Trade

Despite the best efforts of blacksmiths the world over, bronze is still in some demand, particularly when it comes to the production of cannons. One can find the tin needed for it mainly in central Einir, the eastern mountains between Nukambi and Arumandjee, northern Tehapu, and eastern Sayintha. Arsenic bronze, while known, has almost entirely fallen out of use.

Iron is available in a great many places, but the Warruk lands, Oma and northern Mocueyoh, and Sayintha have some of the best—respectively by way of cast iron, steel, and what is called "ripplework", delicate swirling patterns in a steel that is known not to lose its edge for a very long time. Recently, use of salt and cinnamon on steel in Yashdar has created an alloy that corrodes much more slowly than normal.

While not as strong as the other two metals, brass, made from zinc, is still used in a variety of constructions, particularly statues and some clocks. The best brasses come from the Mwelu people of southern Mocueyoh (who use lead in their smelting), Oma (where cadmia is used), and Einir.

The greatest sources of this precious metal are found in eastern Warruk lands, Durnhão, central Mocueyoh, and southern Einir.

Silver, although (usually) less well-received than gold, is found in some abundance in Oma, as well as central and northern Mocueyoh.

Copper on its own is often used to make jewellery or small but delicate components, and the best copper comes from south Mocueyoh and the aptly-named Copper Coast in southeast Yandjee.

Diamonds are found largely in two locales worldwide. The first is in northern Einir, particularly Maoilach. The second is along the Copper Coast in Yandjee, particularly the kingdom of Kewedj.

Rubies are a prized gemstone in Svidhuni, where they are found with the greatest frequency of anywhere on the planet. They may also be found in southeastern Yandjee, as well as in northern Aion.

Sapphires may be found in Mocueyoh and Arumandjee, on Inakku, and (most significantly) on the islands just to the southwest of Mocueyoh, called the Sapphire Isles by traders.

The best emeralds are found in two places: on the island of Svidhuni, and in Maoilach in Einir.

Opals have long been the purview of the kingdoms of Girradjaw and Duway in southeastern Yandjee, but they are also found in one particular locale in western Einir.

Jade comes in two varieties across the world. Nephrite is common to Tehapu and western Mocueyoh, while jadeite is most often found in Ch'akken and Svidhuni.

The largest known deposit of prehnite is in Adronu in northern Yandjee (hence the Eralca name rina mê Adrondu "Adrondu-gem"), but it can also be found in eastern Faravella.

Lapis lazuli has been mined in the western mountains of Aion for millennia; minor sources include Temacan, Cuollesa, Ezedla, and Ch'akken.

The variant cymophane is only found on the island of Chunari, and fetches a high price. The other prized variant, alexandrite, is also mined on Chunari, as well as on Qomētti and Eileiwa, and in Aion's eastern mountain range.

Yellow amber is most prominent in eastern Einir and northern Aion, a source of great wealth for the people there. However, there is also a rare blue amber found among the island kingdoms of the Eya.

Coral is used in construction (in Sayintha), as a source of food (by way of the fish they protect), and often in medicine. As jewellery, they are most often harvested in southern and southwestern Oma.

Saltwater pearls across Malehi and the Eya islands are used in ornamentation and trade, while freshwater pearls are likewise a major staple of trade from western Einir. It is a common conceit among the high elite to crush pearls and sprinkle them in their wine, creating a pleasant bubbly effect.

Growing both on shrubs (in the south) and on trees (in the north), treelane is lightweight, durable, and takes both heat and cold quite well. The best treelanes come from Aheya, southern Aion, southern Einir, the Temacan Peninsula, and central Sayintha.

Silkworms were independently domesticated in Yashdar and southeastern Yandjee, both of which still produce the best-quality material. Spider-silk is also used in Suru, as an expensive substance called nggeko, incredibly useful in the treatment of wounds.

Auric, also called sea-silk, is made from the byssus threads that allow certain molluscs to cling to rocks, is only available in the seas around Oma, and is a source of considerable wealth for the Phaeroi. The fabric is light, warm, strong, and when dyed with citre juice obtains a gold colour that never fades. Although time-consuming to make, it can last centuries.

Flax from Tehapu is both stronger and lighter than other varieties found literally anywhere else, and is essential in the creation of the best shipboard ropes. Still, the world does not lack for lesser species.

Linen cloth, while simpler and coarser than silk, is a relatively easy-to-make fabric. The best linens are made in the Sea of Silver, central Einir, and southeastern Yandjee.

