5001-HârnWorld/3rd Edition/29

Most regions of Hârn are self-sufficient with the exception of salt and mineral ores. The Economic Map shows only resources and products that are available in sufficient quantity for trade. That is, there is a surplus of these items for the specific area, allowing them to be “exported” to another region. Most trade goods are exotic wares or basic goods that are scarce in specific areas.

Caravans
Nearly all land trade is transported via caravans, organized expeditions of mercantylers journeying from one town to another. The long-established routes are often patrolled by various interested parties seeking to encourage such traffic. Way-stations such as Trobridge Inn or Oselbridge have been built at strategic points to aid the caravan trade.

Tashal is the major trading center of eastern Hârn. In early summer, four large caravans converge there: from Orbaal and the north down the Fur Road, from Azadmere via the Silver Way, from Coranan and western Hârn along the Salt Route, and from Thay by way of the Genin Trail. The diverse goods brought to Tashal are traded during the summer months, mostly Larane, before the caravans begin their trips home.

Coranan is the major trading center of western Hârn. Caravans journey between Aleath and Coranan throughout the year. Goods from Golotha and Shiran move to Coranan at irregular intervals, usually by barge on the Thard River. The traditional departure date of the Salt Route caravan from Coranan to Tashal is the fifteenth of Peonu. Mercantylers from Aleath, Golotha, and Shiran join the caravan at Coranan before this date. A few mercantylers join the caravan at Moleryn.

Caravan Masters
The major caravans of Hârn and Lythia are operated by specialist members of the Mercantylers’ Guild known as caravan masters. It is not illegal for any mercantyler to organize his own caravan but the organizational complexity involved has led to the prevailing custom. Most caravan masters are individuals (often ex-military officers) who have demonstrated some skill at getting the job done. Several have become dominant because of the special relationships they have developed with guildmembers and tribesmen. Fees are charged to journey with a caravan. The GM may calculate fees based on a rough charge per ten leagues (two hexes on a regional map) of: wagon/6d, cart/3d, horse/2d, and man afoot/1d. Fees do not include tolls and might be waived or reduced if someone “works his passage.”

Maritime Trade
With few exceptions, overland roads are very bad and wheeled transport slow and crude. Land trade is the preserve of a few hardy mercantylers and most commercial movement of goods is by water, although this is less true on Hârn than elsewhere. Maritime trade is dealt with in detail in the Pilots’ Almanac expansion module (COL #4002).

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