Units of Trade

Written by World Smithy

Money is in some respects life's fire: it is a very excellent servant, but a terrible master.

— P. T. Barnum

Brief Overview

Across the continent of Auredyne, many different systems of currency exist. Far to the south, Imperials prefer to use gold and silver coinage minted from a centralized institution in Lohmont. Those in the Concord use Sparks, or multi-colored, enchanted quartz beads that bleed a certain amount of luminosity to denote their worth. Korshans have been known to use many of the existing systems of trade, though prefer to use scales or scute from massive Sea Serpents and Dragon Turtles, or pearls from Maneater Clams. Eldites in the Consortium use a litany host of different gemstones, the most common of which are Rubies. The Ishari use iron ore harvested from fallen meteors, as the metal contained within is seen as a divine blessing gifted from the Seraph itself.

Detailed Breakdowns

Imperium of Loh

The Lohvish claims along the Shattered Spine have yielded several mines rich in silver and gold, with smaller amounts of copper and platinum being recovered. These raw materials are brought back and smelted down into small coins with a shape cut from the center of each coin, along with notches at 90º angles to prevent forgeries. Platinum coins are the most valuable, with circles stamped out of the centers. Gold are the second most so, with a triangle stamped out. Silver coins are a step above the bottom of the barrel, with a square removed from the middles. The copper is not directly made into coins, and is instead alloyed with tin to make brass coinage with a pentagon stamp.

Kingdom of Korshaldr

Being a seafaring nation, the people of the Eternal Kingdom have always prefered to use the bounties of the sea to their advantage. The multicolored scales scoured from the skins of Sea Serpents are the most prized commodity, and are rarely traded but for the most expensive items. Scute taken from the hide or shell of Dragon Turtles, rare as they may be, are close behind in monetary value. Bloodpearls from the notorious Maneater Clams are often the highest form of currency the average citizen will earn in their lifetime, which averages to about half of the value of a single Serpent scale. Smaller pearls are the most common currency, with many opting to string them together for ease of transport.

What'd you mean this damn scute ain't worth one of those stupid balls of light?! Fought tooth and nail for that turtle hide, lost my hand for it... yeh I recognize it's only a half-scute, but pay out, damn it!

— Disgruntled gambler from Khaldunheim

Camarian Concord

Quartz is in no short supply in Camarchō, and it comes in several different varieties. Each one is cut and polished into spheres of various sizes based on the kind of quartz used, and is further enchanted to glow a specific luminosity to indicate it's proper value. The types of quartz used are, from the least valuable to most: onyx, citrine, orange cornelians, red cornelians, rose quartz, and amethyst. Natives refer to the as Sparks due to the nature of their light shed in the shade of the Gloamhavens, and are often kept in specialized pouches and satchels that are lined and double-lined with a thick material, typically wool or suede.

Isharim Seraphate

While iron is usually reserved for industrial use, it is revered by the Ishari due to its scarcity in the Arishi Desert. Their main coinage is made from harvested iron sourced from fallen meteors that litter the desert. The Ishari believe that the iron provided to them from the heavens is a divine gift, and is best exchanged among themselves as a form of worship to the Seraph that saved them. For smaller purchases, or for the common street peddler, Shards are more common. These shards are pieces of glass formed from the impact of meteors in the desert sands that are inscribed with holy runes. Counterfeit Shards are rampant.

Eldskar Consortium

There are few things in greater supply within the Scarlet Scar in the Consortium than gemstones. However, only a handful have found value with the populous living within the Scar. Rubies, the most abundant stone found there, are subsequently the least valuable of the major five, albeit the most used. Emeralds are the second most common, with Sapphires following closely behind in value. Diamonds are some of the more rare gemstones that have been mined in the Scar, and are the second most valuable available stone. Opal has been found in the deepest depths of the Scar, and is rarely seen outside of academic and banking circles. It's common for folk of the Weeping Gorge to wear their wealth in the form of jewelry, using simple iron bands and chains to hold their stones to not detract from their natural luster.

Work in Progress

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Currency & Deeds

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