[TWI-Only] [OOC] Southern Sea Trade Network

[Ainslie]

Southern Sea Trade Network

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This roleplay is for members of THE WESTERN ISLES ONLY. If you have submitted a map application and it has been accepted but have not been put on yet, you may participate in this thread. If your map application has not been approved or you are not from The Western Isles, please refrain from posting here. Trespassers will have action taken against them.

General Information

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This one’s been in my mind for a little while, but as I begin to backtrack with Ahnslen history it seems to make a lot of sense to open this up and start developing it now that I’ve actually got something to offer you all. The network itself will likely begin in 1615 and last until (or at least Norland's involvement in it and my focus on it) at least 1794. However, you're encouraged to keep the trade routes going if it makes sense for you to do so.

Essentially, the Kingdom of Norland, once established as it is in 1608, will provide a new route between the northern Gaelitic states and Gael down to the Southern Sea. As Norland has seen some success with relatively small scale trading, it will begin to become the nation which fills the missing link and becomes the initiator of this new trading network. Anything can be traded along this as long as its realistic, slaves, grain, gems you name it. All the Ahnslen nations at the time are involved - whether that be the Qa’dhir, Tesselia, Arnerai or indeed Norland. I’m currently writing up a dispatch about the trade network itself so if you’re interested in joining in or having a part to play in it please help me out by answering these questions.

By doing this, you’ll allow me to write the dispatch better and in a way more reflective of the multiple nations involved in it rather than just having it focus on the Ahnslen nations. Hopefully, the things we learn from your answers will also spark some discussion too

Without further adieu, here are the sorts of thing that’d be really helpful to let the OOC thread know about your involvement:

1. What is the name of the entity which will be trading within the network?
2. If you've got a link to a factbook about the entity or one that mentions it for more than a few sentences, please add it here.
3. What time would they operate within the trade network for? Would they be there for its full duration - perhaps afterwards too? After all, the fall of Norland doesn’t mean you can’t preserve some trade relations.
4. Provide a few sentences offering a brief overview of the entity and the temperate of its leaders and people
5. What are the nation’s imports?
6. What are their exports?
7. Are there any cultural ramifications that trading with the other nations within the network could have on your own people?
8. Could this trading endeavour cause some political or diplomatic situations we should further discuss? If so, what?

Also feel free to add any further ideas, comments or observations about how your nation or nations could operate within the network.

Here’s mine for Tesselia.

1. Kingdom of Tesselia
2. Kingdom of Tesselia
3. Full duration, preserving some links after NTC falls (1615 to at least 1794).
4. The Kingdom of Tesselia are a decadent, sociable yet even handed people. Their leaders were mindful of the the wealth and prosperity the network would bring and hence were quite excited when Norland let them know about their plans. However, Tesselia also have sworn enemies on which their wrath and disdain is exclusively reserved for - that being the Qa’dhir and the Merenese Ipachi-descendant people within their nation. The former would frequently be met with hostility at Tesselian ports whilst the latter would be offered to the network as slaves.
5. Pretty much anything, just at varying levels, particularly if it’s hard to get.
6. Logging was also common as an export in the south albeit this was a lot smaller than the operations run in Norland. Wheat, grain, canola, citrus and stonefruit alongside coal, fish and salt were major exports alongside creative works such as the drawings of architects, artists and the knowledge of chefs.
7. The network would provide opportunities for Tesselia to learn and glean from the knowledge and wisdom of many, as well as the behaviours, trends and spirituality of many. This will cause Tesselia to be a melting pot of culture where many collide and somehow fit into each other into a somewhat cohesive situation.
8. Political - slavery could become pretty controversial i guess? Diplomatic - tesselia would love to be friendly with a lot of folk, but some of their more controversial practices like their desire for merenese and qa’dhir genocide and destruction could get in the way.

Since Tesselia is first cab off the rank, a lot of this is likely to shift or grow in content based on what you all write too. I’ll do Norland towards the end too!

So, let’s get going! Let me know if there's any info, questions or further points of clarification you have.

[Dormill and Stiura]

And this is one of the things I love about you, Ains, always coming up with remarkable ideas and pitching them in a way that reminds me how poorly I pulled off the Great Argus Wars. We've already discussed some involvement but I'll do some expanding from this list to go into some further detail about the history I am already involved in that links this together.

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For the sake of the lists, I'm going to list each individual "state" participant separately.

1. The United East India Company (Dutch East India/VOC)
2. Early Dutch involvement in the Western Isles
3. 1615 to ~1680 when the independent Stiuraian Republic took over VOC assets in the Western Isles.
4. The Dutch East India Company, much like the French Western Isles Company and the British East India Company, were European-run and government-backed corporations tasked with conducting trade on behalf of their home governments in far-flung regions of the known world. The discovery of the Western Isles by the Spanish triggered a flurry of other Europeans to truly begin investing in the region (as opposed to the previous ad-hoc colonial missions to the region) which culminated in the appearance of these companies. Not only would the VOC trade on the Southern Seas Network, so would all European companies, bringing with them all the trappings and dangers of European rivalries to the region. The VOC in the Western Isles kept a much milder temperament towards Islanders compared to other European powers, content to remain secure in Kapiten's Polder, now Kapolder, their goal was to simply extract whatever wealth they could find and deny it to their rivals. After Stiuraian independence in 1655, the VOC remained active but progressively flagged by the independent nation rather than the Netherlands proper, leading to a 1680 sale of all VOC assets to Stiura, marking what some would argue as the beginning of the end of the East India Company altogether.
5. The VOC was heavily reliant on grain and food imports early in its operations as it took until the late 1620s to establish a large enough colonial population in Stiura to become self-reliant. It additionally imported just about everything else of value produced within TWI for export back to Europe. The VOC was also involved in the North Argus Slave Trade from 1630-1640 and would have imported slaves from the Southern Sea as well.
6. Though legally restricted to large-scale exportation (as most of the product the VOC was involved in was to be returned to Europe), the VOC in TWI did export some finished goods and exotic metals either produced within Stiuraian borders or imported from Europe, India, and the Americas.
7. Most importantly, trading extensively on the network produced the modern Doraltic national spirit of heavy involvement in Southern Sea Trade and Security, with those Dutchmen born in Stiura during VOC rule increasingly identifying with the "civilized" Islanders such as the Norlanders, Roendavarians, Khas-Kiriats, and Aprosians.
8. As I've discussed with Razzgriz before on my Historical Collaboration thread, VOC involvement in the region would eventually develop into a desire by Dutch and Islander Stiuraians to try and monopolize trade in the Southern Sea, if not heavily control it. Interacting both with the Southern Sea Network and the Hangate of Taztil would be almost bipolar between peaceful coexistence punctuated by extreme militaristic aggression. It would also be through the VOC that the practice of Privateering and Piracy would grow.

