A signpost in a Chaotic land (CHAOS trade)

[Canary]

Wanderers and caravans roaming through the central plains of the country Chaos may notice one of several signs posted along all major roads and thoroughfares, and outside all major settlements. They differ greatly, in construction, in size, and in detail. The words change, but they all share a similar meaning. One such sign reads this way:

Travelers Beware
No Trade Allow'd

What this means for you:

If you're in Chaos territory, that's fine. If you are using the supply and demand in our fiefs, we will do all that we can to attack your army. Don't touch our stuff.

(click to show/hide)

If you would really like to have some goods from our territory, contact us and we may be able to arrange something.

Specificity update: if you have not made contact with us and appear to be a threat to our supplies, you will be treated as hostile. This primarily includes parties with numerous crates bearing near our higher priced fiefs.

[Kreczor]

The people all cheered around me as I stood at the top of my steep keep. "Listen here my people. Today a great deed has been sealed, our famed leader Canary has sealed all trade from strangers. We may actually be able to hold more then 200 goods before being stolen from!" Then, before the clapping of my citizens began a dark shadow eclipsed the sun. "Fools, what have you done? Have you no honor? Where will we go to trade if we cannot steal from you?" a voice boomed. "Why, we are citizens of chaos, we have no honor." I replied, and with that the guardians of my castle sprung from behind buildings and hailed arrows upon the dark figure. Under his corpse we managed to retrieve something of significant value. "So that's where I put my Exotic Heavy Waybread." as I picked up my one good. Following the defeat of some lowly thief my villagers began to hail me as the greatest lord they hath ever had. Long live Senuzgda!

[Tanken]

Oh shit Canary. One of our Aussies is already there. I don't think he has much to sell/buy, but let me know if this is a problem.

Having received word from scouts in the area that new signs had gone up in the lands to their south belonging to their friends in Green tabards. Trade was prohibited, but he knew a large caravan was already in the area. Quickly, Tanken sent a message to his scribe (because he does not know how to write) and had them write to the leader they called Canary notifying him that traders were already in the lands but would leave as their business was done.

He had the scribe attach the note to a falcon and sent it on its way, hoping this would preserve their trade already en route and their traders even more so.

[LordBerenger]

Wanderers and caravans roaming through the central plains of the country Chaos may notice one of several signs posted along all major roads and thoroughfares, and outside all major settlements. They differ greatly, in construction, in size, and in detail. The words change, but they all share a similar meaning. One such sign reads this way:


What this means for you:

If you're in Chaos territory, that's fine. If you are using the supply and demand in our fiefs, we will do all that we can to attack your army. Don't touch our stuff.

(click to show/hide)

If you would really like to have some goods from our territory, contact us and we may be able to arrange something.

Buying weapons/selling weapons and gear doesn't  take away S&D from a fief right?

[Malaclypse]

Buying weapons/selling weapons and gear doesn't  take away S&D from a fief right?

[Rhalzo]

Buying weapons/selling weapons and gear doesn't  take away S&D from a fief right?

Correct, they would probably like a heads up before you go to buy gear as well though.

[oprah_winfrey]

Weird, I haven't seen any of these signs when I was in your area raping your S&D enjoying a nice jog.

[dynamike]

The night was pitch black, there was no moon in the sky. Dark clouds were blocking any light from touching the soil. This must have been why my scouts had not seen the signs.

A peaceful trading caravan in lands that had been reported to be bandit free, we had not much in men and arms to protect us. Yet they came over us, with no warning.

When the night was the darkest, hell opened its ugly mouth and spit forth the fighting men. "Bandits!" the shouts came from my outriders and men were reaching for their weapons all around. I quickly assessed the situation: our wagons were loaded with goods from lands near and far so we would never outrun the attackers without losing it all. Our caravan guards were far and few between, we had not expected to be fallen upon by bandits in these lands. Yet, my men were still Remnants, brothers in arms that would rather risk their lives than run from the foe. We prepared for battle.

