Eldram Hallonica: "I have found nearly everyone I've dealt with to be deliberate, serious and hard-working. Competition in this coutry is very strong on all levels and effort and dedication is one way to get ahead.
But as I've grown older, I have started to think that many Darokinians are missing something in life by this single-minded drive for wealth and success. Let me give you an example: I have travelled to nearly every city on this continent at one time or another and in only a handful of them have I seen anything other than the inside of a trading hall. Now, I sit here and think of the sights I could have seen and the people I could have met! All those experiences were wasted because I was too busy negotiating for an extra 200 daros. I sometimes think I'd have been a better person if I had not worried about the extra money so much and had taken the time to develop some other interests.
But that's just the rambling of an old man, and certainly not a common attitude in Darokin. I look around this fine house, see my lovely wife happy in her tailored clothes, know my children's future is as secure as I can make it, and I certainly can't say that my life have been wasted. I'm proud of what I have achieved, and I believe that most other Darokinians are proud of their achievements, too. That's why they work so hard."
Corwyn Rand: "I've met many, many folks in my time, and there's something that sets is Darokin folk apart. You always know where you stand with one of us. Even those high-and-mighty diplomats are honest - even though their job is to speak honeyed words and make people more agreeable, they won't lie.
And here's another thing - nobody around here's shy 'bout puttin' in a full days work. Most of us copper types are at it from dawn to dusk, tryin' to keep our families fed, get a little ahead, you know, make a deal and strike it rich. But even those guys that's got more daros than I could ever counts, they're at it all day, too, workin', tradin', just tryin' to stay ahead.
But while everybody's tryin' to get ahead, it's not a cutthroat kind of thing. People still help each other here, look out for each other. It's not like we're all candidates for sainthood - there are plenty of those who'd rather steal than work, who'd rather draw a sword than talk out a problem - but for the most part, these are good people."
Tomas Hundley: "You don't meet that many people on the lake. Me and the captain get along all right - he'd get himself a new Number Two if we didn't - and the crew, well, they keep to themselves on account o' me being their boss.
Now, when I get in port, that's another story entirely. I got lots of friends in Akesoli and Akorros, plus just about everywhere else that we ever stop. We're a hard working, hard-partying lot we are, and that's no lie! I mean, let those with families and responsibilities scrimp and save. I make good money in my line of work - so why not live a little? I know that may not be a typical attitude, but it works for me and my friends."
Davon Mendel: "It is not easy to characterise an entire people; there will always be exceptions to any observation. But I shall try.
The first word that comes to mind when describing Darokinians is 'purposeful'. These people do nothing for fun - everything has a reason. Usually, this reason has something to do with money. But even in other aspects of their lives, the people are serious and dedicated.
I wouldn't characterise their lust for material wealth as 'greed', exactly. Some of the other things you would normally associate with greedy people do not apply to Darokinians. For example, these people are dedicated to the idea of 'fair play'; they feel a victory won unfairly doesn't really count. And they are scrupulously honest.
But they are not naive. Darokinians seem to have some sort of magical sense when it comes to deception or unfairness, and they will not toleate it. That's why dealing with them is such a pleasure."
Tomas Hundley: "Money's what makes this country go, that's for sure. I mean, if you don't care about money, people just don't know how to react to you. And just because I like a bit more fun than most of those wet boots doesn't mean I don't like money - nothing could be further than the truth!
Business is going well for me, too. As the second aboard Nor'easter, I make enough to keep me happy. Captain Miggs, the owner, handles cargo in one of two ways, and we get paid depends on which way. If we're just hauling someone else's load, Miggs gets a flat fee, and we get paid a set amount for the trip. What's better is when Miggs buys the cargo outright, hoping to sell it at a profit. In that case, we all get a percentage of the deal - I'll tell you, we can all make a real haul on one of those.
Not long now, I'll have enough daros for a boat of my own. Maybe not as nice or big as the Nor'easter, at least not a first - but that'll be just the start. After that, there'll be more ships, then my own warehouses...no telling where it'll end!"
Eldram Hallonica: "The system of business and commerce that has been developed here in Darokin is undoubtedly the finest the world has ever seen. We enjoy unprecedented prosperity throughout the Republic, in every area and in every class. No one able and willing to work is without a job, and those unfortunates who are unable to help themselves are taken care of. It is a grand testament to the wisdom of this country's economic leaders, of which, I'm proud to say, this house is one.