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1. The Stiuraian Republic
2. specific history on the independent Stiuraian Republic
3. 1680 - Present* (as the United Republics)
4. Generations of Isles-born Dutchmen were at the core of the Stiuraian national identity, seeing themselves as distinct from European Dutchmen who had immigrated to the Isles and held loyalty to the Seven United Provinces first, the Stiuraians (self-identified as Batavians) eventually threw off the yoke of VOC direct governance after the company attempted to centralize its power in Gael. United in a confederacy of various states, the Stiuraians went about building their own government and took control of VOC operations in the Western Isles, culminating in the VOC Stake Sale of 1680. Unlike their company counterparts, Stiura intended to become an integral member of the Southern Sea Trade Network and actively sought positive international relations with other active civilizations in the region.
5. Up until 1680, Stiuraian trade was still mostly controlled by the VOC and its interests, but Stiura eventually became its biggest customer in the region through constant importation of practically every good available on the high seas.
6. Free from the non-exportation restrictions of the VOC, the nascent Stiuraian Merchant Navy set out to export as much of what Stiura had to offer to the rest of the Southern Seas, especially including luxury products from Ardeda that were smuggled out of French hands.
7. Distinct to Stiura, trading along the Network acted as the nexus for Doraltic foreign relations, establishing the friendly relationship between Stiura (and the eventual United Republics) and Ainslie, Keomora, and other Southern Sea nations.
8. Of importance to bring up here with Stiura are the Trade Wars fought with Razzgriz in the 1690s, this would be the point where Doraltic Southern Sea relations become crystalized into the state it mostly remains to this day.

* I leave this note here to bring up that, at least in my eyes, the network established by Norland would remain in use mostly as they are (minus specific optimizations enabled by technology and new political relationships, or changes based on the growth and decline of certain ports) by Dormill and Stiura. For the most part, this network is seen as the crux of Doraltic Southern Sea policy and explains why the United Republics Navy operates where it does and what kinds of alliances and power dynamics it negotiates with. As it was by Norland, the Network would probably have waned from use not long after 1794 or when larger and more profitable ports were established within Ainslie. Parts of the historic route may still be in use for recreation or sport while other parts remain in continued, primarily economic, use to this day.

[Roendavar]

THE EMPIRE OF DOCIARA
Athelanthiros Athropolianthis

PRE-1615 HISTORY

In 230 BCE, Aragonus the Great passed through the straits near the modern-day International District in his great territorial conquest, and emerged in a vast ocean that stretched farther than any human have thought. To the early Corinthusi, they named it the Manehathar-Formaei, the "Waters at the end of the World". Decades later, with one of the earliest expeditionary navies, they hopped across the islands of the Southern Sea and arrived in modern-day Aprosia. Through expert navigation, close relations with the natives, and a vast network of ships and goods, one of the earliest trade routes in the Western Isles was formed, the "Golden Winds" as it was called, for it brought prosperity to much of the classical world. However, the collapse of Corinthus in 524 CE left the trade routes scattered and unprotected, eventually falling into disarray and piracy throughout much of the medieval era.

The Empire of Dociara (sometimes misspelled as Daciara by foreign sources or Athropolia by the local people) would be formed in 1069. At first, it begun as an isolationist empire, opening select cities to the outside world for trade and no other foreigner was ever allowed to set foot in the lands. The arrival of Europeans around the 1500s to the early 1600s threatened the empire's primacy, and so under then Athelaai Eleina Thermonis Iralethias, restrictions were loosened and the empire formally opened itself to trade (however still retaining their "only-ports" policy).

SSTN Era

The Empire of Dociara was one of the richest empires in the Western Isles at the time, with access to vast mines of gems, gold, marble, quality wood, productive agricultural lands of temperate fruits and wheat, and of artisan products. Literature, art, and the sciences were also one of the major exports of the Empire, and shared them whenever they could throughout the trade routes. The Daciarastai, who eventually will be known as the Roendavarians, were not too different from those in the modern day. They were highly excessive and rakish, and were highly fond of festivities and social events. However, centuries of distrust of the outside has rendered them with a hint of haughtiness, believing that people outside of the empire were lesser, albeit, it remained merely a thought and was never put into action. The Empire was highly progressive for the time. There were no hierarchical concepts amongst brethren, and so trading ships were often without clear captains and authority and were known for their libertarian attitudes. They were not shy from throwing parties at every port call and, with general acceptance of same-sex relations, they often had their fair share of debauchery. A common joke about Daciarastai traders for the time would be that only half of their cargo would actually be traded, and the other half was for the crew's personal enjoyment. This was not true, of course, but the Daciarastai traders were known for their excess and style.

However, the ideology that brought them into conflict the most with the outside world was their extreme disapproval of slavery, and the slave trade as a whole, as well as imperialism. Slavery was banned in the Empire ever since its formation, and never did the Daciarastai, before or even to the present day, would engage in the practice. According to the teachings of Protacism, freedom of will is absolute, and that all have liberty in mind and action. The very concept of slavery and the Slave trade threatened their precepts and, coupled with a very well-known outspoken and brash reputation, it was no surprise that fights often broke out between the Daciarastai and other slave trader cultures at the time, especially with Norland. The Empire was also wary of the Europeans who, as the years passed, grew bolder in their attempts to undermine the native cultures in the Western Isles or, at least, that's how the Daciarastai saw it. While they would remain open and cordial with the "outsiders", they would always bear a deep distrust against them and would constantly try to their undermine their creeping influence in the Southern Sea.

Another concern of the Empire would also be piracy. The International District, or the Ipachi District, was known for cutthroat pirates that infested its straits. While it used to be where trade between the lands of Athropolia to the Southern Sea once flowed through, it was now impossible. Throughout the early centuries of the SSTN, the Empire would be forced to bide its time and hold its tongue in order to access the Southern Sea through Norland, a well-known slave-trading people. However, in 1740, the Empire of Daciara would join the Coalition in destroying the pirates, and with a new route, they would now proclaim a hard stance against slavery and privateers paid by the Empire, known as the Malcharaeos, would constantly attack slave trade ships and take freed slaves wherever they can.

