Shards (Currency)
Currency Rate
1¤ (Shard) = 3¢ (Gold)
This is the standard equivalence. This can vary depending on the settlement or country, but tends to be the standard exchange rate.
Shards are a colloquial name for a formalized form of currency that has value primordially amongst Wild Races. Shards where originally chunks of Arcanum; a gem that contains magical essence. Arcanum, which can be used for enchantments and to channel various forms of spellcasting, has inherent value in it of itself, and so was seen as a very valuable asset to have amongst Wild Races. When it first came into use during the Elder Age, it was literally shards and chunks of unrefined arcanum that were swapped for goods. Nowadays, arcanum is cut into a smooth diamond shape with an edged, square hole which can be used to string shards on one's side for easy access.
Shards are much more difficult to manipulate, carve, and find and are often repurposed out of circulation for enchantments and arcane applications. This means that the numeric count of Shards is much less than that of gold, which may require higher numbers for higher purchase value (as in, the equivalent value of 1,000 gold in shards might be 10 or 100 shards), due to Arcanum's much higher value. For these reasons, wild races often still accept barter as a valid form of exchange, though with a more matter-of-fact idea of equal exchange than one would expect from bartering.
Mechanics & Inner Workings
Shards come in 3 variations:
Common Shards
Small and a dull, opaque blue in color. Despite the crystal quality of the coin being low, these are usually carved and shaped with more refinement, for clear and common circulation.
Pure Shards
Carved from the very source of an Arcanum vein, the cut is larger and the color of the shard is a joyous, light blue. However, these mints often have a more brutish finish, to avoid removing the purer aspects of its integrity.
Fine Shards
A shard that has been refined to the point of being immediately ready for enchantment. The trading value of these coins is so incredibly high because of how conductive they are with arcane energy. Due to this, however, they are RARELY seen in circulation.
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