Decamper
..!
- Joined
- Jul 28, 2014
- Messages
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A Merchant’s Report
Dear Director, I hope this message finds you well.
As per instructions, I have assembled this report for your perusal. Over the past five years I have corresponded with dozens of associates across the three continents, from honourable company men to those little better than brigands, but all have been needed, no matter their reputation, in putting into picture the full extent of trade matters across the known world. Following are passages of letters received from these traders, as I believe it will be more valuable for you to read their own words directly (apologies in advance, they are not all as formal as I would have wished) rather than my reinterpretation of them. In some places I have inserted my own notes to further elaborate some points.
***
To begin, I believe it would be best to start from western Jiadau, with the remains of Qeng Xo proper and its neighbours. This section is taken from an independant trader based out of the Pardusos.
…Despite the fractured nature of the Qeng Empires, they were still individually almost capable of dominating global trade with their navies and massive amounts of goods produced. Together, the three Empires produced an ungodly amount of goods, I would argue almost a quarter of all goods across the whole known world came out of the Qeng Bay. But their attention has been turned completely inward, and leaving almost all trade to foreigners and independants. While that’s making a great haul for me and my ilk, if not the whole three continents, the amount of capital the Qeng are losing out on is mind boggling. A good example of how inward the Three Empires have turned is just by looking at their neighbours. Sen Ji is still nominally loyal to the Empire, and is only a short distance away, but when it was set upon by the neighbouring kingdoms of Ksezdo and Dradkhar, the Empires didn’t even lift a finger. Sen Ji still controls a bit of the coast, but I’ve personally ceased operations there. Still do business with the Ksez and Drad, they’re not the friendliest folk, but in their ports I’m not as worried about my ship being pillaged by blood-frenzied soldiers sacking a city.
A lot of us Parduso were wary of whatever the Qeng were up to, withdrawing all their ships and such. We had heard rumours, and honestly, it was pretty obvious what was going to happen, but it was still a bit of shock to hear. The Western and Southern Empires launched independent invasions of the crippled Northern Empire, and from what I hear, it was a damned bloodbath. Not many traders go very far into the Qeng Bay since the civil war started, but the few that risked sneaking through the Western Empire’s blockade say that the North is at its breaking point. It’s fields and cities have fallen, its navy sits at the bottom of the bay, and its armies have been mauled and don’t have much further to fall back. If the war itself wasn’t bloody enough, the Shekya, Sagyek and Shao Thulklan have all taken the opportunity to nibble away at the Empires’ borders. While I can’t say I’m all that broke up about the bastards ripping each other apart, I do weep for the lost goods, and we’ll all have more to weep for if it gets any worse...
Indeed, the Three Empires continue to be the largest contributors to trade value across the continents, and as their civil war drags on, we will continue to see our profits drop. The Parduso trader continues, now commenting on Southern Xidau.
...I’d argue that murder must be in Qeng blood, because that’s all I see with them. The Empires tear each other apart, the islands in the Middle Sea are out for the blood of anyone else with a boat (This is covered in a following report. The Parduso does not operate any further east than Suiyang and Mala), and the Xidau half-bloods slaughter their native cousins. Qeng Kubeo and Qeng Varteha both attacked the Surui confederacy that was between them. The Qeng half-bloods were vicious, slaughtered and enslaved the whole lot of the Surui. Can’t say I much like taking slaves aboard my ships, but people down south and further east want them, so I’ll take what I’m given.
Actually, not all Qeng seem to be mad dogs, now that I think about it. Though if they caught me calling them Qeng, they’d probably rip me to pieces anyways. The Qi and their little empire - they’d hang me for saying that too - have been pretty industrious lately. Laid out a whole new irrigation system, all throughout the farms hidden away in their jungles, so I’ve been taking on a good bit of Qi foodstuffs lately. They also started building some big stone forts along their borders. Stone forts in the jungle, sounds pretty impressive, but sounds like it would be hell of hike through those damn jungles to get a look at them.
