Currency and Trade
by Geoff GanderCoinage:
As with many other nations, Selhomarr has its own currency and trading system. Selhomarrian currency consists entirely of coinage. Each coin is square in shape, with a small hole in the centre which can be used to hang numerous coins on a narrow wooden or metal rod. Each rod has the capacity to hold 20 coins of any denomination, and has a cover that can be attached at each end in order to secure the coins. Thus, a sum of 20 coins is called a "rod". This arrangement is used in order to make the storage of coins easier, since they can be stacked in this format.
The coins themselves are made out of platinum, gold, silver, and copper. The unit of currency is called the alin, with the plural being alinni. A copper coin is one alin, a silver coin is 10 alinni, a gold coin is 100 alinni, and a platinum coin is 1000 alinni (platinum coins are extremely pure, such that one platinum alin coin is worth twice as much as a surface world platinum piece). The abbreviation for each coin is as follows:
platinum alin = pa, gold alin = ga, silver alin = sa, copper alin = ca
It should also be noted that the exchange rate, with the exception of platinum coins, matches those in the standard rules. In terms of equipment, housing, food, and weapon prices, the standard rules can be used, substituting alinni for surface coinage.
Trade:
Realising that they are an isolated people, the Selhomarrians have always been eager to meet other cultures, and to trade with them. Also, as an isolated nation, the Selhomarrians realise that there are some goods - such as horses, and rare spices and herbs - that they cannot produce in a sufficient amount in order to meet local demand. As a result, Selhomarr trades its surplus production as exports in order to obtain those items it normally cannot obtain in large numbers. Selhomarr's primary exports are preserved fish, wood, worked leather, common spices, copper, tin, and silver.
Currently, Selhomarr imports horses from the Jennites, fine metalwork and minerals from the Kogolor dwarves, sheep and rare wood from the Milenians, rare spices from the Nithians, the Tanagoro, and the Shahjapurans.
Generally speaking, most of the participants in this southern trade are content with what they are getting out of this arrangement. Occasionally, disputes will arise over issues such as allegedly unfair trading practices, but usually, Selhomarr's diplomats have been able to handily deal with any suspicions concerning its behaviour. This does not stop other nations from being suspicious of the Selhomarrians in general, not least because they are far away from everyone else, and relatively few outsiders have visited their realm.
Taxation:
As with other cultures, the
Selhomarrians also have a system of taxation. Towards the end of
each year, all citizens are assessed according to how much they
earned during the year, and by the value of their land. Usually,
the rate is 25% of yearly earnings, and 10% of total land value.
Most citizens have no problems with taxes, as most can see where
their money is being spent - on building and maintaining public
roads and buildings, for example.