Together, they planned to use their collective resources to found an "unbiased entity based upon the following directives:
- To act in service to the wellbeing and prosperity of nautical trade between Europe, Asia, Africa, and the East Indies.
- To protect free enterprise at sea through force as necessary.
- To act as a representative of truly private industry and commerce on the ever-expanding world stage
- To provide an independent, binding force between the economies of seafaring powers".
Built upon its founders' pre-existing ventures and wealth, the Eastern Mercantile Society was established as a closely-knit conglomerate of legal entities, all of whom had been stirring beneath the shadow of the East India Company.
However, their counterpart in the employ of the crown to this day holds an unwavering monopoly over the trade of a countless variety of goods. Thus, the Eastern Mercantile Society operates through venues presenting a considerably higher risk. In more appropriate words, their outlets are illicit or otherwise seedy, and include illegal or unlawfully-attained goods.
Through careful diplomacy, underhandedness, and no small sum in bribes, the Eastern Mercantile Society has thus far achieved considerable degrees of success. This has made them a rapidly burgeoning force in the corporate world, and an increasingly major presence among mariners.
Their growing, yet still modest status has brought them to the attention of pirates and other privateers, necessitating the armament of the Eastern Mercantile Fleet, as well as the construction of hardier, more combat-worthy vessels. As their business continues to grow, so too has grown their arsenal, and warships painted in the Eastern Mercantile Fleet's white-and-black livery have been spotted in greater and greater numbers.
Contributed by: Mr walk down me I'm the walkway