Economics
Just like everything in Concordia, economics revolves around war and its consequences. The wealthy provinces are those that are successful militarily, the poorer provinces are those that must forego offensive campaigns, and concentrate on defense. Because conquest and battle are so deeply ingrained into the psyche's of the people, a large percentage of provinces's resources are needed to help finance war. This money is spent on paying soldiers, buying equipment and supplies, provisioning armies, building walls, hiring specialty craftsmen, buying information, constructing ships, as well as well as purchasing mounts and many other things. Basically, the entire economy is geared towards capturing more territory and protecting what you have. If you fail in either of these, you will suffer the consequences. Those provinces which are unable to stage successful forays, raids, or campaigns onto enemy soil lose out on an important revenue generator-war spoils. Plunder accounts for a great deal of many regions' annual income. Those who are regularly able to raid other lands often have a huge advantage over those who must constantly worry about their own borders. This, as much as anything else, leads to economic and eventual political ruin. However, there are some provinces that attempt to stay neutral and rely on diplomacy. Some of these have attained limited success in the past. But without a strong army you cannot garner respect or earn fear, which is required to survive. On the community level, Oathtakers are the wealthiest of citizens, owning large plots of land, as well as many slaves and personal belongings. How the Oathtakers acquire these possessions is unique from other campaign worlds. Oathtakers don't actually own the land they control, but instead "acquire" or "lease" it during the span of their lifetimes. This and other property does not pass on to their families or sons, and its control reverts to the Oathtaker orginazation after the Oathtaker's death. So, basically, when an Oathtaker is promoted, they are given a certain amount of land, slaves, and wealth. As they advance in rank, they ear more. When they die, it is all lost. This can sometimes cause difficulty with families or friends who have shared the wealth with the Oathtaker that dies, but this is how it has always been and likely will continue to be. Many belive (especially the Oathtakers themselves) that when Oathtakers die, they are always reincarnated as Oathtakers once again. This helps to promote a feeling of place and righteousness with the Oathtakers and what they do. Besides Oathtakers, merchants can also earn considerable wealth and may also own land. Yet merchants are not "lords" as are Oathtakers, and any that approach the status of great takers are often brough back down to their appropriate level by a show of force. This means that merchants (and others) must becareful with what they earn and how they do it. Another great revenue source enforceded by most provinces is a tax on anything and everything that they deam taxable. |
