SHARK
First Post
Greetings!
I was recently working on some campaign details, and as I was developing different colonies of the Vallorean Empire, I chewed on the flow of economic power from colonies to the mother-country, through a system of Mercantilism. I suppose I'm not too keen on the typical "poor community" model that is inferred from economics in the DMG. Certainly, smaller, frontier communities aren't going to be wealthy, but in my campaign world, the whole world or continent isn't solely based on a poor, Dark Ages Europe. Some areas are enormous empires, with more in common with Rome, Egypt, or quasi-17th century Britain. Thus, there are some empires that are IMMENSELY wealthy.
Along these lines, how do you "fund" empires in your campaigns? Do you experiment with different economic models?
Imagine the wealth of the Roman Empire, or Britain, or of ancient Egypt. In your campaigns, if you do have such a sophisticated and vast economic machine, how has that SYSTEM changed and impacted the larger campaign world, and its underlying assumptions?
For example, in my campaign, I have the Vallorean Empire that has established Trading Companies that are located on the southern continent, where they have fortresses, ports, and trade networks. From these colonies, the trading companies have established shipping lines that bring ivory, gold, exotic woods, spices, and animals back to the Vallorean Empire. These Trading Companies have Royal Charters that provide them with the legal authority, under the cover of political treaties with several local kingdoms. These Trading Companies have fleets, as well as liveried mercenary companies that work for them. These companies have established great trade-routes that funnel great wealth into the Vallorean Empire. This has vast effects of changing the standard of living for many in the empire, as well as developing political and economic relationships that must be protected, and maintained.
Monsters, pirates, and rival kingdoms are always a threat. Of course, there are also spies to deal with as well. Still, it is one detailed facet that justifies a *different* kind of economic model that supports society back in the empire.
Semper Fidelis,
SHARK
I was recently working on some campaign details, and as I was developing different colonies of the Vallorean Empire, I chewed on the flow of economic power from colonies to the mother-country, through a system of Mercantilism. I suppose I'm not too keen on the typical "poor community" model that is inferred from economics in the DMG. Certainly, smaller, frontier communities aren't going to be wealthy, but in my campaign world, the whole world or continent isn't solely based on a poor, Dark Ages Europe. Some areas are enormous empires, with more in common with Rome, Egypt, or quasi-17th century Britain. Thus, there are some empires that are IMMENSELY wealthy.
Along these lines, how do you "fund" empires in your campaigns? Do you experiment with different economic models?
Imagine the wealth of the Roman Empire, or Britain, or of ancient Egypt. In your campaigns, if you do have such a sophisticated and vast economic machine, how has that SYSTEM changed and impacted the larger campaign world, and its underlying assumptions?
For example, in my campaign, I have the Vallorean Empire that has established Trading Companies that are located on the southern continent, where they have fortresses, ports, and trade networks. From these colonies, the trading companies have established shipping lines that bring ivory, gold, exotic woods, spices, and animals back to the Vallorean Empire. These Trading Companies have Royal Charters that provide them with the legal authority, under the cover of political treaties with several local kingdoms. These Trading Companies have fleets, as well as liveried mercenary companies that work for them. These companies have established great trade-routes that funnel great wealth into the Vallorean Empire. This has vast effects of changing the standard of living for many in the empire, as well as developing political and economic relationships that must be protected, and maintained.
Monsters, pirates, and rival kingdoms are always a threat. Of course, there are also spies to deal with as well. Still, it is one detailed facet that justifies a *different* kind of economic model that supports society back in the empire.
Semper Fidelis,
SHARK