kepens

Kepens are the currency of the fictional Kepen Archipelago, appearing in fantasy literature, tabletop role-playing games, and related media. The term covers both coins and banknotes used in daily commerce within the archipelago and in trade with neighboring regions of the same setting.

Etymology and design: In the world where Kepens exist, the name derives from the Kepen language family. Coins are minted primarily in copper, with silver issues in higher denominations. Common coins are issued in 1, 5, 10, 25, and 50 Kepens, with larger denominations such as 100 Kepens appearing in storied or ceremonial coinage; banknotes range from 200 to 1000 Kepens in some subsystems. Obverses show a sea turtle and a galleon; reverses show tide marks or coastal maps.

Issuance and economy: The Kepen Monetary Authority, a fictional central bank, coordinates minting and maintains a basic exchange rate with nearby currencies within the setting. The currency supports daily shopping, wages, and taxation in many communities; money supply fluctuations affect local markets and prices on different islands.

In fiction and gaming: Kepens are often used as a narrative device to explore trade, wealth, and cross-cultural interaction, and appear in adventure modules, worldbuilding guides, and novels. They serve as a tangible artifact within stories about sea routes, diplomacy, and colonial-era economies.