Mesreen

**Mesreen**

History : Like most polities, Liefin always harbored some form of trade with other nations. At the height of its power, merchants would field their own Caravans to various nations with relative autonomy provided they could afford a permit from the imperial court. After the Desolation and the Empire’s decline, trade became disorderly, with individuals tempting their luck on the roads to try and make a bit of coin by bartering goods. Without any significant form of protection in the form of a security detail or imperial ascent, theses small trade expeditions often fell prey to raiders or the greed of other polities.

It was Illifir Denumano, the founder and Heru Ettirno of the **Akritai** who devised a means of collecting information from abroad while providing a safer means of training with other nations. Nationalizing the Caravans, Illifir created the Mesreen and devised a structure for them which would balance out security, payload and adaptability, not to mention offer the possibility to inbed intelligence agents among the Mesreen crew.

For the first two decades since their inception, Mesreen remained under the control of the Empire. However, the cost of running these Caravans and burden of the risk precluded the empire of further expanding the Mesreen routes. This led to the first reformation of the Mesreen. Once again, families possessing the means of fielding a Caravan and of purchasing the Imperial ascent would be allowed to run their own Mesreens along assigned trade routes. The most prized the route, the most expansive the permit. Old and higher status nobility bucked at what they perceived to be distasteful uses of their time and capital. Meanwhile, lower rung nobility saw an opportunity to increase their wealth and potentially rise above their status by fielding multiple Mesreens. Often borrowing currency to fund their initial expeditions, the old high nobility was more than happy to support what they thought was a fool’s errand and a sure way to increase their wealth at low risk. And while this indeed led to ruination for some families, others greatly increased their wealth, some to the point of rivaling or surpassing older and higher houses. These nobles are often pejoratively referred to as new money by older houses. However, as times are changing and the balance of influence is beginning to shift, some are starting to refer to the older houses as antiquated currency.

This shift of influence and power was accentuated by the second reformation of the Mesreen which saw the Emperor sanction the opening of sea trade routes to the families which could afford ships. While sea born trade remains a risky endeavor because of piracy and  the perils of the sea, the families which were able to procure Cogs and sea trade permits are now clearly in social and fiscal ascendance.

While Liefin Nobles may have by and large taken over the Mesreen service, their composition and goals remain largely controlled by the Empire. The Empire also imposes a tax on all traded goods which it can in part excuse if the Mesreen brings in supplies it requests, such as minerals, metals, food just to name a few. The Empire’s requests will change over times according to its specific needs of the day.

Goals : The Mesreen aim to maintain the steady flow of supplies and wealth into the Empire. Moreover, the Mesreen allow the Empire to maintain an eye out for events occurring outside its borders. Without the Mesreen, it is likely the Empire’s decline would resume in an accelerated fashion.

Types :

-         Solor (Surf) : Solor Mesreen run routes which connect seaports with other trade routes.

-         Anda (Long) : Anda Mesreen are the largest Mesreen which cover the largest trade routes spanning many polities.

-         Randa (Cycle) : Randa Mesreen are smaller in size and often operate within a single or two polities, running a route that reconnects with Anda Mesreen. They are often composed of a mix of members, some belonging to the local polities while still maintaining some Liefin citizens in key roles.

-         Airë (Sea route) : Airë Mesreen are composed of cogs which run the sea routes and help connect far off Mesreen routes.

Composition : The compositions of Mesreens will vary depending on its region, type, and the length of its route. Mesreens traveling through wild regions or areas plagued by conflict and banditry may have a larger security detail assigned to them. Likewise, as Mesreen traveling in such regions provide added safety for travelers and cargo, they are likely to have a larger contingent of Tagalongs. Due to diplomatic constraints, some Mesreens will be composed not only of Liefin citizens but also of inhabitants from the polities they traverse.

