Europe's impoverished state is, paradoxically, a large part of the reason why European travellers explored and the West eventually came to dominate the world. Whenever anyone suggests an Asian adventurer coming to the West, the objection is always the fact that Europe simply had nothing to offer the Orient for so much of it's history.
Now, this might be delving into somewhat alt-biological territory but I think it's kosher. Is it possible to postulate something, a herb or drug or medicine, incense or what-have-you, that can only be found in a northern part of Europe? Something to match the spices of the Orient or the silk of China? What sort of thing could possibly match it?
And, if such a good did indeed exist, what effect would it have on the history of global trade?
Now, this might be delving into somewhat alt-biological territory but I think it's kosher. Is it possible to postulate something, a herb or drug or medicine, incense or what-have-you, that can only be found in a northern part of Europe? Something to match the spices of the Orient or the silk of China? What sort of thing could possibly match it?
And, if such a good did indeed exist, what effect would it have on the history of global trade?