Settlement Overview - Trade
A settlement can produce lots of different items to trade with. The trade goods can be anything like food, artwork, ornaments, etc. Trade goods are used to keep a settlement's citizens content and pre-occupied, as they are less likely to want to get involved in politics if they are busy having fun. Trade items can be used in the settlement where they are produced or sent to other settlements. Trade items can have an increased effect on a settlement's morale when the items are given to another settlement; this morale bonus increases with distance from the originating settlement.
The longer trade items are in storage or transit the more likely some of it will be damaged, stolen or just lose its value
The trade rating also covers the Bankers & Merchants Guild involvement in a settlement, the higher the trade rating the more likely that the B&M Guild will boost its interests in the settlement to keep things profitable. The military rating has an affect on how safe trade caravans are. With a good magic rating portal journeys can be purchased in bulk allowing for profitable trade to be carried out. Food can be sent to other Settlements for trade, be it for gold, favours or just out of the kindness of the Officials hearts. The trade rating can affect how profitable and successful any kind of trade deal is, but this does not guarantee profit. Other settlements are less likely to agree to trade deals if they believe that the settlement does not maintain its trade production. Due to the ways of businesses it is likely that even if things are dire some people will be making a profit, and vice versa.
Crisis: A low rating represents few items to trade, and low profits being taken by businesses. The upside to this is that lucrative deals can help boost a settlements trade; it is likely at a reduced profit for the settlement. The B&M Guild will have a low interest, but what interests it does have will likely be more on their terms.
Poor: Confidence in business at this level is likely poor; whilst many businesses will be panicking about the settlements state of affairs a few will see opportunity to make a profit. Production of trade items is likely down, or stocks are running low, or of low quality, still things could improve, or get worse. Trade items are likely of a low quality, and thus some deals could fail if deals require a certain standard of quality.
Satisfactory: The settlement will likely have enough trade items to supply a few other settlements, as well as plenty of items for itself. The B&M Guild has some influence in the settlement but likely not enough to control it without having Settlement Officials in charge that are sympathetic to the B&M Guild interests.
Good: The settlement has either high quality trade items, or possibly lots of standard quality trade items. Overall things are promising, and many businesses will be trying to make a good profit, but of course some businesses could read the market wrong and lose profits. At this level the B&M Guild has gained quite a bit of influence in the settlement.
Outstanding: The B&M Guild has quite a strong power base in the settlement, but still has to be careful not to invoke the wrath of the Settlement Officials. With plenty of trade items available the settlement can trade far and wide without the problem of its trade items spending too long in transit or storage. With its citizens well stocked up on trade items the settlement is likely to have a constantly high morale over a long period.
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