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rapacious Nyissans demanded their highest prices - silks, spices, curious
tapestries and the fine Mallorean carpets that are almost never seen
in the west.
The resumption of trade along the South Caravan Route has
begun the recovery of the Tolnedran economy. gone, however, are
the days of absolute dominance in commerce. The merchants of
other nations have increasingly come to demand their share of the
markets that were formerly exclusive Tolnedran preserves, and
kings and their governments have more and more realized that the
strength of a nation is measured more in the health of its commerce
than in the size of its army Governments, therefore, have
increasingly become involved in trade negotiations. Those fine old days
when the kings of the west played their childish games of war and
conquest while the Empire alone concentrated on the serious
business of commerce are forever gone. The other nations have, in a very
real sense, grown up; and, while we may lament our loss of
advantage, we must welcome them into the market-place and cheer the
tremendous growth of healthy competition from which all mankind
must benefit.
Today, in the great commercial centers, Tol Honeth, Camaar,
Muros and Boktor, the market-places literally seethe with merchants
from all parts of the known world. Sendar and Tolnedran, Murgo
and Drasnian, Nadrak and Arend, Nyissan and Cherek, an
occasional Algar, brutish Thulls, and even of late grey-cloaked Rivans vie
with each other for the customer's attention and bargain endlessly
with each other.
Tolnedra currently faces the inevitable turmoil of Dynastic
succession. Our present Emperor, Ran Borune XXIII, a vigorous man in
his fifties, is a widower with only one female child of thirteen and
has quite firmly stated his intention not to remarry. The contending
families have already begun maneuvering in the Council of Advisors
in their quest for the Throne. We must hope that Nedra in His
wisdom will guide us in the selection of a Dynasty to lead us through
the years ahead which, while they may be fraught with uncertainties,
are likely also to be rich with opportunities.
* This 'history' is a scant 40 pages (or so) in length, but it gave a grand
overview of about
5000 years of history which proved to be invaluable.
UNIVERSAL WEIGHTS AND
MEASURes
DISTANCE
ILeague
3 Miles
MLeague
l' Miles
Inch
Standard
Span
9 Inches
Yard or Pace3 Feet
Chain 66 Feet
Fathom
6 Feet
Ounce
pint
Gill
FLUID MEASURE