Currency
Essence Trade and Barter Network
The heart of Tuyin's economy revolves around essence gems. The rocks are imbued with the very energy of the Essence Weave itself. Mages can't get enough of them for their properties, the wealthy covet them for their beauty, and they are a key ingredient in powerful enchantments. In addition to the standard essence gem, there are essence discs. Essence gems and discs are refined and minted in Elori, but it is the Dwarven Holds that actually extracts the material. To a significantly smaller extent, Alkland, Trog'cent, the Serpent Theocracy, and Orsia also mine the gems.
In addition to the use of essence gems, bartering is a common practice throughout the known world, especially in the poorer nations of Orsia and Trog'cent. Every nation brings a specific product to barter, however. The Dwarven Holds bring ores and ingots, the Serpent Theocracy has herbs, spices and exotic goods, Alkland has its building materials such as Ironwood, Elori has its books of knowledge and arts, and Orsia often offers its labor. Similarly to Orsia, Pirtair may offer mercenary service in exchange for bulk goods.
The ratori, and more specifically the Ratori Banking Confederation, keep all of the essence gems and to a lesser extent, local currencies, in check. Guilds often oversee the bartering, and most cities have their own local trade councils as well. Elori and the Dwarven Holds have promised to never attempt to control the production of essence gems in a manner that would disrupt this economic network via several treaties and agreements, but Elori has indirectly done so through trade barriers and regulations with Pirtair and Alkland.
Essence Gems
Essence gems are the official and only currency in just three nations: Elori, the Dwarven Holds, and Pirtair. The smaller unit is the essence disc, of which one hundred essence discs is equivalent to a single essence gem. Other nations accept essence gems, but they are much less common. Essence gems are small, luminous crystals with intrinsic magical value. They serve as the standard currency in Elori, the Dwarven Holds, and Pirtair. In other regions, they are rare but accepted, often treated as high-value trade goods or savings.
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Alkland
Alkland uses metal coins. The crown, made of gold, is the highest denomination followed by the silver shield and copper pence. A hundred pence makes a shield, and twenty-five shields make a crown. Outside of Alkland, twenty shields will get you one essence gem.
Orsia
Orsia uses a stone currency: the heavy mark and the light mark. Ten light marks are equivalent to one heavy mark. These stones rarely leave Orsia, and they have no problem accepting Alkland coins. Essence gems are incredibly rare and generally equal to fifty heavy marks.
Serpent Theocracy
The serpents use shards, which are carved gemstones. The clear shards are worth the least. Fifty clear shards equal one blue shard. Ten blue shards equal one red shard. Three red shards equal one green shard. Two red shards are generally found to be equivalent to one essence gem.
Komfre and Trog'cent
Trog'cent is primarily a bartering economy, but will take all currencies if they feel it is appropriate for the trade deal. Komfre is similar, and while essence gems are common most businesses accept all currencies and bartering. [[Category: Serpent Theocracy]]
