Spoiler what to do with the Gold?

Let us not forget the church in all of our discussions. Before the Jihad, it was mentioned several times that the church was the largest lender to the secular realms. I am sure that following historical norms they had fair rates (cough). Or more likely they used it as a manner to force secular lords to conform to their wishes. Since the beginning of the war the churches notes has gone no where but down. I think that if Charis was smart they would become the worlds newest moneylender, at very low rates. Overall it would not only help i think sway the more reluctant nations that might be having second thoughts about the war. But more importantly Charis at least old Charis is a trading empire. And they have systematically been hammering flat many of the people who were their customers. Now I fully realize that a certain portion of that can be made up from internal trade from empire members, but I doubt it all could. Spread the money around and use it to bolster those who show the most promise of using it wisely.

jgnfld wrote:If I had heard anywhere in the text there was a large pool of unemployed from this, I'd be impressed. There is zero textev that there is a large unemployed class whatever. Without that, one must assume pretty much all people are generally gainfully employed building their society.

To play devil's advocate - there is zero textev to say there is 100% employment either!

Bearing in mind the economic dislocations in Charis (due to the introduction of new technology) and the increase in size of the new industries, it could go either way.....

MWadwell wrote:

jgnfld wrote:If I had heard anywhere in the text there was a large pool of unemployed from this, I'd be impressed. There is zero textev that there is a large unemployed class whatever. Without that, one must assume pretty much all people are generally gainfully employed building their society.

To play devil's advocate - there is zero textev to say there is 100% employment either!

Bearing in mind the economic dislocations in Charis (due to the introduction of new technology) and the increase in size of the new industries, it could go either way.....

I disagree. With the increase in ouput from factories the most likely outcome imo is a rather severe shortage of qualified workers in old Charis. If you can do things 5x faster but need 10x more things, you are still short.

Wether the ones who did lost their trade due to those newflanged factories are retrained and not left on the side of the road starving is another completly different matter. It was one of the basis causes of the riots in Siddamark and why the sword of Schuller could count on so many hands.

But in old Charis again, it is I think unlikely that the most gentler Charis Church (and the king) would left things that way without providing assistance and retraining. More, army and navy needs are now really really big.

I like Cyphen.2000 suggestion.

Use of the mines as another way to undercut and take over the CoGA's position in the financial world. Given the way they have handled the current finances for maintain their Jihad there will be a major correction. Kind of reminds me of how USA forced the UK out of the Suez canal by with financial threats.

Would also raise the interesting question of how Charis will handle being the ones in power...

Hi CJK,

Becoming the world's number one lender as well as industrial powerhouse, NTM military superpower, is a juggernaut combination that could floor any remaining opposition almost at will, by simply hinting at the
possible consequences.

Then there is the likelihood of the Church of Charis getting 20% of Ahrmahk's silver and gold right off the top, enabling it to do far more, not just within the empire, but around the world including Haven and Howard; when the CoC is the number 2 lender etc, that one-two punch could be pretty awesome.

The primary restraint on the House of Ahrmahk will be the inner circle, seen only publicly through Merlin and Nimue being part of the royal household (in various new characters over the decades and centuries to come) in subtly choosing who becomes emperor or empress, according to the kids responses to their training in their responsibilities.

L

CJK wrote:I like Cyphen.2000 suggestion.

Use of the mines as another way to undercut and take over the CoGA's position in the financial world. Given the way they have handled the current finances for maintain their Jihad there will be a major correction. Kind of reminds me of how USA forced the UK out of the Suez canal by with financial threats.

Would also raise the interesting question of how Charis will handle being the ones in power...