Raimyor (raɪmi:ɔː)

Raimyor was the highest-value token of currency in the Realm of Qal'ath and exceedingly rare. Unlike other, more tradable coinage, the Raimyor had five edges - and not a simple pentagon either (see below). This made it really obvious if someone possessed one - and could not pass a circular one off in a trade forgery.

The Origin of the Name

Raimyor is a "modern" Qalathian term derived from two Foyiitùn words:

• Melfyorm: meaning "gold" or "gold ore"
• Rai: meaning the ruler of the nation.

Other Distinguishing Features

As well as five edges, the Raimyor

• featured the current king's preferred crown or circlet on one side.
• were individually numbered when minted. A record of those produced was kept in the The Vault and the Bezélian Archives.
• were reminted every two Ana (twenty-two months). This involved an amnesty on all existing tokens, which also enabled the discovery of forgeries and investigations into who was engaging in that kind of criminal activity.

Other Names

Due to its features, the Raimyor was often called a "Crown" and sometimes referred to as "children's play coins" by virtue of the fact that even if you were to genuinely possess one, it would be perceived as a fake intended to impress others. Or attract thieves, depending on how socially-aware you were.

Were They Made of Gold?

To answer this it is important to define what one means by "gold" as there were (at least) two varieties:

1. True-Gold - also known as Melfyorm: the genuine article, in sharp decline within the borders of Qal'ath and especially effective at conducting mystical energy.
   
   
2. Melfynà: "Not-Gold" gold. Before the reader dismiss this as "fake gold" or "worthless", it is helpful to understand the value some people place in appearing to be rich, even if they are not. And even for those that are not prideful, or vain, the appearance of gold is still attractive in the fabrication of all manner of everyday objects. From the obvious jewellery application, to the bases of vases, from lanterns to tinkering tools. Melfynà is also very malleable, making it one of the first materials to be used in training new metalsmiths and other artisans. So, Melfynà is not True-Gold. Indeed it is a mixed ore, instantly rendering less valuable in monetary terms. But it is classed as a variety of gold.
   
   
3. Melfyaun: thought to have been manufactured centuries ago by Tolii of other nations as an attempt to trade for genuinely valuable items or coinage with said nations. What limited records we have indicate the play on the similar-sounding names of Melfyorm and Melfyaun in order to deceive traders. This "Dark Gold" is not sinister in anyway, but a physical descriptor. The mixture of common copper and iron led to brittle fake coinage. That said, occasionally you can come across broken pieces of Melfyaun used in decorations or even occasionally in palace columns because the copper reflects light giving a sparkling appearance to whatever item they are incorporated into.

The Raimyor was minted with Melfynà and not True-Gold, such that each coin was only valuable if verified in a trade and was effectively worthless if melted down. People have been imprisoned for a spell for attempting to pass off a "lump of gold" as "True-Gold".

Item type

Currency & Deeds