Expedition to the Northern Forests – Trade with panthers (part 2)
What Panthers Trade
Though many city merchants regard the Panther Girls merely as outlaws, experienced traders know that they possess a surprising variety of valuable goods. Any merchant willing to enter the northern forests under a flag of truce may find profitable exchanges.
The greatest share of Panther trade consists of products taken from the hunt. Fine pelts and furs are always in demand, together with bones, claws, teeth, and other animal by-products valued by craftsmen, leatherworkers, and artisans throughout Gor.
The forests also provide a wealth of useful plants. Panthers gather medicinal herbs, edible forest plants, and rare culinary herbs that are difficult to obtain elsewhere. Skilled healers and cooks often pay well for such supplies.
Many trade goods are acquired through raids or recovered from abandoned camps and caravans. Cloth, jewelry, tools, and various small luxury items frequently appear among Panther merchandise, often changing hands several times before reaching the cities.
Weapons are another common commodity. Panthers craft excellent bows, arrows, quivers, and hunting knives. Captured weapons taken from travelers, mercenary patrols, or defeated enemies may likewise be offered for trade if they are of sufficient quality.
A wise merchant does not overlook another valuable commodity: information. Panthers know the forests better than any mapmaker. They can reveal hidden trails, safe crossings, caravan routes, dangerous territories, the movements of armed bands, and the activities of outlaws. Such knowledge is often worth more than silver.
Finally, captives may also become objects of negotiation. Prisoners are sometimes ransomed, exchanged, or traded according to local custom and circumstance. On occasion, slaves or captured free persons may likewise form part of larger agreements between Panther bands and those willing to bargain with them.
Those who deal fairly, keep their word, and respect the customs of the forests may find the Panther Girls to be difficult, cautious, yet reliable trading partners. Those who attempt deceit seldom receive a second opportunity.
We had received information from scouts about the following groups of Panthers, but we didn’t know exactly where we would find them.: Sa’ng Gretuk Panthers, Zima Ak’am, Valkyrie Torva, Dani’s Band, Fitheach and Talender band, Shiva Sa’ng Fori and the Sa’Pansheen.
The trade was largely peaceful, although we were initially shot at during our first encounter with Panthers; luckily there were no injuries. Most of the groups that live in the forests offered us rare herbs that are not found in Central Gor and certainly not in the Tahari.
Navigating the small rivers of the northern forests with small but heavily laden boats proves difficult; rapids and fallen trees make passage challenging, and the outposts where the Panthers trade are sometimes so well hidden that only those familiar with the area can find them.
Most groups agreed to the deal not to pay for the trade goods we offered, except in kind, and to give the promise that STA merchants, if they displayed the STA flag, would receive preferential treatment and not be attacked.
But you can’t be sure. The northern forests are home to outlaws and outcasts…
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