Pacts and Trade

A Pact is a signed deal: grain, tribute, alliance, or trade charter. It names parties, goods per season, duration, and the price of breaking it.

Trade routes: link two ports/markets with an action + 200 gp. Each route moves surplus to shortage: seller gains face value (luxury ×2), buyer covers a needs gap, both gain +5% trade income per route (max +25%). Grain-pact template: 5 Food per season for 300 gp per season, 4 seasons, renewable. Distance applies transit loss (10% per 300 miles without granary chain).

Tribute vs stipend: tribute flows upward (vassal → liege, 10% of Collect); stipends flow downward (councils pay office-holders). Both are Pacts and both can be broken.

Blockade & breach: blockaded routes go Shortage instantly in the dependent category. Breaking a pact costs −3 relationship, −5 Legitimacy, and opens a Happening (or an Intrigue steal op from the victim). Treaties signed with luxury gifts (+2 per stock) or prestige hostages rarely break.

Example: the Example Grain Pact — Valerium ships 5 Food per season to the capital for 300 gp. The capital's grain needs row rises from 60% Strained to 100% Fulfilled; Valerium banks 300 gp × 4 seasons and a +1 relationship.