The developer of Crusader Kings III talks about the current state of Silk and Silver and how future expansions will add merchants and republics. The author expands on the mechanisms of trade, lending, and political struggle, turning gold into a full-fledged tool of influence.
Merchants will be given two types of routes: regular trade routes and commission routes, which are created by order of the ruler. A designated trader role will be responsible for trading and can increase a route’s profitability, capacity or level of trading expertise. At the same time, competitors may be lured, sabotaged, stripped of trading privileges, or even their companies may be absorbed through mergers or hostile takeovers.
Loans will be a separate component. Merchants would be able to issue gold to the ruler at interest, gain strong leverage and expect the debt to be repaid. A usury system would allow religions to view usury differently, and some debtors would be able to try to invalidate interest-bearing debts. Additionally, death does not relieve you of your obligations—the loan is inherited.
Each republic will follow a different path: instead of seizing territory, it will develop its capital and gradually raise its level. The noble families will have their own ambitions and will be able to influence laws through parliament and strive for political influence. In this case, merchants will be able to travel to and from the Republic and retain accumulated improvements.