We formed a defensive perimeter around our wagons, leaving the young and the old to guard the goods, our best men to the front lines. As the alleged bandits drew closer, we saw that we were mistaken. The green flag with the eye of chaos was flying over their heads, their banners leaving no doubt: these were not bandits, but men of Chaos.

Their leader, Kreczor of Chaos, not so much reigned in to explain their attack or conduct diplomacy. It was clear that they would charge us, hoping to use the cover of darkness to catch us unaware. But my men were ready.

Where the enemy had hoped to come upon sheep, they found wolves. For every man they overwhelmed, we slew three of theirs. Where they hoped they could loot, we took arms and gear from their stiffening bodies on the cold ground. Where they meant to subdue us, we walked as free men.

Kreczor of Chaos managed to escape, tail between his legs, back into the woods. The attack on us had failed, but the message was received: Travelers beware in the lands of Chaos and do not trade there, for you are not welcome and attack you they will.

I wish that you may fare as well as we did, should the time of need arise.

[Mayzer]

A partially burned letter was found by a Chaos patrol traveling from New Derchios Castle to New Senuzgda Castle.
The message reads as follows:

Kreczor, I trust this missive finds you safe and in good health. We have an important matter to discuss.

Both you and I have been plagued by the "Free Traders". Those that think that they can simply trade anywhere without repercussion, while my serf's families starve in the streets. Our supply is theirs to take, and what have we done about it? Nothing.

I'm all but convinced there is a curse upon us, or some sinister conspiracy. We have a surplus of our Exotic Rubies. Illustrious gems, handcrafted by our master artisan Petyr. Yes, they are expensive at 25 gold, but surely you would think some traveler would be willing to buy them!

Not one trader has bought our goods since the start of my reign. Their only intent at New Derchios is to sell.

We need provisions! We something of substance, like wheat or bread, or a succulent haunch of boar. I can smell it as it turns over our hearthfire, seasoned and spitting its juices. You can't eat rubies Kreczor! I know! Some peasants have tried! This free trade will end, and you are going to be the one to send that message.

I have learned of a particular trader that has been roaming around our lands for months, buying and selling wherever he pleases. His name is Dynamike, one of the Remnants to the West. Several ravens were dispatched to his leaders asking that trade be ceased until further notice, but they seem unable to contact Dynamike.

You may be hated for what I am about to ask of you, Kreczor. You may be mocked. You may be seen as a fool, but it is necessary for our livelihood.

Assemble a small army fitted with bandit garb. The dirty old green rags you have in your cellars should do, along with cudgels and scythes. Yes, I know their army is outfitted with mail and swords. Yes, I know th [the rest of the letter is illegible and charred]

[Memento_Mori]

Finally getting around to putting up those sign posts eh.... Lazies.

[Winterly]

Finally getting around to putting up those sign posts eh.... Lazies.

The trade caravan carrying our nails, hammers, and planks were being delayed because they could not sell the rest of their goods due to our lack of S&D.

[Kreczor]

The vast fields looked like rolling clouds of green gas. I was informed I was tasked with undertaking a small toll operation in which I was supposed to halt the following armies who were stealing from the commoners. Remnant_Dynamike was a known lowly bandit who did nothing but listen to his own words. Even after being ordered out of our lands he remained to take from those that were not of his blood without payment. Stubborn as a mule, or so they say.

I was informed that my troop would only be for keeping their formation stuck on the road for a period of time so our lords could call a meeting and discuss the possible solutions. I was weary to accept the task, but did as I was told and marched out with the broken armour pieces in our armoury. My troops did not fear death, they knew what was to come and that most would not survive. We were a troop organized to die for our lords. As it has been from the time since we joined Chaos, we would die valiantly to protect our lands no matter the cost, no matter the battle, no matter the war. We would fight to the death, never retreat and continue to show our loyalty and respect.

