Ghynzuan Beads Currency
One of the more peculiar currencies of Ealdwyll can be found in Ghynzua. It is based on an old merchant currency that used beads to handle transactions. When it became time for the ghynzuan government to mint their own currency they simplified the merchant beads system. The minting of their own currency brought the empire more stability and a better economy.
Most people have a lockable bead-box at home to store the beads they don't carry around. To carry beads in a pouch people often string together larger quantities of the same type of bead. This is most often done for the finches and ravens.
What's with the beads. Can't they mint coins like everyone else?
The Beads
The process of making the beads is a carefully guarded secret. The beads are round, slightly flattened and clear as glass with no particular color to them. However each bead has a colored symbol in its center which tells it apart from those with a different value. To allow people to still string together the beads, a small hole can be found in the ghynzuan beads.Silver Thunderbird
With a diameter of 20mm it is the largest bead. At its center it holds a silver colored symbol depicting a thunderbird. It has the same value as ten flamebirds.Red Flamebird
With a size of 17mm it is slightly smaller then the silver thunderbird. It has a red symbol of a flamebird in its center. It has the same value as five grey eagles.Grey Eagle
The grey eagle has a 15mm size. Because its symbol is grey it depends on the shape of its symbol and its smaller size to set itself apart from the silver thunderbird. It has the same value as twenty blue owls.Blue Owl
One of the more common beads, with a diameter of 15mm. It has a blue owl symbol at its center and the same value as ten black ravens.Black Raven
The most common bead is the black raven. It has a diameter of 14mm. As its name suggests a black raven symbol can be found at its center. Its value is the same as five white finches.White Finch
The lowest valued bead with a size of 14mm. It has a white finch symbol which is not always easy to see. It is one of the more common beads as many prices for food and everyday items are made up of ravens and finches.What? Four ravens for a cup of rice? That is ridiculous!
Economic Influence
The minting of their own currency has been an important step towards complete independence for the empire. It gave them a more stable economy. And an easier way of taxing its population.Cultural Influence
While most people carry a pouch holding their beads and bead-strings, members from the upper class can sometimes be seen wearing them on necklaces and bracelets. It is an impractical way of carrying your money however, therefor it is seen as an unnecessary display of wealth.Most people have a lockable bead-box at home to store the beads they don't carry around. To carry beads in a pouch people often string together larger quantities of the same type of bead. This is most often done for the finches and ravens.
Item | Value |
---|---|
One cup of rice | 2 black ravens |
Steamed bun with filling | 7 white finches |
Basic linen pants | 10 blue owls |
Basic crossbow | 1 red flamebird |
Item type
Currency & Deeds
Current Location
Manufacturer
Owning Organization
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Common
Very cool concept, I hope you don't mind if I fashion my own in a similar manner.
Sure, go ahead. Feel free to send me the link once you finish. I would love to read what you make of it. :)