A Peddler of Fine Woods
Type: Vendor (Enchanting Materials, Resonance Materials, possible Exotic Flowers, possible Text)
Description
At the end of the fairway are two large wagons with a awning hung between them as a sun shade. A humming buzz can occasionally be heard, along with the smell of freshly cut wood blending into the scents drifting from the food vendors. Upon drawing near one of the wagons can be seen loaded down with boughs and boughs of wood, while the other host a strange contraption of spinning wheel, stone, and saw blade that make up a magical mobile wood workers shop. Under the awning is a comfortable show room, with padded chairs, a thick rug, and a fancy display table.
Background
Many types of wood are a common item used by Magi for enchanting. An issue is that items are required to at least be Superior Quality to be enchanted. Skilled craftsman assisted by a Herbam specialist can grow whole groves of trees that when finished meet this minimum as staffs, rods, and wands. While initially expensive to set up this can provide a decent income stream for a Covenant.
Options include blending multiple woods together, inserting cores of other material with varies S/M bonuses, and customizing them to meet an individual customers desires. With craftsman on site some minor custom finishing work could be done with only a short wait. Large orders for things like Superior Quality planks for a large enchantment are accepted.
Personalities
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Danna (Salesman): A cheerful matronly woman of late middle age, she can not resist mothering everyone. Even Magi a hundred years her senor will often feel like a small child and her their aunt who slips them sweets and generous hugs. Given their generally rough childhood, many Magi actually enjoy her fussing over them a bit. She is married to Emilianus and will play off his rough nature.
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Vandalus Ex Miscellanea (Magus): A Magus wearing a robe and cloak of literal flowers, carrying a staff that appears as if it is still a living tree. A skilled Herbam specialist, Vandalus oversees his Covenant's groves of trees. In addition to the one producing wood for sale, he also manages fruit and nut orchards as well a large swath of flowering plants. While he spends most of the fair out and about, he is available if required. His passion is flowers. Vibrant and beautiful colors, exotic scents, the stranger the better. He will gladly talk shop with any of his Sodales, as well as trade cuttings and seeds. For those who get on his good side he will even offer to sell them. Those who offer him a flower he does not know can gain a friend for life.
[He is a single Art specialist in Herbam, with his other Arts in the 5~10 range. His Herbam should be within 5~10 points of the highest in a given Saga.] -
Emilianus (Wood Worker): Short and gruff, he has little time for others when he should be working. Customers who know what they want might get on his good side, while those he has to hand hold at all will get short shift. A master of wood work, Emilianus performs much of the shaping and finishing with his apprentices. Thanks to a mobile wood shop of enchanted tools, he is able to provide some custom work on site and to fit specific orders.
[Has Craft: Woodworking (Staffs) 8 (11) thanks to Affinity and Puissant. Also has Finesse (Herbam) 5.]
Products, General
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Staffs & Wands: Available are examples made from nearly all the woods in the AM S&M Index. They are available in a large range of shapes, though lack wraps and end caps. There are a few examples made from two or three types of wood blended together, along with a single staff made from a dozen.
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Bows, Spear Hafts & Axe Handles: While not their primary business, there are a few wooden components of weapons available. Their bows are fully finished and of Superior Quality.
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Quality Wood: This is generally where they make the most sales. Orders for a quantity of high quality wood of a specific type and finish. Thanks to their magical tools, they offer things like herringbone patterned wooden planks that are actually one solid piece. If you want to beautify your sanctum or meeting hall, they are one of the best choices for the raw materials.
Products, Special
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Flowering Trees & Plants: Those that get on Vandalus' good side can trade or buy cuttings and seeds from his personal collection of flowering plants. Generally they should have unusual colors and strong pleasant scents. For those who want something he doesn't grow, he knows many other Magi who might have what they are looking for.
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Tractatus: While of only average skill as a writer, Vandalus has written several volumes on Herbam. His works mainly discuss growing flowers. While not having any copies at the fair, he will offer to sell or trade them with those he befriends if they will take delivery later.