The New Merchants

The New Merchants are a group of wealthy merchants who made their money in the Age of Expansion from factories producing Arcane Engines and the trade of such technology. They have lost influence in modern times due to the Ruination destroying factories and Arcane engines, and the subsequent banning of the technology as a result. Most New Merchants have instead invested in the spice or silk trade to make more money, whilst others have joined the Reputable Transmutation Society at Gallington to try to reinstate Gnomic technology. They are hated by much of the aristocracy, who fear that their influence will overshadow their own.