The fact that the Camaris Strait is barriered has nothing to do with the
issue. fact is the Strait shouldnt be barriered and open to all neutrals
using it for whatever reason. The forces or factions that wishes to control
the seas, or portions of it, to promote their belligerent policies should,
in my view, be regarded as outlaws. It is however an interesting note that
the House of Aekinskald, which regards itself as a trading House seem to
absolve the policies pursued by the BORG.
Cosimo di Bicci,
speaking on behalf of the Lords 17
Di Bicci & Company, Merchants.
Gentlemen and Ladies,
I find the whole discussion a tad silly. The Camais Straits are
a narrow channel, which has ports for the LoTC on one side and
PLATO/Eagle on the other. It has basically been blocked by magical
barriers for some time, and I do not believe any merchant or neutral
is going to be able to use it at any rate. Any true merchant is going
to bypass the Straits by the northern or southern routes to his ports
of trade, unless the port belongs to one of the warring Alliances -
in which case there is no such thing as neutral shipping. Free
passage of the high seas is a staple of the Real World (tm) but that
is only recent in our history, and was enforced by a LARGE Navy. In
the period of which we are presumed to be, the Medieval/Fantasy
genre, there never was such a thing as free passage through ANYWHERE,
much less a war zone! All ships who wish to travel in a declared war
zone do so at their own risk - whether you inform BOTH sides of who
you are, or run a well-armed convoy is your choice, but do not claim
a non-existant Right to "protect" your vessel. As a Merchant House,
my policy is to charge a higher tariff on goods traveling through
such area, or go around.
As for the argument of giving your ID numbers to a faction which
can then scry you later, any ship traveling through that area is
going to be made a part of the intel of all Alliances within that
area as soon as she is spotted - and has been since at least turn 70
or so. Not to mention the odd "storm" all sides use for sentries. You
and your Nobles WILL be identified - the only question is under what
column - friend, neutral or enemy. Since House Aekinskald first
started sailing, I have been asked many times to identify my ships so
as not to be attacked - and have gladly complied to the Harn, PLATO,
SOA, and anyone else who wishes to know.
Philip Lee "Spike" Whiting