Dini - Demigoddess of Currency

> *'Many thousands of years ago, a being of some sort; a member of*
>
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> one of the earliest sentient species was hungry but hadn't done her assigned
> work so couldn't claim any of the food that the foragers and hunters brought
> back to her tribe. In a moment of inspiration or madness she offered a
> returning hunter a shiny stone, claiming it was more useful and valuable than
> the food he carried. This action was noted by the elemental spirits and the
> first proto-gods who saw in her actions the potential to permanently alter the
> world in a way unmatched by most of their tampering with the aether or
> fundaments of magic. So they elevated her to their level so that she might
> watch over and develop this concept for all of time.'  - ***Hans***
> Julberg, Chief cashier Amalgamated Guild Bank of Ironhine and Senior
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> Historian of the associated Cult of Dini.
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## **Dini in society**

There are many gods, demi-gods and godlings with various
dealings and associations with commerce, mercantilism and trade. The most
popular and well known are the gods of Profit and patron gods of merchants.
Supplicants seek from them assistance in making money, growing their business,
innovating or even harming their competitors. They are worshipped by bankers,
traders, the rich and poor alike all seeking the things money can buy.

Dini is not worshipped by merchants. Her name is not used as an
oath in heated bartering on the dockside nor is it sung in praise at annual
guild celebrations. Some bankers pay her homage, those considered odd or overly
nebbish by their fellows, some thieves leave aside a portion of piety from the
shadowy gods of luck and the underworld to curry her favour but overwhelmingly
her acolytes are found in the mints of the world, in the engraving guilds and
in the treasuries of the great powers.

She has many titles, 'She who Counts', 'The Face on Every Coin',
'The Hidden Thread' and 'The Printer's Mistress' and these reflect her focus
and the professions associated with her. Dini is the Goddess of Currency, not
of profit or trade. She doesn't care how much money someone has, how
comfortable their life is or whether they have only a single coin to their
name. She doesn't care what the currency is, over time she has seen polished
shells, dried seeds and live crabs used as currency and she has delighted in
all of them. Her stance, adopted by many of her adherents is that true currency
has less immediate use than the items it is traded for. Fools learn of her and
pray for more gold to receive only silence, the wise supplicant prays for a
rare coin from a ruined civilization to surface the next time they turn up
their vegetable patch.

Her overriding concern is to maintain the system and institution
of currency. Where gods of trade and merchants may step in by helping a bumper
harvest of cotton or confusing a rival in an auction she intervenes when the
sanctity of a currency is threatened, whatever the money may be and whatever

the threat.

> *'So Mick 'ad just finished up rigging the press and we set*
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> ourselves down for a drink, it wer' thirsty work haulin' the papers and inks
> into the warehouse and the press itself wer' as 'eavy as three ox so we thought
> we'd treat ourselves 'afore starting the prints. So little Theo', the prissy
> mage type who was goin' to put the spells on the notes to make em' look real
> stood up to give a speech, e'd had a few already and nobles love talkin'. But I
> swear to you 'e didn't fall, 'e wer' pushed. A little old lady came out o'
> nowhere and shoved 'im into t' press. I never seen so much blood.' ***- Interrogation***
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> transcript from investigating magistrate in a major counterfeiting case.
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## **Dini intervening and interacting with the world**

As with all the gods there are limits on how much Dini can
directly intervene in the affairs of mortals. Even within these limits she is
loath to directly act, only using her corporeal avatars when she feels she
doesn't have the time or resources to eliminate a threat to currency
indirectly. She typically manifests in two avatars, which go by the names
Ambelucina and Siphular.

Ambelucina appears to be a matronly humanoid, looking like a
cross between a human and a dwarf. She typically has grey hair tied up in a
bun, is of generous build and dressed in sensible clothing appropriate to the
culture she manifests in. Those who have interacted with her and been
interviewed by the cult afterwards describe her overall appearance as being
like a cashier in an old, established bank and her attitude like that of a
particularly dry governess. Dini takes this form to deal with counterfeiters
and currency defacers, or those who destroy currency; in this form she can use
reasonably powerful ice magic, has some skill with the axe and is very durable.

