The Currency System of the Mistale Realm: The Astrum Scale
In a world where reality is shaped by belief, knowledge, and hidden truths, wealth is more than metal—it is attuned to the Veil, the metaphysical layer between the known and the unknown created by the Astrums one and only son, the bastard son of fate. Once known as Lord Unknown the soul prince.
Core Concept
Currency in this world is built on attunement to Astrum. The god of fate and creation, the force that governs fate, divination, and identity. Yet other coins can be blessed or cursed by other gods. Each coin is made of alchemical alloys and memory-bound sigils, with value tied not only to material but to esoteric resonance.
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Denominations of the Astrum Scale
1. Lumen (ꓶ) – Base Coin (Copper-Alloy)
• Represents "Light of the Known".
• Used by commoners and low middle class for bread, and small services.
• Can be imprinted with minor memories (used in low-level rituals).
• 1 Coron = 12 Lumen
2. Coron (⊚) – Middle Coin (Silver-Infused Iron)
• "The Crown of Certainty".
• Used in trade and contracts.
• Each coin carries a rotating symbol representing a Truth, visible only when heated or blood-touched.
• 1 Sigils = 20 Coron
3. Sigils (᛭) – High Coin (Gold-Quintessence)
• "The Sovereign Flame".
• Each Sigils contains a drop of philosopher's ichor, giving it a faint, living pulse.
• Coincides with social access: certain auctions or gates only accept Sigils.
4. Noctis (⍦) – Occult Coin (Black-Mithral Soulbound Alloy)
• "The Coin of Hidden Debts".
• Can only be earned, not forged or exchanged freely. Often given as rewards by secret societies or really high staff of the church's.
• Carries a soul-mark. Each coin remembers its owners.
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Symbolic Exchange Rates
Name Symbol Composition Role Conversion
Lumen ꓶ Copper, Sunstone, Dust=Common coin —
Coron ⊚ Silver + Iron + Sigil Ink Merchant/mid-tier coin.
1 Coron = 12 Lumen
Sigils ᛭ Gold + Philosopher's Ichor Noble/arcane coin.
1 Sigils = 20 Coron
Noctis ⍦ Black Mithral + Soultrace Secret society / divine use blessed by the goddess of the moon.
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In-World Value to Real-World USD Estimate
1. Lumen (ꓶ) – Common coin
• Equivalent use: Bread, lodging, small services → ~$1 USD per coin.
• 1 Lumen ≈ $1
2. Coron (⊚) – Trade & lower middle class coin
• 1 Coron = 12 Lumen → ~12 USD base.
• Added magical/symbolic value → bump up.
• 1 Coron ≈ $15–20 USD
3. Sigils (᛭) – high middle class/ Arcane coin
• 1 Sigils = 20 Corona → $300–400 based on previous.
• Magical material + social access
• 1 Sigils ≈ $400–500 USD
4. Noctis (⍦) – divine / Noble coin
• Non-exchangeable, soul-bound, ultra-rare.
• No real market equivalence.
• Estimated worth: $ Unknown, possibly priceless, depending on context.
• Functionally like a favor from a god, or corrupted traps
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Summary Conversion Table (Narrative USD Value)
Coin Symbol Lumen Equiv Estimated USD
Lumen ꓶ 1 ~$1
Coron ⊚ 12 ~$15–20
Sigils ᛭ 240 ~$400–500
Noctis ⍦ — $Unknown or Priceless
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Lore-Integrated Features
• Attuned Coins: Every coin bears a Memory Seal. It can reveal who last held it if touched by a sequence 2 user.
• Cursed Coins: Some Noctis coins are "Whispering" — they speak to their bearers with truths or madness.
• Echo Coins: Rare Coron coins split into two matching halves, used for binding contracts across distances.
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Secret & Esoteric Currencies
The Null Tally
• Not a coin, but an abstract ledger also called corrupted Nactis used by the Order of Forgotten Names. This order worships, the forgotten God-the God of knowledge and corruption
• Tracks existence erased. Can be traded for true name erasure, memory wiping, or soul severance.
• One Null Tally is worth a hundred Sigils—but extremely dangerous to hold.
Blood Marks
• Created from the solidified will of a dying Believer or Legacy.
• Used in shadow markets to bid on cursed relics or summon sealed entities.
• Each one is unique and can only be used once.
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Notes
• There are are paper notes — but only for the Sigils
• Every transaction leaves a faint metaphysical trace readable by high-level believers or legacies.
• The rich hoard Sigils and Noctis coins, not for value alone but for the power they anchor. And for mass use of Sigils people use notes.
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