In fighting, the Daciarastai often employed mercenaries and expert sailors to do their defense, as the long period of isolation rendered their sailing skills needing a bit more of polishing. Trade expeditions by the Daciarastai would always be comprised of multiple ships, some of them purely for protection and defense. Although, the Daciarastai abhorred confrontation and fighting overall, and would generally stay away from fights unless it was purely self-defense (or maybe in a drunken stupor).

Daciarastai merchants were known for their outrageous garb and fashion. Merchant stalls or stores set up by Daciarastai merchants can often be seen from afar, from their heavy use of colors, design, music, and greenery. They were generally honest, and wouldn't result to underhanded means, but they had a tendency to leverage whatever they can to get the most out of a trade, bargain, or contract. This includes utilizing charisma, outright flattery or flirtation, or friendliness, but never do they use blackmail or threaten those they do business with. Daciarastai merchants are very insistent on contracts, especially written, which they called menthilasin, and would often refuse to change terms already agreed upon, even if it were to be beneficial to both sides. This has to do with their religious and cultural beliefs, with heavy emphasis on loyalty and honesty. All Daciarastai merchants keep multiple meticulous records and copies of all contracts, and most, if not all, are carefully recorded and copied back to the Empire. If they found out that they were wronged, especially those that would break menthilasin, their demeanor changes and they are known to go after those with extreme cruelty and punishment. Daciarastai merchants have connections with the vast organization of the Agents of the Rose, and would often hire them to pursue justice through whatever means, even if it means murder, arson, or, in some cases, complete destruction of all property and death, even of their extended relations, of those who wronged them.

Foreign traders would only be allowed to trade in the cities of Constantiara, Larasthrai, and Lantaroci. Outsiders who wish to step foot outside the city walls would need to be issued permits, and they cannot do business outside of the cities. Those who wish to take their goods directly to the Crown Lands and do business in the Eternal City of Dociara would need personal approval from the Athelaai of Dociara, the God-Emperor. The Athelaai of Dociara were well-known for their compassion and benevolence, as well as their tendency for debauchery like their people. While wary of outsiders as well, they often went on trade expeditions and diplomatic missions and leave the empire in long absences without a ruling monarch, which really was no problem for the democratic and independent peoples of the Roendavarian lands. As like their people, they were excessive and decadent, and often brought with them massive entourages, planned shows and parties, and often brought extravagant gifts to those they see as friends (or beneficial to their cause).

By the late-1700s, the cities of Eire and Silcea would be opened as well.

POST-1794 AND CULTURAL RAMIFICATIONS

The Southern Sea has always been important for the Roendavarian lands, ever since the time of Corinthus up to the present-day. It brought the nation wealth and prestige that eventually bettered the lives and conditions of those living within its borders. The lands of Roendavar have always been prosperous, but money is useless without it being spent, and the sheer cultural and economic magnitude of the Southern Sea Trade and the Roendavarian lands would dictate sociopolitical and economic norms that would still exist to this day. The SSTN eventually softened the people's wariness of the outside world and the port-cities would become melting pots of races and cultures throughout the Western Isles.

In 1796, the Empire of Daciara would fall and a number of independent polities would succeed it. This would mark the end of the country's isolationist policies, and would finally open the elusive Roendavarian lands to the outside world. Some say that the Southern Sea Trade Network was partly responsible for its collapse, as the sheer wealth accumulated by the empire was distributed so equally and efficiently, that the Daciarastai wanted to forge their own paths in the world. Foreign influence brought about by the SSTN wasn't to be ignored as well, as foreign powers competed for a stake at the wealthy empire, essentially digging themselves into the land of the Gods and tearing it apart in the end. Despite this tragic end to one of the greatest and wealthiest empires of the Western Isles at the time, its legacy would remain in the spirit of Roendavar to this day.

SUMMARY OF EXPORTS AND IMPORTS

Exports: Gold, marble, silver, other metals, other precious gems, silk, lace, timber, paper, wool, fur, leather, wheat, barley, grapes, berries, olives, other temperate fruits, books, mechanical contraptions, clothes, shoes, artisan works (sculptures, paintings, art, etc.), ships, etc.

Imports: Spices, tropical fruits, rice, carpets and rugs, pottery, ivory, other Southern Sea stuff that I don't know we would have bought them anyway (except slaves)

[Athara Magarat]

1. Divine Corinthusi Empire

2. Divine Corinthusi Empire

3. Full duration. Since this starts at 1615, I will go with 1615. In 1200s, the Khas-Kiratis did send an invasion force to various Southern Sea nations like Linaviar or Aprosia and established contact with their lost cousins in Keomora. The flow of goods was one way with these outer hangates sending yearly tributes to the Mahang. Between 1300s to 1500s, the inner hangates were more busy fighting each other for nearly two centuries and contact was sort of lost with Southern Sea hangates and this weakness even resulted in some of the Southern Sea hangates being overthrown by the natives. As such, the 17th Century is now an ideal time for me as well to have taken part in the Southern Sea Trade Network.

4. The inner hangates of the Divine Corinthusi Empire are situated in a harsh region called Vendriothos (also called mainland Magarat). TBD stuff

5. Everything but specifically plant-based food.

6. Horses, gunpowder, lokta (handmade paper), wool (and wool products), wood, animal products (hides or musk for example), herbs and slaves from North Argus Slave Trade just to piss Roendavar. And several other stuff that I cannot think of right now but that an empire like DCE definitely exported.

7. The Khas-Kiratis had a mostly warrior-based culture and the status of "merchant" was reserved to a few tribes such as the Newa and the Khas. Corinthusi Domans and Argean Ipachis were the merchant class of the empire. This led to Doman being even popular and more common as lingua franca among various hangates while the nobles and priests stuck to Roendavarian. Nonetheless, there were enough Newa and Khas traders for there to be significant amount of them in nations like Razzgriz.

8. Slavery. It was against the Protacist religion and even banned in Vendriothos (mainland Magarat) itself but Purvalok or Ipachi District (now ID) was an exception. The island was under Hanglaw, direct control of the Mahang and Gael-based Sunuwar Hangate sold native Gaelitic peoples they caught on raids at the Ipachi District market. From ID, they were then sold to other interested nations.

Piracy was another issue. In early days of the Divine Corinthusi Empire, pirates and storms were the bane of their invasions. Many invasions had to be withdrawn after Khas-Kirati fleets were captured by pirates (this is even the reason why Khas-Kirati armies invade Aizcona in 1619 so they could march safely into Wellsia against the Xiangu Hangate); not to mention all the treasure fleets with tributes from outer hangates being looted by the dang pirates. However, after the Peace of the Vendriothos in 1689 where all outer hangates left the empire, the Mahangs changed their policy towards pirates and started employing them.