-         Órë (Core) : The Órë is the central element of the Mesreen. It is generally composed of the personnel who lead the Mesreen. They are always Liefin citizens although they may allow for local « advisors » to join them to facilitate their traverse of the different polities. Nevertheless, members of the Órë remain traders and will often lead their own trade carts.

-         Langa (Ferry) : Langa are carts adapted to carry passengers when they are not laden by goods. The Langa will generally rather rent their cart space to members of the Órë who have run out of space themselves to carry a profitable commodity. While this is a more profitable undertaking, the Langa can carry people for a fare. This is not the most profitable aspect of the Mesreen but is is a guaranteed stream of income.

-         Varnassë (Security) : Varnassë are the security detail of the Mesreen. Their composition vary greatly, sometimes being composed of sell swords, sometimes of bandits bribed into providing security, and even sometimes of members of the local military who have agreed to accompany the Mesreen for a hefty fee. Given its nature, the Varnassë may not always be allowed to enter into settlements and may be asked to camp outside as the Mesreen conducts its business.

-         Hir-Men (Wayfinder) : The Hir-Men act as scouts which travel ahead of the Mesreen and scout the routes travelled. Their role is to lookout for potential dangers, negotiate for safe passage and find alternate routes should the road ahead prove to perilous.

o  *Akritai action* :The Akritai will often offer superior intelligence to the Mesreen compared to the Hir-Men. However, as they seek to protect their own identities and contacts, they would rather let the Hir-Men take on the bulk of the Wayfinding burden while subtly influencing the Mesreen’s course and cargo, much like a tuning fork for an instrument.

-         Tagalongs : As the name suggests, Tagalongs refer to any entity that is non-native to the Liefin Mesreen which chooses to embed itself in the caravan. Tagalongs must pay a fee to travel with the Mesreen. In exchange, they benefit from the added security of traveling in numbers and with a security detail. Tagalongs can be simple citizens or artisans trying to make a living, or can be comprised of numerous land vehicles which seek to partake in the business of trade.

o  Passangers : As the roads in certain regions would prove threacherous or even deadly to unaccompanied travelers, Mesreen offer a means of safer travel to those who want to travel between settlements and yet cannot afford their own armed escort. It is often the Langa service which allow for Mesreen to be welcome in foreign lands despite it being composed in part by foreigners. The fare charged to passengers depends on the length of their journey, the type of terrain traversed, the amount of accompanying bagage, and other more subjective factors.

o  Performers :Sometimes performers will travel along with a Mesreen as it provides a safer way to move about the land. These performers can be single troubadours hoping on a wagon or entire performing circuses equiped with their own wagons and beasts of burden. These performers are tolerated as part of the Mesreen for a small fee, while it is understood by all that any trouble caused will lead to their expulsion and that no exceptional effort will be made to protect them in case of attack.

o  Traveling tradesmen : The Mesreen offers the possibility for tradesmen to move about the land and bring their services to populations which may require their services. These tradesmen include weavers, cobblers, hatters, sowers, woodworkers, etc. It is rare for blacksmiths, tanners and other tradesmen in need of large stationary facilities to ply their trade to travel with the Mesreen. However, rumours run abound of certain Mesreen being gifted with an innovating tradesman who travels along with a portable smelter, tanning equipment, kiln or anvil which enable them to ply their trade from village to village.

o  Traders : Some traders who can ill afford sufficient protection for themselves in particularly dangerous areas may be willing to pay a large fee to travel with the Mesreen. They can either pay a large initial sum up front or a percentage of all trades made while traveling with the Mesreen. Given the price they are willing to pay, these traders are often placed in the most secure areas of the Mesreen while on the road and are given preferential treatment.

Key Personnel :

-         Cáno (Commander) : The Cáno is always a trusted agent of the noble family who runs the Mesreen. He will oversee the day to day operations of the Mesreen in order to maximize his master’s profits. He is only subserviant to the Heru Mesreen and at times, the Missionary.

