Parish of the Prolific Coin
“We allow civilization to grow and prosper, through the pursuit of economic well being. You see, the search for profit is the glue that holds society together. Without a desire to become greater, and possess greater goods, society would turn sluggish and depraved, and fall.”
Structure
- Beginning at the Trader rank, all Profiteers are required to keep an exact record of how much they have collected for the faith. Their books are subject to review by their superiors at any time. Errors are considered minor offenses of faith. Evidence of embezzlement is an extreme sin and requires demotion, heavy fines and probably merits expulsion from the faith.
- Barterers must have 5+ ranks in Appraise and 5+ ranks in Diplomacy.
- Clerks must have collected at least 1,000 gp in donations, fees and tithes for the faith.
- An Accountant gains 100 gp upon attaining her rank.
- Bookkeepers must undergo a thorough audit. This audit requires three weeks of waiting while the cleric’s superiors investigate the records.
- To become a Treasurer, the character must have generated at least 10,000 gp in donations, fees and tithes for the faith and brought in at least 1,000 gp in a single transaction. A Treasurer gains 500 gp upon attaining her rank.
- A Financier gains 1,000 gp upon attaining her rank.
- An Administrator gains 2,500 gp upon attaining her rank. An Administrator’s second follower is a rogue.
- An Entrepreneur gains 5,000 gp upon attaining her rank.
- A Magus gains 10,000 gold pieces’ worth of gems and jewelry upon attaining her rank.
Culture
Raiment
Clerics of the Parish of the Prolific Coin are very much in the public eye. Therefore, they tend to be vain and take their appearance very seriously. If there is a new fashion trend, you can bet that The Profiteers will be wearing it, and to the nines!
Foreign Relations
Friends and Allies
Foes and Enemies
Worship
Temples are found near open-air markets. They are often extravagantly adorned with fine furnishings. Services among The Profiteers begin with a recitation by the leading cleric, with certain passages being read or recited aloud by the congregation. The sermon begins with a parable of a merchant avoiding a clever fraud, or a craftsman being rewarded for skilled work, or a poor miner who found a huge gemstone. Open discussion follows, with the focus on monetary and financial issues. At this point, the cleric can become either a moderator or the primary speaker, depending on his nature.
Once every seven years, the Parish holds a competition in the city of Zoa. Applicants are culled from among the faithful who have proven themselves most adept at generating profit. Each competitor is allowed to start with 1,000 gp and the (nonmagical) clothes on his back, and is not allowed to access or even promise his funds or possessions outside this allotment. After one month, the competitor with the most wealth is declared the winner, and receives a platinum medallion worth 10,000 gp. The losers must surrender the remainder of their initial stake, plus all profits they generated in the month long event (although each individual is still responsible for any loans or repayments incurred).
Sacrifices
Profiteers sacrifice gems and money each year during the early winter holy days. Ten percent of all money gained in the past year is a typical sacrifice.
Priesthood
The Parish of the Prolific Coin sells services and spells to the wealthy, regardless of race or alignment. They also serve as appraisers, jewelers, moneychangers and lenders. In many regions of Tellene, the Parish has become an essential advisor to government on trade agreements, economic practices and tax collection.
Clerics and worshippers of The Landlord are only interested in profit. Many call them swindlers, but the Profiteers believe that the pursuit of economic well being is what motivates civilization to grow and prosper. Clerics realize that honesty also has its profit margin in continuing business relationships. Therefore, worshippers who have settled down are usually fair, although shrewd in business transactions.
The church usually has a significant influence in local government since it assists in the regulation of commerce and the financing of wars. Throughout Tellene, clerics of The Landlord often act as ambassadors. During disputes with other countries, the Profiteers make excellent agents and mediators since they are skilled negotiators.
Rank: Title:
0 Apprentice 1 Trader 2 Barterer 3 Clerk 4 Bookkeeper 5 Accountant 6 Treasurer 7 Financier 8 Administrator 9 Entrepreneur 10 Magus
Advancement
Advancement within the church is solely a function of making money.
Generous contributors to the parish, adepts and devoted followers sometimes are called “Apprentices” signifying their piety or impending ascendance into the ranks.
