The Desert Concord
Born from a merchants' rebellion, this loose political pact ties the large city of Gel Morgran and its smaller nearby neighbor Ogrimph with the region's smaller towns Dunes Respite and Loraica. It has been in place for almost 100 years, since its creation in 1386 2A.
Before the creation of this pact, each of the towns or cities was its own independent entity, though they cooperated strongly on trade and economic issues for centuries. Over time, as Gel Morgran continued to grow, it naturally saw costs increase for everything from goods to inns and cart repairs. At the same time, the ruling family in Ogrimph enacted exploitative and extortionate tariffs on all merchants coming into the town. As a result, many merchants could no longer afford accommodations or cart repairs, animal medicine, etc. in the smaller towns. This began to put strain on the economies of the smaller towns who needed the trade caravans to survive. Eventually, the town leaders of Dunes Respite joined with hundreds of merchants to demand change and an end to high pricing for the merchants that literally kept the cities supplied and thriving.
It took many months of negotiation, specifically because the two larger towns and cities did not want to give up any sovereignty or control over their prices. The representatives of Dunes Respite threatened to seize all cargo and not allow any merchants to stop in their town if the larger towns refused to negotiate. With no other oases or rest stops in the oppressive desert, the merchants and their pack animals would face a hard time crossing between the towns. Eventually, Gel Morgran and Ogrimph relented, and the Desert Concord was formed.
The main policy and law of the Concord revolves around trade and specifically the protections of merchants. No town or city in the Concord is allowed to impose any tariffs or entry charges on registered merchants transporting goods, and licensed members of the merchants' guild cannot be charged for stabling their animals or storing their goods while in transit between markets. This left the merchants free to spend their extra coin on food, drink, and lodging in the various towns and has led to general prosperity for the region.
Apart from the issue of trade, the members of the Concord are largely left to their own devices, though the leaders meet at least bi-monthly to discuss any pressing issues or hear counsel and arguments for proposed policy or law changes. In all, the Concord protects the merchants and the little towns with very little harm done to the larger population centers.
Foreign Relations
The Concord mainly stays out of foreign conflicts and prefers to focus on matters in the immediate region. Each member city-state is permitted to conduct whatever business they wish with foreign powers, but part of the Concord states that any foreign war against one member does not necessitate a response from the other members. The Concord is primarily an economic arrangement, and none of the members wished to be dragged into a war by another loose ally.
Sand Is Strength
Founding Date
1386 2A
Type
Political, Confederation
Government System
Democracy, Representative
Power Structure
Confederation
Economic System
Mixed economy
Location
Controlled Territories
Neighboring Nations
Notable Members
Comments