Merchant

Merchants are the lifeblood of trade, and can be found anywhere from hawking goods in local marketplaces, to having their own stores selling artisan wares. Merchants typically belong to a Merchant's Guild, and pay a yearly sum to register for protection by local law enforcement, though this varies by province. Merchants buy, sell, and trade wares of all sorts, knowing not just the price of everything but how to haggle that price up or down at will.

**Skill Proficiency:** Investigation.

**Additional Equipment:** An abacus, a quill and ink pot, an empty inventory record, fine clothes.

**Appraisal**

Upon spending an hour examining a subject, and succeeding on a medium-DC Intelligence (Investigation) check, you can accurately appraise the value of a particular item or good such as art, or a natural resource. If you do so within a settlement, you can also find the most profitable location to sell the item or goods.

## Rank 1 - Clerk

You work as a bookkeeper for a local merchant. You keep records of sales and the purchase of new inventory, balance the merchant's ledger, and make sure they are maintaining a modest profit margin. You aspire to become the proprietor of your own store selling rare and desirable items.

**Holdings**

A small back room in a shop, which serves as an office and doubles as your sleeping quarters.

A leather-bound ledger book containing the accounting methods of your mentor and teacher.

**Progression**

Acquire a loan, or save up funds, and find a suitable shop or storefront to start your own business.

## Rank 2 - Merchant

You have struck out on your own to seek your fortune, opening your own shop in the marketplace. You begin to cultivate a reputation as a keen appraiser, providing fair prices to customers both buying and selling. You balance the books yourself, taking care to ensure that you do not fall into debt through risky investments.

**Holdings**

A quaint store or shop front, in which you sell your specialised goods.

A clerk who maintains your store and runs it on a day-to-day basis in your absence.

**Progression**

Own and maintain multiple successful businesses simultaneously.

## Rank 3 - Magnate

You have become a business mogul, opening a chain of successful stores. You are wise or exceptionally lucky in your investments, and your risks have proven profitable, while maintaining an amicable relationship with both customers and fellow Merchants. Your fortune is more secure now that it comes from several different kinds of businesses.

**Holdings**

A series of successful businesses spanning multiple industries, and a network of suppliers.

A senior position in the regional Merchant's Guild, including networks and guild benefits.

Teams of skilled and unskilled hirelings who work to keep the day-to-day operations of your businesses running smoothly.

**Progression**

Defeat you largest competitor by driving them out of business, buying them out, or merging your businesses.

## Rank 4- Guild Chancellor

You have been appointed Guild Chancellor of your Merchant's Guild. You oversee the membership of new merchants, approve regulation prices and supply, and provide protection for caravans, goods, and stockpiles for guild members under your chancellorship.

**Holdings**

A Trade Certificate signed by your Monarch, granting you an exclusive right to sell certain specialist goods in your area.

No other businesses within may trade in this commodity without your consent.

Complete control of the regional Merchant Guild you originally joined.

A trade empire containing many businesses and subsidiaries, each serving your interests.

Common Folk

* Villager
* Entertainer

Other Advanced Backgrounds