Minrothad-Thothian Alliance
by Marc SaindonIn this scenario, a change in leadership in Minrothad allows the country to grasp the idea that short term gain and neutrality isn't working for them as much as Darokin's DDC, Western Defence League, and its 'friendly guy' reputation. While sabotage attempts have worked against Darokin in the trade war, it also backfires at times. Darokin and Ierendi have a synergy of one providing the goods and the other the shipping. Karameikos has been building its fleet and entering markets, with low-grade goods but taking shares nonetheless. Neutrality during the war against Hule and the Alphatian-Thyatian conflict cost them reputation. And Thyatis is a hungry neighbor that might send its fleets to conquer Minrothad without any countries in the Known World willing to help much Minrothad defend itself.
Enters Thothia. They are an isolationist country that recently entered the world stage to balance the Alphatian-Thyatian conflict in the Isle of Dawn to ensure its own survival. They have a powerful army, but the magical nature of that army limits it to a defensive short range and not conquering force. They haven't learned much of the Known World yet, so Minrothad's reputation is a bit of a blank slate. After Thothia expands into West Portage during the Thyatian-Alphatian wars (setting it up as an independent puppet state not to offend their Alphatian allies who also view as a strategic location), it finds its resources strained, so opens up to Minrothad's offer of mercenaries and weapons, while Minrothad gets itself an advantageous trade agreement to haul goods between East and West Portage, a tremendous short-cut to get to the markets beyond the Isle of Dawn. Quality goods manufactured in Minrothad start entering the Thothian markets, while luxury items like spices and silk make their way back to the Guilds, and both profit.
Eventually, Minrothad agents make contact with Minaean envoys in East Portage, and plans are drawn up to expand trade routes into Skothar....