The Qeng half-bloods’ war spooked some of the other Xidau jungle tribes, and if there’s one way to get the tribes to work together, it’s by spooking them. The Haoxa council apparently had a falling out, and the whole confederacy split up, some tribes joining with the Favante and others with the Buanya, and the Pakuxi and Muntaha confederacies joined up into one big happy confederacy. Honestly, what the jungle tribes do is generally of little concern to me, I know other traders like to stop and let the tribals paddle out to sell some jungle goods, but I’d rather go a bit further east. The Ji Sin have have a nice bay, and get enough goods from the neighbouring tribes. The real game changer in the region for me though is with the Tha’mad. Those crazy bastards have always been a bit of a gamble, but they’re really pulling themselves together, at least in terms of trade. They convinced a bunch of the neighbouring tribal groups to build up their infrastructure, laying out a bunch of trade roads, and all the roads lead right into Tha’mad. The tribes get to trade their goods to the wide world, and the Tha’mad get to be the middlemen funneling all those nice jungle goods to the sea traders. Smart stuff. If only they’d stop hiding bundles of spider legs under all the crew bunks...
***
The next report is from an northern Xidau overland trader. He’s also independent, though he has no specific base of operations. He travels with a caravan along route between Polavostronya and Deschaen, a horrendously long journey, and honestly wholly unnecessary when compared to sea trade, but he covers a wide territory, and so his report is quite useful.
...The Deschaen are a godawful bunch. Never met people so boring. No wonder my ancestors wanted to get out of there, and thank all the gods they did, or I’d be worshipping a damn turtle. They have a massive army, and let me tell you, they have the money to buy more. What do they use all these warriors, these killers, for? Planting fields. Building fences. Shovelling horsehockeye. Oh yeah, I’m sure that’s what all those guys joined up for. Really living the soldier life there. Yeah, alright, the poor folk appreciated all the attention and free labour, and lots love the guys in armour now, and that’s good for me. Less pissed off peasants playing at brigandry along the road. I will say though, the Deschaen threw a real nice, real expensive party. Preachy as all the hells, of course, but they didn’t skimp on the wine and I sold more than I normally would in a year, so I’m not complaining…
He proceeds to give twelve thousand words detailing his escapades during the festival. To summerise everything of importance, the festival succeeded in bringing some of the commoners’ spirits up, and helped convert some from the Imperial Pantheon over to the Great Three. He then proceeds to shortly comment on the mountain tribes.
…The mountains are cold, ugly and boring. The people that live in them more so. No wonder my ancestors got out of the mountains so fast. The Fenaeni and the Ghanaeni are alway fighting constant, pointless ‘wars,’ though the word is wasted on them, and trade some worthless mountains back and forth…
After insulting the mountain folk for awhile, he explains the situation in the northwest.
...Jiau Fei was always a breath of fresh air after time in the mountains. That sweet, sweet smell of crowded cities. Humans and human waste, the smell of profit to my nose. Safe too, at least compared to the deserts and brush. The Qeng are insufferable though, killers one and all but none will talk straight with you. All ‘civilisation’ this and ‘progress’ that. No wonder my ancestors got out of there so fast. Their empire crumbling didn’t stop from killing, oh no. The Polav Principalities and Jiau Fei came to a trade agreement, can you believe that? Polavs are more likely to rape a Qeng than trade with them. World’s going crazy I tell you. But the Polavs were as civil as they get, and promised Jiau Fei traders passage through Kazah Horde lands to the other coastal Qeng colonies. Of course, the Principalities don’t speak for all Polavs, despite whatever any Boyar will tell you, and the Kazah gave the Qeng anything but safe passage. Like true Polavs they rode down and butchered every last Qeng trader they saw. If there’s one thing you have to say for the Polav hordes, they’re viscious. If you have to say another thing, it would be that they’re stupid. Jiau Fei, backed up by Fengpei and Zhon Xi, completely and utterly smashed the nomads. Horse archers are cool and all, but a horse isn’t very fast when you shoot it in the face. Whatever Kazah were left fled to Soxyn land or to the Petrov Horde, and Jiau Fei declared the whole great swath of dry-arse land their own.