Siphular appears as an androgynous member of any given species,
determined by the individual she is interacting with; she only ever appears to
people on their own. Siphular has an aura of beauty and luxury which seems to
combine both lust and something more cerebral, like appreciation of a fine
wine. Those sensitive to the mystical or currents of magic will realise she is
employing powerful sorcery to endear and enthrall them, this being part of the
reason for Dini using Siphular. This form is employed when dealing with more
complex or politically delicate threats to currency, if a monarch seeks to
enrich him/herself by devaluing the coinage of the realm or when a cartel of
banks are encouraging deflation. In this form she can sway people's opinions,
cloud their judgment and if necessary use more base methods for altering
policy.

As a god she has vast powers and something of a duty, which she
is rather haphazard about executing. Often a threat to a given currency has to
be dealt with by her cult, since she is capable of spending years absorbed in
study and contemplation of a promissory note or tin coin. Senior members of the
cult speculate that this deficiency may have been forced on her by other gods
she has been active against in the past. Though knowledge of her dealings is
sparse and unevenly distributed around the different outposts of her cult the
higher ups generally know that a number of deities and half-gods are
ill-disposed towards her. That said, if something should occur which presents a
risk to the actual or perceived value of a host of currencies, or to a
regional/internationally used currency then she will act promptly and
effectively to counter it. On the rare occasion when something or someone has
posed a threat to the entire institution of currency then she attacks with all
her resources and the fury of hurricane. When acting from the heavens as a
purely celestial entity she has numerous currency related powers such as the
creation and destruction of currency {though she hates doing this}, converting
it from one form to another, imbuing a coin for example with other magical
properties and other typical god powers -kill with a thought, turn into pillar

of salt, etc.

> *' 1. The acolyte must be clothed in the sacred weaves, the most*
> holy of cloth, the very paper of Her instruments the promissory notes.
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>

> 2. The acolyte must repeat the mantra whilst submitting to the
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> test of purity, he is to be placed in the sacred font and the ordained weight of his chosen specie placed on to him until he is below the water. If he is unsullied and whole the specie will flow off him like water and Her power shall
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> lift him from the font.
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> 3. The final step will see the cutting of the coin, the rending
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> of the note and the breaking of the scales. When the acolyte has seen this terror, the atrocity which She struggles against and is at his most vulnerable Her power will enter him and bind him to Her. He will be Hers and he will be your Brother.' '*-*Translated
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> from an ancient scroll found on Typhon
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## **The Cult of Dini**

Dini is aware of her followers and does interact with them from
time to time, though numerous historical records suggest she used to be much
more involved. Part of the issue stems from her disregard for profit and
growth, which puts off many who might otherwise support the cult like
successful merchants or traders. The other main factor is that she tends to
interact with the members of the cult with a similar obsession for studying
currency rather than the local leaders of the cult. This lack of central
direction from Dini and her inability or unwillingness to appoint a central
leader has lead to a cult of fragmented chapters, each with their own
traditions and interpretations of her doctrines. Most of her adherents are
those who deal with money without actually using it, those who produce currency
and those who store it {though she has somewhat of a love/hate relationship
with bankers and their patron god}. Some traders and merchants worship her
exclusively, though they are a very small minority; greater in number are those
who include her amongst a pantheon of deities they try not to annoy. In those
empires and nations mighty enough to have a central bank or even stock exchange
some bureaucrats and chancellors seek her favour to try and maintain the
economy. The few thieves who steal for the joy of possessing coins, notes or
shiny shells also enjoy her somewhat absent-minded favour; those who steal to
survive/spend generally try not to antagonise her by including her in general
prayers for forgiveness common to most professional criminals.

As a good rule of thumb, a small chapter of the cult may be
found in a town with a tax or customs office. A lone money changer in some
frontier outpost or border station will probably worship her and be associated
with a metropolitan chapter. Larger towns may have two or more chapters made up
of cashiers from different guilds or corporations, or could be dominated by one
particular chapter. Cities will have multiple chapters, and major trade cities
which see the exchange of currencies from around the world can have dozens of
small chapters with a few major ones. There is no recognised code of behaviour
across the world and how public the chapters are varies enormously, from
completely secretive to openly recruiting on the street. The only constants are
a respect for currency for its own sake, belief in preservation of the actual
physical pieces of currency and the system itself. This can make them great
allies of local authorities wanting to crack down on counterfeiting or currency
dilution but also places them at odds when those same authorities want to
devalue a currency or retire one altogether. Members of the cult across the
world have adopted one universal rule which is to help identify members, when
in an environment where it is safe to do so cult members should wear a chain
around their neck to which is attached a coin of their choice preserved in a
lump of glass.