Wool from wullocks is most common in Einir and Oma; wool from tykes used to be a luxury item in southern Tehapu (but has begun to fall out of fashion). Wool from longrams in Temacan is also popular.

An essential commodity for flavouring and preservation. Pure salt from the Eya islands, salt-pans along the Sea of Silver, and the ash-salt of western Sayintha are all in high demand the world over.

There are four varieties of pepper from across the world. Pipeseed is native to Inakku, bell peppers have been harvested by the Eya for centuries, grain-of-truth has long been enjoyed by the people of southern Aion, and varieties of pepperbush (including "mountain peppers") are the spice of choice in eastern Yandjee.

Malabathrum proper has its origins on Svidhuni, but the more popular variety in Yashdar is derived from the leaf oils of the neverbreak tree. The latter, however, is more susceptible to "post-harvest browning", which must be dealt with prior to the creation of the oils.

Aside from the taste, gilt also has potential as a mild antidepressant. The best gilt in the world still comes from Oma, but there are now efforts to grow it in Yashdar as well.

The Eya were the first to utilize this spice, and their islands still produce the best.

Plants in this family, with similar tastes, are found across Sayintha, Aheya, eastern Yandjee, and the Malehinese islands.

In fact it is the leaves of this plant that are most valued as a long-distance trade good, for their anise-like taste. The fruits are a favourite in Temacan, and the stones are used for counting.

The fruit of this plant, grown first in Suru, is eaten raw; the seeds, when ground to powder, taste strongly of nutmeg.

Species of this plant are grown all across Sayintha; only one is found in Uganuz, making it famous. The flowers lend a strong fragrance to food and surroundings both, and can be used to make quite a nice tea.

The cadmus tree only grows in Aheya and eastern Yashdar, and is notable for its red sap—used as a dye, medicine, toothpaste, pottery glue, and as a condiment (with a cool, sweet-bitter taste).

Grown in central Mocueyoh by the Gira, tea (emeru) has developed something of a reputation in the east as a preventative for dysentery. It is also soothing and delicious, particularly when brewed correctly.

There are indeed those who will insist on drinking this strange crushed seed from southwestern Yandjee, even without eating the Vitamin C-rich fruit or burning its oils for light, but one must not hold it against them.

The keenwater tree is native to Eileiwa, and has as of yet not travelled very far abroad, though its roots are much revered by the people of Aheya and enjoyed by those of Durnhão.

Grown across Einir and Oma, a favourite of the upper class (particularly when spiced). A smooth drink, a little sweet and dry from the tannins, good for warming.

Potroot, made from the tubers of the cabbage tree, is common across Einir and Oma, and is typically a lower-class drink with a thick feel and a molasses sweetness. A similar drink is made from tackroot in southern Yandjee, spiced and with fruit added.

Drinks made from honey are surprisingly common worldwide. Mead was first drunk in Gykken and spread to Einir; a separate drink, mixed with bean bark, has long been popular in Temacan and Suru.

Curiad is made from the fermented kernels of zee, drunk most in Temacan, Suru, and Yashdar. The drink is mellow and a little nutty.

Made from melissan, rum is most favoured across Sayintha.

Grain alcohol is used worldwide, but the grains differ. In Yashdar, sweet-rice makes the beer of choice; across Sayintha, grain of the riceroot; in Einir and Oma, pyric is preferred.

Pine woods are in high demand all across the Northern Hemisphere. Elberry and cypress lumber have been a staple of Oman construction for millennia. Cedar, also from Oma, is a wood of particular value, while fir trees have cemented their place in the architecture of Einir.

Bean trees of various sorts in southern Yandjee are excellent for timber. Ebony is found across Aheya and eastern Sayintha, and in eastern and northern Yandjee. Elms are the wood of choice in Einir and northern Oma. Gumnut is found all across Yandjee, cabwood (mahogany) in Temacan, peckory (hickory) across Mocueyoh, and oak, maple, willow, and walnut across the whole Northern Hemisphere. Sandalwood from Sayintha, western Yandjee, and all across Malehi is also very popular.

Treegrass is incredibly popular across Sayintha and eastern and northern Mocueyoh for its versatility (and even edibility), while in Malehi it is the palm tree—specifically the coconut—which is most lauded.

Oma and Einir both have fairly large supplies of sea snails whose mucus can be treated to provide a purple colour that does not fade with time and light, but brightens. A similar species exists near Acuitlan (though this one can be milked), another near Nukambi. In all places, it is afforded considerable esteem due to its hue and the difficulty in making it.

