[quote=@rextremendum]
I guess - I remain skeptical that they have ways of getting all the machinery, fuel, metals, chemicals, manpower, technology etc with such a tiny amount of territory and through trade, but I don't mean to throw a shit fit - this is all well within acceptable parameters for realism.

I still want to know who they are buying from, though, so I can use it for RP. Acier will want to be selling, because muh Libertarianism, but Deth implied that I am not involved in the supply.
[/quote]

1. You can be involved in supply if you want
2. The Kingdom of the Red Dragon was once a northern nation (well a colony of one) but when the empire (it was a colony of) fell it became a merchant republic, selling southern luxuries to the north in return for northern luxuries, knowledge and armaments
3. Red Dragon only really 'produce' food but even food they buy a lot from the south in return for northern luxuries

Basically think of Red Dragon almost like venice, they are at the end of such a valuable trade route that money just flows through them, with large amounts spilling into the kingdom itself.
P.S. The Main population of the Red Dragon (especially the upper classes) still look down on southern tribes as lesser but their economically focused minds see their value, therefor the populance are still effectively 'pure' in that they almost all have DNA originating from the northern continent,