared to Rynmere and Ne'haer; also, your point 1 only further proves that, as Scalv also has Rynmere's University benefit without the 4% global city tax in response.

[Pegasus]

This... unfortunately does not clear it up for me, as the fact remains that there is still no solid reasoning for it; it's a bit arbitrary. Hidden plot reasons don't seem plausible as a reason, as what plot potential is there for a starting 0% city tax despite having superior public institutions and systems? Unless Scalv's economy is about to crash due to poor budgeting,

Every city has their own taxes - always have had. We have no global government so each place does it their own way. Every city mod makes that decision when they write their Lore and knows the logic behind it. Or, often, lack thereof!

I don't... really see how it makes sense when compared to Rynmere and Ne'haer; also, your point 1 only further proves that, as Scalv also has Rynmere's University benefit without the 4% global city tax in response.

My point about the university was in response to you saying:
"Rynmere makes sense as it offers a 4% extra rate but in exchange for universal access to the University. "
There isn't universal access to the university. People pay to attend. Same as they do in Scalv and Viden. The 4% taxes in Ryn are sold as for roads and stuff - or were when I modded there in the lore.

To clarify - are you raising a query about Scalvoris specifically? Or taxes generally? What does Etzos do, for instance? Rhakros? Uthaldria? Rharne doesn't have additional taxes either, I'm sure.

[Pegasus]

To clarify. Direct from Rynmere Lore

Taxes: Everyone living in Rynmere (of a common or higher wage) pays 4% of their overall seasonal wage to the royal family in order to ensure that roads are maintained, troops are well cared for, doctor visits are subsidized, and the elderly are looked after.

[Alistair]

Well, Scalvoris comes to mind because it has considerable public institutions and infrastructure without the drawback of a tax increase. I don't mention places like Uthaldria because there are literally no public institutions there - you're either a part of the Path or you get screwed and live off in the slums. Rharne is kind of the same way... as are the other places mentioned; they have much more infrastructural and social issues than Scalv and Ryn, it would appear, which is a proper justification for having lower taxes.

I understand that the mods have the choice and that cities and governments are different, but from a player standpoint it is kind of concerning that in one city you can lose almost 10% of your wages (which really does add up) while in another you get considerable more opportunities and things to interact with, but have a 0% loss. The thing is: I get that mods make that choice, which is why this is a suggestion. Mods should think about their tax structures and how that makes sense based on what their city offers.

I'm not specifically targeting Scalv in this, but I do think that cities like Scalv should have among the highest city taxes... otherwise, as I said, I feel they would be on the verge of financial ruin based on their development, projects, institutions, etc.

Also, the Ryn thing doesn't trouble me much; I think it's fair, and Ryn actually provides a reason... which I think all cities should do.

[Pegasus]

Rharne is kind of the same way... as are the other places mentioned; they have much more infrastructural and social issues than Scalv and Ryn, it would appear, which is a proper justification for having lower taxes.

Ah, I understand the misunderstanding. Rharne is a lot more wealthy, has a lot of wealthier people and a much better infrastructure than Scalv.

I think because the majority of players are in the one town in Scalv, it's a perception that the whole place is like that - which it just isn't - and that one place is only able to BE like it is, because of the University (which Viden funded)

I understand your point - and it's certainly something for city mods to think about when writing their lore. Thanks for raising it!

[Alistair]

Yeah, Rharne has a large and wealthy merchant caste, which is actually a good justification. That can provide sense as to why they would have 0% city taxes, because they have a large number of aristocrats already paying them 20% or so off of high earnings.

But yeah - basically my suggestion is that mods consider writing lore blurbs as to why their city taxes are the way they are... and if it doesn't make sense, consider changing it to be higher or lower. It's kind of nitpicking but as a character who starts to be a higher earner, it can start to be a curious thing, and we all know how passionate people can be about taxes lol.

Anyway, thanks for hearing me out!