Birthday Banquet

The Tailun Continent was surrounded by ocean, and each of the major empires had a long coastline. Transporting goods by sea was cheaper, more convenient, and faster than by land, and they did not have to worry about the winding mountain roads or the many checkpoints and territories one would have to traverse. 

Many countries also had large rivers within their borders. After discovering a safe route, they would be able to send their goods to the larger cities by sea. Thus, it was imperative that a large merchant association ship their goods by water, for it could save them time and labor.

There were also many islands scattered across the ocean outside of the Tailun Continent, each harboring unknown precious resources. Basically, every large merchant association would have their own fleet of ships, and would bring back rare resources from abroad every year, earning them great profit.