The Taxman Cometh

[Machiavelli]

In these trying times, the tireless civil servants of the Sundarian Customs and Excise house have been granted extraordinary powers of search and seizure by the Government. Enemies are at the gates, and you can't levy militia without levying taxes.

There's talk of customs agents and their armed 'auditors' conducting searches of carvans, warehouses, merchants storerooms, and cargo passing through the port. People speak of significant quantities of so called 'contraband' being confiscated by the Excise men. Even a number of taverns have been subjected to the seizure of 'bootleg' liquor from their cellars. Many folk agree that it's a bad time to be a merchant in Sundren.

[Chiangtao]

"Tax men, my ass," spat Vicho. "Tax men wouldn't never tax the state on imports. Stupid dock-siders don't know no better on that one. I'll get to the bottom of this one soon as I hear back from that cap'n. Don't no one pull the wool over Vicho's eyes, least not less I let em. I want in on whatever this is..."

[Thief Of Navarre]

Among the druid circle of Sundren a rumour is spread among the nature worshippers that city officials or tax men for want of a better word have been taking 'one way trades' from farmers and traders alongside the four lanterns, this has been been noted by one druid in particular who witnessed such an event taking place.

Falmari blurts out in druidic:They stole stags from the farmer and turned out his cart right in front of me. That thieving bandit will pay!