Economy

Corporate Scrip

Some corporations choose to pay their employees in corporate scrip. This currency is only redeemable for goods and services owned by the issuing corporation. The Union for Private Space introduced this cash currency as a way of encouraging employee loyalty, however it is still exchanged for other corporate scrip and even for bits. Different corporations are considering switching to a digital banking system, however UPS economists have warned that removing the ability to exchanged scrip would likely result in an economic collapse.

Year of Service

A Year of Service is a formal contractual agreement between servant and master, employee and employer, and so on.

It represents one individual's service to another individual for the period of one Exodian Year, during which they waive certain rights and comply with certain tasks, services, and labor. While it is considered a form of slavery by the Schematic for Cosmic Order, and the Gor Adukk Ma, it is accepted as an alternative to currency by the Union of Private Space and The Family.

In the Union of Private Space, a YS is akin to a contract, and often accompanied by certain allowances in the form of corporate scrip. With enough accumulated scrip, an employee may pay off YSs.

In The Family, a YS is often treated as a privilege and moral obligation. Upon graduation, special citizens such as Starswords or Spinners are often offered bids from various System Lords and other noble families, which include a number of YS along with certain privileges such as special rights and property.

In rare cases, YS may be exchanged for other YS or even currency. Examples may include an elderly employee training a replacement so that they may retire early, or two servants who mutually wish to swap masters. In any case, no legitimate exchange may take place without consent from all parties.

Muska

The Gor Adukk Ma uses Bits as its common currency. However, since before its unification it also relies on a traditional currency called Muska. These are merits represented by totems issued by the Gor Adukk Ma Supa Tribes. Each individual may receive a number of Muska each year based on their recognized accomplishments, normally between 0-3. This may included heroism, selflessness, valor, ingenuity, or integrity. Upon request of a particular privilege, service, or goods, an individual presents their accumulated Muska, and if it were considered sufficiently impressive, they would be granted their request. Unlike normal currency, Muska is never exchanged, only accumulated. It is destroyed at the funeral of the owner. Stealing Muska, purchasing Muska, giving Muska away, or keeping the Muska of a dead person, is a very serious crime.

While the use of Muska for everyday exchanges of goods and services has become less common, it is still used as a way of honoring members of the Gor Adukk Ma as well as notable foreigners, promising them honored status. It holds symbolic importance during weddings, diplomacy, court trials, professional interviews, and personal sentiment.

Leaf

Leaf is an informal currency used mostly among elves and halfing communities, along with various rural or fringe cultures. It is represented by pressed and dehydrated plant matter with chemicals activated by burning. It is produced by farmers, and may be exchanged for Bits or directly for goods and services. In SCO space, the exchange of Leaf is considered fraud, and so the currency is rarely kept for very long before it is smoked.