-         Heru Varnassë/Heru Hir-Men : Often also referred to simply as the Heru (which helps confuse to no ends enemy intelligence agents trying to uncover the Heru Mesreen), the Heru Varnassë/Heru Hir-Men is in charge of running the security and wayfinding for the Mesreen. Often a former military officer, the Heru will generally be accompanied by a highly capable personal guard which helps keep any hired mercenary in check. The Heru is responsible for the hiring and firing of security details, planning route reconnaissance, and is generally considered the official second in command to the Cáno.

-         Akritai : The Akritai’s presence is imposed on the Mesreen by the Empire. The number of Akritai present in a Mesreen is not set and will vary depending on the importance of the route or the proximity of any source of interest for the Empire. On any Mesreen, there will be some Ránen, fewer Cenda, and only one Heru Mesreen who will be in charge of the Akritai.

o  Heru Mesreen : The Heru Mesreen is a Veteran of both the service and the road. They have often over fifteen years of experience travelling on board numerous Mesreen and are the ones which hold final authority on any decisions taken on their route. Whether its a decision concerning cargo, a specific trade, passengers or route, the Heru Mesreen has the authority to overrule the Cáno. The Heru Mesreen will communicate psychicly to the Cáno and Heru Varnassë/Heru Hir-Men through the use of an enchanted item. This lends them additional gravitas while also protecting their identity.

-         Unity Church Missionary : The Unity Church will often embed a Missionary on board a Mesreen. Their roles vary greatly depending on their status. Honored members are often sent as agents or commissars to look after the Churches interest in a particular region. The young and unproven can be sent out to prove their worth and devotion to the Church. The undesirables are often sent on far away route as a form of exile where the Church fully expects the member will eventually meet an untimely end. Though the Missionary’s official duty is understood to be to spread the holy influence of the Church, they are often given secretive duties they must fulfill. It isn’t rare for the Missionary and the Akritai’s interest to be at odds or in competition. In that case, the Missionary will often misteriously fall prey to the Hazards of the road. Thus, only the most skilled Echlesiasts will ever return from an assignment with a Mesreen. The assignment to a Mission while risky, is often perceived as the fastest way to get ahead in the Church, short of familial connections.

Income : The Mesreen’s purpose is to earn profits. Profits so it can pay the costs associated with personnel and travel, profits so it can pay for its Mesreen permit, profits so it can cover the Imperial trade tax, profits so it can enrich its Noble owners.

-         Tagalongs : Part of the Mesreen’s operating costs are covered by welcoming Tagalongs at a fee.

o  *Akritai action* : When a Mesreen’s operating cost exceeds its income or when rival caravans severely impact its profit margins, Akritai have been known to bribe local bandits or monsters with treasure or equipment so that they attack travelers on the road, including the Mesreen’s rivals. The increase of perils on the road tends to increase the demand for Tagalon status and decrease the reliability of rivals, thus also increasing the demand for a Mesreen to ferry goods.

-         Manca (trade): Much of the Mesreen’s profit comes from trade. While some money is earned at the end of a route, when Mesreens return to Liefin laden with goods, luxurious for the wealthy and essentials for the masses, most of the income is derived from on route trade. Mesreens will constantly seek to purchase good at the best price wherever they stop only to offload it along their route for a profit. Therefore, the longest Mesreen routes, while being the most dangerous, are often the most profitable, as they carry what locals consider exotic goods from far away lands.

o  *Akritai action* : The Akritai will often exploit their networks to discover ahead of the Mesreen’s passage what goods are sought after or in desperate shortage. This will allow them to stock up ahead of their arrival in the targeted region and maximize their profit.

-         Langa : Passengers don’t represent a large part of a Mesreen’s earnings but considering that they are often only taken on when there are free places in carts due to a lack of goods to trade or that their fare is inflated by having to traverse particularly treacherous terrain, they can often help the Mesreen break a profit when non would have been had or break even if the situation is very dire.