Concerning the increase in the money supply:
Now I think about it 'trade' as a _career_ is different to the other
careers. A good place for a castle, or a magic scroll, are little use
to someone who has not gone down the appropriate career path. However,
if _anyone_ happens to discover a good market city, they can use it.
Unless we are careful, instead of creating 'traders' we will create
even richer warriors, mages,.....will we? I confess I'm not sure of
the consequences of a new trading system.
Anyway, if anyone feels we might have a problem in this way, here's
another idea.
Purpose
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To make _good_ deals only available to people who really want to be
_traders_, whilst still letting other folks do a little trading.
Background
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If I go (real-world) shopping I can get a good deal on many things.
This is all small quantities, though; if I went to a city I didn't know
and tried to get a great deal on \pounds 100,000 worth of cars or books
or food, I'd have no chance - I haven't the experiance or the
contacts.
The Idea
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Consider this in 'Olympia' terms. Each city trade could be considered
to be 'normal' or 'traders only'. 'Traders-only' can only be bought or
sold by nobles who have a particular skill.
I'm offering for discussion the idea of a new family of skills: 'Trading'
In use
------
The skill is widely taught. Nobles who wish to be professional merchants
seek out basic instruction in this area and learn the category skill,
and the 'Locate seller' and 'locate buyer' skills. (Or just have both
in one, 'Locate Deal').
On arrival at a new city, our trader ignores the flashy banners and
shouts of the market traders. He spends a few days practising his skills
in the back streets, in unmarked warehouses and other places. He then
can pick and choose from bulk deals or special offers.
Translation: After using the skill, more trades will be visible (if the
city has them).
Another varient would be to have all trades visible, as they are now,
but some are marked as 'merchant only'. However this would just make
explorers or warriors study 'trade' on the spot and we'd be back with
the same problem as we might have now...
What do people think? This would reward players who really concentrate
on being traders, protect their income, not restrict inter-trader
rivalry, and help keep the money supply under control.
Comments?
Chris
-- Chris Yearsley cmy@cs.keele.ac.uk