Rychillan Currency - Kerlum, Kerlar and Kerlo

If you were to visit the Kingdom of Rychilla, you would do well to take plenty of Kerlum with you. These coins, as well as their smaller relatives, the Kerlar and Kerlo, are the primary currency used by humans within the kingdom. They may seem strange at first as they are not made of gold, silver, nor any other metal. However, the origins of these coins and their manufacture is closely tied in the agriculture that drives most of their use.
Shortly after humans settled and the kingdom was still forming, they realised the land was quite fertile, suitable for farming both cattle and crops. In order to keep track of payments owed, early Rychillan farmers used tree resin to form small tokens of debt. While the resin was setting, they would set grains from their crops into them, to represent the details of what was owed.
Originally, these tokens were only made to be used for one transaction, however they soon started to get traded between others, as those who were owed used them to pay their own debts. This was done as part of the barter system that was being used to trade goods and services at the time.
This method, of bartering goods and services, was subject to frequent fluctuation. As such, both merchants and farmers frequently clashed over the value of goods, to the point where it threatened the peace of the kingdom. To In year 42, King Jobin proclaimed that these 'debt tokens' would be used in trades. It was hoped this would end these disputes, but there were still disagreements over the value of each token.
In order to finalise it, King Jobin decreed that there would be two different denomiantions of coin. The Kerlum, which was enough to buy a single bushel of wheat, and the Kerlar, which is quarter of that value and half the size. Standard designs for the coins were also laid out. These are made from tree resin, which is died and has grains set into it. The Kerlum is a maooon octagon, 1" in diameter. A Kerlar coin is an orange square. Just over a century later, in year 143, the Kerlo was added. This is a yellow circular coin, half the size and a quarter of the value of a Kerlar.
Following the introduction of these coins, the disputes finished. For the first time since the founding of the kingdom, the Rychillans had an objective way of valuing goods and services. So, those who were being exploited, be it for their goods or labour, were able to see that this was the case. Some social unrest did result from this, but it was soon resolved.
With this currency in place, trade flourished. Negotiations were much easier, and all those involved were able to get an idea of what to expect. Given that most of these negotiations were performed on behalf of farmers and producers by merchants, it gave the merchants a bit of power within the kingdom.
There soon arose a need for people to store and manage this money. Some merchants decided to offer that service, and this led to the formation of the first banks. Bankers and merchants have maintained a close relationship ever since, and as such, wield quite a bit of power within Rychillan society.
Over the years, the problem of counterfeiting has arisen. Counterfeit coins are usually made from glass with grains set in them. Several attempts were made to combat this. Shortly after the dawn of magic, in year 212, a method was introduced that is still in use to this day. Used elemental crystals, completely drained of any magic energy they once had, are powdered up and mixed with the resin before the grains are set into it. This gives genuine coins a sparkly finish, which cannot be replicated with glass. However, this has caused problems as some older coins are still in circulation.
As a result of this process, the coins have earned the nickname 'twinklies', and this phrase is usually used in relation to the Kerlum.
So that is the current state of currency within the Kingdom of Rychilla, at least, as far as humans are concerned. The fairies have their own, but that is for another day's discussion.

Item type

Currency & Deeds

Dimensions

1", 1/2" and 1/4" for the Kerlum, Kerlar and Kerlo respectively.

Raw materials & Components

Tree resin, grains and powdered spent crystals.