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I notice most people are not engaging in actual roleplay when it comes to engaging a merchant. It feels unnecessarily robotic and gamey on the part of the customers. It's not just about game stats, I'm sure your characters also have preferences regarding fashion, flavor, jewelry, how fancy or prestigious something is and whatever else. And it'd be nice if people attempted to haggle more (it's a bazaar) and strike up conversation. I'm sure I personally could do more to make it engaging and I shall aspire to do so, but I'm a little worried about how lackluster / low motivation the roleplay is on the customers end of things. This is a RP server and the merchant isn't a NPC with a inventory tab, it's another player to play the game with.

Anyway I don't mean to rant it'd be good to read some opinions, tips, tricks, self-reflections. Discuss! :D

Caw-Caw Alejandro,

Client thinks 10,000. For the difficulty undergone of procurement and safekeeping.

Send reply, be brief and undetailled.

- White Eagle
(Krak des Roses)

[A scribbled notice flies with the wind and lands at your feet.]

Best possible wares for a shieldbearing barbarian - find Nathaniel Blackvale of the Qadiran Prince court.
Find him with at least a thousand coin to your name for the are no better wares than these.
Great wares, of the BULWARK aspect bless'd be the stars.

Seeking a skilled painter for a commission, will pay well! - Nathaniel Blackvale

His Royal Highness, Prince of Qadira, Sir A. Namahedu,

It is with anguish that I must caution you about the Dwarf named Gedwyr.
You've shown him affinity and despite that, he slighted your Court and your Father the Maharajah.

Yesterday a Raja guard commissioned us to locate a Qadira convoy carrying precious cargo. The company was about twelve individuals including yours truly, Osric, the Cupbearer and Gedwyr.

Whilst traversing the dune towards the Windblown Camp, I spoke fondly of your Highness, the Court and Qadira and Gedwyr said something most disgracious that I dare not repeat in defiance to your excellence. I called him out on it, calling him uncouth and he spoke physical threats in return. The upstart barbarian!

When I asked Osric a moment aside and gave keen advice to watch the Dwarf in case of violence. The Dwarf grew deadly afraid at the sight of us speaking with hushed words. As result, he rescinded his aid and instructed others, with success, to do the same and defy you, your Court and your Father the Maharajah.

You know my talent for diplomacy but it is impossible to reason with arbitrary and irrational barbarians, we should be glad my testing of the man exposed his corrupted nature before he was able to cause real harm.


I have the honour to be, Sir, Your Majesty's humble and obedient servant,

High Merchant Nathaniel Blackvale

[The journal of Nathaniel lays privately hidden.]



NATHANIEL BLACKVALE

This book exists for me to process my thoughts. I feel clarity after I've written my thoughts, they become easier to memorise. Furthermore, it is a great way to process my emotions. I don't reckon I'll have many earnest friends in this path I've set foot on. Even if I felt I did, I'm convinced they'd fall victim to lures and spill all my beans. So I've none to count on and none to speak my genuine thoughts to.

Ephia's Well is a viper nest. It lacks the larger than life figures I've met in the wastes and in the other cities I've (briefly) visited. These are killers, hardened politicians, snakes. The Prince of Qadira appears not the same, he's driven by emotion and ambition. I'm not saying it's the best course to make it across the sea, but I am saying it makes for a far more entertaining life. He has a soul. I don't know if I could say the same for most others. Still, it's early, perhaps too early, for me to judge Ephians so. But first impressions stick a while.

What I find most odd is my ability to remain this harmonious despite my most sudden entrance onto the political landscape and being given a prestigious title as ''High Merchant''. Even the Vizier of Ephia's Well addressed me as thus, obviously to please the Prince and not I, but still... Not. Too. Shabby.

SIEGFRIED WOLFHARD

In my homeland of golden hills and verdant grasslands with pine trees scattered throughout I was a LEGEND.
Every village maiden knew the name Wolfhard. As did every Noble across the Kingdoms. I have dreamt of my homeland many times and I know this to be true.

My impeccable combat prowess, charming moustache, swift steps through the sands...
Sharp and pointy rapier, one hand on my back, focused eyes...
The predator's look at my opponent...
A confident inspiring wink at my closest ally... the hopeful tear that flows from their eye...

There is nothing I can do wrong.

