Coins of Velitrium
1/2 Penny= small copper coin= $.50
1 Penny= large copper coin= $1.00
Farthing= small silver coin= $5.00
Noble= medium silver coin= $10.00
Lunar= large silver coin= $20.00
Royal= small gold coin= $50.00
Solar= large gold coin= $100.00
2 1/2 penny= 1 pence
5 penny= 1 farthing
2 farthings= 1 noble
2 nobles= 1 lunar
5 lunars= 1 solar
2 royals= 1 solar
A 1/2 Penny is a small copper coin, approximately the size of a U.S.penny. 200 1/2 penny weigh 1lb.
A Penny is a medium sized copper coin, approximately the size of a U.S.nickle. 100 penny weigh 1lb.
A Farthing is a small silver coin, approximately the size of a U.S. dime. 200 Farthings weigh 1lb.
A Noble is a silver coin approximately the size of a U.S. nickel. 100 Lunars weigh 1lb.
A Lunar is a silver coin approximately the size of a U.S. quarter. 50 Lunars weigh 1lb.
A Royal is a gold coin approximately the size of a U.S. dime. 100 Royals weigh 1lb.
A Solar is a gold coin approximately the size of a U.S. nickel. 50 Solars weigh 1lb.
NOTES:
Some of the coins are made to be cut in halves, quarters and even eighths. Specifically:
A Royal can be broken into halves of $25 each.
A Lunar can be broken into eight pieces of $2.50 each.
A Noble can be broken into halves of $5.00 each.
A Farthing can be broken into halves of $2.00 each.
A Penny can be broken into halves of $.50 each.
A Halfpenny can be broken into halves of $.25 each.
The monetary system of Velitrium is complex, it’s meant to be. To simplify record keeping it may help to think in terms of dollars and cents and pounds of metal.
Coins by weight:
One pound of copper Halfpennies is worth as much as one pound of copper Pennies.
One pound of copper coins is worth $100.
One pound of silver Farthings is worth as much as one pound of silver Nobles, which is worth as much as one pound of silver Lunars.
One pound of silver coins is worth $1,000.
One pound of gold Royals is worth as much as one pound of gold Solars.
One pound of gold coins is worth $5,000.
The metals in gold and silver coins are not pure. They are both mixed with a percentage of copper.
A silver coin is 75% pure silver.
A gold coin is 80% pure gold.
This means that refined bar silver and bar gold, as well as natural nuggets are, if pure, worth more than the same weight in coins. 20 to 25 percent more.
One pound of pure Silver is worth $1,250
One pound of pure Gold is worth $6,000
Counterfeit Coins
During the Rebellion Duke Mulgrave, in cooperation with the Arch Mage Grimner and the High Priest Treldar, released tens of thousands of counterfeit coins, Royals and Solars, into the three northern Duchies. This was part of an attempt to destabilize the government and make it easier for Mulgrave to assume the throne. These coins were of gold, or appeared to be gold, and are actually magical in nature. They were made by Grimner, or so it is said. Many have been destroyed, but many are still out there. It is said that the money is cursed. Some people believe that the gold will corrupt your soul and turn you to evil. Others think it will cause you to come back as one of the undead after death. Still others think the money brings bad luck.
There is no easy way to recognize Grimner’s Coins as they are called. They look like gold, feel like gold, weigh like gold. Alchemists have a test that reveals the truth, but it is complicated and takes time. Most money lenders have access to an Alchemist or testing equipment, but they charge for the test, generally two or three percent of the amount tested.
In the years right after the rebellion the coins were a problem, but it’s been ten years since any significant number have turned up.
Job Table and Cost of Living
|
Job |
Income/month |
Cost of Living |
|
Homeless Beggar |
$50 – $100 |
$50 |
|
Tenant Farmer |
$200 – $300 |
$100 – $150 |
|
Free Farmer |
$400 – $500 |
$200 – $300 |
|
Resident Servant |
$200 – $250 |
$100 – $150 |
|
Servant or Laborer, Woodcutter, sailor, etc. |
$200 – $300 |
$175 – $250 |
|
Minor Craftsman, Shopkeeper, Baker, Candle maker, etc. |
$350 – $450 |
$300 – $400 |
|
Caravan Guard, Mercenary |
$375 – $400 |
$200 – $250 |
|
City Watch, Good Mercenary |
$450 – $500 |
$200 – $250 |
|
Carpenter, Mason, etc. |
$375 – $400 |
$250 – $300 |
|
Miner |
$450 – $550 |
$200 – $250 |
|
Craftsman, Merchant, smith, bower, glassblower, etc. |
$1,000 – $1,500 |
$400 – $800 |
|
Master Artisan, Great Merchant, minor official, bureaucrat |
$1,500 – $2,000 |
$800 – $1,200 |
Cost of Living assumes food, clothing and housing for one person per month: Along with necessities like candles and heat. For a craftsman or shopkeeper and the like this includes basic overhead. This does not account for major expenses. A married couple will increase income and expenses. Children increase expenses only: Except for farmers to which they add income.
