An Assessment of the Economic Concerns and Historial Trading Natures of the Prominent Nations of Esterra and Beyond.
Compiled by Archivist Vinetzi De Cabuelo
Foreword
The following document draws primarily from the trading records that remained within the Relazaione in Lerona Mere following the revolution and within the various trading houses of Obregon. This information has been bolstered by documentation from Wolstad, Weiland, and The Iron Valley. While the Baronies, Bordevar, and Valley all have long histories of trade, their ports or external trading institutions have been lost to time or the enemies of The Concord.
History of Concordian Trade
This section has been removed by the direction of the High Historian.
The Fealties of Drummond
The Ducal Houses of Drummond are well-represented in many of the ports around the Explorers Sea, including those of The Concord. A vast amount of the records we hold refer to the Merchants responsible belonging to House Rayleigh, which makes sense as House Rayleigh has its seat in Crownsport, the largest western port of Drummond. However, a deeper investigation does some to reveal the common exports and their true origin within the fractured realm to our east.
Drummond appears capable of exporting a wide variety of goods, both raw and worked. Previously they have exported large amounts of timber (including Thunder Oak) which appear to have originated with House Daneel, some amounts of precious stones (Bloodglass and Essencite being particularly common) from House Brandt, and finally large amounts of cattle and other food goods from House Lennox.
Beyond raw goods, Drummond is well-regarded for its arms and armour production with a particular focus on suits of full plate (both ornate signature pieces and mass-produced brigandine) and fine Drummondite blades. Drummond appears to have exported very little goods of arcane significance, including crystalised mana or enchanted goods.
Drummond's economy appears to be propped up on a strong system of feudal ties. Serfs are attached to the noble house that represents them, with a heavy tax load supporting the ambitions and appetites of the Barons that rule their land. These Barons, in turn, are beholden to a Duke who sits upon the Ducal court. These immensely powerful figures control the nation and engage in the trade, warfare, and diplomacy that keeps Drummond prominent.
The Artebazzani Empire
To speak of the exports of The Empire is to name all the trade goods under the sun. So wide is the range of Artebazzan that goods of all sorts pass through or start from within the lands of the Emperor. The homeland of Artebazzan is well-known for its ample supply of Arcstone and Hartswood. Legend tells of great creatures of myth and magic once called Artebazzan their home, but they have since been hunted to extinction, awakening a hunger in the Imperial folk for Beastbone and Shimmering Scale, or so rumour says.
In reality, The Artebazzani Empire is firmly mercantile in its nature. Many fine goods of magical enchantment are available from their docks and many merchants will find it easy to buy low and sell high if they come from far enough afield.
Artebazzan is fueled by conquest and broad reach. Taxes on millions of souls and the spoils of war across the lands keep their coffers full. This allows the Imperial Capital to be a land of research and arcanism, a powerful position that it fuels with the blood and defeat of millions.
The Hukari
The followers of the Hydra have a great and powerful industrial might at their backs, dredging the boglands of their home. The stones they pull forth are used to build the foundations of their cities which dominate the wetlands for leagues. Among their territory are a great many sources of fine herbs, timbers and animal goods.
It appears that a vast amount of their income is made by shipping raw and hard-to-find resources around the world. Hukari traders can be found in many ports, save for those who find their slave industries abhorrent. There are even those rare anchorages that will allow them to trade in their living cargo. A trade most foul.
Internally the trade of slaves appears to be more closely related to political and social power, rather than economic wealth. Individuals who control slaves are regarded as being ‘of greater heart’ and as such are afforded greater regard. They appear to look down on all those who do not control others in such a way. As such we see very little reference to slaves as objects of trade internally, moreso they are part of the self.
The Dendarr Nations
The three Dendarr Nations of Aptheos, Kamerios and Phaleron are always in deep competition with one another, this is no different when it comes to coin. Kamerios controls the only port of the Dendarr, (a city by the same name) and is well-respected for its maritime prowess, with their unique ships being seen throughout the Explorers Sea. Kamerios’ control over trade on the seas appears to have been one of the major sources of disunity within the Dendarr.
Phaleron’s southern fields and grand territory make it the breadbasket of the three nations, one not greatly suited for external trade, but well-situated internally to make wealth from their control over much of the food of the region. This section has been removed by the direction of the High Historian.
Aptheos is a strange circumstance. No port records we have been able to supply show many goods originating from there. But many of the mercenary warriors of the Dendarr speak highly of it. Likely some sort of place of religious and martial importance, but the exact nature remains unclear.
Near constant war between the three nations has kept wealth and prominence moving freely as different groups rise and fall. Enough external treasure from trade and famous mercenaries finishes out their economic system as near as we can tell. The arrival of The Onyx Aristocracy must have changed things, but it remains unclear as to how.
Other Nations
There are a number of goods found throughout the trading ports of both the Great Trade Sea and the Explorers Sea whose origin cannot easily be ascertained. While there is some knowledge of the Lands Far Beyond Drummond, whose trade with the Xan Khanate brings distant goods to Esterra, there are goods in circulation even now that raise more questions.
- Fine stone carvings in basalt and granite that show simple humans engaged in acts of sacrifice or suffering. These statuettes are often enchanted with arcane magic. They are said to have come from tribes in Northern Esterra, but have become rarer and rarer since the rise of The Onyx Aristocracy.
- Fine ships of thin stylings with huge lanteen sails would sail out of the Width (a sea north of Drummond) and trade with both Crownsport and even Western Esterra. They would trade in fine bows and other woodcraft, but seldom had enough for much great fanfare. These easterner bows are well regarded in Drummond and often worth as much as a tavern.
- Crude ships trading massive bones of both mammal and fish often depart the northernmost reaches. They have made dock in Crownsport and even Artebazzan before. They speak of a homeland among the tundra that borders on the lands of the Xan. It remains unclear of their relationship with the strange mounted peoples.
Further Research
Future understanding of trade and the economy of the other nations is likely better left to the diplomats and spies of The Concordian Service, rather than Archivists such as myself. All of my knowledge is drawn from what has been, not what is, and I fear may be woefully out of date in comparison to the wheelings and dealings of other agents.
However, I believe there is a great amount to be further studied here. Both in the history of our own nations' economic pasts, of the maritime history of the different seas, and investigating many of the individual aspects of each of these foreign realms. To study Drummondite interpretations of The Spheres, or pursue the lost statuettes of Northern Esterra, or the military inventions of the Artebazzani. Each of these nations shows a wealth of possible mysteries.