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<blockquote data-quote="fusangite" data-source="post: 3656203" data-attributes="member: 7240">Sounds like the smuggling isn't of illicit stuff, then, unless arms are banned. If the smuggling isn't of banned items, it must mean that much of the city's livelihood comes from taxes on the transit trade, if the taxes are high enough to make the smuggling trade profitable.It that's the case, the coup leaders are probably planning a massive tax increase on all the trade items coming through the city, that way(a) legitimate firms are driven out of business(b) the council makes huge windfall profits until all the legit trade is choked-off(c) the price on smuggled goods can be increased exorbitantly and still undercut legit goodsThe &quot;rightful heir&quot; should cement his position with a swordpoint marriage, and possibly an adoption to boot, just to solidify things. It gives you a chance for a &quot;rescue the princess&quot; subplot.If arms sales are restricted in the city, you might be able to get gullible local militias to join the protection rackets in demanding these arms for &quot;self-defense.&quot; Channel Charlton Heston.Given that assets are mostly not liquid e.g. trade perogatives, exemptions, monopolies and land, it will be important to in some way legitimate this seizure. So you might consider the &quot;rightful heir&quot; claiming autocratic power while the council is reorganized and redistributing these privileges on the grounds that existing noble houses have been corrupt and abusive of their authority. The coup leaders, with the aid of the syndicate, could also spread rumours that the noble houses have been hoarding and amassing untold wealth and that it is time for the common people to &quot;liberate&quot; it. Also, after the coup, the tax increases could be explained by the false claim that the deposed nobles fled with all their gold and now the city is bankrupt.</blockquote>

[QUOTE="fusangite, post: 3656203, member: 7240"] Sounds like the smuggling isn't of illicit stuff, then, unless arms are banned. If the smuggling isn't of banned items, it must mean that much of the city's livelihood comes from taxes on the transit trade, if the taxes are high enough to make the smuggling trade profitable. It that's the case, the coup leaders are probably planning a massive tax increase on all the trade items coming through the city, that way (a) legitimate firms are driven out of business (b) the council makes huge windfall profits until all the legit trade is choked-off (c) the price on smuggled goods can be increased exorbitantly and still undercut legit goods The "rightful heir" should cement his position with a swordpoint marriage, and possibly an adoption to boot, just to solidify things. It gives you a chance for a "rescue the princess" subplot. If arms sales are restricted in the city, you might be able to get gullible local militias to join the protection rackets in demanding these arms for "self-defense." Channel Charlton Heston. Given that assets are mostly not liquid e.g. trade perogatives, exemptions, monopolies and land, it will be important to in some way legitimate this seizure. So you might consider the "rightful heir" claiming autocratic power while the council is reorganized and redistributing these privileges on the grounds that existing noble houses have been corrupt and abusive of their authority. The coup leaders, with the aid of the syndicate, could also spread rumours that the noble houses have been hoarding and amassing untold wealth and that it is time for the common people to "liberate" it. Also, after the coup, the tax increases could be explained by the false claim that the deposed nobles fled with all their gold and now the city is bankrupt. [/QUOTE]

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