Rock Bottom

What does this career do?

Rock Bottom puts cash pressure first. You start with zero credits, without Apprentice stock or another profession’s production equipment. Your mentor has arranged the lease, and you still receive the universal Lease Agreement.

Start by scavenging goods and selling them for credits. Once you have cash, you can buy and resell stock. Equipment for water trading, winemaking or rat breeding comes after that.

What are its starting resources?

Resource	Starting position
Credits	0
Career supplies and stock	None
Shop lease	Arranged by the mentor; the universal Lease Agreement is provided

Lease Agreement: check the next rent date

The agreement bears your signature and the Landlord’s. Rent still falls due, so check the amount and date of the next collection. Include any missed rent from the previous week in the money you set aside.

For payment choices, permit costs and the current shop-buying limit, use the rent and shop-ownership guide.

Where do the first goods come from?

When you have no cash to buy stock, scavenge at the Dumping Grounds. This after-hours activity requires no stock purchase and costs no credits.

1. After closing, leave the shop and choose the Dumping Grounds on the sector map.
2. Click “Scavenge” and inspect what you find. The screen shows attempts remaining and the chances of minor and major wounds.
3. Put the goods you want to keep into your carrying space or backpack. You can bring a few items without a backpack. Start with small goods that fit and can be sold directly.
4. Before leaving, check the ground for anything you still want. Items left there are permanently lost. Click “Return” when packed.
5. Before opening the next day, put ordinary goods in the display case to attract buyers for that category, then sell at an acceptable offer. Displaying contraband causes arrest; check the hiding guide when an item has a warning mark.

Wound chances increase with repeated searches. Check the current chances before searching again. A fresh wound stops further scavenging, and a serious wound can prevent outings for several days.

Backpack and bandage: later supplies for outings

A Backpack (Small) lets you carry more goods home. A Basic Bandage dresses wounds, so take it with you when heading out. Neither is part of Rock Bottom’s starting supplies; budget for them once you have earnings.

How should I spend the first earnings?

Set aside the next rent payment first, then cover survival and the cash needed to keep trading.

Money to keep	Purpose
Next rent payment and arrears	Pay when the Landlord collects
Food and any needed bandages	Stay alive and treat scavenging wounds
Trading cash	Buy worthwhile cheap goods when a seller brings them
Money left over	Add a backpack, equipment or a referral

Check the base-price table before buying, then inspect the item’s condition and the seller’s offer. Early on, favour goods you can sell directly. Production equipment also needs materials and consumables, so include those in its budget.

Which Joe Wild contacts help?

Once you have working capital, Joe Wild’s referrals can add another business. Keep money for rent, food and the next purchase of stock before committing to equipment.

For a production business, compare Water Merchant, Moonshiner and Rat Wrangler equipment and daily tasks. Choose one direction, then fill the gaps in its kit instead of buying machines you will not use yet.

Where are the operating guides?

The beginner guide covers inspection, negotiation and cash planning. Choose a later business in the money-making overview. For a gentler first run, compare Apprentice starting stock.

Version and availability

Selectable in Demo 049-Rev5-L. Compare traits and other starts in the starting guide.

Browse all thirteen professions in the career index.