This is a bit of a double edged sword for me, and no doubt for the Polav Principalities too. With Jiau Fei directly connected to the coast and the other Qeng colonies, travel is much easier and safer, and very convenient, as I can trade with the Qeng, Soxyn, and Polavs without having to cross any unpatrolled territory. Say one thing for the Qeng, say they know how to make nice roads. If you have to say one more thing for the Qeng, say they tax the horsehockeye out of their roads, the bastards. The downside for me is that Jiau Fei can now easily trade via the Polav bay, making me quite redundant. The Polavs also make a tidy sum, and have a stranglehold on the Qeng’s trade out of the bay if they ever need to flex, but they also now have to worry about the three Qeng ex-colonies being united in purpose and proximity.
The Polav Principalities also tossed their hat into the Soxyn succession war, and I’m not too sure if that’s a good thing for me or not. The Soxyn aren’t the best traders, and are more wont to kill and strip you of your goods than trade with you. Say one thing for the Soxyn, say they’re arseholes. The Grand Boyer of the Polavs gave his support to the nearest bordering Soxyn Khonate, the Olfbataar, and the lesser Boyers followed along like well trained dogs. The fanatics in Slavabrest were the most enthusiastic supporters of their new Soxyn friends, for some reason, and fairly large expeditionary force fought alongside the Olfbataar, taking great swathes of the Soxlynd Khonate’s territory. They raided the holy hell out of the Soxlynd as well, and lucky for me some of the Slavabrest crusaders brought back some goodies for me to swindle off of them. Maybe the Polavs got it right, and having a god that endorses pillaging, stealing and killing isn’t such a bad idea. Better than worshipping a damn turtle…
The caravan trader does not mention much about the Zaya or neighbouring Deschaen nations, but from some of his comments and other minor traders, it is likely that the all has been relatively peaceful for them. There is some rumours that the High Queen of Zayakutra may have some claim over the other Zaya nations, but she has shown no sign of pressing the issue.
***
The following letter comes from a Hash’gal trader, though he works for a Ezporatan trade company that has small offices in many coastal North Dofangdau nations. As such, he can provide a wide amount of information for us regarding the Middle Sea Conflict.
...My ships had been docked in Ezporata when the war started, and so I didn’t even hear of it until months after the fighting had come to a standstill. The Exporatas were quiet, as the usually were. The most exciting new was the construction of a great monument, but beyond that the islanders continued about their lives largely oblivious to the outside world. Those on the north end of the continent weren’t much different. The Radaeh nobles were making some massive palace grounds for themselves, and the Insatbar were starting a large harbour expansion, and that was the talk of nearly all Khuranist nations. A monument, a palace, and some docks. A wholly pleasant part of the world, though there was always the uncomfortable annoyance of Bafra’gurk raids, though border patrols pushed them back before they could bother anyone not poor enough to be living on the borders…
He then talks quite extently about the Hash’gal and Hash’unaki, though it is almost completely unrelated to trade matters, so I have spared you having to read it.
...Many blame the Qeng island nations for initiating the Middle Sea Conflict, though the Wind-Prince Republic was heading off to war at the same time anyways, and would have conquered Xiao Dau quickly and mercilessly if Chien Hao and Xo-Che had not also been hungry for battle. I suspect neither side got what they wanted in the war, though the Wind-Princes were obviously hit much harder. I’ve heard Chien sailors talk of the battle with the Wind navy, and praise Khuran that I had not been there to see it. They say the battle raged from midday into the night, when the blackness was chased away by the flames of a hundred burning ships. I doubt there were really that many vessels sent to the deep that day, but I do know that the allied Qeng navy was outnumbered by the Wind fleet, and the Princes’ sailors are experts at their trade. A nasty fight, a horrible waste. So many fine ships on boths sides, sent down to the sleeping gods below. The allied forces won, of course, massed gunboats can unleash horrors that only Anrukh could dream of. The Wind army did relocate to the Republic’s island colony, preventing the alliance’s small army from landing, and from what I’ve heard, the landing on the mainland was called off when the Qeng saw a thousands strong Kogu and Pyong army camped outside of the Wind-Princes’ capital. Who would have thought, the Kogu coming to the rescue of the Princes? The Qeng know how to bring people together. The Kogu and Pyong may have prevented an invasion, but they could do little to stop the Qeng alliance from bombarding the capital and the coastline, and completely cutting off the Wind-Princes from sea trade. Chien Hao and its allies may not have actually taken any Wind territory, but it’s to see it as anything other than a victory.
