The Evaporation

[VonEbs 1224]

A freshly printed sheet stands out on the noticeboard in Salvus, with an additional copy in Malinor. It is unsigned, in an unfamiliar script. As you get closer, you begin to read the golden print.

 

"Greetings reader.  In light of recent events, I am publishing an analysis of sorts on the current economic situation in Oren, and in extension, all of Anthos. Last seed, Toveah Goldman, owner and operator of Goldman Co. has suddenly and inexplicably exited the market, and for all intents and purposes, Goldman Co. has essentially dissolved. Goldman
was integral to the international economy, and it cannot be overstated how large of a role he played.

It is currently unknown what is going to happen to Goldman’s possessions and business, but the size of his holdings is staggering. Rumored to be worth in the upwards of a hundred and fifty thousand minas, Goldman operated or was closely affiliated with twenty businesses within Oren. (I am classifying a business as either a Tavern/ Inn, Stall, larger Store, or Warehouse. I am not classifying his resource gathering operations (RGOs) in this report.) His twenty businesses comprised over 50% of the Orenian economy. These stalls and inns provided inexpensive goods to a majority of Oren’s citizens in Abresi, Baile, and Aldersburg, as well as the Westerlands and smaller operations in Kal’Azgoth. Essentially, all of these stores are now not functioning, and for now, have triggered an economic recession in Oren and Malinor, with its effects soon to hit other, more insulated economies quite hard. I also expect for many other stores to close, as many were supplied by Goldman secretly.

This event, which I am calling the Evaporation, has had a staggering impact already. One only needs to look at the highly traded commodity, iron. Two years ago, iron was priced around 20 minas an ingot. In the past seed, iron’s price has increased to nearly 30 minas an ingot, and increase of 50%, and the price continues to climb. Also, Iron has become very
scarce, with only one shop in easily accessible Oren currently stocking it, in Salvus, and one shop in Kal’Azgoth. Otherwise, iron has become almost nonexistent, and noble houses and military orders are hoarding their iron stockpiles, so unless a party such as Cove Co. or Urguan decides to sell their stocks, the fact remains that there is little to no iron entering the market, further driving up prices with demand.

With the collapse of Goldman Co., many in Oren are now unemployed, and unable to buy many consumer good, for the foreseeable future, and with economic decline setting in, will be forced to look for new work. Struggling noble houses will most likely begin increasing taxes, driving people from their home as the nobles try to support their armies. There will not be any more loans to come by, as Goldman was the chief financier in Oren. I expect
Oren’s Imperial Administration to attempt a desperate economic reform which though could have potential, will ultimately fail because of general incompetence among Oren ruling class. Corruption runs deep in Oren, and I expect the current wealth gap to increase.
 

Some of the displaced will find employment under the banner of one Noble or another, leading to a military buildup which could destabilize the Empire itself. Malinor is in the grip of its own financial  and economic crisis, and will likely be facing many elven refugees who will return from Oren when it becomes evident racial discrimination and the loss of economic opportunity are increasing. In many cases, battles will be fought over iron, as it is the chief resource in waging war. Humans, looking for someone to blame, may find the elves the perfect scapegoat, and racial conflict is almost certain. Conflict on a wider
scale, between Noble Houses and other sovereign states is more likely now that half the economy has evaporated into thin air. 

Places such as Kastoria and Kal’Halla may escape this crisis mostly unscathed, however it is likely anyone seen to possess a stable economy will attract large numbers of refugees looking for work and will be pained by the failure of current trading partners. With economic turmoil comes intense political change, and the nations of Anthos best be prepared for the coming wave of economic grief, and though it was triggered suddenly, will have a significant impact for years to come.

~Anonymous"

[LeRenardNoir 413]

Edmond shakes his head as he reads the notice, "Perhaps the inflation has something to do with the random Minas that fall from the sky once every Elven day?"

[Hanrahan 2983]

*Hanrahan grins, this newfound depression hitting the world, but certainly not the Adunians.

 

"For once, I'm lucky none of us ever have Mina in the first place.."

[Uniquename111 52]

Sil looks smirks, walking past the Salvus notice board, "Oh, Economics..."

[The Best Basileus 97]

The ranger comes into Salvus to purchase leather, and notices the shortages. Out of sheer curiosity, he searches the city for iron. Every shop he encounters is inactive. HIs interest grows, and brings him to the note on the notice board. As he reads it, the ranger staggers backward, as if hit by an unseen wall of force. He turns, and leaves Salvus hurriedly.

 

((I commend you for making such a wonderful post. I wish we had the sense to make newspapers rp'ly. It would add a wonderful aspect to... well... everything :) Good work.))

[Will (TauFirewarrior) 2466]

Shas'O Kais reads over this and then exclaims 

 

"And so the Grand Game begins again."

