The mark is the unit of currency used in Kaleina,
Vaansiam, and
Torra. It was used only in Kaleina in the pre-Forest era, but when the other countries established themselves after
the Forest took over, they adopted the currency for their own use.
The (Hypothetical) Silver Standard
The mark is based on the silver standard. Historically, 1 mark coin was made of silver, and it was worth its weight in silver. After the exodus, most noble families in Kaleina were forced to leave behind much of their wealth. The royal court itself was unable to transport its entire treasury to its new location in Lake Olla.
The decision was made to seal the royal treasury away, with the intention of one day being able to return to the ruins of the castle to recover it. Until that time, they would issue paper currency to symbolically represent the wealth they were currently unable to access. The official stance is that anyone can exchange a Kaleinen mark note for its worth in silver mark coins as soon as this is physically possible.
Maintaining the treasury is absolutely essential to maintaining the Kaleinen economy. Over the past 125 years, there have been multiple rumours of attempts at raiding the treasury. If the treasury is stolen, the paper notes suddenly have no official value, as they cannot be theoretically exchanged for silver. Reassuring the masses that the treasury is still intact, just distant, is an issue that comes up every generation or so.
Denominations
Initially, 1 paper note = 1 Kaleinen mark. Since implementing this system, notes for larger denominations of marks have been produced. Currently mark notes come in 1, 10, 50, and 100 denominations. The larger denominations are only used by upperclass residents, as most common folk will rarely have more than a couple marks at a time.
1 mark is divided into 16 lots. A lot is minted out of nickel, and comes in two-inch long sticks. Small, square-shaped coins known as bits are the smallest denomination. There are 4 bits in a lot.
Monetary Value
Wages
| Profession |
Wages per Year |
Wages per Week |
| Maid |
26 M |
8 L |
| Unskilled farmhand |
50 M |
15 L |
| Stonemason |
85 M |
1 M, 10 L |
| Carpenter |
30 M |
9 L |
| Master Carpenter |
50 M |
15 L |
| Weaver |
50 M |
15 L |
| Blacksmith |
90 M |
1 M, 12 L |
| Soldier (constable, ranger) |
60 M |
1 M, 2 L |
| Soldier (captain) |
180m |
3 M, 8 L |
Prices
Things you can buy with only 1 lot:
- A pint of cheap ale
- A chicken
- 2 dozen eggs
- A pound of cheese
- A loaf of bread
Pricier foods:
| 1 pound bacon |
10 L |
| 1 goose |
5 L |
| 1 sheep |
7 L |
| 1 bushel of wheat |
3 L |
| 1 cow |
15 M |
Clothing:
| Common linen shirt |
4 L |
| Common dress |
9 L |
| Fashionable cloak |
40 M |
| Top-of-the-line gown |
350 M |
Annual Rent:
| Farm cottage |
10 M |
| Craftsman's house |
20 M |
| Merchant's house |
100 M |
