Bormar Belning

The Bormar belning is the official currency of Bormar, and is the de facto currency of several other nations. With Bormar’s hegemony of trade, it is not surprising that the belning is generally accepted in most markets of the world. The belning is minted and distributed by Bormar's Office of the Treasury and Mint ("OTM").

The belning follows the Bormar tradition of stacking gold in stacks of eight for easier mathematical accounting. In this spirit, each denomination can be exchanged for the higher-value denomination above it at an 8:1 ratio.

Etymology

The term "belning" derives from the first pre-Bormar hold to begin minting its own currency, the port city of Rorbeln. These ancient coins were called "Rorbelnings”, becoming shortened through common usage to the belning. The success of the currency was unfortunately hampered due to its development being spearheaded by a clan Dwarf whose descendants each claimed to be his rightful heir, leading to dozens of competing Rorbelning mints working against one another. When the "Torian Concept" was accepted, it was decided that its name and highest denomination would ride on the previous success of this currency despite its issues. Smaller denominations were named after the number of their sides utilizing the Old Dwarven words for three (ton), four (kon), and five (tel), to become the citing, tonning, and telning respectively.

Denominations

Citning

The lowest denomination of the belning. A citning (abbreviated “c”) is generally a small rod or cylinder made from tin. It is less a coin and more a generally accepted measure that exists as a sub-currency reserved for small exchanges. One might gift a Dwarven child a citning for losing a tooth or sprouting their first beard hairs, while a barkeep would be shocked to not be tipped at least a handful of citnings on an average night.

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  The recipe for converting one tonning into eight citnings.

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  The citning in varying amounts.

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  The recipe for converting eight citnings into one tonning.

Tonning

The second denomination of the belning, and the lowest denomination minted by the OTM. A tonning (abbreviated “t”)is a three-sided copper coin whose crested points are designed in such a way as to resemble the snowy peaks of the Mar Mountains. Tonnings are the most widely distributed coinage in Bormar, and are certainly the ones that pass through the most hands on any given day. A Dwarf can expect a tonning to buy them a fine ale as well as two or three to buy them a loaf of bread, depending on the local economic situation.

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  The recipe for converting one konning into eight tonnings.

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  The tonning in varying amounts.

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  The recipe for converting eight tonnings into one konning.

Konning

The third denomination of the belning, and one that is typically the largest denomination found in the pockets of the average Dwarf. A konning (abbreviated “k”) is a four-sided silver coin with a stylized pickaxe at its center in honor of Bormar’s mining traditions whose importance on the nation’s history cannot be overstated. An unskilled laborer would expect to earn one konning for one day’s work, and a Dwarf of a holding’s molir would expect similar payment when called to serve the nation, receiving one konning for each day of service.

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  The recipe for converting one telning into eight konnings.

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  The konning in varying amounts.

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  The recipe for converting eight konnings into one telning.

Telning

The fourth denomination of the belning, and one that is often associated with merchants, caravans, and noblemen. A telning (abbreviated “T”) is a five-sided electrum coin with a barred gate on its face in honor of the Passkeepers of old whose actions laid the foundation for Bormar’s empire of trade. To common Dwarves, a telning is something to keep hidden under bedding or buried nearby in case a large important purchase must be made. Telnings are more commonly associated with the Lords and Ladies of Bormar, who tend to use the denomination in administering their holding and paying tribute to the First House.

• 

  The recipe for converting one belning into eight telnings.

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  The telning in varying amounts.

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  The recipe for converting eight telnings into one belning.

Belning

The fifth and highest value denomination of the belning, with which it shares its name. A belning (abbreviated “B”) is a five-sided umbar coin whose face bears the flag of Bormar, deliberately associating the nation with the highest form of physical wealth. The average Dwarf would not see a belning in their lifetime, as it simply is not worth the hassle as opposed to simply keeping the equivalent value of telnings. However, it is customary (but not required) that First Lords and Ladies use belnings in their spending relating to their duties in the First House.

The belning in varying amounts

Special Mintings

On occasion, the OTM will take it upon themselves to mint a limited number of unique variations of the belning denominations. Typically, these special mintings coincide with some grand celebration, holiday, or any general event that is deemed worthy of special recognition. These mintings take one of the belning denominations and give them a unique appearance, either in material or design, while still keeping the same shape and holding the same value as its standardized version. These special mintings are highly sought items in the eyes of certain collectors, and it is not uncommon for wealthy collectors to pay a sizable premium for rarer mintings.