The Golden Bargain

Though not every adherent is able to maintain the strict financial regimen subscribed, those who do amass great wealth. Even those who falter often achieve wealth through these efforts.

The Golden Bargain is often described in one of three ways. Depending upon the level of wealth of the adherant, it may be taught as The Seven Coins, Seven Cures for a Lean Purse, or The Seven Laws of Gold.

The Seven Coins

Halea's Coin

Tithe thy first coin to the Godess. All wealth flows from the maiden. (The 1 in 7 tithe of income is sometimes referred to as "the first bargain".)

The Magic Coin

Keep the second coin in thy purse. Spend it not. Put thy magic coins to work.

The Debtor's Coin

Give the debtor's coin to thy creditors. Soon this coin will be thyne own to keep. (This coin is sometimes referred to as Sardura's coin. Sardura - Halea's "left hand" collects against the mistresses bargains. The wise debtor pays creditors.) The debtor's coin is also special in that it encourages the follower in practices of wise borrowing. It promises the indebted follower that by paying off debt now, in the future the debtor's coin becomes "thyne own", giving two coins in seven for the pursuit of pleasure. In cases where debt is significant, the worshiper may need to spend two in seven toward debt reduction. This unpleasant practice is referred to as "paying Sardura with both hands."

The Kings Coin

Keep the Kings coin safe, that when the tax collector comes thyne own wealth will be beyond his reach.

Two Coins for Thy Necessary Expenses

For thyne own and thy families necessary expenses spend but two coins.

Thyne Own Coin

The last coin is thyne to spend so that thou will always know wealth and pleasure. Give thy last coin to Dulcia, Galopea, or Tania for thyne own or a loved ones pleasure.

Seven Cures for a Lean Purse¹

1. Begin thy purse to fattening. This is the magic coin. The dominant principle of wealth in Haleanism is the importance of investment.
2. Control thy expenses. Haleanism is about wealth and excess, but the priestesses know that even excess must be taken in moderation. The bargain (actually the key principle of The Golden Bargain) is that thrift and abundance in combination produces great wealth.
3. Put thy magic coins in Elomia's palm. Elomia, the princess of enterprise, represents the bargain of investment. The church knows that wealth wisely invested grows rapidly. To this end, the priestesses often work with reputable userers to establ ish investments for temple followers. In a sense, the church acts as a broker to leverage and diversify the wealth of Halea's followers. Temple adherents gain access to a safe investment with a moderate return, the userers have a steady source of capital, and of course, the temple earns a small return for its services. This practice is commonly called the Ralathina's bargain.
4. Ward thy magic coins. Selina, princess of abundance, guards Halea's treasures. The church teaches its laity to guard its wealth carefully. The priestesses go so far as to recommend safe, moderate return investments--such as those they have arra nged with known userers.
5. Own thyne palace. The value of home ownership is not lost on the Halean church. Many temples work with the userers among their laity to provide loan guarantees to their congregations for the purpose of buying a residense. The guarantees usually result in discounted interest rates. Defaults on such loans are rare, but when they occur the church forcloses on the property, and will re-sell the real estate to another paritioner, often at a substantial discount. These guarantees are often referred to as a "Lord's Bargain."
6. Insure a future income. The church incourages the practice of diverse investments in competent userers as a source of future income. While such matters are minor during major religious festivals, the discussion of investments is a daily occuran ce within Halea's temples.
7. Increase thyne own worth. Halea's lust for wealth is insatiable, as is that of her followers. The church teaches the wise practice of constantly improving ones earning potential. Almost as common as discussion of investments, the practice of tr ades is also discussed among the church's followers.

The Seven Laws of Gold¹

1. Wealth cometh in abundance to anyone who keeps the magic coin.
2. The magic coin multiplies even as the flocks in the field for the shepherd who makes of it a profitable bargain.
3. The magic coin clingeth to the wise bargainer or to one whose bargains are made with advise of the wise.
4. The magic coin slippeth through the fingers of those whose bargains are made in unfamiliar industry, or without the counsel of competent bargainers.
5. The magic coin flees the bargainer who would force its impossible growth or bargain with schemers and tricksters.
6. Thalia loves men of action.
7. Elomia loves men of skill.

The Golden Bargain in Play

• An otherwise competent userer has invested the local temples Ralathina's Bargain in a risky mercantylers project, and believes said mercantyler has absconded with the money. The userer hires an expedition to "discreetly" recover the funds.
• An adherent has defaulted on a Lord's Bargain and the temple solathir have recruited mercenarys to effect an eviction.
• A wayward player is paying Sardura with both hands. Such a player should be constantly tempted by hucksters and schemers - along with a legitimate opportunity for significant gain with a moderate investment. The player must recognize the legitima te opportunity. Thalia loves men of action.