Chien Hao did not only create a military alliance, but also formed the Dalian League with a number of other independent ex-Qeng colonies in the region. This new League of Dalian, combined with the destruction of the Wind-Prince navy and merchant fleet, has been disastrous for myself and my colleagues, as the members of this new League, and Chien Hao in particular, have taken control of a number of profitable shipping routes through the Middle Sea, while reducing the total value of goods being shipped due to destruction in the Wind-Prince Republic. With all this ‘success’ under his belt, the Chien Hao Prauguan stepped down, replaced by the newly elected Prauguan Feng Dao. I can only hope he will be less successful.
Curiously, Chien Hao’s military ally Xo-Che was not invited into the Dalian League, though that didn’t stop Xo-Che from worming its own way into the Middle Sea trade. The ‘Fengbauji’ Reform’ passed by the admiralty, allowing for merchants to create joint ventures and share the risk of sending out trade ships. In addition to these joint trade missions, the Xo-Che attempted to bribe the Morazen and Rokava into handing over territory for trade colonies. The Morazen bribe failed horrible, as they simply took the bribe then ignored any further diplomats and messages, no doubt put off by the Middle Sea Conflict. This was likely due to Morazen having reestablished relations with the Wind-Prince Republic after purchasing back a coastal island they claimed as their own, but had been under Wind-Prince administration since the Imperial collapse. The Rokava Confederacy was much easier to work with, and some bribes placed into the right hands at the council resulted in a sizeable tract of coastal land being handed over to Xo-Che which, while agriculturally and industrially useless, provides a convenient port for Xo-Che merchants and fleets, as well as other passing traders. On top of this, Xo-Che has begun construction on the Arsenal of Sokoki, which when completed promises to further cement its position as a dominant power in the Middle Sea.
The Xo-Che also threw themselves in bed with the Mungu with a nice little trade deal. Not a bad idea, as the Mungu sit at the centre of the Watu city states. The Mungu have also made their bid to stand with the big players in the Middle Sea trade, making trade agreements with other friendly Watu states. Outside of these trade agreements, the Mungu have also attempted to form a defensive coalition with its neighbours to counter possible Ikhaya aggression, though only those directly bordering the Ikhaya, Ropmji and Nija Kavu, agreed. Likely a prudent move by the Mungu, as the Ikhaya, along with the Yagavu and Jamhay nomads, completely overran Buk. Ikhaya has made it clear that they wish to unite the Watu once again, but by the sword. Alone, I doubt they could overtake the combine Watu city states, but it may stand a chance if the Watu remain splintered, as well as if it can maintain some coordination with the nomad groups. The Jamhay Empire is likely key to Ikhaya’s ambition, but I’ve heard that the nomads have had trouble in the far south with Kalin slavers. Never been that far south myself, but I’ve heard the Kalin are some hard folk, and could tie up the Jamhay if they continue their raids…
***
We’ll move eastwards over the North Dofangdau mountain range, as the next report is from a Vélache overland trader.
...The amount of resources pouring out of Vélache into the neighbouring tribes is simply outstanding. While there are certainly some detractors that have been complaining about the spending almost all being focused outside of Vélache borders, the cultural and religious subsidies have placated much of the population both inside Vélache, and in the neighbouring tribal areas. The subsidies have gone a long way in improving opinion of the tribes towards the Vélache, who increasingly share similar values and beliefs. The physical investment into roads, canals and bridges also certainly helped as well, and has made me and my fellow traders’ lives much easier too. The Maqwyan were the only tribals that declined the offered aid, being the fiercely independent mountain folk they are. A handful of Maqwyan princes were accepted into the Donvaj National Academy soon after, though, and the few that have already graduated returned home with much more sympathetic views.