The issue of slavery and piracy in ID is the reason for the 1740 Coalition invasion. A conflict that will prove to everyone that the DCE is not the superpower anymore and is rapidly stagnating. Something that other powers would take advantage of starting in 19th Century.

[Uprea]

The Colony of Uprea (under the administration of Portugal)

From 1615 to 1760
Not MUCH more information, but I am working on it

Brief Overview of the Nation and its Leaders

The Colony of Uprea (which started out in 1575), started trading within the Southern Sea Trade Network ever since its very beginnings. The Portuguese were never keen on gaining much territory but rather focused on riches acquired by trading with indigenous population. The quite oppressive regime, focused on acquiring the natural resources of Uprea by exploiting the settlers and forcing them into the mining industry. In charge of the Colony, at that time, was General Juliano Vasquez, a highly decorated general from the portuguese navy. He was, among the administration, one of the biggest supporters of uprean settlers being forced to work in the mining industry, even forcing children and the elderly to work when a shortage of men due to accidents brought down the exports of coal, iron and Steel.
Despite all that, slave trade never happened from or to Uprea.
Until 1629:
Import: Precious Metals (Gold, Silver, ...), Gems, Tools, spices, (all of which would have been shipped to Portugal)
fruit of all kinds, meat, vegetables of all kind, leather (for the settlers)
Export: no export trading would have been conducted as all resources not needed for the upkeep of the settlement would have been shipped to Portugal


After the First Mine Strike the settlers independence grew a little, allowing for people to use the lands for agriculture. The settlers were also allowed to establish their homes and allow for some luxury goods to be shipped to the colony.
After 1629, until 1760:
Import: Precious Metals (Gold, Silver, ...), Gems, Tools, leather, spices, fruit of all kinds, meat, vegetables of all kind, seeds, timber, furniture and household goods, clothes, Livestock
Export: Iron, Coal, Ships and ship equipment (sails, ropes,...), Aluminum, Steel, Weapons (Guns, Canons,...)

Influences resulting from the Trade

The participation in the Trade Network would allow people from Uprea to acquire luxury goods they so desperately need, as well as secure their establishment in the newly founded colony. Some may have been inspired by the opportunity of a new start and stay, some may have found the freedom they got outside from Uprea alluring.
In the end, inspiration from other nations also would have contributed to the people of Uprea fighting for their independence.

The Oligarchy of Uprea

From 1760 to 1797
Not MUCH more information, but I am working on it

Brief Overview of the Oligarchy and its Leaders

The Oligarchy of Uprea, at least in its early beginnings, was nation that just recently gained its independence and was therefore economically weak and fragile. Its new instated rulers were somewhat liberal and very open to make connections to the outside world while also focusing on Uprea as it was a struggling nation.
As the trading Network apparently ceased to exist before the Oligarchy was 100% functional and the economic growth developed into what is now Uprea, the trading was pretty much that of a small, economically instable and new nation.
Import: Everything they could have gotten their hands on, with an exemption for raw resources such as timber, iron, coal, etc.
Export: Weapons, Steel, Agricultural Products indigenous to Uprea, Wheat, Corn, Livestock, Ships and other means of transportation (for example wagons,...), Furniture

Influences resulting from Trade
Mostly just economic growth for a upcoming nation. Immigration and Emigration would have been constantly ongoing. As an island nation and the nation being solely relying for ships to stop by, piracy would have been a big issue. I could also see Uprea being an important trading stop for Southern Sea nations, before reaching Gael or Argus and the other way around, which would lead to increased popularity because of its position.

[The United Partitions]

The Chah-Chajd Empire

2. If you've got a link to a factbook about the entity or one that mentions it for more than a few sentences, please add it here.

https://www.nationstates.net/nation=the ... id=1554215

3. What time would they operate within the trade network for?

From the start in 1615 up until the Empire's collapse in 1663. I wish it could have been for longer but most successor states would not have had sufficient sea access to be able to trade, but perhaps the British and French did with British and French Salimanasia? This might require further private discussion as things get complicated with non-TWI NPC countries. I've been thinking of replacing them at some point with similar colonizer countries in TWI, I need to ask around.

4. Provide a few sentences offering a brief overview of the entity and the temperate of its leaders and people.
The Chah-Chajd Empire was a militaristic continent-spanning absolute monarchy that dominated Central Argus from the 15th to 17th century. The primary culture of the Empire were the Tchacuatl, but was home to a plethora of other cultures that spanned Argus and the Southern Sea. They were historically known for being very open to outside cultures and religions, and followed the Quazzist faith which encouraged ritual sacrifice, and integrated deities and traditions from neighbouring religions. The Empire was formed from a union between the Tchacuatl kingdoms of Chah and Chajd, and with the belief that life does not end after death, which meant the lands that emperors conquered would still belong to them after they died, this fueled the massive expansion of the empire in the 15th and early 16th century until it's territorial stagnation as this tradition began to die out. The Empire had around a 100 year long period of economic and cultural prosperity with art (including theatre, painting, dance, music, statues, architecture, etc.), holidays, innovation and technology, including the invention of many things, most prominently innovation in farming for the rough terrain and climate of the Empire (creating ways to grow crops in jungles, deserts, and mountains that would normally struggle), the invention of the observatory and innovation in mathematics, physics and astronomy, and forms of calendars that tracked the movements of the stars, the sun, the moon, and the planets.

5. What are the nation’s imports?

Guns, cannons, ship parts, ships, gunpowder, iron, steel, livestock (cows, sheep, chickens, horses), rice, wheat, tea, certain fruits like bananas and oranges, and a lot of other things.

6. What are their exports?

Gold, silver, platinum, gems, tropical timber, tobacco, rubber, cacao, vanilla, corn, potatoes, pineapple, beans, chili peppers, tomatoes, (the list of food items goes on).

7. Are there any cultural ramifications that trading with the other nations within the network could have on your own people?

