Industry

in Silverhost Empire

Interplanetary commerce, spanning galaxies and planes, forms the economic backbone of the Silverhost Empire. For over twelve millennia, large and industrious organizations known as Corpo-guilds have played a pivotal role in shaping the exploration and resource focused economies of the empire's many planets.   Originally, these guilds were exploratory in nature, venturing into the unknown realms of gateless planets, establishing resource collection colonies and consistent trade routes. Over time, some of these original exploratory guilds evolved into powerful interplanetary merchant guilds, the Corpo-Guilds of today; whose leadership are participants in a symbiotic relationship with the ruling wardens of the Capa-Senatorum.   The prosperity of a Corpo-guild is a complex equation, influenced by ever-changing trade routes, treaties, and the convuluted interplay of politics. Some Corpo-guilds rose to prominence, benefiting from strategic partnerships and favorable economic conditions of an ever expanding customer base, while others faltered due to shifting dynamics of competition in a growing empire. Only a select few guilds have withstood the test of time, adapting and thriving, becoming the third pillar that the Silverhost stands upon. Their monopolization of the industries necessary to run the empire and for the empire's citizens to live ensures their growth is congruent with that of the empire's.   Smaller trade firm alliances who service smaller markets or niche services are often intricately linked with localized military agreements. Planetary defence forces and smaller guilds not under the umbrella of a Corpo-guild find common ground in mutual defense pacts, forming a web of interconnected interests. However, there are instances where political adversaries engage in trade out of necessity or to pursue shared goals, showcasing the pragmatic nature of interplanetary commerce.   Jorsekun, the empire's second ever capital planet, remains the centre of the Silverhost because of its location; it acts as a lynchpin for the majority of the L'Astra Porta routes. The capital planet holds a unique position in the interplanetary trade network as the only planet that counts two L'Astra Porta structures in tact and operable.   The planet's coastal cities, especially the capital, host a thriving black market. Numerous criminal enterprises, many owing allegiance to the influential Morelli Family, have deep roots in these cities. Operating by an anti-establishment code, these organizations navigate the shadows, exploiting the gaps in the established trade system.   From the black markets of Jorsekun, illicit substances and pirated goods flow over the Astral Sea in significant quantities. Smugglers discreetly transport these goods to highly populated cities, where they find their way into back alleys and clandestine establishments. Profits generated from this underground trade not only fuel the growth of criminal factions but also contribute to the financing of their expansion into various markets, both legal and illegal.   This intricate dance between legitimate commerce, political alliances, and the shadowy world of the black market paints a complex picture of the empire's economic landscape. The interplay of Corpo-guilds, trade routes, and criminal enterprises weaves a tapestry that shapes the destiny of planets within the Silverhost Empire. As the Astral Sea continues to be the conduit for trade and power, the dynamics of this vast and interconnected network remain in constant flux, driven by the ambitions and machinations of the various factions involved.

The Mint

The Empire used to use the pressed coin as its physical currency. Since the union of coins in the first year of the second millennium, the most common and traded practically everywhere in the Empire was the empirical 'Silver Dollar'; a set of coins the Red Shield banking guild had produced in the most secure of foundries on the capital planet.   They are two faced with a red shield icon on the tail and the Silverhost's Gauntlet icon on the heads side. It is a coin inherited from the time of the Red Shield Union's formation. The coin wass only distinguished from planet to planet by a different scriptures etched upon them.   In today's empire, The Red Shield Coin is a wondrous magical item that seamlessly blends the worlds of finance and enchantment. Crafted by skilled adepts of the ancient banking guild the Red Shield, this coin has unique financial transaction capabilities that have made the empirical coin obsolete. The Red Shield Coin is a circular, coin-sized disc made of a silver alloy that seems to shimmer with a faint magical glow. On one side, it bears an intricate engraving of a majestic shield with a red hue radiating from its core. The other side features the armored gauntlet, symbol of the Silverhost Empire. Along the rim's edge of the coin, there is a space for the owner's name and a series of arcane symbols denoting its magical enchantments.   The Red Shield Coin acts as a secure vault for the owner's wealth. When funds are deposited into the coin, they are magically encrypted and protected by powerful wards. Only the rightful owner can access the coin's contents through a personalized incantation. The coin automatically converts its stored currency into the local currency of any of the Empire's planets, allowing the owner to make purchases without the need for currency exchange. It draws on a vast, magical financial network to ensure accurate and up-to-date conversion rates.   To make a purchase, the owner simply taps the coin against a vendor's Red Shield terminal, and the transaction is completed with a subtle imprint of magical energy. The Red Shield Coin can be used for both mundane and magical transactions, making it widely accepted across various realms. The transaction only takes place when it is the owner holding the coin. Part of its magic, is the security and identification of its owner.   Through a mental link established during its creation, the owner can manage their finances with a mere thought. Checking account balances, reviewing transaction history, and setting spending limits are effortless tasks handled directly through the coin's magical interface. If the Red Shield Coin is lost or stolen, it can be summoned back to the nearest Red Shield location with an arcane passphrase set during its creation.   In dire situations, the Red Shield Coin can summon a predetermined emergency fund to assist the owner. This credit offered by the Red Shield is replenished over time at the cost of interest, ensuring the owner has a lifeline in times of need. If credit is offered, the amount is most commonly determined during its creation, but can be adjusted based on the historical or projected earnings of the owner.   While the Red Shield Coin offers unparalleled convenience and security, it is not immune to all magical disruptions. Certain anti-magic fields or powerful spells may temporarily inhibit its functionality. Attempts to back engineer, or crack the magical enchantments of the coin are illegal with a guilty conviction accompanied by a long and arduous sentence.