Zkhwaung-Yoi’svet
This energy storage puck can hold more than 20 kilowatts of electrical energy, which the Ma-koi people in the Jidoro Concordat use as currency. It acts as a sort of wallet and as a currency itself, as the more expensive and advanced ones carry exponentially more energy. Greater sized Zkhwaung-Yoi’svet are graded in factors of base 20. The name arose from the cultural significance of water in trade during the pre-space era of the Ma-koi species, with almost all commerce taking place on rivers and coastlines, as the inlands were inhospitable on their home planet of Jidoro. After the Jidoro Concordat government realized how potentially devastating advances in automation, and corporate responses to them could be to the stability and health of the free market, the Concordat Council replaced the original Osmium backed currency with energy itself.
These pucks have a series of contact points recessed into a safety ridge running along the sides of the puck, which one simply contacts to a receptacle, and pushes the button on the puck to authorize energy transfer. Since energy is constantly used, and can be generated by anyone, especially in modern contexts of the 42nd century, the system has built in inflation control, as the currency of energy is regularly used by industries and individuals.
This currency system has also greatly helped in maintaining and facilitating trade other intergalactic civilizations, who either do not use currency, or trade in physical end products and services. The Terran Soviet Union's use of labor and functional goods, and the Human Conservatory Armada's use of security and data services have made trade with them extremely difficult, but the Jidoro Concordat has cultivated a great deal of material profit by using this energy based system, which the Terrans and Humans find highly convenient and have happily traded with the Concordat for over a millennia as a result.
Zkhwaung-Yoisvet is derived from the words "Zhkwang" (water) and "Yoisv" (commerce) and is based on the ancient tradition of using water ways on the harsh, near arctic climate of Jidoro for all forms of business. Entire retail giants would regularly send floating malls up and down rivers and coasts, fishermen and miners would also travel alongside these roving markets and would trade their wares for purified water and salt. Over thousands of years the relationship between trade and water was inseparable, and the elemental goddess of water Raui also became synonymous with trade, festivals, and wealth. Because of this relationship, Zkhwaung-Yoi’svet is also known colloquially as Raui, and foreigners typically use this name when speaking in Ma-koi language due to pronunciation difficulties.
The actual puck it'self has gained numerous connotations over the centuries, since its corrosion resistant casing has such a brilliant gold color, and can remain pristine for centuries on end, Zkhwaung-Yoi’svet has become a symbol of venerability, and luxury in interstellar sized foreign states. A quintessential symbol of the Jidoro Concordat, who's borders envelope the entire Andromeda Galaxy itself. In fact, the Umagos Empire of the rouge star system Umajin uses a 100 Yotta-watt Zkhwaung-Yoisvet as both its Imperial seal, and official bank account of the king. For reference, the total energy output of a Kardeshev Type II civilization is only 1-10th of this. There only 19 of such engineering and financial marvels in the known universe.
Legend states that in the 5500's an A-Unit man who immigrated to the Concordat through the Foreign Secret Service, earned a life-debt from the Umagos Royal Family during his missions. This life debt is said to entitle him to the contents of the Umagos Royal Seal should he require it's finances, or raw power. Numerous members of the A-Unit race, particularly those of Mk.1 descent, say that Foln, first born of ancestor mother Aunitone, has claim to this gift, and will save them from slavery under the Kuthari Imperium. However, this is overwhelmingly dismissed, and zero evidence of such a claim exists, especially since the Umagos Royal Family denies that the Concordat FSS even assisted them at any point. Despite this, a curious engraving appeared on the center of the Imperial seal after 5598, an engraving which is irrefutably in Mk.1 engraving style...
In the Jidoro Concordat many foreign religions have taken root, and they have incorporated the Zkhwaung-Yoi’svet into religious significance. Ma-koi Buddhism for instance has placed a strange reverence for the currency, its role as a conduit for energy has become a metaphorical goal for those seeking nirvana. Where devotees are trained to act as a conduit for the fortunes of the universe, and "emit them" to all peoples of the cosmos.
Mechanics & Inner Workings
Significance
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