A big problem that came with the trading would have been an assortment of diseases, and Christianity. The latter would lead to a large-scale religious revolt in the Empire and be one of the reasons of its collapse. The Quazzist faith that was most common throughout the Empire was very open to foreign influence, and was constantly integrating deities, but citizens didn't hold enough attachment to these beliefs and Christianity was much more appealing to them, which created a big problem. With Christianity additionally came negative beliefs about regular aspects of Tchacuatl culture, like same-sex relationships, females in high places of power like military leaders and political leaders, and sacrificial rituals, all of which were highly common in the Empire. This led to many within the empire turning to Christianity and believing that the Empire was evil and needed to be dissolved. The radical beliefs were not entirely the fault of Christianity, other problems in the empire had created divisions already and people wanting to destroy it just needed something to latch onto so they could create opposing beliefs to that of the empire, and Christianity was that catalyst.
The Chah-Chajd Empire was already very open to outside cultures so it's likely Western influence would have rubbed off on the citizens as well in aspects of daily life. However, with the increase of problems, the rulers would have most likely started to make the Empire more isolationist, and with desperation they would have greatly ramped up the sacrifices, both of which would only make the citizens more unhappy, lead to more unrest, and speed the Empire towards it's complete collapse.

8. Could this trading endeavor cause some political or diplomatic situations we should further discuss? If so, what?

The CCE were rivals with the DCE, and fought many, many wars against them over the course of history. The CCE tried spurring independence movements in Hangates, and while the DCE was stronger in navy, the CCE was stronger in land forces. Slavery was generally opposed by the CCE even from the beginning of the Empire. However, a form of serfdom was in place. The serfs weren't owned by anyone directly, but they were like tributaries who were forced to give up food every year. The majority population of these serfs were the Tanga: the Ipachi who had lived in Central Argus for thousands of years. Piracy by the Tsunters and other pirates were also a problem, especially on the Mesder coast of the Empire, but to a smaller extent on the Southern Sea Coast. This was yet another reason that led to the Empire's collapse.

[Hyukai]

Kiminaro Empire

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If you've got a link to a factbook about the entity or one that mentions it for more than a few sentences, please add it here.
(Very small information. A more detailed version will be made in the near future)

What time would they operate within the trade network for? Would they be there for its full duration - perhaps afterwards too? After all, the fall of Norland doesn’t mean you can’t preserve some trade relations.
Starting from 1668 up until 1790. The Kiminaro Empire would fall in 1866.

Provide a few sentences offering a brief overview of the entity and the temperate of its leaders and people
The Kiminaro Empire was a major absolute monarchy which ruled most of the Eterna region from the mid 17th century up to the late 19th century. The empire also introduced Christianity to its people. Although known for its fearsome warriors, they were also for being peaceful traders who enjoyed creating artwork and poetry. It was formed in 1661 following the merging of several small states. During its 200 years of existence, they rarely engaged in battle and was seen as a prosperous power. They also invented many use tools which were then traded around the Western Isles. It was eventually defeated by the Carsows due to its relatively aging battle methods

What are the nation’s imports?
Due to it's location, it is hard to grow crops or breed healthy livestock. Most of its agriculture and cattle are imports even today.

Precious stones (Emeralds, golds), livestock, wheat, agriculture, slaves and raw resources (Iron, lumber)

What are their exports?
Expensive artworks (Sculptures, paintings), weapons (Swords, guns), ships, coal, Brown Hyukaian Cougars and other exotic animals

Are there any cultural ramifications that trading with the other nations within the network could have on your own people?
Slaves played a crucial part in the kingdoms survival. Most worked in plantations, where sufficient food is grown. Wealthy nobles had many slaves. It was quite common. During the early 18th century, there was a lot of discussion whether slavery was for the good of the people or morally bad. The slave trade as cut off in 1753 but trades continued. Other than that, trades were viewed as cooperation and friendliness by the people.

Could this trading endeavour cause some political or diplomatic situations we should further discuss? If so, what?
Some people disagreed in exporting the Brown Hyukaian Cougars. They considered it an important animal that should only remain in their lands. Slavery was also a big talk. Rich people had many slaves working around the clock in their homes and plantations. However, this also took many jobs away from locals and some considered it immoral.

I don't have a lot of context into my history yet so it is quite vague.

[Aizcona]

1. The Second Estral Republic
2. Don't got a history factbook for this era
3. They would operate whenever the actual full unification would happen post Heavenly War, probably somewhere around ~1650 all the way through
4.
What is the name of the entity which will be trading within the network?
If you've got a link to a factbook about the entity or one that mentions it for more than a few sentences, please add it here.
What time would they operate within the trade network for? Would they be there for its full duration - perhaps afterwards too? After all, the fall of Norland doesn’t mean you can’t preserve some trade relations.
Provide a few sentences offering a brief overview of the entity and the temperate of its leaders and people
What are the nation’s imports?
What are their exports?
Are there any cultural ramifications that trading with the other nations within the network could have on your own people?
Could this trading endeavour cause some political or diplomatic situations we should further discuss? If so, what?

This will be updated further

[Ainslie]

Here's the SSTN factbook as is: https://www.nationstates.net/page=dispatch/id=1661498

I'll be updating it a bit over the next few days for formatting reasons or to correct any errors so if youve got any feedback or points I need to fix please let me know. Also, I'll be adding the Ahnslen nations to this soon as well - my plan is to fill out the same questions as you all have too

[New Aapelistan]

The Aprosian Sultanates

Background

Aprosia has had a long history in the Southern Seas, especially in trade. Under the qunihár monarchy that existed for most of the first millenia, the Aprosian imperial monarchy engaged in a previous trade network in the Southern Seas extensively. Ruling over most of modern Aprosia and Keomora, as well as having conquered northern Linaviar, Aprosian traders travelled throughout vast portions of the Southern Seas, trading various agricultural, artisan and luxury goods under a relatively peaceful period of Aprosian history and enjoying protection from pirates through Corinthusi and Aprosian protection of the waters in the eastern Southern Seas. The fall of Corinthus in 524CE caused issues for the Aprosian traders and forced the imperial monarchy to invest more in protecting the waters. By the 9th century, various internal disputes had significantly weakened the imperial monarchy and the Aprosians were not able to defend themselves from an invasion of the Khas-Kiratis. Although a Khas-Kirati domination of the south-eastern corner of the region would provide a short period of stability, dissatisfaction of the local Aprosian elite towards the Yakkhalen ruling elite and monarchy would result in a war that would see the Yakkhalen monarchy expelled from Aprosia in the first half of the 13th century.

While the conflict was underway, Aprosians first made contact with various Muslim traders, becoming the first point of contact with the religion that would eventually dominate Aprosia. Local elite, especially on the coast, were intensely fascinated by Islam's teaching of a single God and the prophet of the God and Islam began to slowly spread in Aprosia. The spread of Islam would bring its own side-effects in governance, culture and language, as well as conflict between the native religious and muslims of Aprosia.

