A Treatise on Monster Cores, Value, and Circulation
Monster Cores are the foundational currency of Eidolon Online. When hostile entities are defeated, their remaining system-energy condenses into a crystallized nucleus known as a Core. These objects are universally accepted not by decree, but by necessity: Cores power crafting, repairs, transport arrays, and Rebinding processes. Coin exists in some regions as a convenience, but only Cores are truly liquid across cultures.
Cores are graded by size and density, reflecting the threat, complexity, and persistence of the entity from which they formed.
Designation: Common Core
Source: Standard monsters, wildlife threats, low-risk encounters
Small Cores are the backbone of daily commerce. They are stable, plentiful, and easily divisible through sanctioned refinement methods.
Typical Uses
Food, lodging, consumables
Basic equipment and repairs
Local transport fees
Entry-level crafting components
Designation: Refined Core
Source: Elite enemies, dungeon guardians, high-risk zones
Medium Cores possess greater density and cleaner resonance. They are required for most advanced systems and are the preferred unit of trade among guilds.
Typical Uses
Equipment upgrades and enchantment services
Guild dues, contracts, and bounties
Advanced crafting and augmentation
Regional tolls and long-distance travel
Designation: High-Density Core
Source: Apex monsters, raid bosses, story-significant threats
Large Cores are rare and potent. Their presence is often treated as a mark of legacy or danger. Many institutions record their serial resonance signatures.
Typical Uses
Legendary crafting and system-bound items
Territory claims and large-scale construction
Rebinding stabilization and augmentation
Political leverage and mythic transactions
The Core Exchange operates on stable but not absolute ratios. Rates below are recognized by most major factions and trade hubs.
1 Medium Core = 25 Small Cores
1 Large Core = 10 Medium Cores
1 Large Core = 250 Small Cores
These ratios reflect energy density loss during refinement and the increasing difficulty of stabilizing higher-tier cores.
Cores may be refined upward or broken down through licensed Corewrights or sanctioned system processes.
Conversion is never perfectly efficient.
Small → Medium:
Requires 30 Small Cores to produce 1 Medium Core
Medium → Large:
Requires 12 Medium Cores to produce 1 Large Core
The excess energy is lost as heat, light, or system dissipation. This inefficiency prevents infinite wealth loops.
While exchange rates are broadly accepted, regional modifiers apply:
Frontier Zones:
Small Cores devalued due to oversupply; Medium Cores preferred
High Civilization Centers:
Small Cores accepted at face value; strict verification on Large Cores
Restricted Regions:
Refuse Small Cores entirely; Medium as minimum tender
Mythic or System-Sensitive Areas:
Only Medium or Large Cores accepted
Cores are stable but not eternal.
Mishandled Cores slowly bleed value
Cracked or overused Cores may be rejected by vendors
Large Cores resonate over time, subtly reacting to their bearer
This encourages circulation, not hoarding.
True Monster Cores are nearly impossible to forge.
Synthetic or hollow cores exist, but are unstable
Attempted forgery draws system scrutiny
Guilds maintain Core registries for Large Cores
Possession of an unregistered Large Core may trigger investigation—or fear.
Cores are more than money.
NPCs recognize Core wealth intuitively
Large Core holders are treated with caution or reverence
Frequent Core exchange marks an Eidolon as “active” in the world
Repeated death alters Core resonance subtly, affecting valuation in rare cases
Exchange rates are guidelines, not shackles
Use inefficiency to curb abuse
Let Large Cores be narrative objects, not just currency
Never trivialize the acquisition of High-Density Cores
In Eidolon Online, wealth is not minted—it is earned, condensed from risk and persistence. Monster Cores are proof that the world acknowledged your struggle, and that acknowledgment always has weight.