The tegg scale is harvested in eastern Mocueyoh, and when crushed produces a fine red dye. Secretions from the insect also produce a fine varnish, known generally as lacquer.

The root of the plant, which is grown in Sayintha and is from the same family as the ginger varieties, can be ground up to produce a vibrant yellow colour.

Indigo is made from several plant species across the world. One species in western Yandjee produces dyes not just in the blue-purple so fondly looked upon by consumers, but also in greens and even yellows when treated properly.

A plant originally found mainly in Einir, but which has now spread to Oma and even Gykken. Produces a very fine blue colour.

The best weld still comes from Oma, although Einir now grows the plant as well, and produces a strong yellow dye that does not fade easily. In combination with woad one can use it to make a luscious green instead.

Wadj-reed paper is a major export of Yashdar; treegrass paper is favoured in Gykken, parchment and flax paper in Einir and Oma. Stretched bean bark is preferred in southern Yandjee, treelane paper in northern Yandjee and Sayintha. Stretched fig bark has long been used in books made in Temacan and Suru.

Three plants produce enough latex to be useful in the production of this springy substance. The Palpan rubber tree in southern Temacan is naturally one of them, the rubber root (rather like a dandelion) in Ch'akken is another, and the Eileiwa rubber tree of, well, Eileiwa is the third.

Various forms of manure are deemed invaluable across the world for their use in growing crops. Guano from the gulls on the western coasts of the Temacan Peninsula is especially valued, but so is peat from the bogs of Maoilach, Paravarn, and Lewidzia. Limestone also sees much use—sometimes to the detriment of ancient statues and buildings.

The brightly-coloured feathers of the cosallitas from Eileiwa and the rest of Aheya are in high demand for ornamentation in eastern Sayintha.

Mercenaries are available from across the world, sometimes as individuals looking for a job and sometimes as entire companies who sell their services to the highest bidder. Privateers are in particularly high demand, especially among the Eya. The various nations of Tehapu excel in providing hardy warriors for the use of other states—even against their own people (or, well, at least another state on Tehapu).

Slaves and slavers remain an unfortunate part of life in much of the world, although the nature of slavery depends on locale and culture, particularly in the north. The societies of Einir and southern Yandjee alike have little use for slaves; Omaic cities used to keep them as hostages for ransom; Durnhão practices debt-slavery; omoQobo captures them for sale to Yashdar. Still, there are enough markets that the disreputable business can continue.

The five most common languages for trade across the world are Arrahng in the south, Phaeroian in the east, Qariyyu in the west, Kshamakaraktha along the equator, and Tehapuan at sea. Reasonable knowledge of any or all of these is useful in conducting business, and those fluent often find their services required.

Singers, dancers, storytellers, acrobats, musicians…performers of all kinds have quite a market open to them across the world, should they wish it. It is typical yet to remember the song rather than the singer, but a few performers have nevertheless gained considerable renown.

Skills like design, sculpture, painting, engineering, weapons development, and others are always welcome across the world, and with the languages of trade becoming more popular it's easier than ever to find someone from elsewhere. Lawyers and judges and scribes, too, have some range, although less than more general artisans.

Medical traditions are strongest among the Warruk, the Phaeroi, and the Dhunir, and people from all three practices can usually find somewhere that is willing to pay for their services. There are also those whose services are called upon for the purpose of retrieval of goods or persons lost at sea—and for whom a handsome reward is often available.

Ships and boats have always been a primary means of transport from one part of the world to another, and will likely remain so forever. Each region has its own preferred style—the dhows of Sayintha and eastern Mocueyoh, the square-sailed cogs of Einir and Oma, the twin-hulled highships of Yandjee and Tehapu, the junks of the Machu and Gykkura. All can be found on the seas, and many can be purchased—or passage by them guaranteed.

Machines and mechanisms of various sorts are always in demand, be they sought by curious collectors or political potentates. The Adacarian Empire makes fine clocks and lenses; Duway is renowned for glasswork and control of water; Yashdar's sheer population has allowed it to support hundreds of military and bureaucratic inventions; Ishtarian nobles invest much into the creation of automata.

Even today the world is not completely explored, and even (and especially) the best-known route will have maps to use in passing through it. Maps in the north pay close attention to population centres and to longitudinal exactitude; maps in the south chart currents as well as coastlines. The maps of the Yanik are carved driftwood displaying the shape of the coastline. Maps of inland regions are also in high demand.