May 23, 2022 - 2 minutes read - 301 words
I split off most of my surveillance platoon to follow the Eighth Army and brought a single squad to inspect the villages and towns along the highway. We’re disguised as adventurers on horses, let’s check out these villages.
When we arrived at the first town, we were charged a silver coin to enter as an “entrance tax”. While there aren’t regulations on the amount for an entrance tax, a silver coin is ludicrous. The rest of the country varies between 3 bronze coins to 10 bronze coins, at most, a tenth of this town’s amount.
“Is this right?” Pat
“Yes, it must be at the behest of Major General Newgarden.” Soldier
“Oh, that pig Major General.” Pat
This town is pretty lackluster. There are very few merchant carriages, probably due to the high entrance tax.
We chose to stay in a middle-class inn for the night, and I came down to the inn’s dining room to listen to gossip. Since there’s only a few other visitors, I can easily keep track of their conversations.
“A large merchant caravan like us can handle a silver coin entrance fee, but a smaller peddler would lose money paying that entrance fee.” Merchant A
“Sure, if goods are scarce, a silver coin wouldn’t be that bad, but I don’t think that’s happening. The lodging fee is four bronze coins higher than our last visit as well.” Merchant B
Sounds like the whole town is undergoing inflation.
While listening to the other conversations, I check on the food I was given. Two pieces of black bread and vegetable soup with a serving of sauteed mutton, not much seasoning in the soup or on the meat.
I’ll have to have to investigate if this town is particularly unlucky, or is this a widespread problem for the territory.
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