High hopes

"Jack, we've no choice. You'll have to take the old cow to Stockland and see what you can get for her."With his aging mother's words ringing in his ears, Jack put a rope round old Bessie's neck and set off for Stockland. It was a long way from King's Stoke, but he knew that if he just followed the banks of the Meade, then he'd get there eventually.But then, towards the end of the first day he met a strange fellow sitting by the side of the river. The oddbody stood no taller than a pig but he had an enormous straw hat that sat on his head and reached as high as Jack's shoulder. "Hello Jack, I've been waiting for you." the creature said in a voice that crackled like sparks from a wet fire.Jack knew better than to talk to his kind, so he waved the reedripper away, but they refused to leave. "I'll buy your cow from you in return for this hat full of magic beans!" it persisted. And whipped off the hat to show Jack that it was full of hundreds of small beans. Each bean was the size of Jack's little finger and every one a different colour to the last."What use have I for magic beans?" demanded Jack, but even as said it he couldn't help but think of how far it was to Stockland. If he sold the cow now, then he could take the magic beans and still be home well before dawn."These are not just any magic beans" claimed the picklefoot and it grinned, reveaing a mouth full of wide teeth. "These beans are made of mulchweed. If you plant them they will grow...""aaahhhhh... " Quick Tongue yawned as they stretched sleepily. "What's a pickell foot?" they asked sleepily.Swiftfisher smiled at her sister even as she closed the book. "Time for sleep, I'll read you some more tomorrow. You might find out then.""What do the magic beans do?" Quick Tongue shot back, grasping for a few more minutes."They grow... into something extraordinary. That's why they're magic! Now - go to sleep."

Overview

Last season, the Imperial Senate passed a motion to establish the cattle markets in Stockland and Wayford. This followed a proposal put forward by Marcher farmers who travelled to Mareave to set up a Southern Herd in Nadir in order to alleviate the arid nature of the region.

Following the Winter Solstice, dozens of farm owners across the Marches opted to drive their cattle to market, receiving cattle bonds rather than their usual production. At the start of the Spring Equinox, there are expected to be eight hundred and eighteen bonds available to trade, barter, or gift on the field of Anvil. Enterprising Thule merchants have already made clear they intend to visit the Marcher camp on the first night of the summit to trade mana crystals for cattle bonds. The original motion to establish the cattle markets also created the title of Shepherd of the Southern Herd; an Imperial Orc position whose income is dependent on how many cattle bonds that nation are able to acquire.

Elsewhere, the Dhomiro of Afar has two options available to them: to expand their herd and hopefully see returns within around five years, or trade cattle bonds to the Suranni for ingots and more. An eternal has displayed an interest in acquiring cattle; a visitor from the City of Chains is planning to visit to auction off warm ashes in exchange for cattle bonds. And some cunning Suaq have a plan to use a herd of cattle to rid their territory of a terrible beast of the Hawk Lord.

Finally, the farmers in Stockland and Wayford themselves are looking for cattle, whether for immediate returns, or as breeding stock. The price for cattle bonds in either market has a minimum and a maximum, and the final price available will depend on how many heads of cattle are confirmed for sale at the markets. The fewer cattle are sold in the local market, the higher the price each will be worth.

Any wains unaccounted for after the summit - that is, left unsold to any of the buyers - will be discounted and assumed lost. The cattle will be sold to the highest bidder and the money spent on the continuous improvement of both cattle markets. And go towards funding summer fetes in both towns.

The Southern Herd

The original plan that spurred on the "Great Beef Market of '87" was to establish a great herd in Mareave, sibling to the one tended by the Shepherd of the Great Herd. The greatest desire for heads of cattle lies in Nadir, the north-eastern region of the Imperial Orcs' second territory. The pitch is fairly simple to express, if difficult to arrange. A minimum of two hundred cattle need to be transported to Nadir, at which point they will form the core of a new great herd, and that will be enough that the local flora and fauna adapt, removing the arid nature of the region.

The difficulty comes in both acquiring enough cattle, and in transporting them across the Empire. Marcher and Imperial Orc military units would be needed to escort the drovers, at least a thousand strength each season; first from the Marches to Bastion and Necropolis, then the last leg to Mareave. There will no doubt be difficulty on the journey, but as Alyn of Hay points out, "you can't drove a herd without getting sore calfs". But first, it is for the Imperial Orcs who attend Anvil to purchase, haggle, and exchange for sufficient cattle bonds to establish the Southern Herd.

