This spell allows the mage to summon a being known as the Trade Baron. This ritual requires 50 sp worth of ritual components to perform. It takes 30 minutes to cast and costs 10 spell points.
If cast successfully, the Trade Baron will appear. More accurately, a door will appear through which can be found the Trade Baron's well guarded shop.
The group can enter the shop and arrange to purchase items from, or sell items to, the Trade Baron. In general, mundane items can be purchased for twice the normal cost. The Trade Baron will not barter for such items. Items can be sold for one third their listed value if they are in good condition. Magic items may also be available but the Trade Baron will usually want both magic items and coins in return except for the most basic of magic items (e.g., +1 weapons or armor). He may also accept coins only if he is convinced the group has no magic items available for trade.
Note that there may be places where the Trade Baron cannot be summoned, at the GM's discretion.
The base chance of casting this ritual successfully is 1%, plus normal MA bonus, +5% per rank.
Note that the Trade Baron owns an artifact known as Oterrud's Compact (q.v.) he charges 10 pp for each use of the compact.
A grandiose archway appears that holds a door. The archway is formed of platinum and marble and the door appears to be solid gold. Delana looks at it and then looks at the group. Then she shrugs and steps up to the door and opens it.
Inside is a very large well lit shop. The walls, floor and ceiling are all striated marble of various colorings. Massive windows are set into all four walls overlooking natural scenes of beauty. Through the north windows can be seen snow-covered mountains. Through the south windows, which flank the entry door, are scenes of vibrant summer plains. The east windows look out over a spring valley blooming with natural wildflowers while scenes of vibrant autumn colors in a deciduous forest can be seen through the west windows. The vaulted ceiling, high overhead, is supported by numerous marble columns, each intricately carved with various statuary of legendary monsters.
Flanking the entrance, just inside the door, are a pair of 20 foot tall giants garbed in plate armor. They stand as motionless as statues creating doubt as to whether they are real or not. Scattered about the floor of the large store are tables of marble and glass displaying all manner of wares. No table appears crowded and all of the items appear to be of fine craftsmanship. Other items hang on walls in a thoughtful manner that does not detract from the tasteful decorum of the shop.
Standing twenty feet in front of the door is a man wearing a red turban and a handlebar moustache. He is a bit portly and wears a striped silk shirt, gold bloomers and black boots. A slim sword hangs at his side.
"Welcome!" he says effusively looking quite jolly. "You may browse my shop or ask for what you desire. My prices are clearly indicated and all of my prices are firm. You can choose to buy at the price I offer or forsake my wares. If you have high quality items or magic for sale, I will similarly offer you my price and you can accept or decline."
Delana is very curious and asks what magic items he has for sale. She learns that he has many items and, if what is desired is anything more complicated than a simple magical weapons, armor or shield, you must ask for what you desire. Some items can be produced immediately. Other items may not be immediately available but if you let your desires be known, a specific item may become available at a later time.
GM: As some of the group begins browsing, they see all manner of normal items all for double the cost listed in the equipment list. Each item can be considered to be of fine quality. Interestingly, only one of each item can be seen except in cases where more than one is normal. For example, one table has only a single bucket for sale. Another table has a hammer and a dozen spikes for sale because spikes are normally purchased in quantities greater than one.
Female characters see only female clothing offered while male characters see male clothing but no female clothing. Dwarves do not see any clothing that would fit anyone other than a dwarf.
At the back of the store, the group sees a dias on which stands a coffer. The coffer is made of etched wood and stands three feet long by a foot and a half wide. It is only six inches high. |