Sea Ivory (resource)

Also known as morse, a form of inferior ivory obtained from the tusks of walrus (by far the largest source), narwhal, remoraz, dragons and other monsterous beasts, typically associated with the Arctic Sea.  The tusks of a walrus may attain one meter; a dragon's tooth may grow to a comparable size on some species.  Walrus teeth are also commercially traded.  A walrus tooth has a rounded, irregular peg shape and is typically two inches in length.

Carving and engraving sea ivory is an important folk art (see Sculpture), creating small figures, chessmen, jewelry and the like.

The world's total yield of sea ivory is 7,417 stone, with 5 sources reporting. The total value of sea ivory equals 75,443 g.p. annually (10.17 g.p. per stone).

As treasure, 1½ lbs. of plundered sea ivory = 1 x.p.

The most important trade center for sea ivory is Finnemar, in the north of Ulthua, upon the Barents Sea, which markets 60% of the world's supply.  Further east, Samoyadia provides a supply for central Asia, India and China.  In Europe, the most significant supply is marketed at Bayonne, in Lower Navarre, the port of entry as designated by the King of France.

See Resources

Turtles (resource)

A very rare delicacy, rarely found and considered a delicacy in a number of cultures.  Turtle soup in particular is much enjoyed.  Fat from turtles is also used as a main ingredient in some cosmetics.

The world's total catch of turtles is 1,331 stone, with 1 source reporting. The total value of turtles equals 15,089 g.p. annually (5.67 g.p. per stone).

As treasure, 2½ lbs. of plundered turtles = 1 x.p.

The only commercial source for turtles is along the south coast of Sicily; by order of the King of Spain, distribution of these annual yield is controlled by the inland Sicilian market of Caltanissetta.

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Fish Fins (resource)

A food source yielding protein, used primarily in soups but also as a treatment for skin disease.  The fins are sold dried and are usually shredded for use, providing taste to the broth.  Considered a delicacy in certain Oriental courts, particularly Sheba and in China.  A lack of interest from much of the world ensures a small market.  In many places, particularly in Europe and America, dried fish fin has no sale value.

The world's total harvest of fish fins is 1,331 stone, with 1 fishery reporting.  The total value of fish fins equals 15,089 g.p. annually (11.33 g.p. per stone).

As treasure, 20 oz. (1¼ lbs) of plundered fish fins = 1 x.p.

The only commercial fishery for fish fins is in Sayhut, in the Hadramaut (formerly the Kingdom of Sheba).

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Seaweed (resource)

Also known as sea vegetable, a particular species of algae that can be harvested and eaten as food.  While much seaweed is toxic, edible varietis are eaten extensively in some parts of the world.  Agar, a glutinous substance used in the making of sauces, confectionary and a preservative; and carrageenan, a red edible seaweed, are used to make traditional dishes.  Agar has some medical applications.  Laverbread is a soft mush traditionally eaten with bacon, or with Hog's Pudding.

Seaweed oil (see Marine oil), is used as fuel and for soaps and lotions.

The world's total harvest of seaweed is 1,118 tons, with 4 guilds reporting.  The total value of seaweed equals 60,354 g.p. annually (53.97 g.p. per ton).

As treasure, 37 lb. of plundered seaweed = 1 x.p.

The largest seaweed harvesting guilds are Brittany, Devonshire, the O'Hara Clan in Eire and the Orkney Islands.

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Technologies

Art, skill or cunning in the creation of techniques, methods and processes used in the advancement of civilization as well as the production of goods and services.  Technology can be the knowledge of tools, but it can also reveal itself in the formulation of a particular stage of social and cultural development.

With the beginning of an intelligent species, as the first tools are employed, only a few technologies might be available.  But as technologies accumulate, so does the degree of civilization, until the most advance civilizations are those that incorporate all known technologies in that world.  Ultimately, there are always still more technologies ... but at any given time, only a set number will exist.

Because of geography, the limitations upon the most advance technologies and cultural resistance, different stages of development can coexist, even side by side: so that one state might possess considerably more technology than another.  Compare, for example, the city of Cairo with the Bedouin tribes dwelling less than a hundred miles away.  See Development Levels.

The following is a list of technologies according to their level of development:

Dev-5:  Fishing


See,
Campaign

Sponges (resource)

In economic terms, describes a type of aquatic animal, a certain kind of sponge with soft, fibrous skeletons.  The bodies of these particular sponges are soft enough to provide many uses, including padding for helmets, drinking utencils, natural filters, cleaning tools, applicators for cosmetics and paint, even as contraceptives.  Sponges also have natural properties that aid in resistance to viruses, bacteria, tumors and fungi.