Every so often Dini will call a meeting of the heads of each
chapter she recognises {which seems to be a random process, which chapters are
recognised can change from one year to the next}, where she summons them to a
remote location and charges them to bring samples of a new and vibrant currency
or particularly rare examples of old ones. They gather, present their offerings
and as she examines them in great detail and with the eye of a connoisseur she
gives them some general advice, instruction and orders. Some who have attended
believe this is the goddess attempting to get around whatever has driven her
interest in currency into its current inconvenient obsession to the detriment
of her actual duties and desires.

The decentralised nature of the cult does make it much more
durable and responsive to any threats, either to the cult itself or to their
sacred currency. They are willing and able to adapt, be creative and hire on
'troubleshooters'. Dini has not completely left her cult to struggle on their
own, certain members of the cult have been given the power to summon her

agents, The Debased and The Enshrined.

> *The Debased are made from the souls of the most successful*
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> counterfeiters in all of history, from every race and across the various planes
> of existence. When they died their souls were seized by Dini and used to power
> these creations of hers. They come in two varieties, one type being stumbling
> monstrosities the size of a small giant made of lead and other base metals;
> they are used to crush enemies of the cult. The other type appear to be normal
> beings but with oddly glistening skin, they are in fact constructs of paper and
> ink capable of taking on the appearance of any other person; the cult uses them
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> for intelligence gathering and assassination.
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> The Enshrined are living beings from across the world who have
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> been contracted by Dini herself. Though they are not usually the absolute peak
> of martial efficiency they are willing to work hard and in dangerous conditions
> for the chance of a grand payoff. Dini gives them armour made from a variety of
> high denomination coins, worth a fortune, enchanted with protective wards and
> magical enchantments along with powerful weapons. They serve as her elite
> troops for a set period of time, after which their payoff is the face value of
> the coins making up their armour; minus any damaged, defaced or lost coins.
> This gives them great incentive to attack constantly and doge rather than block
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> attacks.
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## **Dini's Artifacts**

Dini has a few specific artifacts, some made by members of the
cult to try and win her favour, some she made herself. Like most gifts from the
gods they have been scattered around the world, lost or hidden and often with a
horrible catch for misuse. She has three mostly beneficial artifacts which she
is most known for and one designed to punish those she believes are guilty of
crimes against currency.

*The Porcelain Hog -*A
smallish statue of some manner of warthog, about the size of a bottle of wine.
Is made of porcelain painted light blue. In the top is a slot, big enough for
seemingly any coin but simultaneously too small to see anything inside the
statue. A similar slot can be found on the base of the hog. Shaking it seems to
indicate a number of coins inside, even if none have been put in. It resists
any damage done to it whether physical or magical, and when examined with
magical senses or tools appears to be no more than a simple pig statue. It does
have a special property though. If a coin of any sort is placed in the top
slot, two coins will fall out from the bottom. They generally are not the same
type as the first one, may not be the same as each other, may be of less value
than the first coin and might even be millennia old. No matter how often this
is done the result is the same. Putting two or more small coins into the top
slot at the same time simply results in them falling straight through the pig
and out the bottom again. Is found with a log book detailing some of the
results from different coins put through.

*The Lady's Special Brew -*A
bottle of clear liquid, about the size of a flagon. If a coin is put in here
and left for a few minutes it is washed clean. Dirt, blood grime and even
curses are removed from the coin; if a damaged coin is put in it will emerge
intact. The liquid is safe to handle and whilst in the bottle never appears to
run out or be polluted. If a clipping of a coin is put into the bottle by
enterprising or nefarious individuals it does not repair the coin, it instead
explodes violently flinging the now extremely acidic liquid everywhere. Eagerly
sought by the Cult of Dini but not many others.

