Re: and the poor get poorer

From: Bryan Thexton <bethexton_at_...>
Date: Tue, 09 May 2000 17:51:42 -0000

>
> > Soon, we found ourselves good locked. We have only
> > one trading route, so we generate just enough profit
>
> So MAKE MORE!!! You don't need a Trickster to get new trading
routes!
>
Maybe I'm doing something wrong, but I find forging trade routes is one of the more challenging things to do. In this game we were rejected twice before we finally set up a second route, and then we had our first route dry up a few seasons later. This is with a chief trader with renowned bargaining, and two points of magic in trading. I've had similar experiences in earlier games. Simply put, setting up trade routes is *hard.* And since each attempt takes an envoy and a number of thanes away for a seasons or more, and we also need thanes to protect exploration missions, we can normally only manage one attempt a year.

Now, things are getting better, as I finally remembered that "there is always another option" and we knew the Orlanth and Aroka quest. We didn't have any competent Orlanthi or Vingans, but we do have a very studly Elmali who went and walked in Orlanth's footsteps, improving our combat abilities. This let us sieze cows and treasure from one clan, and then to maul a force of horse *spit* spawn, seizing many horses. We gifted one clan that was well disposed to us with some of the horses, *then* followed up with an envoy trying to set up a trade route, and that was what finally worked.

I might add that I'm trying to do this game without using the Challana Arroy peace bomb, so there simply aren't that many clans around who like us, which is a factor when setting up trade routes, I believe.

I'm not saying its impossible, but when you are in a position where you can't afford to build shrines, can't afford to give gifts, and can't afford to hire thanes, it does make for a long slow road up out of the troubles. For players who want their clan to thrive quickly, they may want to try another option, is all I was trying to say.

--Bryan