We heard the enemy before we saw them, they were already ready for us. We had seen their ravens in the trees scouting for them, but alas with no arrows in stock we marched on. With my company in tow, we charged the enemy thinking none of us would survive, ready to die for the cause.  We made them bleed, but they took us out three men for one of theirs. We were losing, but we never gave up. As the general I was wounded by a arrow and was pulled away by my men before I got to fight. It was dishonourable, but my men would not see me die to a mere arrow.

Several of us lived, our task accomplished we returned to our castle heroes. The ones who died, died heroes and so we mourned for them. Their bodies were not returned, the savages likely stole them too, what with being the dishonourable pigs they are. Since then, the people of my castle have looked up to me and I swear I will protect them with my life. I will not allow them to come to harm.

[Hobb]

The bagel trader approaches the town gates just as the sun rises over the distant plains. With him he carries delicious baked bagels, enough to satisfy the needs of all the villagers. Excited, the young villager enters the village and rushes to open up shop. He is relieved to find all of his bagels to in perfect shape, unscathed from the long journey. The bagel trader knows that if he fails to deliver the king's bagels and make full profit on them his life will be forfeit. He takes in deep breath, exhales and rings the bell signaling his shop is open.

The traders stomach tightens as he views the villagers walking to his shop to find out what the ringing of the bell is about. The villagers, all holding breakfast burritos, one by one shrug and return to what they were doing. One of them mutters something about how he likes bagels and would have rather bought one. In utter disarray the young trader runs to the town hall to speak to the mayor.

"mr mayor mr mayor mr mayor" he shouts upon entering the building. A few moments later the mayor emerges. "mr mayor, all your villagers are eating breakfast burritos... They were supposed to buy my bagels!!" the mayor takes a moment to gather himself, "yes my boy, neighboring traders have been sneaking in and selling their burritos all week. Im afraid there is nothing I can do for you now." the trader, trys to hold back his tears, looks into the mayor's eyes, "but your guards, they were supposed to stop them, and now my king will have my life for this!" The mayor backs up to entrance of the room he came through, "We failed you boy, I am truly sorry." With that he leaves the room. The trader drops his bagel pack and sits on it. In tears he mutters,

"who is to blame when the children go hungry, the wolf who stole the sheep, or the shephard who failed to protect his flock?"

[ildist]

I'd buy a bagel, they're delicious!

[dynamike]

After the bloody deed was done and the battle - now known as "Trader's Triumph" - was won, we buried our dead, tended to our wounded and continued on our trek to leave the lands of Chaos on the fastest way.

My men had tasted blood and wanted nothing more than hunt down the craven captain of the Chaos army that had attacked us. He had offended not only my men, but even his own, with his leadership or lack thereof. Survivors of the Chaos army informed us that he needed to be carried off the field as he claimed an arrow had struck him before the battle even begun... but it must have been a misstep or lack of courage that brought him down for we carried neither bow nor arrow.

Awed by the way we treated not only our own, but their wounded as well, many a man from Chaos turned their cloak and joined our party. It was from one of these men that I received a missive that was given to them by their former leader, Kreczor the Craven, as they called him now:

Remnant_Dynamike was a known lowly bandit who did nothing but listen to his own words. Even after being ordered out of our lands he remained to take from those that were not of his blood without payment. Stubborn as a mule, or so they say.

I was surprised to see what impact my humble trading missions must have made on the great nation of Chaos. Having been on the trek for so long no word had reached me that my exchange in gold and goods was not well received by anyone but the merchants who gladly took my coin. I scratched my head in thought and turned to address my men:

"I know you want to draw the blood toll and bring the fight to the leader of this unforeseen attack. But we are far from home and wary from the march. Let us return home to our families and enjoy the profits we made."

I saw my men were not entirely happy with my decision, so I added "The next time they may not send a boy to do a man's work and our stock of ghost arrows is running low. But share the word that any man of worth is welcome in our ranks and we will not step from the path of righteousness that we tread, stubborn as mules."

This earned me a few laughs and brightened the mood enough to continue our long march home. Since this day, they say, more and more soldiers are turning their back on Craven Castle and we feel the ranks of the Remnants swell.

Being a lowly bandit seems to have his appeal after all.