OOC Note: We will assume that every cattle-bond in the inventory of an Imperial Orc character is intended to contribute towards the Southern Herd. If the attempt is successful, we will include a list of the names of every character who contributed in order of those who donated the most.

Herds of Afar

Last season, the Imperial Senate voted to reestablish the Herds of Afar. Whilst the option was available to use cattle bonds, it was funded in coin by the newly elected Senator for Feroz, Garviel i Abrira i Erigo. But why settle for a newly rejuvenated herd when it could be further expanded? The drovers and guards are certain they would be able to manage if the herd were to increase by half again, another one hundred heads of cattle. If the Dhomiro of Afar can acquire one hundred bonds, then they will be able to further increase the size of their sinecure, increasing its seasonal income to 13 crowns a season.

OOC Note: If the Dhomiro of Afar has one hundred cattle bonds in their inventory after the event, then we will assume they are intended for the expansion of the Herds of Afar. If there are fewer than one hundred cattle bonds, then they will be exchanged at a rate of 18 rings for each cattle bond.

Suranni Herds

One of the buyers of cattle from the Dhomiro of Afar is the Baron de Hauteville of northern Arbonne. An offhanded remark in Afar to the Suranni traders led to a quick and animated discussion between the two naga representatives. A few weeks later, a messenger arrived with a personal letter from the baron laying out a request for either fifty or a hundred heads of cattle. The letter names the price he is willing to pay and makes assurances that this will not affect the ongoing purchase of cattle from the Dhomiro of Afar, but goes no further on the reason.

The messenger - a rangy, youthful briar - gave more context to the sudden interest. There are reports of a blight in one of the duchies to the south-west. It is expected to be resolved fairly quickly, but the baron is a discerning man, and a chance to demonstrate his value to a south-western duke might come in useful in the future.

OOC Note: If the Ambassador to the Iron Confederacy has fifty or a hundred cattle bonds in their inventory after the event, then we will assume they are intended for trade to the Baron de Hauteville. If there are fewer than fifty then they will be exchanged at a rate of 18 rings for each cattle bond. If there are not enough for the green iron trade then they will also be exchanged at a rate of 18 rings for each cattle bond.

Cows in a Swamp

The Sand Fishers have also made an offer for some cattle bonds; one of their traders having heard of the availability of cows in the Misericorde Market. Frost Eyes, a youth with impressive plans for xyr own herd, has managed to convince enough other Sand Fishers of the merit of xyr plan and has sent a trade offer to Jonah Yakovitch, Merchant Prince of Misericorde Market. Xe wants twelve cattle bonds and can pay sixteen drams of realmsroot for them.

OOC Note: If the Merchant Prince of Misericorde Market has twelve cattle bonds in their inventory after the event, then we will assume they are intended for trade with Frost Eyes. If there are fewer than twelve cattle bonds, then they will be exchanged at a rate of 18 rings for each cattle bond.

Beast in the Winds

Far to the north, in the wastes of Sermersuaq, the endless tundra is haunted by the beasts of Hayaak. Two and a half years ago, the Brother of Lions unleashed his fury against the Thule; scores of his followers - creatures of ferocity, vengeance, and wrath - flooded the territory and hunted its inhabitants. Joined later by the foul monsters of Agramant, these beasts of Hayaak have been kept in check by heroic Winterfolk and glorious Dawnish hunting the Suaq Wastes since the Hall of the Hunters was constructed.

One creature of Hayaak has caused more havoc than any other; always too careful, too wily, to be trapped. Typhawn is a dangerous beast of the Summer realm, a guardian capable of tracking the scent of its master's quarry long after the trail has run cold. Drawn into the mortal realm by the efforts of the Jotun, it now hunts freely, stalking the Suaq and savaging the great mammoth herds. If a hundred head of cattle can be brought to Sermersuaq, then they could lure Typhawn into a trap. That would be enough to present a chance to slay the great beast. Whilst that won't be enough on its own to rid Sermersuaq of the dangerous heralds of Hayaak, it will certainly help and it will continue the efforts of the past two years in safeguarding the Suaq from this threat.

OOC Note: If the Banner-bearer of Atkonaroq has a hundred cattle bonds in their inventory after the event, then we will assume they are intended for luring Typhawn. If there are fewer than a hundred cattle bonds, then they will be exchanged at a rate of 18 rings for each cattle bond.

The Markets

Ultimately, some farmers might opt to sell their cattle at the markets back in Upwold and Mitwold. The minimum that any cattle bond would sell for, regardless of how many were sold at the markets is 18 rings, whilst the most is 54 rings each. Each of the two markets has different rates; the total number of bonds sold in each market will affect the value of each bond.

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