Darokin is able to maintain its high standard of living because of trade with the other lands of the world. We take the surplus goods produced here - mostly grain and other foods - and take them where they are needed, turning a profit along the way. Then we buy what is plentiful in those other lands at low prices and bring them back here to eager buyers. Our trade balance is nearly perfect, and everyone benefits.
It works very much the same within the Republic, as goods are moved from areas of plenty to areas of need. This system, too, has become very efficient, and there are many opportunities to enter the merchant business and seek one's fortune. I know of a great many people who have become quite wealthy in just a manner of a few years, due to hard work and a little luck.
And that's the beauty of our economic system. Any person, no matter how poor or disadvantaged, has the chance to make it rich. This chance, this hope, is the fuel that keeps tens of thousands of people - people who would give up under other circumstances - working hard, contributing to the system."
Corwyn Rand: "I don't know if I'm the right person to be askin' about money, seein' as I never seem to have any. I'm just a copper workin' stiff, not one of those big time traders. Still, I figure I do all right; I'm paid well, and me an' my new wife, we got ourselves a real nice place to live and plenty to eat.
I don't have much head for tradin', I know that. But that little one on the way might be a regular merchant prince, and I'm savin' up so that when he's ready, he'll have a stake. Then he can support me in my old age!"
Davon Mendel: "I'm quite impressed with the Darokin economy. The rich are very careful to make sure that enough wealth and oppurtunity passes down to the poor to keep them interested in contributing to the system. For, while the merchnat princes make the big deals and live in the huge houses, it is the thousands of simple farmers, craftsmen, cargo loaders, factory workers, guardsmen, and other laborers - those they call 'copper' and 'silver' people - that make everything work.
And that oppurtunity is real, not just some sort of hoax. Every time I've returned to this country, there have been new merchants to do business with, merchants who were laborers and apprentices the last time I was here. This is the only place I've ever seen where the rich do not jealously and viciously guard their wealth and position. One trader explained it to me this way: 'If we try to hang on to every passem, we could lose it all; by sharing some of it, we guarantee ourselves the balance.
These people havE no shyness about money, nor any reluctance over business. They will trade anything, anywhere, anytime, if they think there is a profit in it. And money seems to be the deciding factor in all sorts of things that you might think wouldn't matter. For example, you have to be worth a certain amount of money before You can be considered a candidate for various political offices! The underlying belief, it seems, is that only the wealthy have the time to govern, and that being wealthy is also proof of ability to govern. I don't know if I believe that or not, but it works for them."
Corwyn Rand: "I don't think the high-and-mighty folk that run this country have any conquerin' on their minds, but I do know they're intent on keepin' what they got. I did my time in the Darokin Legions, sure. I was with the First Army. 'The Swords of Darokin' we were, and that was a tough time. Long hours, marchin', drillin', learnin' tactics and that - and for what? I spent most of my time helpin' farmers find lost sheep at Ft. Cruth and marchin' in ceremonies in the capital city.
Then, 'bout six months to go in out tour, and our Legion gets sent to ft. Nell. Different as night and day! Everyone always on alert, passwords, inspections, it was real intense. Then I goes out on my first patrol. 'Orc hunting', the captain says. I was never so scared in my life. When the orcs sortie out of their lands, sometimes they come by tens, sometimes they come by hundreds and sometimes they come by thousands. There being only a hundred or so of us, I was hopin' for tens!
Well, we didn't get tens. When the orcs came charging out of a little valley, I figured them for about 150, maybe 200. The captain, he knew what to do, and was barkin' orders almost before we saw the orcs. I was too scared to do anything but go where the sergeant sid. I know now whyu we were drilled so much; all my moves were automatic, I wasn't even thinkin'.
I still don't remember much about the actual battle. I remember a buddy of mine dyin' there right next to me, and I remember runnin' through the orc that got him. The orcs up and run after losin' about half their force, and we lost nin. the captain wasn't happy - he hated to lose men - but we set up a quick burial detail, burned the orc bodies, and marched on. The only action I ever saw, thank the gods, though I got me a citation for it. Everybody that kills an enemy gets a citation and I got three that day.
I got nothin' but respect for those professional soldiers. I couldn't do that all my life, that's for sure. Anyway, my poiint is that we've got a fine army here in Darokin, but all its trainin' and preparin' is for defendin' the land, not invadin' other peoples. Besdies, who'd we invade? The elves? The Hin? Get serious!"