re:Re: Trade in G2

CHRIS BUTCHKO (cbutchko@cftc.gov)
Mon, 26 Jan 98 18:35:50 PST

Sent by:Jim Gunn <jim.gunn@autodesk.com>
I would be more in favor of having an option for a player who controls a
city to place a tax on trade within the city at his/her discretion, such
that:
Bob, who has just garrisoned province [foo] with city [foobar] can have
one
of his units issue a command like "citytax foobar 15", which would have
the
effect of levying a 15% tax on all trade transactions in [foobar]. The tax
rate would be posted in the city and all visitors would be able to see it.
----
Okay, let me just say that I agree with Rodgers that the balance, as far
as a steady income, has changed from castle ownership to trade. I think
that more points out the marginal nature of trade in G1 than it does an
unbalance in G2.
I used to know medieval history fairly well, but ask someone who currently
knows it to confirm that you made more money from trade than from taxing
the serfs.
As far as an automatic trade tax, I'd be against it. Maybe if it was
fleshed out, I'd change my mind, but anything game-administrated like that
is uninteresting and adds very little other than welfare for castle
owners.
My opinion might change if there was some wrinkle to this that made it
somethig that had consequences:
1) The tax is only collected if a noble is stationed in the garrison
issuring the tax order, and if the trade "tax pay" flag is not set to pay
by the trader the noble and garrison attack the trader. The noble could
set up to enforce tax only on certain days, like day 1 and 30, and so
something useful the rest of the time.
2) Concealed traders don't pay the tax.
3) The amount of the tax is set by the castle owner (per Jim), and the
owner and trader's tax flags must match- like the bid/ask numbers in
trade. The owner could set 100% tax or a given range- 0 - 50%? Tax
revolts would be fun, but not likely to happen.
4) The taxing entity gives something of value to the trader. (I currently
have no idea what this might be.)
Anybody have more/better ideas?
"Vote no on castle welfare."

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