Trade and Barter in the Godless Lands

Traditional trade, as known in the free kingdoms of Herja, is nearly nonexistent in the Godless Lands. Instead, an authoritarian system of distribution governs the flow of resources, overseen by the Pandemonium and carried out by the Envoys of Chaos. This strict centralisation reflects the philosophy of Chaos: all resources are tools for domination and transformation, and scarcity is wielded as a weapon to ensure loyalty and suppress dissent.

Internal Distribution

Within the Godless Lands, resources are allocated according to the needs of the Disciples. Black Rock and Souls Ash are prioritised for military and ritual purposes, while food and other essentials are distributed sparingly to maintain control over the population.

The Pandemonium directs the flow of these materials, relying on an intricate network of Envoys and Betrayers to enforce their decrees. This system ensures that even the smallest supplies reinforce Chaos’ objectives, with scarcity and desperation serving as tools of governance.

The Shadow Markets

While the Disciples enforce strict control over official distribution, a hidden economy thrives in the shadows. Known as the Shadow Markets, these clandestine exchanges operate on a barter system, trading contraband, salvaged goods, and stolen artifacts.

Participants in these markets are often enslaved laborers, Betrayers, or disillusioned Disciples seeking to secure minor luxuries, food, or protection. The items traded range from enchanted trinkets to essential supplies, and the stakes are always high. Discovery of these markets by the Envoys is met with severe punishment, further driving their secrecy and danger.

Barter as Survival

In the absence of currency, barter becomes the primary means of exchange in both the Shadow Markets and among disenfranchised groups. Food, weapons, and minor Chaos-infused artifacts are among the most valuable commodities. Knowledge and information also hold immense worth, with rumors, maps, and intelligence often exchanged for tangible goods or safety.

This system fosters a fragile sense of community among the oppressed, as mutual reliance becomes a matter of survival. However, it also deepens the divisions within the Godless Lands, creating a precarious balance between cooperation and betrayal.

Symbolism and Control

The absence of traditional trade and the centralisation of resources reflect Chaos’ ethos of domination and transformation. By controlling access to vital supplies, the Disciples ensure that every act of survival is a testament to Chaos’ power. The Shadow Markets, though subversive, underscore the resilience of those who dare to defy Chaos’ oppressive system, even in the smallest of ways.

In the Godless Lands, even a crumb of bread carries the weight of Chaos. To trade is to gamble with ruin, but to hoard is to invite despair.

— Dorian Frostquill