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

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production), sometimes on export (to protect local
consumers), and sometimes on both. In addition,
taxes can be levied in the form of tolls for the use of
roads, bridges, and so on. The “crown a leg” standard
is perhaps the most common levy mainly because few
toll wardens can estimate the value of cargo, but
most can count the number of legs on horses, guards,
and merchants. Nations and cities commonly charge
a one percent tax on entering trade goods, though in
troubled times like these many cities levy both taxes
as a way of subsidising their local military forces.
The level of taxation also varies considerably.
Blasting powder for a small pistol charge might cost
six crowns in Corvis with one of the crowns destined
straight for the treasury where it will typically be
used to pay watch salaries. In the Khadoran capital
of Korsk, the same charge might cost eight crowns of
which two go to tax. Even more prohibitive taxes may
be set on items that governments are keen to limit.
For example, regarding the commission of steamjacks
in Cygnar, purchasers must register their construct
and pay a mandatory fee equal to half the value of the
materials used in its construction. Part of this tax goes
directly to the Fraternal Order of Wizardry, the sole
supplier of legal cortexes, as an incentive to ensure
that their clients register all steamjacks.
Before declaring war on Cygnar, the Protectorate
could not set its own taxes since it fell under the
jurisdiction of Cygnar; a Cygnaran license was
required to trade legally within the Protectorate at
all. For years, this protected Cygnaran mercantile
interests, but things have changed since Hierarch
Voyle declared his holy war against Cygnar. Now if
traders come to the Protectorate at all, they must
make obligatory “donations” to the Temple. Cygnaran
traders have been permanently banned, and local
systems of barter, brokered by the local temples, have
been instituted throughout the theocracy.
Winds of War
With llael oCCupied and khador imposing an exClusive
ContraCt With the golden CruCible, blasting poWder has
beCome extremely diffiCult for Civilians to aCquire. priority
goes to the armies of the kingdoms, and most gunWerks and
poWdermakers sell exClusively to their respeCtive nations.
adventuring types may still find Ways to proCure blasting
poWder, but it is not as simple or Cheap as before the War.
Naturally, where laws appear law breakers soon
follow. Black markets dealing in illegal commodities
exist in most major settlements. This is rarely a physical
market (although in places such as Five Fingers
operations do run openly). More commonly it involves
a network of fences, procurers, forgers, looters, and so
on. Penalties for breaking tax laws vary from kingdom
to kingdom. Tax evasion in Cygnar often results in
fines or the confiscation of property, but in Khador
it may lead to public flogging or forced work in the
mines. The Protectorate often punishes the trade of
proscribed items (such as oil) by execution (for more,
see “Crime & Punishment,” pg. 123).
rumor has it…
blaCk market trade is indeed a profitable venture that has
given rise to several speCialist Criminal organizations. in
partiCular, the Caspian WatChguard is Currently investigating
rumors that a group Calling itself the brethren has been
supplying the proteCtorate With blasting poWder, steamjaCk
parts, and other prosCribed items. there is not yet enough
evidenCe to prove anything, but several blaCk marketeers have
told the same story of purChases made by a Wild-eyed man and
tWo holier-than-thou henChmen, the former of WhiCh tries
unsuCCessfully to hide his ordiC aCCent. this man apparently
matChes the desCription in Cygnaran intelligenCe reports of
a smuggler and spy in the employ of the proteCtorate.
Mechanics of Trade
When purchasing goods for trade, a character
must first find a source (with a Gather Information
or Knowledge [local] check) and then evaluate them
to see what they are worth (an Appraise check). For
both checks, use a DC of 10 for common household
goods, 15 for specialist items (tools, weapons, etc.), 20
for rarer items (e.g. firearms and relatively common
mechanika), 25 for obscure goods (e.g. magical
items and novel mechanika) and 30 for improbable
purchases (like a second-hand steamjack). Increase
all of these DCs by 5 if the character tries to buy in
bulk. At the point of purchase, the adventurer may
choose to barter which requires a successful Bluff or
Diplomacy check. Apply a +2 circumstance modifier
if the Appraise check suggests an unfair price. It is
opposed by the merchant or fence’s Sense Motive
check. Each point of success reduces the price by one
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