While Vélache’s projects have provided a stablising effect on the region, their efforts have been countered by the expansions of Dofang Xin-Xo and the Yi-qi Onaabe. Dofang Xin-Xo payed off a number Kwasga’a and Mikquin chiefs along its border, then forcibly evicted the tribes to make way for their own settlers. The Yi-qi Onaabe meanwhile didn’t even use the excuse of purchasing land, and instead just moved into Mikquin, Hisgish, and Tlinchone with handcannon gunners, blasting away anyone that didn’t immediately flee. None of the tribes have put up a legitimate defense, and there is essentially no formal war, which keeps the land routes open for me, but the trade paths are becoming more and more dangerous and crowded as tribes are compressed into smaller and smaller territories. I worry that they the tribes may turn on one another for living space rather than band together and stand up for themselves. I’m ashamed to say it, but I do profit from the expansions. The Xin-Xo and the Yi-qi make much more ‘efficient’ use of the land, even if that means cutting down swathes of forest for lumber or agriculture. Further destabilising the region are tensions between the eastern natives and the Pyong and Kogu. Maqwyan warriors have constantly raided Pyong villages, while Nine Spirits worshippers have pouring out of Kogu, fleeing religious oppression. The whole eastern Dofangdau region seems on the brink of both a greater unity through culture, religion and trade, and buckling under expansion and border friction...
The trader also mentions that sea trade along the eastern coast has been hampered by piracy, likely based out of Xau Tai. The land route between North and South Dofangdau is also very insecure, as the Ishiel Imperial garrison finds itself tied up with local tribal revolts.
***
Southern Dofangdau is a split trade region, with the western side being ideally located in one of the busiest area of the Middle Sea, while the interior and east are more disconnected, covered in mountains and jungles. A trader doubling as a traveling priest out of Eamo submitted the below report.
...Eamo, oh sweet Eamo! The only land in this wide earth that truly is in Mora’s favour. And She has chosen well, for Eamo will defend Her, and spread Her word throughout the wide world. I will play my part as well, as small as it is, in Her righteous ambition. While the lords of the republic build up the glorious army of our Goddess, I travel with my goods, and through them I will deliver Her message to the heathens.
Xi-Peng are imperial dogs, this much is true, and they still worship their blasphemous pantheon, full to the brim with false gods. There are those who know Her word in Xi-Peng, though, and while I hand over my goods, blessed by Her, to the hounds, I whisper to my congregation. Mora runs deep through Xi-Peng, as she runs throughout this wide earth, and Her people will reclaim Her land from the Qeng heathens. In time, all will run back to the sea, this I know. But we are not the only ones in Xi-Peng.
My disgust with the Imperial Pantheon only pales to my hatred that burns for the deceivers - the Morazen. They befoul the grace of Mora by claiming another is equal to Her. Zen, the flame, the lie that the Morazen have created and infected the world with. I have met Her enemies in Xi-Peng, and those that would be in Her flock have been consumed by the Zen devilry. Some say I would earn great profits in the north, making deals with the Zen, as the eathen Wind-Princes have, but I could not so betray Her. I will avoid their evil lands until I return one day, sword in hand, and purify them in Her name.
I go through the mountain kingdoms, simple people that trade well, even if they do have heathonistic tendencies, and stop at the mouth of the isthmus. Trade along the north road is faltering, as tribals raid the old highway, biting away at the imperial dogs who are tasked with keeping it clean. I would wish for the Qeng to fall to the jungle folk, but I know well that the highway would then close, and I would be forced to deal with the tribes themselves, or the Qeng that sail the Middle Sea.
I do not go further east, as the mountain passes grow more unwieldy, and all that awaits is choking jungle I meet other traders from the east, heathens one and all, and we exchange goods and news. The Ngathu build walls, as if the high mountains do not isolate them enough. I weep for the fine weavery that I may no longer be able to bring back to Eamo, but at the same time there is a part of me that envies them. Closing yourself off to all the blackness of the world. But that is not my duty. There are dark tidings from the east coast, tales of war and slaughter as the Zaofang, the cursed imperial dogs they are, invaded and overran the Sahra Confederacy. The nomads and tribes surroudning the Zaofang supply me with cheap raw goods, and I have often dreamed of making the great journey into the jungles to spread her word to the savages, and so I weep for those potential followers of Her word to the imperial wolves…
***
The final report is from a former Qeng Xo merchant, now owner of a dozen ships based out of Mao Sho that sail throughout the eastern strait up to the Middle Sea. He describes eastern Jiadau as an extremely profitable, but volatile region.
