Elogong
Elogong is a major port city at the mouth of the Chetta River in eastern Jaati. Due to the quantity of teak wood available from the interior of Khadhalaya, the city has many woodworkers who export many beautiful woodcarvings and furnishings. One specialty is pieces with inlaid patterns of ivory. Although their work is in great demand, the craftspeople of Elogong compete with the woodworkers of Chikheni for sales, and as a result both groups end up with prices lower than they might see otherwise.
The port of Elogong, and thus all its sea trade, is controlled (per contract) by the Far East Company of Castorhage. The company favors its own ships over those of other nations; traders from Khadhalaya do not even own ships because some previous rajah contracted all shipping of cargo — private as well as public — to the Castorhagi company. This policy has produced unrest before but, at least so far, without leading to any change. Recently, local traders, farmers, and craftspeople have become somewhat more agitated because they believe the Castorhagi are buying goods at significantly lower prices than others might be willing to pay, and charging much-higher prices for shipping. The second 99-year contract will be up in about three years, so the time for change may be coming.
However, some fear the Far East Company will attempt to renew its agreement by force. Sirdar Shardul Umswai, commanding general of the royal army, had been quietly conducting training exercises inland away from the notice of the foreigners, and increasing the number of recruits. Building his force has been a gradual process, however, as he also has to compete with the Far East Company, which recruits many young people of Khadhalaya’s lower castes to train as soldiers and then travel to new and strange parts of the world as company guards. Since this experience could allow them to aspire to the caste of warriors upon their return, service to the company continues to attract many local youth.
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