Hi Indy1958

If you are not playing as the Moors then bring a spy to navigate your way through the two paths through the Atlas Mountains. The area is wide and unit travel is slower across the desert so expect this to take some time.

Your assassins or merchants can help to knock off the incumbent merchants but this will not be an easy task since you should expect them to be of high rank when you get there - and more easily replaceable by their closer cities.

Taking the city is a better option but an investment in time because you have to fight off the Moors, deal with religious unrest, and distance to your capital.

Gold has the highest trade value in the game (see below) and you should find a few mines there. Ivory and slaves can also be found but do not give you as much return as gold.

If you are wondering, I played as Spain a while ago and oft sent an expedition to the barren area in search of legendary wealth - with some success, I might add.

Good luck!




Resource trade value
gold 20 (mine)
chocolate 15
tobacco 15
ivory 12
silk 12
spices 12
amber 12
silver 12 (mine)
marble 10 (mine)
sugar 10
iron 9 (mine)
wine 8
dyes 8
textiles 8
cotton 8
slaves 8
wool 6
timber 6
tin 6 (mine)
sulfur 5 (mine)
grain 5
fish 5
coal 4 (mine)
furs 3

Source: descr_sm_resource.txt