Getting Started
			So you've decided to join the Traders Guild? Well, first things first, you'll want to train those stats. Head for the local bank. If you dont know the way DIR BANK will show the way. Deposit all your coins and then use the DIR command to find the stat trainers. I suggest training all stats to 10 and then things depend on if you want to hunt or not. My personal preference is to train str and stamina to 12 if you hunt, and then with whatever TDPs you have left, train charisma to 12, and then disc, wis and int. If you're lucky enough to do this and have spare TDPs, put them in charisma. If you dont plan to hunt beyond what you need to circle, then Id skip training strength and stamina and follow the rest. Though you might want to train disc, int and wis to 13 instead of 12.
	Now that you've got your stats trained you need to find the local Guildhall and visit the guildmaster. Ask him or her about the guild and they will ask if you'd like to join. Once in the guild they will teach you a bit and you'll have a few ranks in the basic skills needed to be a trader. They will also tell you how to get your LEDGER. Follow thier instructions and get your ledger. NEVER LOSE YOUR LEDGER! It is your most valuable possession. It contains all the information on your contracts completed, contracts pending, caravan and pack animal rentals, fees you owe and important notes on trading. Now it's time to visit the bank again. Withdraw all those coins you deposited and find the town armor and weapon shops. I suggest using a medium and/or light edged blade and a sling for weapons, and an inexpensive set of leather armor. If you're in Crossing you might ask someone for the shortsword and shield from a goblin they kill to save a few coins.
		Now its time to start your new career. I suggest holding off on doing contracts at first. I didnt run any till 4th circle and didnt need to in order to gain trading skill. Asking around, and from personal experience, the best way to get those first trading ranks is just outside a gate. In Crossing, find the chef in the Inn and he'll give you a carving knife. Take that and go outside the NE gate. Holding the knife in one hand and nothing in the other, forage large branch. When you find one, appraise my branch, then carve my branch with my knife, and appraise my cane. Now you take the cane to the pawnshop and sell it. You've just gained experience in foraging, appraisal, mech lore, and trading. The same thing works for Haven, except you might ask someone for a knife from a goblin, and then forage outside the north gate. Another option is to just forage the branch in Crossing and sell it to Mags at the bazaar, or forage georin grass at Haven and sell it to Maisie, but those ways you dont work Mechlore or appraisal. To work your armor and evasion skills you need to find the local rats. I suggest wearing your armor, holding a shield and wielding a weapon and then find the local rats. Shipyard in Crossing and Saltyard in Haven. Set your stance to 100 evasion 40 shield and 40 parry. You wont even have to kill one. Find a spot with a rat and let it attack you. It will work your weapon, armor, parry, evasion and shield skills. Ive never heard of anyone being killed by a rat, unless they forget to keep the weapon in the right hand and shield in the left. As a bonus, if you do kill one, and you dont have more on you, take time to try to skin the rat and then you can sell the skin for a few coins and a bit of trading experience too. In Haven be careful of crabs. They are much harder then rats and can easily kill a young trader.
		Now all you need is teaching and hiding experience. At low circles the easiest way to earn these are to find the empaths and sit in a class. While they teach you, hide, forage and appraise your items.
	This should get you started on your career as a profitable trader.