Luria Nova/Events/Estate-Manager/A Crisis in Raw Materials

The estate finds itself in the grip of a dire predicament, with both merchants and craftsmen converging to deliver unfortunate news. A severe shortage of raw materials has gripped your domain, leaving craftsmen with dwindling reserves to produce their manufactured goods. This shortage is now rippling through the local economy, impacting merchants who depend on these goods to generate wealth.

In response to this crisis, both groups demand your intervention. The craftsmen and merchants jointly propose a solution: redirecting the few farmers within your estate to pivot towards raw material production. This suggestion, however, immediately meets resistance from the farmers, who argue that without their labor, there won't be enough food to sustain the estate's populace.

The merchants offer an alternative proposal, suggesting that the estate temporarily purchases food from them at a premium to address the immediate scarcity. Yet, the farmers present their own solution – they propose that some of the craftsmen be assigned to work in the fields to help cultivate crops, recognizing that there aren't enough raw materials to keep all the craftsmen fully occupied.

This critical decision rests in your hands. Will you heed the demands of the craftsmen and merchants, potentially risking a food shortage? Or will you consider the farmers' alternative, allowing craftsmen to temporarily contribute to crop cultivation? Your choice will have far-reaching consequences, affecting the balance between raw material production and food security within your estate.

Outcome: A Shift in Priorities

You opt to purchase food from the merchants, thereby freeing up the farmers to intensify their efforts in raw material production. This decision, though met with fierce protest from some farmers, is seen as a necessary measure to alleviate the ongoing shortage of essential materials. Some farmers argue vehemently, fearing that abandoning crop cultivation for the year would lead to agricultural setbacks, but their concerns are overshadowed by the urgent need for raw materials.

The impact of this shift in focus is significant. The craftsmen are now able to access an ample supply of materials, allowing them to produce an increased quantity of manufactured goods that satisfy the demands of the merchants. The merchants, in turn, capitalize on their newfound wealth, albeit through inflated prices, benefiting from the dynamics in the estate.

Recognizing the importance of your decision, the merchants choose to share a portion of their additional wealth with you, expressing their gratitude for your support in facilitating their economic pursuits.

However, the consequences of your choice linger. Until the end of the year, the commoners within your estate must rely on the merchants for their food supply. The ongoing price inflation for food persists, a result of the merchants' exploitation of the situation. Your reputation among the commoners takes a hit as they endure these challenging times, with concerns about the cost of living continuing to weigh on their minds. Finding a new source of food or addressing the price inflation remains a pressing concern for the well-being of your estate.