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Object
Object

Tegana's 100 Golden Pieces

Tegana agrees to pay the mercenary Kuiju 100 golden pieces—half upfront—in the dimly lit stables for stealing the 'War Lord's tomb.' Kuiju, with his eye patch and pet monkey, rejects Kublai Khan's paper money, gripping Tegana's promise of solid gold coins as proof of the cold deal. This currency exchange binds the opportunistic thief to Tegana's plot.
1 appearances

Purpose

Currency to hire Kuiju for tomb raid

Significance

Locks in Kuiju's theft of the TARDIS disguised as the War Lord's tomb, exposes Tegana's ruthless scheming to back Noghai's throne claim, and spotlights distrust of Khan's paper money among locals.

Appearances in the Narrative

When this object appears and how it's used

1 moments
S1E18 · Rider From Shang-Tu
Tegana commissions Kuiju for tomb raid

The 100 golden pieces serve as the tangible currency of Tegana and Kuiju’s transaction, symbolizing both the mercenary’s greed and Tegana’s ruthless pragmatism. Kuiju’s insistence on gold—rather than Kublai Khan’s paper money—is a rejection of the Khan’s authority, framing the deal as one between outlaws rather than subjects of the empire. The gold is not just payment; it’s a statement of distrust in the system and a commitment to the deal’s terms. Tegana’s agreement to pay half upfront solidifies the pact, while the remaining half acts as an incentive for Kuiju to deliver. The gold’s physical presence (or promise thereof) is the linchpin of the entire heist, tying Kuiju’s actions to Tegana’s ambitions.

Before: Tegana possesses the gold (or access to it), while Kuiju lacks it—his demand for upfront payment is a direct response to this imbalance. The gold is untouched but promised, its value hinging on the successful execution of the theft.
After: Tegana has committed to delivering 50 golden pieces tonight at the Street of the Beggars, while the remaining 50 will be paid upon the successful theft of the TARDIS. The gold itself is still in Tegana’s possession (or that of his faction), but its transfer is now a binding part of the agreement. Kuiju’s expectation of receiving the gold has been set, creating a sense of obligation and urgency.
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