02 - Iron Kingdoms W.. - Captain Spud Is Amazing

108.1.141.197
Here’s what I’ve decided. Commerce
is the lifeblood of civilization, and
being a trader is as noble a profession
as any there is! Some halfheads think
we chase after coin for greed or love of
comfort. Ha! They haven’t ever spent a
month in a stinky little boat wedged so
tight with cargo that there ain’t hardly
room for food. Sure I seek profit, but
it’s honest work, and earning your
coin this way isn’t any easier than
hammering out a sword or selling boots
at the local market.
Them’s that make the goods require
us that make the deals. Aye, a man can
make a cheap living selling the work of
his one pair of hands to a few neighbors,
but that’s no way to get ahead if you ask
me. You need to gather up the work of
a dozen pairs of hands. It’s all about
travel, knowing your markets, and
being willing to go the extra distance
for a slightly larger margin. Can you
squeeze three more crowns out of a
journey that’ll cost you just one?
Is it worth the time? Does it
risk life and limb at the hands
of barbarians waiting for
some fool ass caravaner to
pass nearby? Do you have
the right contacts to make
sure your goods don’t grow
moss on the docks for want
of the right paperwork?
‘Course, now the war is on... there’s
good and bad comes with it. New
markets, new goods, trade in cloth
becomes shipments of swords, guns,
ammunition, but things can get tight
and an honest businessman can lose
everything to bad luck. Think the tithes
are bad today? Now everyone’s at each
other’s throats taxing everyone to pay
for their war. Listen to Gunner. These
days always keep one hand on your
coin purse and the other on your pistol,
dagger, or what-have-ye.
—Gunner Wadock (male Thurian Ftr3/Exp1),
Cygnaran tradesman