Hi!
Why is there no scenario where we get a simple, linear system that lies overwhelmingly outside of players influence just right without any fuss?
Because a linear system is the worst thing you can do. It doesn't matter how you balance it, it will always feel wierd either for players that don't play much or for those that do.
I or Thewlis will code some simple variant of this system. If there are problems with it, we'll handle it afterwards
Right. Ignore potential problems, write code, see problems, write more code, fix problems, rewrite code, etc.
You could save yourself so much work if you would stop ignoring the conceptional phase that is very important for every software project.
If there are specific ideas/requests, lets hear them. General suggestions on how to solve phantom issues with a system that is seemingly simple in a game where we have created over 50k lines of code and content together sounds weird to me.
Except that it's not a phantom issue.
But fine, I'll try to serve it to you on a silver tray.
DarkTI already suggested something, so let's pick that up: A social status.
The sociel status would limit the equipment that a character can buy, the amount of money she/he can spend on it, maybe give stat bonuses (or maluses).
Add random events that can promote or demote a character into another social class to spice things up a little.
Example classes:
Beggar - Attack +10, Defense +10, Magic -10, Health +25, Vitality +50, Charisma -20, Refinement -30, very low quality equipment and consumables, almost no money gains
Poor - A +5, D +5, M -5, H +10, V +25, C -10, R -15, low quality, reduced
Average - medium quality, normal
Wealthy - A -5, D -5, M +5, H -10, V -25, C +10, R +15, high quality, increased
Noble - A -10, D - 10, M +10, H -25, V -50, C +20, R +30, very high quality, lots of cash
Example events:
Bandit raid: Demote a "Wealthy" classed character to "Average"
Scandal/War: A noble loses his/her title - demote to "Wealthy" class
Thievery: Demote from "Average"
Welfare donation: Promote from "Beggar"
...
As mentioned before, such events should be very rare.
Have fun!