Icenia Raises Bounty To 94 Diamond Blocks; Economists Warn Single Pearl Now Worth More Than Most Nations

Icenia City—Economists sounded the alarm Monday after the Third Republic of Icenia raised its bounty to 94 blocks of diamonds per target, meaning a single pearl now carries a higher market value than the entire economy of most nations on the server.

“There are countries out there with a smaller treasury than one pearl,” said one analyst at the CivMarket exchange. “If you’re a small nation, the most valuable thing you own is your leader’s pearl. Frankly, you should consider selling.”

Icenia, a large semi-democratic nation in the −,− quadrant and a longtime member of the Dawn Guard Pact, is widely regarded as one of the major powers on CivMC. Its bounties have long been a fixture of server politics, but economists say the latest increase has distorted markets across the map.

Diamond prices rose 6 percent within an hour of the announcement, while the price of armour fell sharply as several players decided they would rather not be worth that much. A brief rush on disguises was also reported.

“I used to be a regular guy,” said one player who fits the general description on several wanted posters. “Now people look at me and see a down payment on a castle. My own friends have started following me home.”

Several one-man nations have reportedly listed their sole citizen for sale on the open market, describing the move as “the only sensible economic policy available.” One listing reads simply: “Nation for sale. Comes with one pearl. Pearl is me.”

Icenian officials defended the increase, saying a higher bounty “sends a clear message.” Asked what the message was, an official said it was “94 blocks of diamonds,” and that he thought that was fairly clear.

At press time, Monument Bank had begun offering mortgages backed by pearls.