Because much of the trade infrastructure had been laid in the days of Empire, the mercantilists enjoyed an advantage over those of other states. The Inca found themselves in close competition with their Scoodler neighbors, attempting to secure access to foreign resources. Following the lead of the Scoodlers, the Inca began experimenting on themselves with quicksilver at the end of WWI. A century of free-spirited progress ensued.

Doctrines expounding upon the importance of the individual were honed and disseminated. Diversity was embraced. The Americas and the world at large were quite taken with these new ideas. Reforms and artistic movements became the mode of the day, and foreign markets clamoured for Inca fashion.

All this came to an end during the deprivations of WWII. A population stunned by the brutality and destruction of those few years retreated into a pensive conservatism. People, not so certain anymore, looked to the God-king once again for guidance and protection. The current God-king, though, has little interest in revitalizing the modern Incan spirit. He uses his tremendous wealth to make sure that the mercenaries are paid and that basic social services are not ignored. The priests hover in his shadow, and give over more and more power to the guilds.