Gems

"Gems" are the default currency of Etria. They are used from the wilderness of Eislela to the scorched wastelands of Jicreon and the mountains and plains of Faidane. They have been in circulation since long before the Rescission, and were originally regulated by the Ancients themselves.

History

For many, many years, there was no such thing as a "gem." In this time, every region and tribe had their own currency. All sorts of items were traded, such as food, white pebbles, and shells. Bartering was much more common. However, even in this time, the idea of a default currency was established. Smaller groups could have their own currencies, but when trading between groups, tribes, or families, the regional currency would take precedence unless the involved groups wanted to use the sub-currencies.

After the creation of the Ancients, however, people began to get more and more "globally minded," as it is known. The concept of international trade, travel, and general interaction was appealing. Many regions suffered from a lack of a particular resource and had too much of another. Thus, trade began to spread, linking groups from one edge of Etria to another. Although this brought wealth and prosperity to many nations, it was quickly discovered that there were too many currencies to be practical. Transactions became far too complicated. How many coins in a token? How many tokens in a potrint? How many potrints in a sparkle? Many merchants, not wanting to deal with the transference from one currency to another, began operating in only one area, ultimately defeating the point of international trade. The solution quickly became apparent: a default currency for the entire planet.

There was much debate of what the default currency should be. Many nations believed that their respective monetary system was the best, and would therefore be the best for everybody else as well. Eventually, humans and dragons decided on tiny, dragon-made gems. Almost immediately, kingdoms and nations began to figure out the translation between their respective currencies and the gems. Ever since then, gems have been used as the default currency for Etria.

For a long time, real gems have been traded between people and dragons, and they still are today. Small, diamond shaped gems that could be held in the palm of your hand. Each color represented a different value. These gems are most often made by dragons, though there are a few professional human gem-makers, licensed and approved by the dragons to do the job. The differences between man-made and dragon-made gems are slight, but noticeable to the trained eye.

In modern times, however, transactions are becoming more and more digital with every passing day. Eventually, it is predicted, physical gems will only have worth as artifacts, and there will be no more gem-makers to speak of.

Value

There are eight different colored gems, each of them representing a different value. These gems are as follows:

Red Gems

Red gems are the most common, worth only one gem piece, or 0.01g. They are scarlet in color, carved with the image of a single flame on it, as they represent fire magic.

White Gems

White gems represent lightining magic, and are worth only slightly more than red gems. They are worth ten red gems, or ten gem pieces (0.10g). They are bright white in color, carved with the image of a lighting bolt.

Green Gems

Green gems represent earthen magic. They are worth ten white gems, or one gem (1.00g). They are muted green in color, with the image of a tree carved into them.

Black Gems

Black gems represent shadow magic. They are worth ten green gems, or ten gems (10.00g). They are black, carved with the image of a crescent moon.

Indigo Gems

Indigo gems represent oceanic magic. They are worth ten black gems, or one hundred gems (100.00g). They are indigo, with the image of a wave.

Turquoise Gems

Turquoise gems represent ice magic. They are worth ten indigo gems, or one thousand gems (1,000.00g). They are a pale turquoise, with the image of an ice crystal.

Silver Gems

Silver gems represent sky magic. They are worth ten turquoise gems, or ten thousand gems (10,000.00g). They are silver, with the image of a cloud.

Golden Gems

Finally, golden gems, representing light magic. They are worth the most, at ten silver gems or one hundred thousand gems (100,000.00g). They are golden, with the image of the sun carved into them.

The wealth of most people lies in the indigo to silver range. After the digitization of gems, there are many people who own much more than the worth of a golden gem. The value of gems do not accurately reflect public opinion of the different magic types. Would that be the case, black gems would be worth the least. Instead, the value of the gems is determined by the cycle of magic, in which fire comes first, and light comes last.

Manufacturing process

The process always begins with some kind of junk, like a pebble, a few grains of sand, or a small piece of driftwood. In a spell that can take anywhere from a few minutes to almost a day, these pieces are transformed into small, handheld gems. The magic used in the spell depends on what kind of gem is being created. Afterwards, a dragon or human will use either their claws or small tools to carve into the surface of the gem. Gems are carved with their respective symbols, depending on their color and associated magic. Every gem-maker has a tool that can imprint their personal signature into the surface of the gem, though the symbol will be too small to be distinguishable.

Item type

Currency & Deeds

Weight

1 ounce

Dimensions

2.5x1x1cm

Raw materials & Components

Contrary to popular belief, gems are not actually made from elemental crystals. In fact, the materials used to manufacture gems are rather common and lowly, nothing like the crystals they represent. Most gems begin as pebbles, grains of sand, or pieces of driftwood. It's the process that turns the gems into currency.

Tools

Human gem-makers use magic infused kilns, magnifying glasses, and a set of small carving tools. Dragon gem-makers use their magic and their claws.