The South Empire Trading Company (alternatively called the South Empire Company) is an influential, monopolistic merchant organization that holds monopolies over trade goods: Pigskin, Llama spit, Guardian eyes and Squid tentacles. The company was formed during the Cycle of the Tide 00-06, YoE 533 AI, by a half Östron half Karsite merchant named Hjorn Dova.
Much like his Östron father, Rorik Dova, Hjorn would spend his youth travelling the ports of the Empire learning the secrets of crafty sailors, seducing fine women, and developing a strong understanding of the economy of the Empire. With this wisdom gained from years of experience, Hjorn was able to understand that the southern regions of the Empire were ripe for economic development, with delicate natural resources waiting to be monopolized and secured by venerable investors.
Hjorn set off to the settlement of Sersa within Laghima and began haggling old, retired politicians from the Laghiman government to give him funding to build a merchant organization. Nearly all turned him down, except for a mysterious man that gave off an Östron vibe, yet claimed he was no where close to being Östron. Nevertheless, the man disappeared shortly after giving Hjorn a sum of nine hundred gold (currency). Hjorn used the money to build himself an empire based off of the trade of pigskin, llama spit, squid tentacles, and guardian eyes. These commodities were held by local farmers who easily gave into Hjorn's luscious offers and deals. As Hjorn expanded his company he destroyed local ones, such as the Imperial Karidian Company, eliminating many rival operations. Eventually by 537 AI, Hjorn's influence was so great that the South Empire Company was able to control imports and exports from local settlements and maintain it's strong monopoly over pigskin, llama spit, guardian eyes and squid tentacles. Combined with vast wealth and influence on local settlements, The South Empire Trading Company remains one of the most powerful trading entities in the southern economy to date.
The Company has one office (as of 537 AI) located in Laghima. Each office is led by a well esteemed company employee, usually using the title of Master Merchant. The Master Merchants of the company are vital in securing the stability of the entity as it develops office across the southern regions of the Empire, often exercising autonomous power that ensures the smooth and safe operation of the company.