...Between the Zang, the Kar and the Surr nations, I believe the eastern Jiadau may rival even the heartland of the Empire. But I’m sad to say that the east seems to be on the doorstep of the same chaos that is gripping the Qeng Xo Empires. The Occulta nations grow stronger and more fervent by the day, threatening all that surround them, and the Surr kingdoms become ever more restless, feeding the instability in Karnei.
The Zang nations at least are a bastion of peace and stability, and wealth that brings. They remind me of my youth in Qeng, though I have no doubt I am simply blinded by nostalgia. The Empire was in decline when I was a boy, while the Zang are rising up here and now. Mao Sho is the hotbed of activity, and I’m proud to be an official member of a trader syndicate, and therefore a citizen of Mao Sho. Indeed, the pride I feel for Mao Sho is even more than I felt for the Empire, before the Collapse. The Plutocracy supports its own, more so than the Empire did, at least in my time. Even while Mao Sho expands and modernises its military to support its allies against the Occulta threat, it also spend equal amounts to support its citizens. The strain of buying and investing in so much military goods has been offset by a security net for traders, and indeed it has benefited me greatly.
The military expansion is of course desperately needed. The Burned Men worshippers grown in strength. Occulta Nirea, the Karnei breakaway province, has been absorbed by Olakt, and the new kingdom has been rebranded as the Kindgom of Occulta, a foreboding sign to say the least, which has already skirmished with the Karnei Kingdom, as well as pushed into Reqq territory. That’s to say nothing of the Elcata, who have so far avoided direct confrontation with Emang Likong, but have pushed into Athlaq territory with relative ease. Most of the Zang nations have banded together and will come to Emang’s aid if the Occulta do step into Zang territory, but there is also the ever present threat of the Jamhay nomads to the west, no matter if they are busy with the Watu or Kalin.
These worries do not reach the majority of those in Mao Sho, as the government have done a fine job of distracting them with a grand festival. Military horns blared music for crowds as they discussed the latest gossip and rumours. Burned Witches stuffing children into goats; arguments over if sperm is truly created by the appendix; marvel at the fisherman who caught three great white sharks, then proceeded to swim out into the ocean high on hallucinogens to be eaten by the largest shark anyone in Zang had ever seen. While at the festival, I found it easy to forget about the chaos that was threatening to explode in Karnei.
The King of Karnei knew well that his Surr vassals were chomping at the bit to break free, most of all Malat, and so he took extreme measures to bring them under his heel. Taxes were raised, and half of all vassal’s standing armies were called north to defend against the revolting Occulta. Malat was also ordered to hand over its heir. Malat evidently believed that if it rose up, the other Surr vassals would follow with it, and so made a stand against the Kar army. This proved disastrous for them, as Kemor and the Surrian Dutchies decided to wait and watch rather than rush into open rebellion. The Malat rebellion was brutally suppressed, its army humiliated, fields torched, city in ruins and tens of thousands of civilians put to the sword.
The Surr kingdoms to the west denounced the brutal slaughter of their cultural brethren, but made no moves to intervene. The largest Surr kingdom, the now united Surra and Masurra kingdom, was likely busy fortifying its border in case of Occulta attack, as well as an opportunistic invasion of Reqq, which by this time was crippled by the Occulta invasion from the north. Of the three Surr Kingdoms, only the Nonar have been so bold as to declare support for the any Sur under the Karneian Kingdom, though the sincerity of that statement is debatebly given the lack of aid given to the Malat rebellion.
The war with the Occulta, now the Kingdom of Occulta, was largely uneventful, as Karneian troops only met with small skirmishes, and only made minor land grabs. The Occulta seem to be more preoccupied with Reqq, though large reserves of troops have been spotted near Karneian lines. While the Kingdom of Occulta is large, the true danger lies in Accalta and Elcata, as their hatred of anything Imperial may bring them to Occulta proper’s aid…
***
There are dozens of other reports from smaller traders, which I have included separately, but I believe the above are sufficient to construct a general picture of the three continents. The trade network of the known world post-collapse is still in its infancy, and there is still plenty of opportunity for everyone. But as nations band together into blocs, or expand into their own empires, I have little doubt trade will once again become controlled by the few, profiting the powerful as the small and poor become weaker.
