Lowbridge Republic
The largest and most powerful nation formed out of the peoples left behind by the Holy Kaelthian Republic after the Winter War. Lying just north of the Republic, stretching about 80 miles north-to-south along the Old Kaelthian Highroad. Centered on the trade city of Lowbridge, its other major settlement is Shieldmaiden, but it has several significant smaller towns as well. It has substantially militarized, fearing invasion or meddling from any external source.
Trade Policy
To fund its militarization and to restrain outside influence, the Republic has instituted several barriers to trade. This is only possible because it sits athwart the only current (as of summer 253) route across the Sea of Grass between the dwarven-dominated nations of the east and the nations of the north and west.
These barriers include the following:
- High tariffs on all trade passing through but not stopping in the Republic. It charges 10 GP per wagon wheel and 20 per pack animal, partially refunded to any Republic-based wholesale trading firm.
- Trans-shipment requirements. All trade passing through must use exclusively Republic workers and must hire trail guides at extortionate rates.
- Frequent searches for "contraband", which includes weapons as well as more conventional contraband. While there isn't much corruption (yet) in these searches, they are a major hassle.