This desolate wasteland I have awakened in...
They ask of the Wolfhard, are you ready?

I ask thee.

Are you?

Please bring back the Fencing fighting style because it is perfect for the Fencer class

DIO, SOLDIER

You gave me the order to keep my eyes peeled for new arrivals.
Here's today's report on suspicious individuals:

OSRICK LOCKE, OLD

Old man that still knows how to fight. Should be a hunchback by his age. Strength seems unnatural. Pretty sure he's using a carriage load of narcotics to achieve his feats.

ISKANDAR, SCREAMING

Some Agaslakku worshipping bard that sings about violence. However I personally witnessed him get taken down by a couple of small snakes. Deliberately sabotaging Agaslakku's reputation. Haven't figured out a motive.

TRISTAN AVORRA, NEW

Some run of the mill fighter. He is so unnoticable and bland that it became noticeable. Possibly an agent of foreign government or Djinn courts.

PEPPEROTE, DRUNK

A Halfling jester, drunk during battle. Behaves like a Gnome. Very annoying. We must be wary she doesn't disturb any public ceremonies.


Signed,

SIEGFRIED, SCARAB

Qadira. Soon as possible. Main tavern.

B.

[A very simple, perhaps common, paper lays on the floor at the Creep.]

Muscle for hire. Beat them up, kill them, rob them. You pay, I act.
No friend of Janissaries. No friend of friends of Janissaries.

Ask around for Brutus.

It's a joy to expand one's hunting grounds to where prey concentrates. Hells, I used to have to watch groups of nomads for days to see if they even had anything to take.

But now, ha! Ephia's Well! Bloody treasure hoard. Unarmored lambs walking around feeling perfectly protected. They're only one strike away from me pillaging their belonings, paradise.

Were it not for those Janissaries! Decent soldiers, got to play it smart. But knowing myself they'll probably piss me off and get me into a mad rush.

I'll die before I waste life away with menial labor though. It is what it is, Agaslakku provides

Dear Rocco d'Est,

I would like to speak with you on matters of faith.

Student Martyn Ashguard
Follower of Sage Vittoria

I feel like the rank names do not represent what the characters actually do.

Balladeer: a person who sings ballads. Many aren't Bards.
Lyrist: a person who writes words for songs. Most don't write songs.

As far as I understand the faction concept is broader than just the arts. I think many players prefer to play martial knights and act like nobility of the old world and represent the behavior and morals of the old world.

I'm a balladeer but I don't write ballads.
I'm a lyrist but I don't write songs.

Priestess Sofia d'Andrea,

you claim I was present to witness an exchange of threats to your life within the Krak des Roses.
I write you to inform you I wasn't anywhere near such an event.

Martyn Ashguard

Ronald,

Gratitude for your kind reaching out to us.

The alchemy thing, is taken care of and I needn't your gracious help with.

Your problem however, we're elated to help you with.

Summon us with the words "I need my friend, to fix my broken lute".

Find us by sitting down in the Creep, the large general area.
You'll be contacted whilst you wait there.

the Black Broker

Ho Jerrod Felch,

It is Harold Harkin writing you.
We barely know each other. But we both spend an awful lot of time in the Creep.

I'm not hanging around the Creep as a champion of the people.
I'm a bridge between worlds. I negotiate and broke make deals.

Now, I hear you are after somebody's hide, so to speak.
But that somebody's important to me businesswise.

And though we haven't really any had much to do with each other...
It'd be great if we could meet and talk about this problem.

Conversation can solve a lot!

Chraub,

'tis Harold writing ye.

Ye have that faroff camp in the middle of what I'd call the valley of death and destruction.

Was wonderin if a businessman like myself can fetch ye stuff ye want for some dinar thrown my way.

Write me up a list or whatever that you'd like me aquire and sell to ye.
OK?

Gaston Fournier,

your paintings were seen by I as I walked the College of Balladeers.
I may not look it, but I am an art lover and I want to have my portrait done by you.

I don't need it to be realistic, feel free to go creative or whatever you like.

Pay you a thousand, sound good?

HAROLD HARKIN

Jerrod Felch,

I've got a shaman mask for sale for those with a contemptable heart.
No offense of course.

It's grandious in it's power.
Know anybody that'd want that, like perhaps yourself?

- Black Broker