Temple Tokens

It is a great happiness and relief for an Adherent to give a temple token to one who is hungry, or in need of shelter. It is an act both mundane and sacred, an act that pleases the benevolent Holy Ones. The mechanism of earthly society finding a way to manifest the care and love of the Gods to the people through the service of the Adherents.

Temple Tokens. The Shared Holy Writs, Scroll (The 1st)

What Are Temple Tokens?

  Temple tokens are simple and commonplace items in the world of Zaygel. They are coin-like items most often made from fired terracotta clay, or pressed slag or scrap metal from the forges or foundries. There are no restrictions on which craftspeople can make tokens. However, they are most commonly made by potters and blacksmiths with the remainders of larger products, or from large numbers of products. They are intended to be easy to store for travel, and fit easily in the palm of the hand.  

What are the Tokens Purpose?

    The purpose of the temple tokens are to help citizens in need, especially those needing food, shelter, or medicine, but are lacking the coin or items for barter to obtain those things. The tokens can be taken to the temple of the Holy One they represent and there the person in need can bathe, have a hot meal and simple pallet bed to sleep on for the night. If the person has minor sickness or injury they will be treated at the temple infirmary. If they are severely sick or injured they will be taken the nearest hospital and their first treatment will be paid for by the temple. As referenced in The Shared Holy Writs, the giving of temple tokens is seen as an expression of the love of the world's benevolent Gods to the citizens, especially those in need made action through the Adherents.    

How are the Tokens Distributed?

    Adherents, the clergy of Zaygel's many Gods and Goddesses, carry tokens with them at least once a week. They distribute them to those in need while going about their duties: through the cities, towns, villages, and even the wilderness. One Adherent, tends to carry about 10 or less tokens with them at a time.  

How do the Tokens Fit into the Economy?

    Socio-cultural wise the tokens are an act of charity between two, or more people, and spiritually it's seen as an act by loving deities. On the practical level it's a part of the economy and is made to help boost the economy by supporting people, and help support the temples through offerings by the people as a way of giving thanks. The government also gives gifts of supplies to support the temples in these duties.   The potters and metal smiths who often make the tokens are able to take a small reduction in the taxes based on the number of temple tokens they make in a year. The are free to choose which Holy Ones they create temple tokens for. Making the tokens also gives them another way to reduce their work waste as they are often made using the scraps of larger products or products that are in large orders.