Avalonian trade ships begin increased trade with other coastal nations, no farther North than Arcon, but as far South as Seris. These traders bring back not only wealth, but their observations on foreign cultures and at least some information on their techniques of various things, including farming. Irrigation becomes a more popular concept among Avalonian farmers spurred on by the thought of larger crops and larger profits.
Avalonians shake their heads on hearing of the unrest in Sonodine and laud their personal freedoms and free markets.
Avalonian tax codes are reformed at the national assembly, eliminating various forms of property and estate taxes and implementing a small consumption tax on "goods not essential to the maintenance of life", which is to say just about everything except food, medicine, clothing, and lodging. It is also resolved to match but not exceed any foreign tariffs to "prevent the undue rise of foreign industry within Avalonia", although it is decided that if native goods are "of such poor quality or high cost that foreign goods would be more general to the general populace" the tariff on that specific industry from the most competitive nation will be lowered in the best interests of the Avalonian people.
The new tax code has, at least initially, boosted government revenue, but the national assembly has expressed its willingness to reevaluate the tax code should it prove to be to the disbenefit of any local entity, be it the people or the government.
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