“Sketch of the modest trade port Neus.”
Neus, the biggest little port of Zee
An open harbor to all…
NEUS IS BUT A SMALL PLAYER among the coastal tradeports, but that’s also why it has been around for so long; it flies under the radar during trade wars/embargos between the mean big boys like Keyskamp, Kaelte & Oommers*. Worppe in particular has a very tight-knit bond with it, due to their proximity and shared local interests.
… a little cousin with powerful friends
STILL, IT HAS BEEN around for so long & stayed so modest that it’s being treated as a little brother by the other coastal cities. Noone would dare harm a Neus trader for fear of retaliation by trade leagues & guilds. This benevolent protection has made it neutral terrain for rival companies, where rivals gain some trust in eachother & peace treaties (or very lucrative deals) can be signed.
THE MILITIA OF GONDA*, Worppes’ perpetual rival, once did sack Neus and clogged its harbor with shipwrecks, out of spite for a previous wrongdoing perpetrated by Worppe. The subsequent trade embargo that was issued against Gonda by the companies was short-lived but strict; after a mere 3 months nearly all of Gonda resembled an impoverished slum. All external trade had ceased and soon daily life had ground to a halt. Even the city of Rykdeur*, Gondas’ habitual brother-in-arms, did not dare to send as little as a single grain, fearing it might receive the same treatment.
ALTHOUGH THIS EVENT was quite unique, it did show Bos how powerful exactly the economy has become. Guilds & companies, when acting in unison, can reign over cities and influence politics with alarming strength.
Notes
This Map of Coastal Bos depicts the cities mentioned in this article.
Keyskamp, Kaelte, Oommers — Coastal cities, main players in general trade.
Gonda & Worppe — Two cities, interlocked in perpetual rivalry over commerce, politics and pride.
Rykdeur — Inland city, historical partner-in-crime to Gonda, to which it is connected via the river Scheldt.
