Population Situation Indexes

Any given population will have fifteen separate indexes which serve as simple numerical representations of relatively complicated aspects of a group of people's lives. These index scores can serve players as a barometer of sorts, allowing players to get a more clear and simple understanding of a population's situation. A population is not always the entire body of people under the same rule. Depending upon how a player organizes his domain, the Game Master may denote different segments of people as separate populations with different ratings for each. The most common example of this is when a full time military is establish and they are treated much differently than the rest of the citizenry. As much as these index scores serve for the player to have a feeling for the situation of any particular population, the values also directly effect some elements of game play and are used in all manner of calculations to determine outcomes, effects, happenstance, etc.

Drink	Food	Shelter	Clothing	Foot-Ware	Necessities	Bedding
Fuel	Sanitation	Health	Furniture	Luxuries	Justice	Morale

Index Descriptions

Drink	This index represents the population's access to drinkable liquids. It takes into account several factors such as quantity of drinkable liquid available, and the quality of those liquids. The nutritional value of liquids available is also considered as is the variety. Even a population with limitless amounts of hard alcohol will have a very low score if it doesn't as well have some other plentiful non alcoholic beverage. A population with a score around 7 and 8 represents ample amounts of beverage of good quality, variety and nutritional value. Low values result in death, illness, low productivity and all manner of social problems. High scores promote health and happiness.
Food	This index represents the quantity, quality, variety and nutritional value of food available to the population. Very low levels represent famine which has profound ramifications. Levels 3-4 represent bad diet and occasional shortages which will effect over all health, productivity and happiness of the population. Levels 5-6 are relatively good levels of food supply which keeps the population working, happy, and growing. Levels 7-8 represent such good access to food that production levels increase somewhat, health and happiness are raised, and this prosperity encourages population growth. At high levels there are also surplus foods which may be sold, traded, etc.
Shelter	Unlike most index scores, this one will have two numbers seperated by a slash. The first number represents the availability of housing to the population. Low numbers mean people are sleeping in the streets and living 20 to a building. Very high numbers such as 10s represent a low population density (such as after a great loss of life ) where many buildings are going unused. The second number represents the quality of housing. A score of 1 represents little more than make shift shelters. 2-3 can represent many things such as huts, earth work / adobe homes, tents , etc. A score of 4 is more along the lines of log cabins and such. The 5 and 6 range are constructed lumber homes with some foundations and decent roofing. The 7-8 area are beautiful wood, brick and mortar homes of excellent quality. Scores of 9 or more represent the kinds of home that are well beyond the means of the average person. Generally these are large estate homes with 11 and up being mansions.
Clothing	This index represents how well clothed a population manages to be. Low scores indicate that the population for whatever reason is plagued with old, worn out, ill fitting, dirty clothing. Badly clothed populations are ill equipped to handle bad weather and different types of labor. Poor clothing also has health risks associated with it. A high score indicates good availability and ownership of clothing appropriate for a variety of situations. Well clothed people are generally more happy and capable of performing necessary tasks. Scores around 5 are generally adequate. Scores of 7 and 8 represent most individuals having a good selection in wardrobe.
Foot-Ware	This index represents simply how well provided for your population is in regards to footwear. Good shoes and boots might not be an essential for life, but they sure help doing labor and traveling. Badly shoed populations will be less productive and more subject to injury. Scores around 5 are generally adequate. Scores of 7 and 8 represent most individuals having a good selection and quality footware.
Necessities	This index represents how well supplied a population is with such needed every day odds and ends like cups, bowls, eating utensils, pots, pans, laundry boards, blankets, and such like that. Scores around 5 are generally adequate.
Bedding	This simple index score represents how well supplied your people are with what they need to sleep well. It includes the quantity and quality of beds, blankets and pillows your people have. Like most indexes, a score of 5 is adequate. Lower scores result in some efficiency, health and morale problems. Higher scores make for happier and even healthier people.
Fuel	This index score represents how well supplied your homes are with wood or coal for fire. A score of 5 is quite adequate. Above this and you people will burn more than they need for extra warmth because they can. This will increase happiness but eats through more wood then necessary. Scores less than 5 and people lack the fire for warmth and cooking they need to maintain even the minimal standard of living a peasant enjoys, which will cause unhappiness. Scores below 2 are bad for the health and happinessof your people in the summer as less food is cooked, but is out right dangerous in winter.
Sanitation	This index represents a general level of washing, laundry, grooming and hygiene supplies a population has access to and utilizes to keep themselves clean. It also takes into consideration steps the society has taken to dispose of waste. Aside from social benefits, cleaner populations also tend to be more healthy. Scores below 5 represent a lack of sanitation, which can have a variety of health related consequences in a population. Scores of 5 - 6 represent adequate levels of sanitation and cleanliness. Scores of 7-8 represent a good distribution of waste disposal services, bathhouses, soap, etc.
Health	This is one of the post important indexes for a population. It represents their over all physical well being. Included are things like illness, genetic problems, famine, exhaustion, and injury. The health of a population effects efficiency, happiness, reproduction, longevity, mortality, and immigration. Scores around 5 are generally adequate.
Furniture	This index score represents a civilization's degree of satisfaction with the accumulation of furniture items in there homes. A score of 5 represents a general level of satisfaction with home and work place furnishings. Lower scores represent people being unhappy because they are sitting on the floor all the time.
Luxuries	This index represents the quantity and quality of luxury items your population has. For the most part luxuries simply contribute to the happiness of your population.
Justice	This is a relatively abstract index. It simply represents how fairly a population feels they are being treated legally and how well the government is doing at limiting, preventing and punishing crime. Populations with very low scores are of the general opinion their legal system is very corrupt, very abusive and repressive or not strong enough and failing to confer protection from criminal wrong doing. High scores represent a over all satisfaction and feeling of security. High ratings promote civil obligation and cooperation. Low levels facilitate unrest, crime, declining morale and relocation.
Morale	This index represents an over all level of happiness and enthusiasm of a population with their living situation. Low levels of morale represent unrest. Mid levels represent general satisfaction and adherence to rules, laws and tasks. High levels represent a general exuberance and willingness to sacrifice and contribute for the good of the society and to increase efficiency as well as inspire bravery and innovation. Some strategies can make short peaks in morale, but such schemes seldom keep morale high for long. Over all the best way to have high morale is to provide a population genuine reason for happiness or at least pride and idealism.