BANKING IN URUTAU
Jinara walked up to the rune marked rock and pressed her hand against it. The stone archway next to the rune began to glow. The portal opened and she stepped through. In front of her were the white marble steps that led up to the heavy bronze doors, flanked by two rather hefty looking armoured Wrotan soldiers, although she sensed that they weren't the only ones watching her approach. On the doors, a verse.
Enter, stranger, but take heed
Of what awaits the sin of greed
For those who take, but do not earn,
Must pay most dearly in their turn.
So if you seek beneath our floors
A treasure that was never yours,
Thief, you have been warned, beware
Of finding more than treasure there…
(Thank you J.K. Rowling…)
Her pouch in hand, she nodded to the soldiers, and pushed open the doors. This was the entrance to the the Bank of Urutau.
Through these doors, Jinara made her way along the long marble hall, lit with large decadent fire bowls and candles, wooden counters on either side, stretching the length of the hall, with Gornang and Vespari bankers busily furrowing through papers, crunching numbers, some just sitting, politely waiting for customers. Jinara did not need to see those bankers today. She had a deposit to make… And so she made her way to the end of the hall, to the fiery bearded Vault Deposits Clerk. His counter was situated centrally between two ornate silver doors. The doors seemed to glow.
"Good morning Madam!" The cheerful clerk addressed Jinara, his voice gruff. "How may I be of service today?"
"I… Erm… My name is Jinara Kep. I'd like to make a deposit, if I may?" She handed the pouch to the clerk, who, in turn, took it, and peered inside at its contents. His smile turned to a frown. "Is this some sort of joke?" He glowered. Jinara shuffled uncomfortably. "No. No it is not. It's very important that I keep it here, just for a few days. Just until I figure out a more permanent place for it." She looked at the clerk, whose cheery disposition had rapidly disappeared. "Please? I don't know what else to do…" The clerk's frown softened a little.
"Very well, you'll need a small deposit box. It'll be 1 silver crest per day. BUT we can only keep this in the vaults for two days, maximum. If you haven't returned for it by then, it will be returned TO you. Do you understand?"
Jinara nodded, and handed over 2 silver crests.
"Fine. Can you read and write, Jinara Kep?" He took a piece of parchment from the small wooden cabinet at the side of his desk and placed it in front of Jinara. Jinara nodded once more. "Good. You'll need to fill this out…"
The clerk stood, and walked over to one of the silver doors. Placing one hand on the door, he turned back to Jinara. "Two days…" He frowned, as the door seemed to melt away. He stepped through the gap where the silver door once was, only for it to reappear once he was through…
Gornang built, the Bank is primarily run by the Gornang with support from the Vespari and Air Elementals. Only those who work at the bank (and of course the Ref Team!) know of its secrets and the measures taken to prevent against intruders and theft. They have undertaken a strict oath, bound by magic, that forbids them from speaking of the bank's secrets, although players will know that the Bank is extremely heavily protected, and should avoid attempting to break in or steal from the Bank. If players are foolish enough to try, then they must be prepared for the consequences!
The Bank is hidden in a pocket realm, accessible to those in the know through Portal gates in various locations across Urutau.
The Bank honours the currency set in place by the Wrotan Republic.
Services
The Bank offers a variety of services to their customers.
Safety Deposit Boxes
Safety deposit boxes are kept in the Vaults of the Bank (The Bank will have the right to refuse items to be stored in the vault). Deposit box rental prices are as follows, unless an annual agreement has been made with a Banker.
Small deposit box =15cm wide x 30cm long x 10cm deep - 1 silver per day
Medium deposit box = 30cm wide x 45cm long x 15cm deep - 3 silver per day
Large deposit box = 45cm wide x 60cm long x 20cm deep - 5 silver per day
Storage vault =1m x 1m x 1m -1 gold per day
Large Storage Vault = 2m x 2m x 2m - 3 gold per day
Safety deposit boxes will be well guarded; trying to break into them may have a nasty consequence, as well as drawing the attention of the Security Team.
There is a separate vault for money and gems, equally as protected.
Loans
Air Elemental Debt Recovery
Players may borrow money, agreeing a repayment date. They will pay back the amount borrowed, plus 10-20% (dependant on the loan amount, and the length of the agreement). In the event that a player fails to repay the loan by the agreed date, a further 5% (of the amount borrowed) per day will be added to the amount repayable. After seven days of non payment, Air Elementals will be sent to recover the debt in full, or goods to the value of.
Insurance
The Bank offers a wide range of insurance policies, and payment schemes.
Last Will and Testament
For many, taking care of loved ones after they pass on to their afterlife is a priority. A sensitive service is offered whereby an individual can submit their own Will, or, for a small fee, have a Banker help guide them through what can be a complicated process.
Evaluation
For a small fee, the Bank will be glad to help you evaluate your goods.
Players will be able to exchange gems for currency at banks.
How to Bank
Upon request, each player will have an account sheet allocated to them. The Trade Ref will keep the account updated. Players may ask to see their own account sheet.
When players use money on the Element Forums, the Trade Ref will amend the players account accordingly.
At Element Events, a Banker will be available, usually for a period of time in the evening, giving players the chance to make withdrawals or deposits in preparation for the following adventuring day! An effort will be made to allow for morning transactions, dependant on time.