Propots

Propots are a fictional term used in various science fiction and fantasy universes to denote a portable resource that functions both as currency and as a source of power. In settings where propots appear, they are typically exchanged for goods and services and can be spent to operate devices, vehicles, or tools. The dual nature of propots—as a medium of exchange and as an energy reservoir—adds layers of complexity to in-world economies, including considerations of scarcity, valuation, and circulation.

Origins and mechanics of propots vary by worldbuilding. Some narratives depict propots as physically minted tokens backed by a stockpile of usable energy, while others present them as digital or cryptographic instruments that track value and energy credits. Governance can range from centralized authorities that regulate supply to decentralized systems that rely on market dynamics or communal consensus. In many depictions, the value of propots fluctuates with supply, demand, and the perceived reliability of energy sources.

Usage in storytelling and game design often centers on resource management and power struggles. Propots enable plots about rationing, black markets, and technological disparity, as well as incentives for exploration and trade. In role-playing and strategy games, players might earn propots through quests or discoveries and spend them to acquire equipment, upgrade capabilities, or access restricted services, with conversion rates to other in-world currencies or energy units.

See also: currency, energy currency, in-universe economics, fictional technology.