Trade/Commodities
Nubia is a land of unexploited riches and opportunity. For centuries Arab pirates and traders have come and taken as they pleased. With the rise of a strong central monarchy in Soba, the fortunes of the Nubians will be made at the demise of the Arab profiteers.
Produced in Nubia:
* Ivory: Rare outside of Africa in this time, it is a beautiful material taken from the tusks of elephants. Though it is believed it can be obtained somewhere on the west african coast, Nubia is currently the only source of Ivory in the known world. Despite this, the lack of outside contact and knowledge of trade routes has not allowed the country to exploit this rich commodity.
* Slaves: Low class Nubians and Somalis taken from the southern coastlines are hard working and durable workers. Used to hard labor and awful conditions in the hot sun, they are a valued commodity to any lord who needs a large and cheap workforce. They could be revolutionary in European feudal manors, if only the merchants could figure a way to get them to European markets.
* Orthodox artifacts: Both relics of Byzantine influence in Nubia and hand carved crosses of Ivory produced by the king's personal artisans. They are beautiful and inspire the faith in almost any true christian. The handiwork and splendor of these ivory crosses have yet to be experienced by anyone outside of Nubia since the gift given for the Eastern Roman empress to Longinus after the Nubian king accepted christ nearly 800 years ago.
* Fish: With a large community of fishing villages along the coastline, the Nubians consume a large volume of fish. The fish caught on the coast are salted and saved for many months. These tasty fish are a local delicacy and any lover of exotic foods would do well to have some to show off to guests. The flavor is salty yet with a sweet aftertaste. The waters of the red sea truly produce magnificent fish.
* Indian trade goods.: A small series of trading posts exist on the Nubian coast, set up by the Gujurati. Here, the Nubian high classes purchase fine goods from India. These could possibly be sold abroad if the Kingdom had a reason to purchase large volumes of these fine trade goods.
Demands:
The following things are desired in Nubia but unobtainable from local sources:
Grain: The sands of Nubia produce little food and it makes the kingdom heavily reliant on fish and Mameluke tribute. During bad fishing seasons famine runs rampant. Sources of durable, high quality grain are sorely desired.
Books: Little is known of the world around them. The royal family, churchmen and learned of Nubia always desire to purchase books from other nations, preferably in greek. Maps, textbooks, religious books, diaries, any source of potential knowledge. Due to the influence of those who wish to obtain these objects, the demand and price for them is quite high in Nubia.
Weapons.: Threatened by pagan tribes in the south, arab pirates in the east, and muslim bandits to the north, new weapons and battle tactics are always welcomed by the King. He is willing to pay great sums of wealth for better weaponry such as those possessed by his Arab foes. Especially desirable are siege engines such as those used against the fortress at Dongola and Khartoum by Saladin's forces 300 years ago.
Cloth Clothing is for the rich and priviliged in Nubia. As it is, the finest clothing possible is always wanted by the nobility. Many are willing to pay ridiculously high prices to be able to wear the finest clothes. Despite appearing as muslims, many of the high class resort to purchasing clothing from Arab traders due to the high quality.
Wine: Very little alcohol has ever been obtained in Nubia. A low quality beer made from cactus root is popular among the low classes. Stories of great times when Greek scholars and soldiers brought wine from Greece often occupy the thoughts of the ruling caste. Many a fortune is to be made from the selling of wine to the Nubian elite.
