Bumper Crop Expected This Year
A representative of the Agriculture Department announced that a huge harvest is expected this year. Fair weather and a new type of fertilizer obtained from Altdorf alchemists have our fields bursting with bounty. It is estimated that granaries all across Ostermark will be filled to capacity with the excess grain, currently thought to be 30% of the total harvest, available for export.
This is fabulous news for the Trade Ministry whose existing contracts with Altdorf will easily be filled this year. New contracts with the Dwarves of the Southern Grey Mountains will send Ostermark barley to them in return for iron forging technology and equipment. These dwarven imports will revolutionize our metalworking industry greatly aiding our farming and defense in the future.
The general harvest across Ostermark begins in a few weeks. Sages are projecting favorable conditions for the harvest. River barges have begun arriving in the ports at Bissendorf and Bechafen. Teamsters have started rolling wagons toward Bissendorf to form the Harvest caravans.
Our immortal Count, his name be blessed, is hosting representatives from Altdorf and numerous Grey Mountain Dwarven Holds. A huge Harvest festival is currently being planned.
Emissaries Sent to Nuln, Altdorf
Our Count, his name be blessed, has reportedly sent emissaries to the Imperial Capital and to the City State of Nuln. Reports have been received in the Bechafen Palace that trade along the River Reik has come to a virtual standstill north of Nuln. Leadership in Ostermark is growing concerned that this interruption could have a negative effect on the fledgling Grey Mountain contracts.
An attempt to move goods overland to the Southern Grey Mountain area has met with heavier than normal tariffs along the Imperial roads in the vicinity of Nuln. The right of the Countess of Nuln to increase taxes on Imperial roads is being questioned. This is highly irregular and our Count, his name be blessed, is going to get to the bottom of it. Ostermark is sending a formal inquiry to Emperor Karl Franz.
In addition, our overland caravans have come under increasingly more raids by bandits and greenskins. One such caravan, after suffering heavy loss of goods and personnel to bandits, was turned back to Ostermark by Nuln officials after the merchants were unable to pay the new high taxes required of all travellers in the vicinity of the City State. Said caravan then had to brave a return trip to Ostermark through the same dangerous lands suffering even more losses. Our Count, his name be blessed, is registering a formal complaint with the Countess of Nuln. General Schulze has been asked to look into this issue.
Strong Men Called
General Schulze is requesting 400 men to aid with protection of river barges and caravans after the harvest season. Recent events on the Rivers Stir, and Reik, as well as along the overland routes has forced him to supplement the normal trade guards with State Halberdiers and Handgunners. The Count, his name be blessed, is expected to approve the additional muster of troops.
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2 comments:
I can't imagine the Countess will be too cooperative for a backwater community of farmers 200 leagues northeast of Nuln.
We really didn't expect a pompous, elitist city slicker to care about the people she hurts...;-)
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