Pearl (merchant)

Pearl was a self-important merchant who belonged to one of the "great trading houses" of the city of Quon. Pearl was a very tiny woman who spoke in a voice that sounded like that of an ancient crone. However, Pearl was actually a young woman whose voice had been "smoke-roughened" by her constant smoking of a long-stemmed pipe - which was usually firmly clamped in her mouth. Her personality was characterized by unbridled arrogance and - probably like the vast majority of the merchants of Quon - Pearl thought that "everyone had a price".Kellanved's Reach, Chapter 8, US TPB p.131-132
==In Kellanved's Reach==
The merchants of Quon, lulled by an alliance between themselves and the twin city of Tali, had allowed Quon's northern wall - which abutted the waterfront and warehouses districts - to have been essentially dismantled for the stone to construct their large private family estates. Thus, their enemy of Nom Purge was able to take advantage of this weakness.Kellanved's Reach, Chapter 8, US TPB p.130-131
Orjin Samarr, the leader of the Purge troops, which easily entered the city - waiting to see what the response of the merchants of Quon would be - eventually saw three enclosed, "canopied palanquins" approaching. The palanquins were carried by bearers and preceded by "elite personal bodyguards". Pearl was the occupant of the first palanquin and the other two palanquins were occupied by her fellow merchants, Imogan and Carlat. Pearl was vastly upset because Orjin told the three merchants to approach on foot and to leave all their attendants behind. The trio having reluctantly followed these orders, Pearl - as spokeswoman - addressed Orjin and told him that they were the "elected representatives of the great trading houses of Quon". After introducing herself and her two companions, Pearl then told Orjin, "Now we must discuss your price". This facile assumption that he could be bought off by "coin", deeply insulted Orjin and seemingly led him to order his troops to burn down all of the Quon warehouses. Pearl, horrified by this, threatened the Nom Purge forces with dire consequences, telling them that, "You will all be dead within the month".Kellanved's Reach, Chapter 8, US TPB p.131-133
==Notes and references==
Category:Females
Category:Merchants
Category:Quon Talians