By the 1500s, Aprosia had turned into what it would largely prevail until the Alteran conquest of Aprosia; a collection of various monarchies ranging from the coast to the interior. Islamic sultanates dominate in the rich coastal regions of modern Aprosia, while a much more traditional form of tribal monarchy continued to exist in the rugged interior of the country.

Another later significant change during the 1500s would be the first Alterans arriving to Aprosia. Exploring the Isles, the Alterans found Aprosia through their knowledge of the Khas-Kirati invasions of the Southern Sea. While at first trading directly with the local traders, through the 1500s and the 1600s they slowly began to expand their merchant operations in Aprosia, establishing Alteran trade posts and manufacturies in Aprosia trade purposes.

SSTN Era

With the various Aprosian sultanates controlling the agriculturally rich coastal regions of Aprosia, the sultans would be proponents of expanding Aprosian trade relations to take the most benefit of their location, promoting merchants and their operations immensely. Agricultural riches, such as spices, tea, opium and other subtropical agricultural goods would be exported from Aprosia either through native merchants or through the Alterans from their tradeposts, alongside various artisanal goods and luxury goods.

With the requirements of Islam would also come noticable signs of Aprosians in the ports they frequented. Salah, one of the five pillars of Islam, would be strictly followed by yhe native muslim traders whenever possible, leading to traders seeking to establish mosques in the ports or their vicinity.

Alongside the inanimate goods traded by Aprosians, Aprosians would be also keen on trading slaves. While Aprosians not being fond of slavery themselves, they would have no issues in dealing in slavery, acting as middlemen in the slave trade in the Southern Seas. Additionally, various Aprosians would migrate using the trade network to far-away lands, either working as merchants or as labourers, such as in Keverai where the first Aprosians migrated during the SSTN period.

Alongside Aprosian muslim traders, Alteran traders had a noticable presence in Aprosia and while their primary purpose would be to act as the middlehands in the trade between Aprosia and Altera, they would trade in the SSTN as well, however less actively than the Aprosians themselves

The colonization of Aprosia by Altera in the 1700s would change the trade situation in Aprosia. While the Alterans bringing in various more modern methods of production would increase Aprosia's production capabilities in many areas, trade would be under the Alteran colonial authorities, with new taxes and laws regarding it. Trade would steadily shift from several native Aprosian merchants to a smaller group of local merchants and a larger presence of Alteran colonial traders, whose primary market would be Altera itself. The presence of Aprosia itself in the SSTN would reduce, while ethnic Aprosian traders would continue their operations in foreign lands.

Ramifications of the SSTN in Aprosia

A revitalized trading network in the Southern Seas would provide a large amount of income for the Aprosian sultans and for the local merchant classes. With most of the land owned by local tribes, an increased demand for Aprosian goods overseas would create a new tribal land-owning class. With increased income and more leverage over the ruling classes, several tribal people would start to receive more established claims to the land they owned, beginning the formation of a class where owning land would be centered more around a single family instead of the entire tribe. Said landowning class would later on become one of the keys to Alteran domination over Aprosia and a significantly influential social class in an independent Aprosia after 1950, before being decimated by the Aprosian socialists in the creation of a renewed Aprosia.

Increased funds for the ruling classes would lead to more funding towards the arts as well. While Arabic had established itself as the holy language, as well as the language of the ruling elite, it would flourish in the 1600s and 1700s thanks to the increased trade. Muslim art influenced by the native and to a lesser degree, foreign styles, would flourish as well.

Overview of trade goods

Export

• Rice
• Various spices
• Opium
• Tea
• Sugarcane
• Soybeans
• Tobacco
• Various subtropical agricultural goods
• Various animal goods (furs, leather etc)
• Iron
• Coal
• Various metals
• Books
• Clothes
• Carpets and rugs
• Pottery
• Weapons (swords, axes etc.)
• Artisan works (paintings, paintings etc.)

Import

• Pretty much everything nice

[Kilat]

1. What is the name of the entity which will be trading within the network?
Various, due to fragmentation that happened in Kilat during the 1600s, but Kangri (or Kanegrie in Arnish) would be the major player from end of 1600s onward.

2. If you've got a link to a factbook about the entity or one that mentions it for more than a few sentences, please add it here.
None yet

3. What time would they operate within the trade network for? Would they be there for its full duration - perhaps afterwards too? After all, the fall of Norland doesn’t mean you can’t preserve some trade relations.
The entirety of it, Kangri being extraction-heavy kingdom at the time, focusing on precious metals, wood, but being backward lacking the resource to process it, would rely heavily on the trade network to keep its economy alive. This could play a role in politicking, when Norrland fell and someone could fill the void.

8. Could this trading endeavour cause some political or diplomatic situations we should further discuss? If so, what? (written first so could give better perspective)
The trading network would have a profound effect on Kilat. By 1600, Kilati islands would have already been embroiled in civil wars for two hundred years, named Ten Kingdoms Era. Few would seek help outside since the invasion of DCE four centuries ago would make people distrust foreigners. However, one petty kingdom, Kangri, engaged in trade with outside world, and Norrland (or Tesselia) would trade technology and information with precious metals that Kangri had.

After a few decades, Kangri with its newfound technology thanks to the trade network, would overran the Kilati islands and unify it once again under one banner. Afterwards, the Trade Network should form an important pillar for the Kangri Empire, and the end of the Trade Network would also spell the end of the Empire.

The end of the Trade Network would mark the beginning of another isolationist period in Kilat, a.k.a Japan in the 1600s-1800s

4. Provide a few sentences offering a brief overview of the entity and the temperate of its leaders and people
The Kangris would be quite liberal and open for its time, compared with the distrust for anything foreign that was the norm in Kilati islands back then. The Empire, afterall, depends on outside trade for its survival. It was also open to foreign enterprise, quite early, if it can advanced its own interest as well. In other words, quite pragmatic.

5. What are the nation’s imports?
Early it would be gunpowder, but later on, civilian goods such as textile and other exotic goods would excel on. Kangri loves novel things.

6. What are their exports?
Precious metals and shipbuilding. Do you know teakwood is one of the best suited material for shipbuilding?

7. Are there any cultural ramifications that trading with the other nations within the network could have on your own people?
Yes, the Kangri would ‘diverged’ more and more from its cultural root, as a result of cultural assimilation due to exposure with other cultures, and their open mindset. Also a reason to have some of your cultures and people in my nation. We can talk btw!

