ruby quartz
The money our empire makes goes towards earning Merchant Stars, and now that trade route maintenance exists, that value is subtracted from our income before being applied towards merchant stars.
I’m not sure if it’s design or oversight, but I’m guessing it’s a mistake/bug because Army Upkeep does not count against progress towards a merchant star, so it seems like this new mechanic was coded differently.
compact canopy
My current game experience doesn't line up with what you're saying - my army upkeep is definitely counted against my merchant star progress. I usually have a hard time earning merchant stars until later eras. I think it could make sense for trade maintenance to get an exemption (you're paying to maintain the marketplaces of your empire) but idk.
ruby quartz
I’ll have to test again in the next few days then. I was running the numbers with a calculator earlier this week, and the amount of money I was behind on each Merchantile star was exactly my trade route maintenance and independent people patronage costs 🤔
normal thistle
the era star updates is the very last thing at the end of a turn before the next turn starts. you should only get the net to the merchant stars