Amber
Amber is fossilized tree resin that can be found on the shores of the sea. The biggest amounts of amber can be found on the shores of the League of Free Cities. Researchers theorize that the bay there used to be a land covered in a lush forest. Natural processes of change caused the land to transform into a sea and amber was made.
The abundance of amber at the shores of the League of Free Cities resulted in big growth of wealth among the League's merchants as amber is considered a gemstone. Merchants sell it both locally and export it every corner of the world.
The League stands on two things. Amber and money. We sell amber and get money for it.
Money from the amber trade allowed the League, which is a small nation, to become an important figure on the international stage. It also protect the country from being absorbed by its neighbours. The money allows the League to hire huge numbers of mercenaries to protect its borders.
History & Usage
Everyday use
Amber is used mainly to make jewelry and other ornaments. However, it also plays a part in medicine. For medicinal purposes it is used both in form of amulets as well as an extract used to help with a patient's symptoms.
Refinement
In most cases, amber is found in a form of orange-coloured rocks. It needs to be cleaned and polished to achieve the beautiful look that people are willing to pay a lot of money for. Basic cleaning is done directly on the beach by the collectors. Later, amber rocks are taken to a workshop where a trained specialist is polishing them. Rocks need to be smooth and translucent before being sold. Specialists are also checking for any creatures being trapped in amber. Such pieces are more expensive.
Distribution
Trade & Market
In most regions of the world, amber is considered a luxury product. Though it can be found in many parts of the continent, the amber from the League of Free Cities has the reputation of being of the best quality. Nobody knows where that reputation began. Some say that merchants were claiming like that while others say that this is an opinion of the public. The truth is impossible to determine today.
In most cities where merchants from the League sell their amber local amber merchants were quickly driven out of the market. In some cases they became employees of the League's merchants.
Storage
There are no special rules for the storage of amber. Most merchants put as much amber into cloth bags as the bags can fit. Only special considerations are to make sure that the bags aren't moving a lot during transport. It is to avoid damage to the pieces of amber.
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