Economy of Adylheim

The basics of the economy are agrarian along the lines of a medieval economy. Taxes are collected by kings and nobles mainly in produce, which is turned into coin through trade in cities and abroad. The economy and state of the countries pretty much rest on the harvest; if it's a bad year for the farmers, it’s a bad year for everyone.

Coinage
While there are several different kingdoms, they employ roughly the same coins. Although there are some differences, especially in the markings, the coins are more or less interchangeable. Gold being exceedingly rare in Adylheim the gold coins, although larger than the other coins, are worth an enormous amount of money. They will rarely be used outside of large transactions between merchants, nobles and the like. The silver coin, is a more common unit, being roughly equivalent to a week's earnings for a junior artisan or a low ranking soldier. Easily the most common of the coins is the copper coin, it's the one that sees the most use in every day transactions. The beer value being the most stable value, beer can usually be bought for one or two copper. This equates to a low ranking soldier’s salary being the equivalent of around 20 coppers a day. Thus, the soldier can spend 10 coppers on food, 6 coppers on lodgings and has 4 to spare for beer and other frivolities. There are also Bits in use. Bits are generally a coin divided in four parts, so they are usually a fourth of the value of the coin they stem from. In addition, the Order of Elron guarantees the value of the banknote, which is sometimes used for large sums of money and can be cashed at any Order of Elron bank.

Resources
The north of Adylheim mainly produces metals, wool, furs, wood and other raw materials. There is generally some trade with the barbarian tribes to the north, although this is somewhat limited and the trade just as often takes place as hostile raids as peaceful negotiations. Whereas in the southern and central lands produce more food and processed goods, especially luxury items. The southern fiefdoms are the richest, Andragoria also trades with the Dae'vol where slaves, books and fabrics are traded for precious gems and the occasional nugget of gold. In addition, Nerin is known for the quality of its horses, which are a favoured mount of knights all over Adylheim.

Units of Measurement
Vital to trade are agreed upon units of measurement. There are a number of these found throughout Adylheim and here are listed a few of them with a real life equivalent to give you an idea of what they are.