Chapter 1 : The copper mede (or what you thought you already knew)
The copper mede can be as much a friend as a terrible weight on your shoulders, depending on the circumstances.
Everyone loves the noise of a handful of healthy coins tingling in a purse or in a pocket. After all, the more you have, the better off you are, right?
What if I told you that you should actually aim at having only what you need, and secure the rest in other forms?
Let's face it : having a heavy purse is good. But having a purse TOO HEAVY can become a real inconvenience.
In-game : with their weight set at 0,01, all those coins count for more than 81 carrying points!
This is when the exchange system established by the Tamriel Merchant Guild comes into play. Imagine the relief you will feel when you will divide the weight on your hips by twenty-five, a hundred, or even a thousand! All this for just 10% of the sum you are willing to exchange.
Yes, yes, I hear you complaining about this "unfair and completely arbitrary" commission, but this tax is absolutely necessary for the well-being of the Empire, for reasons too deep and complex to explain at length here (and let's be honest, you couldn't care less).
But be aware that there are actually means to avoid, and even ENTIRELY EXEMPT YOURSELF from this commission. We will come to that, in time. Before that, we must understand what you can and cannot do on the regular market.
First and foremost, go visit a local merchant affiliated to the guild. Your best bet are pawnshops and general good stores, which by law can only be owned by guild members. Other store owners like alchemists or blacksmiths tend to congregate in unrelated guilds and unions, or simply prefer to remain independent in their vast majority.
Pawnbrokers and general store owners will always welcome the opportunity to alleviate your burden (for obvious reasons). But their commission is not as terrible as it could first seem once you start dealing in important sums. And when your 250 copper coins will become 10 silver coins, you will tell the difference!
You can also invest in silver ingots. I admit the choice can seem weird at first : silver ingots are heavy, not really comfortable in a pocket or a purse, and may look like an encumbrance. You can't even sell or exchange silver ingots outside of currency exchange due to Imperial Regulations on the Status of Silver and Gold, so what is the point, really?
Well, here's the first "pro-tip" I'll give you : there is a loop in the restrictions about their trade!
You cannot sell a silver ingot, but you absolutely have the right to transform it as a piece of art and sell it. If you are skilled enough, you can for example craft some refined jewelry with it, and barter it to the best of your ability to anyone interested. Of course this is an oddly specific way of doing things, and that's a big IF, but this is still food for thoughts.
And this first small trick allows me to immediatly jump to the next chapter.
>> Go to Chapter 2 <<
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