Greetings Sapience,

This is a long post. Skip it if the topic does not interest you.

I think we are all mixing up economics, politics, religion, believes,
city strategies, individuals, communities, our own gut feelings... We
are making a big mix of it, then we throw everything in there but the
kitchen sink and we get some funky Humgii Jambalaya alla Vertani. So I
will try to just look at the economic aspect of it. In fact, I will try
not to even mention the Vertani.

Please do correct me if I misinterpreted something.

Facts.
------
Ashtan makes an alliance and secures rope supply in exchange for peace
and protection.
Asthan pays 5 million gold pieces. To make math easy we'll convert
credits at 5000 gp per credit.
Ashtan exchange is thus: 1000 credits and protection in exchange of
rope. Quantity is an unknown.
One would, however, expect a rather large quantity at that price.
Perhaps the exchange was 5 million for unenemying on one hand, and
protection in exchange of rope on the other. In which case I'd have
signed two different treaties, not just one, but that's just my humble
unrequested opinion which I base on nothing but mere speculation.

The judiciary system has been relaxed in El'Jazira, Tasurke, and Thera
[in this order]. Hence visitors, itinerant merchants, crafters, and
explorers risk their life by setting foot in one of these areas.

Commodities sold: El'Jazira: Leather and Rope
Tasur'Ke : Wood and Cloth
Thera : Steel Wood and Rope

What is it about wood and, especially rope?

A) Price and supply of rope. (and, thus credits)
------------------------------------------------
What is all this going to do to the price of both commodities and
credits? I hope no one forgot the regrettable episode with leather. Let
me refresh your memories. Someone bought pretty much all leather from
all commodity shops which increased it's price. At the same time, cities
where building their subdivisions and desperately needed leather. In
parallel, crafters where experiencing a small bubble in sales and needed
leather as well. Needless to say, the price of leather burst the bubble,
caused many to go nearly bankrupt since they had to literally stop their
tailoring activities. And development of plots went steadily slower and
their prices increasingly higher. The final result? Both prices rose up
spectacularly. Leather is now normalized.

The price of credits is still slowly yet continuously rising. On a side
note, I believe this due to other reasons that escape the scope of this
post. It is important, however, to state that this trend didn't start
with the leather crisis and will most likely continue regardless. It
could. however, be worsened.

Keep in mind that I am not a historian. My goal was to summarize the
cause and the consequences rather than starting a display of detailed
accuracy and unproductive finger pointing.

B) Protection.
--------------
Thera wanted protection. Ashtan agreed. Yet, the Ashtani government
refused to sign peace with Maim and her tenants. I ignore the reason
behind this. It appears to me the Ashtani want to have freedom to hunt
in the Mansion. But this point also escapes the scope of this post.

Out of mere curiosity [this is more a question for Erhon and Ariel]. As
Zarcondar said, many no longer visit Thera. Does this mean more rope
stock which will lead to lower prices? Or simply more and cheaper rope
for Ashatn and less rope at a higher price for Sapience as a whole? At
any rate both situations could potentially lead to less benefits for
Thera. Is that the liability accounted for in Thera's Balance Statement
against the asset of protection and 5 million gold sovereigns?

Are Ashtan and Thera willing to share the terms of the protection
agreement? If all visitors are slain on sight including honest
merchants, explorers, and crafters yet Therans remain untouched, did
Ashtan fulfill the agreement? Are Ashatni expected to guarantee the life
of these visitors so that the local economy isn't hindered? Will Thera
renew the agreement if it damages its economy?

Those were more questions than I originally intended to ask.
This was a longer text than I initially expected to post.
I apologize for its length.

Ottis, a travelling merchant


Penned by my hand on the 9th of Daedalan, in the year 383 AF.