Re: Rough Business
Whilst they eat Orlgar explains how the meat trade works...
Meat-Buying in New Pavis
The Praxian Nomads provide New Pavis with most
of its meat. Under the treaty with Dorasar, all of the
tribes are entitled to sell meat to New Pavis, but the
Sable Tribe uses its current dominance to prevent
the other tribes from trading with New Pavis except
through Sable middlemen. This trade is a primary
source of civilized goods for the Sable Tribe.
When nomads come to Pavis to sell their stock,
their leaders first go to the Meat Market. There are
many meat-buyers there, either in offices about the
square or in booths. The nomads may have sales
prearranged in town, or may sound out several
traders before striking a bargain.
Once the deal is closed, an agent of the buyer(s)
accompanies the chieftains back to the herds and
guides them to the Butchery Grounds. This is near
Badside and entails driving them to the butchers.
The animals are kept in corrals there, and the agent
will count and grade the herd. He prepares a voucher
for the chieftain; the city clerk approves the transfer
and marks out the animals for the city tax. Almost
all animal killing is done in this area, as well as the
curing, etc. The chieftain can then take his voucher
back to the Meat Market office and cash it in for
goods or money.
Once meat is ready for market it is delivered via
the Meat Path through Badside, across the bridge,
and to the meat market. There it is delivered to
butchers and other retailers who, in turn, prepare
it for sale. The other retailers may, for instance, run
food stands, peddle by foot, or own an inn.
Because the Praxian herds include animals sold
from other tribes, most meat sold is actually bison,
high llama, or impala. Although the Praxians eat herd
man, sale of herd man meat is forbidden in Badside
(although it is available if the buyer knows where to
look).