The Banfor uprising and the New Lords

Well after Shay had left and power had passed to his children's children, there was a revolt. Then Landed Lord's had realised the potential of Gonjo and were starting to cultivate it and sell it abroad, much to the chagrin of other nations. However, the port was important, and was, by now, the regional centre - because the low taxes encouraged trans-shipments, many goods passed through its warehouses, and the other nations could not do with out it.

They encouraged and covertly funded Roger Banfor to oppose the Shay's and the lords, and when peaceful means didn't work, Banfor lead an assault against the lord's and the council. It would have succeeded except that two merchants, John-Hugh Etta and Karen A'Dair, who both profited greatly from the Gonjo trade had prior warning.

It was a tense time, it was touch and go  for the council and Banfor  and his supporters  started to  gain the upper  hand, and that  was when John-Hugh and Karen approached the council. They  offered the support of  8 ships, each crewed by battle hardened veterans and each carrying a complement of  50 mercenaries, in exchange  for seats on the council.  The council was is session humming and hawing over the decision when news that Banfor had taken another city block  and was  moving closer to the council chambers  arrived.  That  made their  decision for them, and they ceded the extra places on the council.  A prearranged signal, saw  400 battle hardened mercenaries  charge into the rear of Banfor's forces  and the battle was turned ...

Thus, the New Lord's managed to secure places for themselves and their family on the council