Each adult adds $75 per month to cost of living.
Each child adds $50 per month to cost of living.
Children of farmers add $25 per month to income
Mercenaries
Mercenaries are expected to supply their own weapons and armor. If they are cavalry type they supply their own horse. Many employers will use foot troops as mounted infantry, in this case the employer will provide the mount. In general the employer is responsible only for food and shelter, as well as pay.
Church of Mitra
The church provides food, shelter and clothing so the monthly stipend is minimal. A Priest is expected to tithe with this money.
-
Position
Amount
Monk None Friar $75 Priest $150 Senior Priest $250 Abbot/Abbess $400 Bishop $600
Sacarium Guards
In general they receive about half of what a normal mercenary would receive. Their relationship with the church is much more akin to that of a Hauscarl than a mercenary.
Hauscarls
These troops are completely equipped by their Lord. The Lord must pay a monthly allowance as well as provide medical care and the like, ensure equitable shares of loot, and pay a weregild as needed.
The weregild is paid upon the hauscarl’s death. It generally ranges from three months of allowance to one years worth.
The Lord is also responsible for food, clothing and shelter. This last is somewhat negotiable and may be waved if the allowance is increased. The Lord is also responsible for the well being of the Housecarl’s family.
Monthly allowances will vary depending on the quality of the individual. It will typically range from 1/3 of a normal mercenaries pay to as much as double the same.
Army Retirement Fund
Any soldier that serves more than 4 terms (6 years per term) is eligible for retirement pay and a land grant from the Crown. The money is 1/2 of their pay at the time of mustering out. The Land Grant is by Fee Service and is for four acres in the County of the Crown’s choice. (The Land Grant may be sold.) Further, any soldier permanently disabled from military duty is eligible for the same benefit regardless of length of service.
The family of any soldier killed in service will receive a Weregild of three months pay plus one month for each term, plus one extra month if the soldier died in combat. When a retired soldier dies, one that was eligible for half pay, the family receives 3 months of his half pay. They may retain possession of the Land Grant as long as there is someone able to fulfill the Fee Service.
Army Pay
Army pay is less than a mercenaries, but royal and ducal troops are supplied with armor, weapons, food and housing.
Private Soldier = $5/day + room and board
Noncom = $6/day + room and board
Sr. Noncom = $7/day + room and board
Jr. Officer = $9/day + room and board
Officer = $10/day + room and board
Field Bonus = $1/day
Booty Shares
Army troops will receive bonuses from the sale of livestock, equipment and slaves captured by their unit. Soldiers are permitted to replace lost and damaged equipment from captured gear (they are responsible for lost gear if its not replaced)
Captives = 40 farthings ($200)
Livestock = 10% of value
Weapons & Armor = 10% of total value
Magic Items = Confiscated by Crown = 50 Farthings each ($250)
By custom booty is divided thus:
20% to Commanding Officer
40% of balance divided amongst all other officers
20% of balance divided amongst all Noncommissioned Officers
Balance divided amongst ranks
Cost of Living Examples:
Free Farmer:
A typical farming family, owning some level of title to approximately 5 acres, with two adults and two children, will gross about $6,000.00 per year. After cost of living, taxes, etc., they net about $1,200.00 per year. This averages $3.30 per day. If they don’t have to replace any livestock lost from accident, disease or raiders, they may have enough to buy a minor magic item or two to make life easier, or send a child off to study magery, or pick up a few more acres, or some extra animals….
A Tenant Farmer:
Working the same land with the same family, the tenant would split the net with the land owner, generally 70/30, leaving $840 left over annually. This averages $2.30 per day.
Town folk:
A couple with two children. He is a carpenter, she is a seamstress. They gross $8,400, but since they must buy all their food as well as pay for housing, taxes, etc., they net about $900. This averages $2.46 per day. Of course, town life has a few advantages over the farm. It is generally safer. Help is close by if something happens, the Watch and Militia are there to protect and defend. Life is more interesting and often times less laborious