[Stosal]

The Papal Colony of Stosal

What is the name of the entity which will be trading within the network?
- The Papal Colony of Stosal
If you've got a link to a factbook about the entity or one that mentions it for more than a few sentences, please add it here.
- https://www.nationstates.net/nation=sto ... ok/id=main <- Refer to the overview section. I'm working on fully fleshing out the history, so watch this space.
What time would they operate within the trade network for? Would they be there for its full duration - perhaps afterwards too? After all, the fall of Norland doesn’t mean you can’t preserve some trade relations.
- Pretty much from the start until 1797 (when the colony gained its independence).
Provide a few sentences offering a brief overview of the entity and the temperate of its leaders and people:
- The Papal Colony of Stosal was at the start of the SSTN a small town on the south end of Stosal island. The island was dominated by Chuusoostee natives, who resisted the foreign colonisers. The Colony was far from the Papacy's number one priority, and as such was not being backed up against the natives. It wasn't until around 1625 there was active investment into the colony, although when it did happen the colony expanded rapidly. By 1650 the colony was becoming self-sufficient and would have began moving on from importing basic necessities. Circa 1700 gold was discovered on Alosal island, which would have rapidly became the colonies number one export. This also led to the colony becoming more and more independent from the Papacy, leading to the Reformation and the colony's independence.

The colony was ruled over by a Bishop appointed by the Pope, who was generally devout and loyal, and desperate to please the Church back home. This would often lead to wealth being funnelled out of the colony back to the Papal State. Any chance to bring in more wealth would be jumped at, including trade. The people (and the leadership) were untrusting of heretic religions, but would be extremely open to fellow Catholics. They are very collectivist and social-minded, and are wary of too much wealth and its effects on society
What are the nation’s imports?
- Just basic necessities such as metals and food in the first few decades, eventually moving toward more luxury goods.
What are their exports?
- Ships and related products, gold post-1700, religious products.
Are there any cultural ramifications that trading with the other nations within the network could have on your own people?
- It would provide a way to get key resources without having to wait sometimes decades from Spain and Italy, and thus would directly contribute to the development of the colony. Merchants may rub some of their culture onto the Stosalic citizenry, which could lead to division (given the government strived for a homogenous society) and certain groups demanding more openness. Also see section 8 regarding the Reformation.
Could this trading endeavour cause some political or diplomatic situations we should further discuss? If so, what?
- The network would be the first real connection the Colony would have with any other Isles nations (beside native history of course). I can see this network being a key factor in reducing the dependence of the colony on the Papacy, and thus a reason for the Reformation. Another factor is the seeming growth of trade, yet that money was not being funnelled down to the people. On the other hand, Catholic nations could take action against the Reformation.

Some relationships built during the SSTN would carry on, in some cases as far as the modern day, with the Holy Order of Stosal.

[Ainslie]

the long awaited ahnslen additions to the sstn: What is the name of the entity which will be trading within the network?
Kingdom of Tesselia

If you've got a link to a factbook about the entity or one that mentions it for more than a few sentences, please add it here.
https://www.nationstates.net/page=dispatch/id=1643919

What time would they operate within the trade network for? Would they be there for its full duration - perhaps afterwards too? After all, the fall of Norland doesn’t mean you can’t preserve some trade relations.
1615 - 1865

Provide a few sentences offering a brief overview of the entity and the temperate of its leaders and people
The Tesselians are a decadent, sociable yet cunning people. Their leaders were deeply aware of the cultural and economic opportunities the trade network could bring and hence were enthusiastic participants ever since the Kingdom of Norland’s government notified them of their intentions. Tesselians are generally carefree people, consuming arts, entertainment and luxury goods however are still sharp and aware types. Tesselia does have enemies but this is almost entirely reserved for the Merenese Ipachi-descendent people whom they raided to bring into slave labour and the Qa’dhir, who they saw as wayward versions of themselves.

What are the nation’s imports?
Expensive art, spices, ores and gems, artefacts

What are their exports?
Timber, wheat, grain, canola, citrus, fish, salt, slaves, coal, art, education, architecture, creative knowledge.

Are there any cultural ramifications that trading with the other nations within the network could have on your own people?

The network would provide an opportunity for Tesselia to get rich and become quite cosmopolitan, a legacy that would remain into the modern day. It would cause Tesselia to become the most open facing of the Ahnslen predecessor states and its capital Mandara would become a melting pot filled with cultural exchange and dynamism.

Could this trading endeavour cause some political or diplomatic situations we should further discuss? If so, what?
The expansion of trade allowed for the Tesselians to have friendly relations with nations that were willing to overlook their avid participation in the slave trade. The slave trade made possible through this network did cause animosity with other local groups - particularly Qa’dhir and Merenese settler states. Besides this, the wealth would allow for much of their internal purges or wars with the Qa’dhir or Merenese for example to be overlooked.

Republic of Arnerai
https://www.nationstates.net/page=dispatch/id=1639131
1615-1710
The Arnish people are the product of friendly collaboration, a focus on social cohesion and the unflinching commitment to common sense norms and approaches. The Arnish were overwhelmingly farmers, although in the town centres many service industries began to pop up as the people grew increasingly wealthy. Arnish people were typically quite grounded, open-minded and optimistic - seeing foreign interaction as an opportunity rather than a threat. Their diplomats and officials would be key in Ainslie’s history as people who stopped wars and other conflicts from spiralling out of control. Perhaps the best Arnish project would come after the fall of the Republic - the unification of Tesselia, North Arnerai, Norland, the Karder and Renden lands and the Arnish cities into the Unified Electorates of Ainslie.

Fertilisers, spices, tropical fruits, seeds, works of art, bricks

Wool, timber, wheat, grain, sorghum, grapes, preserved meats, textiles, minerals, ores and gems, rice.

Similar to the Tesselian and Norlander states, the network would greatly improve economic development and allow the economy to further specialise. It would bring in more ideas and approaches to running nations, something that would be of particular interest to leaders later in Arnerai’s history who sought to bring renewal and take the administration of government to new heights. Such acts would ultimately bring down the republic.

The Network provided an opportunity for Arnerai - and the Arnish people themselves - to export and more clearly define who they were in relation to the other Ahnslen predecessor states. They positioned themselves as common sense negotiators, friendly yet wise and a stable political and economic partner. They maintained friendly relations with Tesselia and Norland despite both governments flirting with the idea of taking land off of Arnerai - to which their political establishments would always refuse to condone.

