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Fictional Econimics

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Quantus:
I am an engineer.  Accounting and economics might as well be Voodoo to me.  But I need help in that realm, preferably using small words :P

I have a fictional setting.  It's a high-fantasy place, where magic is common in everyday life; there are some cultural divergences but for the most part the magical development of the time is roughly equivalent to early-20th century science, though the caste gap is pretty large.  The society heavy into families and bloodlines, and is organized around various strata of Noble Houses that are the landowners, built around a framework of 7 Guilds that serve various roles that I typically associate with government and/or church.  For example the Seer's are the essentially the priesthood (abstract astrology more than pantheistic deities), but are also the record keepers and so contracts and deeds and other bureaucratic matters are in their purview.  Ive modeled it somewhat after the Pern Novel's i read as a kid, with the Holder landowners and then Crafthalls, if that gives you a point of reference. 

Now my thought is that the common denomination of the Currency would not be an object like coinage or rare metals, rather they would trade Elemental Energies, which would be distilled/"minted" by the Elementalist Guild (and possibly others).  So there would be four types or energy, each with a standardized measurement of energy and a regulated exchange rate, Dollar&penny would be Flame&Spark, Splash&Drop, etc (still working on those) and each energy unit would have a specific definition of it's actual usefulness.  Kind of like how a Calorie is defined in terms of it's ability to raise a set amount of water a single degree, which would work for Fire, Earth might be the amount of energy needed to raise X Stones a certain distance (ie potential gravitational energy). 


What I dont know is how much regulation would be necessary?  Would counter-fitting be an issue, or would it not matter because the energy has inherent value rather than symbolic.  I mean, if we used Electricity as a currency, it wouldnt matter who generated the voltage and charged your wallet/battery, the Charge exists. 

Thoughts?  I dont know enough about how those sorts of systems to even know where to begin...

Griffyn612:
Redacted for reasons.  :-X

pcpoet:
the thing to remember that value is based on rarity and perceived value. the4 reason that diamonds are valuable are thar rhey are precieed as rar band hard to get the same is true with gold.

Griffyn612:

--- Quote from: pcpoet on July 25, 2015, 10:44:02 PM ---the thing to remember that value is based on rarity and perceived value. the4 reason that diamonds are valuable are thar rhey are precieed as rar band hard to get the same is true with gold.

--- End quote ---
I agree. Knowing nothing about the world, is seems unlikely that a dog stand worker would sell spiced sausages for magic coinage.  I common coin that can be used by everyone for almost anything would seem to be best.  Guild/Silver/Copper would be simple and easy to understand.  But anything involving magical craftsmanship, from jewellery to spells to weapons to tools, could be paid for in the 'mana' exchange.

OZ:

--- Quote ---I mean, if we used Electricity as a currency, it wouldnt matter who generated the voltage and charged your wallet/battery, the Charge exists. 
--- End quote ---

In a society where the money has actual value (gold, silver, etc.) it is very possible that raw metal would be acceptable. The problem is that unless you are an expert, it might be easy for someone to fool you (gold covered lead for instance). Coinage that has been certified by some authority, usually the government, is considered safe because you know exactly what you're getting. I could see the same thing in a society that trades in elemental energy. Any elemental energy would have value but most people would feel more secure using "coinage" that has been certified by the Guild. Anyone that tried to fake the Guild's certification would call down the wrath of the elementals.

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