Precisely why my faction is completely agrarian. That and the crippling poverty of the region. Trade hubs could well spring up along the path of a Silk Road equivalent, and this could potentially be a source of wealth. Some inland nations did manage to grow quite wealthy from this route in the past. Cities like Samarkand, Bukhara and Almaty spring to mind. That would require a few things however.

Firstly, centralization. The Silk Road first became active during the year 200 B.C. or so. This was the height of the Han Dynasty in China. The road expanded to Europe in about 30 B.C., when Rome began conquering portions of the Middle East. Rome was not only a power at this time, but the Parthian Empire in modern day Iran was one as well, connecting the two. Trade diminished in 400 A.D. however, coinciding with the collapse of much of Rome, as well as the Jin dynasty in China. The Silk Road was only fully restored with the growth of the Mongol Empire nearly a thousand years later. Put simply, to enable trade over vast distances, you require powerful nations to protect it. Assuming the Caliphate had a reliable lake and river trade network along the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence, and the Khanate can expand to the Rockies, this point is actually a fair possibility.

Next, it requires overland trade routes to be the only possible method of travel. I think this one's safe. Beyond the Great Lakes and the Mississippi, there are few river routes that can be reliably used for trade, and without the Panama Canal, ships would have to circle South America to reach the East Coast. Though another overland route may well appear in Tabernacle and Alamao. You also need trade goods, but this is actually less important. It certainly helps, but simply networking resources from foreign nations and manufacturing them or even facilitating trade can be enough.

Finally, you need relative peace between the empires along the trade route. The Silk Road may have been active during the time of Rome and Parthia/Sassanid Persia, but trade always suffered during the wars between Rome and Persia. This one is more questionable, and given the Khan's disposition, it might not be possible. I'm warning you all now I've deliberately set my nation up to be that neighbor who sits on his porch, silently polishing his guns in front of his trailer. Khan Seigeisel is violent and unpredictable. He might offer trade and an alliance as a buffer against a mutual threat, or he might storm across the border and take your stuff because he feels like it.

What I'm trying to say is I'm going to be a Tier 1 jerk to you guys. Not exactly the best first impression for a newbie on the site, but hopefully my charm and tact will help you forget the fact that I know what is best in life.

[url]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=APnkThjkaDo[/url]

Thank you kindly, Mr. Nerevarine. Hope it was worth the read.