System map
01-07One gold through the entire reign
Seven nodes show a sequence of decisions and the point where capital changes form, not an encyclopedia of resources.
01 / Productive asset
Domain
Personal holdings create the most controllable layer of monthly income.
- Watch
- Holding income
- Decision
- Compare the next building's marginal income with its payback.
02 / Realm flow
Taxes
Vassal taxes depend on realm structure and are less controllable than the personal domain.
- Watch
- Monthly inflow
- Decision
- Do not treat every layer of realm income as equally reliable.
03 / Liquidity
Treasury
Gold in the treasury preserves options that cannot be rebuilt quickly during a crisis.
- Watch
- Emergency buffer
- Decision
- Set a floor that buildings and activities cannot cross.
04 / Delayed compounding
Build
Building cost becomes monthly flow only after construction delay.
- Watch
- Payback months
- Decision
- Test whether the building pays back before war or the succession window.
05 / Recurring commitments
Army
Men-at-arms and war turn a calm surplus into burn.
- Watch
- War runway
- Decision
- Model wartime outflow and one-off cost separately.
06 / Gold into influence
Activities
Feasts, tours and other activities can create non-cash return while consuming liquidity.
- Watch
- Opportunity cost
- Decision
- Compare an activity with the best available use of gold.
07 / System transfer
Succession
A new ruler inherits the treasury alongside possible factions, wars and transition costs.
- Watch
- Heir liquidity
- Decision
- Plan a reserve that survives the transfer of power.