East Caspian Company
The East Caspian Company (ECC) is a sprawling mercantile corporation chartered by the Grand Duke of Caspia. Though officially a private joint-stock company, the ECC operates with power and influence comparable to that of a sovereign nation, wielding its vast resources to dominate trade and politics across Avalor. Headquartered in the Republic of Caspia, the ECC’s operations are guided by a ruthless pursuit of profit and control, often enforced by its formidable private military. With well-trained soldiers and a fleet rivaling many navies, the company secures its shipping routes, crushes opposition, and ensures compliance wherever it operates. From its eastern headquarters in Kowloon—an island city-state off the coast of Shang ruled by an ECC-appointed governor—the company exerts influence over the Far East while managing lucrative partnerships with powers in Malidor such as the Sultanate of Jur’am.
The ECC is rumored to have deep ties to Caspia’s Council of Twelve, the assembly of merchants and nobles responsible for electing the Grand Duke. Whispers suggest that many council members are secretly shareholders or board members, blurring the line between the company’s interests and the republic’s policies. This alleged collusion fuels the ECC’s ambitions, granting it the political backing to act with impunity on a global scale.
Goals
The ECC seeks total domination of global trade through cunning diplomacy, calculated manipulation, and brute force. Its ambitions in Shang have become particularly aggressive in recent years following the Vermillion Emperor's strict trade policies blocking the ECC's establishment of a headquarters and expansion within the nation's borders. Smuggling operations, espionage, and the introduction of addictive substances have become the ECC’s primary tools to destabilize Shang. In contrast, its partnership with the Sultanate of Jur’am has flourished, allowing the ECC to secure access to their markets in exchange for military support and advanced technologies. These relationships strengthen the ECC’s position in the east while furthering its vision of monopolizing commerce across Vidrea and beyond.Relationships
The ECC’s growing power is defined by its alliances and rivalries. Its relationship with Jur’am is one of mutual benefit, with the Sultanate granting the company access to lucrative trade hubs that allow them to serve as the sole mass distributors of the nation's exotic luxury goods—spices, texitles, carpets, automatons, and more—while receiving military and logistical support in return. The partnership has solidified the ECC’s influence across eastern markets, though many suspect the company’s ultimate goal is to dominate even its allies beyond just trade. The ECC also benefits from being the only permitted Western trade partner in the isolationist nation of Ryūshima. Permitted only to dock in the city of Seiyo and operate only out of the walled artifical island of Dejima, the ECC coordinates with the Shōnin-Ikki merchant alliance to offer the elite of Ryūshima foreign trade goods and knowledge in exchange for Ryūshima's metals, porcelain, lacquerware, rice, art, and more. In Shang, the ECC faces open hostility. The Vermillion Emperor’s resistance to foreign interference has made the empire a critical target for the company’s covert operations. From its base in Kowloon, the ECC works with the Red Blade Syndicate to coordinate smuggling networks and spies, with the ultimate goal of weakening Shang’s political stability and forcing the empire into submission. These efforts have drawn the ire of Shang’s leadership, who view the ECC as a dangerous adversary, and fostered xenophobia among Shang's people, who have taken it upon theselves to form groups such as the Iron Lantern Clan to combat foreign powers. The pirates of the Strait of Kowloon pose a constant challenge. While the ECC has succeeded in forging alliances with some factions—sometimes even helping organize letters of marquee that legitimize them as privateers—others continue to resist its influence, leading to frequent clashes. The company’s fleet, bolstered by privateers and warships, maintains control over its shipping lanes, ensuring that trade flows uninterrupted despite the strait’s treacherous waters.Figures of Interest
Sir William Smythe
Male human Sir William Smythe, the Director of the ECC, is a figure of ruthless ambition and unshakable confidence. Born to a minor merchant family in Caspia, he rose through the company ranks with cold efficiency, leveraging his cunning and charisma to outmaneuver rivals. Now at the helm of the ECC, Smythe directs its global operations with a sharp mind and a colder heart. He is a meticulous strategist who values order and control above all else, often employing brutal methods to achieve his objectives. Smythe sees himself as a visionary, shaping the future of commerce through his leadership, though his unwavering pursuit of dominance leaves no room for mercy or compromise.Governor Edmund Harrick
Male human Edmund Harrick serves as Governor of Kowloon, the ECC’s eastern base of operations. A man of charm and duplicity, Harrick acts as the company’s public face in the region while secretly managing its smuggling and espionage networks. His administration is rife with corruption, though his ability to maintain order keeps him in Smythe’s good graces.Niccolò de Conti
Male human Niccolò de Conti is the current Chief Factor of Dejima, representing the interests of the ECC in Ryūshima and overseeing all trade with the Shōnin-Ikki. He's served the ECC for the entirety of his career. Starting as a cook's mate on an a ship in the ECC's fleet throughout his 20s, he rose the ranks and is now Chief Factor. A charismatic and intellectual man, Niccolò has a genuine fascination with Ryūshima's culture and tries to interact with it as much as he can from his secluded island. He is fluent in Ryūhon and has a wife from Ryūshima.
Expanding Horizons, Securing Fortunes.
Founding Date
1007 PD
Type
Corporation, Commerce
Alternative Names
ECC
Leader
Leader Title
Controlled Territories
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