[Nicodemus 6]

Nicodemus smiles as he reads the notice. "Not a perfect analysis, but explanatory enough for its brevity. I am glad someone still takes up the burden of public economics. As for me..." Nicodemus pauses, then takes out a piece of parchment and a quill. He scrawls out a note and pins it beneath the sheet.

'I, Nicodemus Rosano, economist and attorney, invite you to a scholarly dialogue about economics. If interested, please send mail to Feldkirk.'

[Ventusyr 233]

Campari de Verada Shidari sighs and looks out of his circular window into the crisp Malinor morning. A book lies propped in his lap; he could not sleep last night. Sleep did not come often, not anymore. As he watched the trees rustle in the orange glow of the sun, a knock sounded at the study door. He turned away from the window to regard his young elven son entering the room, rubbing his eyes.

"Maln, I couldn't sleep."

Campari smiled, though it was a tired, weary smile of synpathy. "Why not, my barbu?" The boy shrugged. Campari nodded, then turned back to the window. "Tis a beautiful morning."

"Yes, maln."

"What do you want to do today?"

The boy shrugged again. "I wanna go into the forest with Celia, maybe. She wanted to show me the tree she found that looks like a serpent."

Campari smiled again, then motioned for the boy to go. "Best get ready, then. You have quite a lot to do."

The boy smiled. "Yes, maln." Then Campari was alone. He resumed staring out of the window at the mossy cobble streets, returning to his thoughts. He sat contently, amusing himself with the pristine view, until he heard another knock at the study door. He turned again, and this time a wood elf entered. Campari raised an eyebrow.

"Ibar. How can I help you?"

The wood elf wore a terrified look as he leaned against the wall to steady himself. After a moment, he shook his head, hopelessness showing on his olive face. He threw a tied parchment into Campari's lap, which Campari opened and read it. As he read, Ibar said, "You cannot help us. Nobody can. It is over. The economy will destroy itself in every nation. It is hopeless..."

Campari sighed and leaned back in his wheelchair. He let the parchment fall to the leaf-strewn wooden floor. "And so it begins," he said, though he knew not what would come in the future.

[hex37 737]

*Nienna slaps the paper happily, exclaiming:*

 

"This is why I told Vaerhaven to stay away from Goldman Co.! Humans just can't live that long with that much fat. Now it's gone, and we are unaffected. Hee."
 

[AndrewTech 3330]

*Mandru sees the poster, and he believes his eyes are faltering. He puts out his spectacles, and rereads the poster. He breaks into a panic.*

"Oren should have broken up the Goldman monopoly! They ignored the economy however, and focused on war. Now a depression has started by too much trust in one organization, and with it internal Chaos will follow... Better head for Vaerhaven a few days, I should... Bet the people will wish VonschlictenCo were still around as a fallback. But NO... Goldman bought us too!"

*The wise Doctor checks the exchange rate of the Mina, and is afraid it's value will start to plunge. He wishes he had invested in emeralds and gold...*

[Drazker 307]

Vectis, while on patrol throughout Salvus, notices a small congregation around the noticeboard. Curious, he approaches it to see for himself. Upon realizing the logic behind the entire paper, he decides to read it once more. Then again. He reads it until he has memorized it, staying so long that the people reading it with him have left, and newcomers have come to read, and left. He thinks of his hidden stores of iron and minas and of all the iron he knows several noble houses are hording, as well as military orders. Perhaps now was an ideal time to use his resources.

[Vinnyvedivici 45]

*Lucius reads the notice, agreeing with the conclusion. He hangs up a notice of his own, and turns to walk away, addressing the crowd,

 

"If tha economy 'as got ye down or ye 'ave suddenleh found yerself unemployed, I kin offer ye jobs, a steady pay an a home ta boot! Come ta Kal'Halla and foind that sumthin that ye 'ave been missin all along!"

 

*upon inspection, the notice he left is a poster with information about Kal'Halla*

 

 

((+1 Vonebs good post :) ))

[Z3r05t4r 855]

A sigh.

 

Rubbing his eyes, Silus looks up from the note he has been given, sitting in his new office of the Imperial Treasury.

 

"Just appointed and already loaded with work it seems. It appears duty is calling. A challenge itself, and we shall see if we either manage or fail."

 

Laying the note next to the copy of Goldman's last will he ponders.

 

"I have to make a list... and get some hands..."

[Watyll 1104]

A piece of paper is left pinned just beneath the copy in Salvus, with lettering at the top saying

"Did I not warn you?"

http://www.lordofthecraft.net/forum/index.php?/topic/86067-paper-money/?fromsearch=1

[º Gamer9726 º 6]

Tychar sighs as he reads the note once, and then a second time.

 

"I can't say didn't see this one coming."