Beginning at the Trader rank, all Profiteers are required to keep an exact record of how much they have collected for the faith. Their books are subject to review by their superiors at any time. Errors are considered minor offenses of faith. Evidence of embezzlement is an extreme sin and requires demotion, heavy fines and probably merits expulsion from the faith.
Barterers must have 5+ ranks in Appraise and 5+ ranks in Persuasion.
Clerks must have collected at least 1,000 gp in donations, fees and tithes for the faith.
An Accountant gains 100 gp upon attaining her rank.
Bookkeepers must undergo a thorough audit. This audit requires three weeks of waiting while the cleric’s superiors investigate the records.
To become a Treasurer, the character must have generated at least 10,000 gp in donations, fees and tithes for the faith and brought in at least 1,000 gp in a single transaction. A Treasurer gains 500 gp upon attaining her rank.
A Financier gains 1,000 gp upon attaining her rank.
An Administrator gains 2,500 gp upon attaining her rank. An Administrator’s second follower is a rogue.
An Entrepreneur gains 5,000 gp upon attaining her rank.
A Magus gains 10,000 gold pieces’ worth of gems and jewelry upon attaining her rank.
Granted Divine Powers
Political Influence & Intrigue
Major Temples
Important centers of worship for the Parish of the Prolific Coin exist in Inolen, Unvolen, Segeleta, Sobeteta, Basir, Bet Dodera, Aroroleta, Bet Bireli, and Bet Seder.
Temples of the Prolific Coin follow the local architecture, but they use a complicated composite of materials designed to foil magical spells of all kinds. Inside the temple lie stone and metal vaults, hidden by secret doors and protected by deadly traps.
Cathedrals are larger and even more secure. Hallways might turn into gauntlets of death traps. Vaults can keep intruders inside as surely as they contain money. Secret doors inside the cathedrals are notoriously clever in design. In addition to serving as vaults for the worshippers, the cathedral might even strike or mint coins, either in its own name or as a service to the local government.
The seat in Bet Kalamar is well-placed. Kalamar has a stable currency, a complex legal system that favors the lender, and a very large population. The faith draws a large number of worshippers into its colossal building; from a height, the temple complex resembles an anthill, with long lines entering and leaving at all times.
Guwan Bakar, the faith’s Magnus, has held his post since 552 IR. He generated most of his wealth by lending money. Once he came to the attention of the Golden Alliance, many of that organization’s leaders began doing business with him. When he was only a Barterer, Bakar let it be known that he offers lower interest rates for Alliance members who were also tithe-paying followers of The Landlord, and his wealth increased a hundredfold within five years. Those clerics wise enough to aid him during this time comprise most of the faith’s Entrepreneurs now, giving him a very solid support base within church ranks.
“In this life, one thing counts: in the coffers, large amounts.” “Let the buyer beware, the Profiteers are near.” “A fool and his money are soon parted.” A greeting: “What business have we?"
Major temples
Important centers of worship for the Parish of the Prolific Coin exist in Inolen, Unvolen, Segeleta, Sobeteta, Basir, Bet Dodera, Aroroleta, Bet Bireli, and Bet Seder.
Temples of the Prolific Coin follow the local architecture, but they use a complicated composite of materials designed to foil magical spells of all kinds. Inside the temple lie stone and metal vaults, hidden by secret doors and protected by deadly traps.
Cathedrals are larger and even more secure. Hallways might turn into gauntlets of death traps. Vaults can keep intruders inside as surely as they contain money. Secret doors inside the cathedrals are notoriously clever in design. In addition to serving as vaults for the worshippers, the cathedral might even strike or mint coins, either in its own name or as a service to the local government.
The seat in Bet Kalamar is well-placed. Kalamar has a stable currency, a complex legal system that favors the lender, and a very large population. The faith draws a large number of worshippers into its colossal building; from a height, the temple complex resembles an anthill, with long lines entering and leaving at all times.
Guwan Bakar, the faith’s Magnus, has held his post since 552 IR. He generated most of his wealth by lending money. Once he came to the attention of the Golden Alliance, many of that organization’s leaders began doing business with him. When he was only a Barterer, Bakar let it be known that he offers lower interest rates for Alliance members who were also tithe-paying followers of the Landlord, and his wealth increased a hundredfold within five years. Those clerics wise enough to aid him during this time comprise most of the faith’s Entrepreneurs now, giving him a very solid support base within church ranks.