Kingdom of Norland
https://www.nationstates.net/page=dispatch/id=965714
1615-1795

The Norlander people were natural merchants, wily diplomats and had a keen interest in intellectual advancement as a way of strengthening the nation. Norland as a government leveraged their strategically important placing at the time to form a trading company which would help mediate trade north-south through Gael in a stable and safe way. By doing so, their cities would become wealthy and home to thriving enterprises based not only on the on-water operations of the trading corporations but also as part of a strong services sector supporting them and the people who have been made rich by their efforts. Despite this, they largely were a highly stratified society and were aristocratic in nature - but this was on the basis of occupation rather than ethnicity, family lineage or wealth. This provided for some social mobility to the few lucky enough to find work in the higher echelons of the nation but was an easy way of falling out of favour with Norland society if you were seen to be lazy or incompetent at your craft.

Ores and gems, metals, foodstuffs

Timber, repairs, maps, trade, gold, tools, art, machinery, slaves

The trading network would be the core stabilising force of Norland - nothing could happen that would threaten the viability of the commercial operations of the government or its people. Stability was preferable to personal ambition or the ambition of small revolutionary collectives who were subsequently reported and brutally suppressed by a government viciously enthusiastic to maintain its place as a principal trading partner east of Argus. The network also created a new creative/artisan middle class that Norland had not yet seen - a group who would later be integral in forming a new Norlander state after a succession crisis brought down the monarchy.

Similarly to Tesselia, Norland exported slaves albeit these mainly came from the ports owned by the Tesselians. The trading companies based out of the Norland capital of Arbore allowed for longer distance transport in the slave trade, initially supported by Qa’dhir slave drivers who would keep the people in check as they went on voyages to distant lands. Although not directly responsible for the sourcing of the slaves, Norland would receive some of the blowback for helping with Tesselia’s trade of them and hence would come into competition with trading groups who were vehemently against it and the navies of much larger States who objected to such a practice.

[Laeden]

1. What is the name of the entity which will be trading within the network?
2. If you've got a link to a factbook about the entity or one that mentions it for more than a few sentences, please add it here.
3. What time would they operate within the trade network for? Would they be there for its full duration - perhaps afterwards too? After all, the fall of Norland doesn’t mean you can’t preserve some trade relations.
4. Provide a few sentences offering a brief overview of the entity and the temperate of its leaders and people
5. What are the nation’s imports?
6. What are their exports?
7. Are there any cultural ramifications that trading with the other nations within the network could have on your own people?
8. Could this trading endeavour cause some political or diplomatic situations we should further discuss? If so, what?

• The entity's name is Compagnie Mesderienne du Commerce, or CMC. It is a chartered company, created by the Laedenian Crown in 1649 to promote international trade and to serve as Laeden's main supplier of foreign and exotic goods. In time, the CMC grew to become an entity with a will of its own, that wasn't always aligned with the Laedenian Crown's foreign policy or political ideas. The CMC became a large and powerful trading company, owning several colonies and managing a fleet of merchant vessels and warships.
  
• Click here.
  
• From 1649 to 1917, in theory. The CMC would be at its peak from 1680 to 1820.
  
• Having initially engaged in trade with foreign powers, the CMC quickly seized the oportunity caused by international events such as the fall of the Chah-Chajd Empire to establish itself in foreign territories, owning an enviable colonial territory that spanned over five different nations. The CMC was a very business-minded entity that cared about profit and prosperity above everything else. Shunning excessive or unnecessary violence, they often elected to charm the inhabitants of their colonies, instead of coercing them. They tried to inspire loyalty and kinship in their colonial populations, as they thought it was easier to manage their territories that way. The CMC was particularly gifted at managing land and turning wildernesses into highly productive farmlands, or villages into sophisticated merchant towns. This allowed them to produce high quality goods in large quantities, lowering the prices and making their merchandise more competitive in the consumer markets. The CMC was also adept of constructing large, well fortified trade outposts that could serve as fortresses, warehouses and safe havens for its ships, aside from trading zones of course. Thanks to the Company's rational and efficient mode of organization, it could often meet the demands for specific goods in a quick and efficient fashion, allowing it to thrive exponentially during its golden age.
  
• The CMC, in itself, wouldn't import anything. However, it still had the duty of providing the Laedenian nation with foreign goods. As such, the main goods purchased by the CMC from other nations were industrialized goods (machinery, clothing, refined tools, steel), armament and ammunition, coal, fabrics (mostly fur and silk), paper, precious stones and highly skilled workforce (in this case, hired, not bought).
  
• During most of that time, Laeden was still an agrarian, partially self sustaining and feudal-minded nation, so it hardly exported anything. The main goods that the CMC produced and exported, however, were: spices (produced in Aprosia, until it was colonized by Altera, and from then on produced in Hintuwan), gold, silver, sugar, tobacco, coffee and dyes (produced in the United Partitions), precious gems (extracted from the United Partitions, The Spurs and Hintuwan), wine, cotton, beef, mutton, wool, horses, wine, olive oil and salt (from Keomora). Iron was also extracted from some of the colonies, and fishing remained a major industry, both for internal consumption and exportation. Whales, and their oil, were especially prized by the CMC, and used for construction, as well as to produce oil lamps, wax and soaps. The CMC's most important consumer markets were Altera and the Empire of Dociara. Other partners included Hyukai, Yursea, Renet, Balnik, Tesselia (Ainslie), Thromsa, Uprea and The Rodaves.
  
• Thanks to the enormous prosperity brought by the CMC, Laeden entered into an era of Renaissance. During this period, the arts and sciences were rediscovered in the nation, and Roendavar was especially important in that regard, as many artists and performers were brought from the Empire of Dociara to Laeden. In general, the CMC's agents were highly educated and sophisticated. The Laedenian presence left deep marks in nations such as Hintuwan, The United Partitions and Keomora, and in some of these the Laedenians are still a sizeable minority. In general, the CMC promoted its ideal of ''Civilization'' in the conquered territories, spreading the Catholic faith, as well as a more cultured and urban/aristocratic way of life. Because it shunned violence and promoted diplomacy, negotiations and the importance of honoring contracts and deals, the CMC was a positive influence in the creation of civil societies besed on the principle of the rule of law.
  
• The CMC's success wasn't celebrated by everyone. During its time of activity, it saw its fair share of rivals. The Iszkari Confederation, Dormill and Stiura, Solaryia and Jeriga are some of the nations that sought to undermine the CMC. While the Laedenian Crown often sought to dissociate itself from the CMC, insisting that the two entities were distinct and independent from one another, the Laedenian government often found itself having to send money and troops to protect the CMC's colonial possessions from agressors.