*The Noble's Plates* - Two gold printing
plates, suitable for hand printing, mechanical printers or even
steam/electrically powered printers. When looked at they appear to bear a faded
design for a promissory note, the detail cannot really be made out since the
plates are worn but the figure depicted doesn't appear human. If the plates are
placed onto paper money of any sort they seem to 'absorb' the design and inks
from the paper; touching the plates to another piece of fabric of any kind
transfers the design and inking onto it so you can end up with a sail sized
banknote. Is considered more of a gimmick or toy by pragmatic treasure seekers
but is also sought by the Cult of Dini so they can enlarge paper money for
easier examination. Enterprising individuals may realise some profit from using
the plates, such as the creation of a large amount of expensive inks which
could be extracted.

*Her Ultimate Temptation -*The
most famous of her artifacts, and the most reviled. A small leather purse,
entirely ordinary looking on the outside tied at the top by some catgut. If a
coin is placed into the purse, along with a drop of the holder's blood, then
tied shut and shook for a few minutes a very profitable miracle occurs. The
purse fills up with copies of the coin, and if tipped upside down will spew
forth an endless stream of them. There is, of course, a price. Each coin made
uses blood from the original donor; it being magically extracted directly from
their veins. It also uses an exponentially increasing amount of blood per coin
and many a would be millionaire has rapidly paled, collapsed and died tipping
the endless stream of coins into a handy sack. The Cult believes this is meant to
teach the importance of a valuable currency to the economic system and the
dangers of meddling with supply. Tomb-raiders and treasure hunters think it
nothing more than the casual cruelty of a bored or insane god. Its location is
unknown but is believed to be in a cult vault somewhere in the world.

## **Dini in the plot/Dini plot hooks**

* The PCs are approached in a tavern by a representative of the

local chapter. Counterfeiters are sullying the holy coinage and bribing local
authorities to keep them out of gaol. Infiltrate the watch house to find out
where the guards get the money, tail the delivery man, deal with the
counterfeiters and destroy their equipment. Is a good introduction to the cult
and to Dini.

* A local Baron has gotten into debt with the Tailor's Guild and

needs money fast. He turns to the local mint and engraving joint, commanding
them to produce more coins and notes; leading to inflation. The local chapter
is worried that this devalues the currency for no legitimate reason and is
looking for someone to go under the radar and resolve the situation. Maybe the
Tailor's Guild can be bought off. Perhaps the Baron can be intimidated into
selling some property to clear the debt. Or maybe the chapter will have to
authorise the destruction of the mint. No matter what, best get working before
Dini sends some Debased to town.

* The king is hated, the people are starving and plague stalks the

streets. This doesn't matter to Dini though because someone in town is defacing
the king's head on the coins. She doesn't care about the politics or the king,
just stop whoever is behind it. The party will have to investigate, interrogate
and negotiate with angry serfs, obnoxious nobles and zealous revolutionaries;
and in the end decide whether appeasing Dini is as important as supporting the
revolution.

* The party has just wrapped up some business with a large trade

consortium when a Cult of Dini acolyte appears to tell them the consortium is
planning to halve the price it pays for a certain currency favoured by a rival
as part of their ongoing trade war. Dini decreed that money itself is sacred,
the party must stop this devaluation going ahead; possibly by limiting supply
to keep the price up. How to you reduce supply? With the heist of the century
of course.

* A scribbled note in an old journal. A cryptic clue in a nursery

rhyme. A chance alignment of the stars. Combined they give the party the
location of one of Dini's relics. Danger, death and double-crosses are all on
the menu in the hunt for the Porcelain Hog.

* The ultimate challenge from Dini. Either intentionally or by

accident a party member creates a new currency. Dini appears, seeing both a
grave threat and an opportunity. A failed currency is a permanent stain on the
entire system, a threat to the very foundations of everything she works to
maintain and the PC's cavalier attitude to the success of the currency angers
her. However, a new and subsequently successful currency strengthens the
people's belief in the system as well as providing her with years worth of new
designs to study. Her ultimatum, make it a successful, relatively widely used
currency within one year and be rewarded. Do nothing or not enough to get it
off the ground and she will return to annihilate the party. For those who want
to really try and change the world.