Sponges are typically obtained through free-diving from a small boat, using a cylindrical glass object to search the sea floor for sponges.  A free-diver was usually naked and carried a 33 lb. weight, a rounded stone on a rope tied to the boat, to enable a swift sink to the bottom.  Depth and bottom time depended on the diver's lung capacity.

The world's total catch of sponges is 29,286 stone (14 lbs. per stone), with 11 fisheries reporting.  The total value of sponges equals 165,974 g.p. annually (5.67 g.p./stone).

As treasure, 2½ lbs. of plundered sponges = 1 x.p.

The largest sponge fishing provinces in order of importance are the Dodecanese Islands, Tripolitania, Cyrenaica, Cyprus, Sfax and Tarabulus, all within the Ottoman Empire.

See Resources

Shellfish (resource)

Primarily used as a food supply consisting of aquatic shelled creatures, including mollusks and crustaceans, whether harvested from salt or freshwater environments.  Some creatures are caught in traps that are lowered into the sea and drawn up at set times of the day; others are harvested at low tide, as the creatures are exposed.  Other methods employ divers, rafts and rope lines dropped into water as places for shellfish to populate.  Selective harvesting encourages a continued food supply.

The world trade system tracks 7 species of shellfish, including crabs, crayfish, cuttlefish, lobsters, mussels, oysters and shrimp.

The world's total catch of shellfish is 21,089 tons, with 108 fisheries reporting. The total world value of freshwater fishing equals 1,707,398 g.p. annually (80.96 g.p./ton).

As treasure, 25 lb. of plundered shellfish = 1 x.p.

The largest shellfish producing nations in order of importance are England, France, the Netherlands, Naples (incl. Sardinia), Denmark, Ireland, the Ottoman Empire, Flanders, Iceland, Portugal, Spain and Sweden.

See Resources

Fish (freshwater) (resource)

These are fish that spend the larger part of their lives in fresh water, such as rivers and lakes.  Most of these fish are caught with angling or with nets thrown from small boats.  Some large fishing boats operate on large lakes.  Ice fishing does not create economically important catches.  A large proportion of caught freshwater fish are never sold in a market.

The world trade system tracks 10 species of freshwater fish, including catfish, derekh, eels, ling, perch, pike, salmon, tilapia, trout and whitefish.

The world's total catch of freshwater fish is 50,806 tons, with 273 fisheries reporting.  The total world value of freshwater fishing equals 4,113,325 g.p. annually (80.96 g.p./ton).

As treasure, 25 lb. of plundered fish = 1 x.p.

The largest freshwater fishing nations in order of importance are England, the Ottoman Empire, Moskva, Eire/Ireland, the Holy Roman Empire, the Safavid Empire, the Spanish Empire, Magloshkagok, Vostoch and France.

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Resources (trade commodities)

In the game's trade system, resources refer to base produced materials that are not directly made from any other product.  Examples include ores and minerals, fiber crops, sawn wood, field crops, fruits, treenuts, tubers, vegetables and the following:

F
Fish (freshwater) ~ Fish (saltwater) ~ Fish fins

S
Sea Ivory ~ Seaweed ~ Shellfish ~ Sponges

T
Turtles


See Trade System

Fish (saltwater) (resource)

Also called marine fish, this page describes fish caught as an economic resource that live in ocean water.  Small and large boats, from single-person craft up to ships as large as two-mast ketches harvest whatever fish can be reached, using lines and nets.  Large fishing vessels will travel up to thousands of miles ~ across the Atlantic most likely ~ to fish banks where the catch is at its greatest.

The world trade system tracks 28 species of saltwater fish, including anchovies, barbel, bonito, bream, carp, cod, flatfish, flounder, gudgeon, haddock, hake, halibut, herring, lamprey, lungen, mackerel, mullet, pilchard, pollan, roach, salon, sardines, shad, shark, sturgeon, tuna and vogla.

The world's total catch of saltwater fish is 79,914 tons, with 429 fisheries reporting.  The total world value of salt-water fishing equals 6,469,918 g.p. annually (80.96 g.p./ton).

As treasure, 25 lb. of plundered fish = 1 x.p.

The largest saltwater fishing regions in order of importance are France, England, Naples (incl. Sicily & Sardinia), Spain, Ottoman Empire (Mediterranean Sea only), Portugal, Denmark, Sweden, Ottoman Empire (Black Sea only), Ulthua

See Resources