Opinions of the Merchants Guild

A Report by Elena Dessini

<*>-<*>-<*>-<*>-<*>-<*>-<*>-<*>-<*>-<*>-<*>-<*>-<*>-<*>-<*> As part of my work to learn more of our guild, and indeed of the others in the city, I was asked to write a piece on the varying opinions of our guild. Being me, I decided to go for the questions everyone wants to answer but never get asked. I met with members of the Rogues, the Fighters, the Mages. While they agreed on some things, many of them appreciated different services that the merchants offer. For example, weapon repair and forging is useful to a fighter, while not to a mage. Some may find my questions rather blunt. But to gain a true insight into what I wish to join, they had to be asked. The answers follow in a question and answer style here, and are subsequently summarised and considered. <*>-<*>-<*>-<*>-<*>-<*>-<*>-<*>-<*>-<*>-<*>-<*>-<*>-<*>-<*>

Elena: How do you believe the merchants benefit the city of Gahlen?

- Rogue: "I think that the merchants benefit the city by supplying our foods, and services. They certainly make our lives more convenient and easier."

- Mage: "Wells, thee caravans be a wonderful ways fer us folks to makes our coin and fills our bellies. I's dunna use theys armours and weapons, so I's dunna speaks on that."

- Fighter: "Well, I believe that they provide much of the food that the citizens eat and even give away, they also make some of the weaponry and repair other items. They benifit the land in so many ways, too many to describe. I personally dont know what we would do without the merchants.I also believe that merchants are under appreciated sadly. They work very hard doing what they do, and are rarely paid well enough or thanked enough."

- Druid: "I think that they do well as most will come to them for weapons and such."

- Dahkoar: "They provide food and clothing, and some of the weapons and armor"

- Waylumi: "Well it serves Stone Walls in a couple of ways. I see that it would serve his Grace for his army and guards need tae have armor and weapons. So it be a loyal service. It aids the citizens by setting the economy and regulating supply and demand tae maintain balance of service and price."

Weapons and food are obviously the most well known trades. Noticeably, everyone seems to have forgotten about the shipyards that await completion. <*>-<*>-<*>-<*>-<*>-<*>-<*>-<*>-<*>-<*>-<*>-<*>-<*>-<*>-<*>

Elena: What do you believe is the most useful service offered by the guild?

- Rogue: "Baking."

- Mage: "Me luverly clothing."

- Fighter: "The most valuable service..likely the food that they make for everyone, and the caravans that bring it to town. Without the food that the merchants made then alot of people would starve do to lack of resources in the kingdom."

- Druid: "The ability to keep our weapons and armor in top shape. Without them we would often be found in the midst of battle with a broken weapon. Very bad pose when trying to protect Gahlen."

- Dahkoar: "Their ability to cook"

- Waylumi: "Supplies a coninuous supply of food tae replenish our healing powers, provides armor for our defenders, and raiements for the clergy."

The answers to this question were bound to be varied, as each guild does not necessarily need the same things. But the supply of food seems to be both acknowledged and appreciated. <*>-<*>-<*>-<*>-<*>-<*>-<*>-<*>-<*>-<*>-<*>-<*>-<*>-<*>-<*>

Elena: And how do you feel about the pricing on certain items or services?

- Rogue: "I think prices are outrageous."

Elena: "On what items in particular?"

Rogue: "Mostly on weapons and armor. Any item that has a set mininum fee, and yet can vary in quality depending on the maker. I think it's a policy set to keep the upper merchants getting the sales and leave the lower ones making jewelry and clothes."

- Mage: "When I's was first 'ere, I's thoughts thee prices be outrageous, but nows I's sees immigrants with more costly items then thee veterans of thee city can afford theyselves."

- Fighter: "I would have to say that the weapons and armor that merchants make is not appreciated enough, and would be more so if the prices increased. They work hard to make these powerful weapons, and only charge a meager sum for them"

- Druid: "I believe their prices are a bit low for the quality of their works. This city would be at a loss without the merchants."

- Dahkoar: "I think perhaps the prices on some things are unnecessarily steep, but they are survivable. The cost of clothing, and armors mostly"

- Waylumi: "I have always found the pricing tae be most reasonable considering the demands on a merchant's time by many, many citizens always wishing their items tae hold priority. Nae sure how they all stay sane.."

(Elena chuckles)

(Waylumi chuckles softly.)

Elena: "In Wirevent's case, they don't"

Hmm, mixed opinions here. Obviously some people are more careful with their coins than others. And some seem more appreciative of the time and effort that goes into our services and trades. I personally think our prices are perfectly fair, all things considered. <*>-<*>-<*>-<*>-<*>-<*>-<*>-<*>-<*>-<*>-<*>-<*>-<*>-<*>-<*>

Elena: Does it bother you that the merchants do not take part in the physical defence of the city?

- Rogue: "not particularly"

- Mage: "Nos, I's dunna thinks all folks are suited fer that, nor should theys be expected to be, is a personal choice, methinks."

- Fighter: (shakes his head no) "Not at all. I believe that they better serve the city by providing the food needed when the rest of the city must defend. And weaponry if needed"

- Druid: (shakes her head no) "No, they provide food much of the time and that is a very valuable service in itself."

- Dahkoar: (shakes her head no) "Not all people are born to physically fight. They offer the strengths they do have in other ways, such as providing us with food and equipment"

- Waylumi: "Nae, that would make me a hypocrite for I nae combat at all. Because we nae wield arms means way nae defend. While I tend tae injured they bring me food tae keep me strong and aid the immigrants trapped in the streets get tae safety. Nae tae mention repair all weapons and armor when passes. They defend as surely as a Fighter does."

Unanimous then. No hard feelings at all about the Merchant's not defending Stone Walls. Although, it should be clear, it was mentioned that those who do stand by their friends and try are much appreciated and valued as much as any other. <*>-<*>-<*>-<*>-<*>-<*>-<*>-<*>-<*>-<*>-<*>-<*>-<*>-<*>-<*>

Elena: Finally, do you have a merchant of choice and if so, why them?

- Rogue: "I have two, that I try to use exclusively. Rainne and Fiona."

Elena: "Do you feel they produce work of a higher quality, or are they simply friends?"

Rogue: "They both do high quality work."

- Mage: "Rainne be making most of me clothing, she tailors it fer someone of me size and knows what looks right nice on me, methinks."

- Fighter: "Master Wirevent has been one of my dearest friends since I first came to the city. He has stood at my side and offered me advice and council and I have done likewise for him for as long as I can remember. I would have to say that aside from my oath, he is my very best friend. He has always been very helpful, and courteous to me and everyone else. And i believe that he is over and over, one of the greatest assets this city has."

- Druid: "Aye, I do. Master Merchant be my first choice, Wirevent to others. He hast proven his skills time and time again with his products."

- Dahkoar: "No, I dont"

- Waylumi: "Aie I suppose I do...I tend tae use Fiona almost exclusively. She is polite, always makes me welcome, completed my entire wedding articles quickly and nae once complained of any alteration tae her patterns. She will always be my first choice. She is in all things professional and represents her guild well."

Well, I had to ask! It came to a tie between Rainne, Fiona and Wirevent. Rainne seems to be popular for her tailoring skills, while Fiona's manners and Wirevent's friendly demeanour seem to win over the public. Valuable insights for up and coming apprentices!