Safehold's coal sources

Isilith wrote:

JeffEngel wrote:Samson's Land has no known population (consistent with being as close as it is to Armageddon Reef), which would suggest there isn't infrastructure to support large-scale mining there, especially not for a bulk product like coal.

For a needed resource, like coal, building that infrastructure would be worth it.

Now, yes. I'm just saying that there's reason to suppose it's not an infrastructure that's there already, and if Samson's Land is a coaling station already, it's likely so in the sense of a depot rather than the source of the stuff.

Along with Samson's Land, EoC should take Hammer Island, Westbreak Island, all the gulf of Dohlar islands.

Some carrot and stick diplomacy with the cities on Greentree Island and Barren Land should easily bring them under the control of the EoC.

The Empire hasn't the manpower to occupy any place with a population it does not need to, and control of the sea isn't so absolute that putting down little garrisons on too many islands is appealing either.

It's enough for Charis to be able to do business and not have enemies wherever it can. The jihad made all Temple countries enemies - in theory. But it's a very weak theory for isolated spots like the Raven Lands, the Duchy of Fallos, Hammer Island, Westbreak, the Barren Lands, or Trellheim. And Delferahk is nudging into the category of isolated now, after having been burned badly by the enmity for Charis forced on it by the Church and being far enough from the ground fronts to be left out. South Harchong, Dohlar, Sodar, and Desnair are coming up on being able to choose to consider themselves isolated and step away from the jihad, and some of them may.

There's a message to be sent too, when the Temple says you're a rabid Shan-wei worshipping, baby-eating monster, and you sail quietly up to the harbor in Fallos or Greentree and ask politely about buying some fish, beer and timber at market prices. If Charis just wants to carry on business nearly as usual, and defend you from the Temple's stick, it's got a very effective carrot and Zion is made to look monstrous and ridiculous. If you really, really want to be Charis' enemy, well, let me tell you about Ferayd....

As for the unpopulated islands and Armageddon Reef - if they have a use for any of them, Charis faces no opposition in taking them. But defending more points and spreading people out into remote hinterlands is a high price to pay - the benefit of the outpost has to be significant. Islands in the Gulf of Dohlar almost have to be kept, or at least neutralized, for operations toward Gorath, but that won't take garrisons or permanent claims.

JeffEngel wrote:[

The Empire hasn't the manpower to occupy any place with a population it does not need to, and control of the sea isn't so absolute that putting down little garrisons on too many islands is appealing either.

The islands I listed have a combined population of 1 million, Charis could easily occupy them. Consider that they held down 15 million Corisandians with what, 50K marines?

Also, you should look at earth during the steam period, Charis will need coaling stations all over. Especially when their merchant marine go to steam, which has to be right around the corner. And you will have to garrison each and every one of those.

Which is why I said to use carrot/stick diplomacy with them, which you somewhat agreed with. You draw them into your sphere and get them to help you guard themselves, and improve their infrastructure, for mutual benefit.