Trade Bars of Bloodstone

When Damara was at its height two centuries past, its merchants would use trade bars made of chalcedony, a deep-green stone, flecked with sparks of red jasper, which gave the gems the name bloodstones. These bloodstone trade bars were made in 100 gp measures, and the fact they were used in common trade reflected the huge amount of this stone that could be taken out of the Galena Mountains through scattered mines.

Such trade bars, marked with the crest of an ancient Damaran noble house on one side and the year (in Damaran Reckoning) on the other, are used uncommonly across the north today. Older merchants will tell you that it is cursed money, bringing on the owner the same misfortunes as befell Damara. Younger people who do not recall the depth of horror witnessed during the previous centuries find them curious and interesting. The new noble class of Damara prizes the reclamation of any bars that bear their ancient family crests or markers. Often paying handsomely for any pieces that reinforce their claims of strong unyielding bloodline.
Prizes to Compare
Lately, it has become fashionable in the court intrigues of the capital at Helio'Qytet to obtain exotic specimens of trade bars that were made in the past. As each stone bears a set of date and family markers, it is relatively easy to look up the ownership history of some of the most valuable (larger, 2000gp to 5000gp range) and unique pieces. The records of these creations during the hey-day of Damara's early growth and expansion are intact and available in the library at Praka.