Counting Coin: The Significance of Financial Stability, or Lack Thereof

Counting Coin: The Significance of Financial Stability, or Lack Thereof is a book recovered from Camp Dekhaanoc.

## Description

Seemingly equal parts historical records and financial advice book written by one of the foremost economic advisors within the Astedian Empire, Counting Coin is bound in black leather and shows obvious tarnish with the passage of time.

## Research

### Completed by Hassk

*Ilemer walked through the lands, the stone turning to gold and silver wherever he stepped. But the Guildmaster's Master did not walk all the lands equally, and so not all share equally in the wealth that he spread through the earth. Just as those elevated by Tohmos find themselves chosen and worthy of rule, there were those during the time of the Aita's Second Gift that took heed to such things more greatly than others, and so the disparity in wealth has always existed. Those poor in material wealth instead barter with goods and produce in accordance with their own boons, but for those blessed with the wisdom of the Goldhand, it is the creations of their blesser that they barter and trade. Over the years many such coinages and currencies have existed, with everything from radiant kings to petty warmongers creating mints, but only a few amongst them have truly left their mark.*

*All the Realms of Ahlus, disregarding of course the chaotic swathes of the north and the unconquered wilds of the Tviatini jungle in northern Tourmalini'i have currencies that have endured for a time. Although Astedian Lunos, Helias, Pallux and Asteri are the preferred coinage throughout the Empire, and the only technically legal tender since the Edict of 979AG, it is not uncommon to find a pocketful of Atral Ortreses or Bournish Richka. More curious however it that of the Realm of Tulis, which while holding its own currency relied heavily on outside trade of vital ores such as iron and copper and so served as a centre for currency conversion and storage. While the dwarves of Mol Boramm had previously held power as the premier supplier of banking services and wealth management and storage options in Ahlus, they were soon eclipsed by the Tulisians, the Bank of Tulis becoming the cornerstone of the Realm's identity by the time a few hundred years had passed since the Gift. This would ultimately prove to be their folly once the Astedian Ascension started in 933AG, and just over two decades later in 956AG, Tulis was simply another part of the rapidly growing empire.*

*As previously mentioned, The Tulisian Kingdom had long relied on trade with Halholm since the collapse of the Empire of Raq to bolster its economy. While rich in timber and gemstones, it lacked in vital ores such as iron and copper, as well as more precious metals. Through agreements with the Halgnate trade caravans, sometimes hundreds of units long, passed across their border on frequent basis, linking Halshold to Brient via the Trader's Pass. With the fall of Halholm and the blockade of the border by Astedian sympathisers, there was growing pressure within the Kingdom to bow to the demands of the Council of the Moon. Defiant, Queen Cailynn Lamorral turned to her eastern neighbours of Lienia, hoping to do trade indirectly with the Empire to acquire that which her people required - but all the while maintaining the illusion of her control over the situation. The plan backfired as Astedian currency rushed into the Realm, and with it further influence of the Empire. In the peak of Highreign the Bank of Tulis collapsed as flow of Tulisian coinage finally faltered entirely - and with it Tulis descended into chaos. When the dust settled two months later, it did so on a fractured nation - one that was quickly assimilated into Astedian territories. By such a time, the Astedians had learned to use their currency as much as a weapon as any silver-pommelled sword or pillar of flame, stealing away the power of those that sought to rule by slowly but surely depriving them of the value of their lands.*