Igelfeld Family/Von Igelfeld family Memoirs/The Wisdom of Moritz/Economics and Gold

"perhaps you would prefer to talk about our economics and the importance of gold. I do like the topic, gold is so very useful and pleasant. I am considering becoming a merchant so that I can obtain massive amounts of it and possibly swim in it." Moritz said with a smile."anyway, once you have a Liege you should be getting a regular income. Now it is important to note you will be paid in bonds when you are away from the duchy, and bonds cannot be spend on anything. in order to exchange your bonds for gold you must visit a bank within your realm."

"Why don't they just send us the gold?"

Moritz shrugged, "They say it is because of the danger involved with transporting large quantities of Gold, but I think they are just lazy."

"I know you primarily use gold to maintain troops, but are there any other uses?"

"Yes cousin!" His eyes lit up,"You can use it to train at the Academy, gain loyalties, and enlarge your family fortune."

"what can I study?"

"Well, that depends on what specialization you choose. As a warrior your primary trainable skills are swordfighting, jousting, and leadership. Swordfighting and jousting are great when at tournaments, but leadership helps on the battlefield and when you become a marshal or general, leadership opens up new options for army formations and the like. If you become a priest you can train your speachcraft to increase the effectiveness of your preaching, and merchants can train a skill that helps them make better deals."

"How can gold gain loyalties?"

"That is one of the best uses of gold! you see, if you have a lot of gold you may want to transfer it to other members of your realm so that they think more highly of you. Believe me, giving away gold is truly hard for me but in realms that hold elections loyalty is much more valuable. And on that same note, if you have excess gold you can always send it to your family estate." Moritz smiled widely and raised is eyebrows,"There are considerable advantages to doing this for all of us. First, once our family has 1200 gold we can start asking for assistance when we are low, then at around 1500 -2000 gold we can start investing in regions to increase their productivity for a time. I also hear that if you have enough family wealth you can purchase claims to regions and even purchase region lordships. So keep sending the Igelfelds your money because I would love to be a region lord."

"Isn't that looked down upon by the realm? you know removing the wealth of the land and all that?" I asked.

"Yes, I suppose so, but remember where your loyalties truly lie." Moritz winked.

"Mine or to the realm." I said, setting my jaw.

He shook his head, "So young you are, quickly you will learn."