Market 55 incident

The Market55 Incident was a three-day conflict between Market55's owner 55tremine and an alliance of nations primarily led by the Empire of Astyllea.

Background
Market55 was already under significant scrutiny by other merchants and others in the Rathnir community at large, as the market sold at incredibly low prices, resulting in undercutting local trade (harming regional RP and diplomacy) and out-competing nearly every other business in Rathnir. Market55 and its owner held a significant amount of power over the entire economy of Rathnir- power that many felt should not belong in one person's hands.

Overall, Market55 was regarded as a shady business, accused of scamming its customers and globalizing trade to the detriment of local economies. Many Rathnirites also disliked Market55 for its high crime levels, as it was a prime central hub for bandits to kill and loot innocent players, taking their gear and reselling the goods they had just bought at the market.

Fearing an eventual crackdown by the Astyllean government, 55tremine illegally sook out aid from foreign countries, building up political power to eventually make a break from Astyllea and turn Market55 into an independent entity.

Many conspiracy theorists have suggested that the changing of server rules on mercenary groups, and the subsequent dissolution of Ulfaeng on February 2nd and Osseus and the Crimson Blades on February 4th, prompted Astyllea to act when it did. Without easy access to mercenaries, the wealthy but outmanned 55tremine could not hire a mercenary army to defend himself against a government crackdown.

Crisis
Astyllean authorities were eventually alerted to 55tremine's conspiracy on February 3rd, 2022. They immediately outed 55tremine to the international community, and announced that they would by any means possible nationalize Market55 to break the trust the market held on the Rathnir economy. Uldarash quickly stepped up to announce its support for Astyllea, and joined in the conflict against Market55, as did Kartek. The following day, many other nations pledged support at varying levels for Astyllea, from sending soldiers to put down the rebellion or simply denouncing 55tremine's business practices.

On the same day, Astyllean troops alongside Bardonian and Uldarashi volunteer forces marched on the market, beginning an hour-long skirmish. Market55 staff and customers, monsters, and even bandits clashed with the Astyllean authorities and their allies. Astyllean citizen Jecten was locked in the basement for the duration of the battle, making roughly six requests to be let free. 55tremine refused to let Jecten out.

Following this battle, several nations further denounced Market55, and the Rathnir Merchant's Guild issued an embargo of the market. However, many individual Rathnirites spoke out in support of the market; having a standardized price for goods, which market55 effectively created by being a monopoly, was argued to be a positive for consumers, as were the low prices. Others simply objected to government intervention in the market, or argued that the Astyllean government merely wanted to gain Market55's profits for itself by nationalizing the company.

Resolution
Despite most of Rathnir backing Astyllea, the situation still continued until 55tremine finally gave into the Astyllean government's demands on the 4th, effectively ending the incident. The crisis officially ended two days later, when Astyllea officially nationalized Market55.

A deal was struck between 55tremine and the government; Market55 would remain open and ran by 55tremine so long as he cooperated, whilst the "0, 0 mall" as it has been previously referred to, is constructed. The mall at world center will eventually be given a large stall for 55tremine to sell his wares, and other stalls for various different merchants of different nations to sell at the same spot. Construction is currently headed by the state of Carn, according to reports.