"What would you like to do? If you tell me, maybe I can find a way to provide sufficient trust."
"What we want is to know what moves through Patras, and to Thessalonika, and to Constantinople. To know what we will be up against as we take Greece back from the Latin interlopers."
"And, if I understand properly, you propose to invest in my trading so that I can better gather this information for you. Of course, you would also be entitled to a proper return on your investment. Your concern then is confidence that I will not run off with your funds, and that I will give you accurate information. I presume that you want to start this soon."
"Can you spare a soldier, and would he be willing to be seen to work as a bodyguard? If so, I could proceed to Thessalonica to gain information, and also to seek out contacts to establish more trade with the west (particularly into the Frankish territories). I would come back here, and you would provide funds, and your representative. He would come with me to Patras. There, he would be able to observe what I am doing, and also serve as additional ears for you in places I probably could not visit. We would establish some means, such as via other ships that go regularly between Patras and Athens, for me to send you reports on the business and what I learn. If there are matters you want me to look for more closely, you have but to let me know in reply."
"I believe this would work. I will choose someone to accompany you, and you may resume your journey in the morning." You are escorted back to your tent though this time the guard seems much more friendly. You also realize hat once you are left at your tent there is no guard at the entrance.
I get some rest (it having been a rather LONG night) and in the morning try to get some breakfast, and get some information.
I need to determine which way to Thessalonica, and how to get back here afterwards.
Once I have that, I will head on my way.
In the morning when you show up for breakfast you are assigned a personal bodyguard who speaks fluent Romaic Greek, French, Itallian, Lingua Franca, and low German. He also knows the route to Thessalonica, and you manage to arrive within a few days with his help in guidance.
I will make sure to keep him with me, except if he chooses to go somewhere else.
In Thessalonica, I will be:
- looking at the goods for sale
-- Looking if there is anything small I can buy for my wife
-- Looking if there is anything small I can resell at a profit back home - Talking to folks to learn the rules of the fair. Who can sell? Where can they set up? How do they get permits?
- Looking for contacts from Genoa or Southern France who I might be able to work with to exchange goods (Genoa particularly since they like to cut out Venice when they can.)
- Listening for word on the availability of goods from the silk road. (I presume it has been uneven for the last 15 or so years)
In terms of good for sale you find plenty, from trivial baubles to works of art from Eastern lands, including a few expensive robes of silk. What would sell back in Patras would be a bit of a gamble, depending on things such as who else might be shipping what to Patras from here, and how well the markets in Patras fair during the harvest this year.
Rumors are hard to come by, and vary tremendously. One place you here the silk road is recovering, another you hear tales of nomad attacks disrupting trade on the road. Many people seem to know someone with a special connection though...
As you track down rumors you find a woman who sells cheeses that are quite exceptional, certainly worth bringing back, though you wonder if your wife will be truly gratefull for you bringing back foodstuffs over clothing or jewelry, or perhaps a tapestry... you also note that while she has several customers who are enthusiastic about her product there are many others who walk by showing signs of some unspoken animus.
In terms of setting up for the fair, most whom you approach give you a sly smile or wink, but have more questions about what you would sell than answers about how you would establish a booth.
I definitely want to talk to the woman about her cheeses. I want to find out where she is from, and more about the cheese. It may be a good thing to import more frequently.
I will buy a nice shawl for my wife.
I will also look for the town officials, as they should be more willing to discuss the fair procedures.
The woman was born in Thessalonika, and learned cheesemaking from her father, who not having a son has passed the business on to her. Last year when she turned 16 she began to have young men call upon her, especially sons of other cheesemakers, looking to fill the "necessary position" of her husband. Apparently there were several of them she physically assaulted, others received only a verbal lashing as she made it absolutely clear that she had no plans for marriage at this time, felt she could handle the business on her own, and offered (and continues to offer) her rather unsubtle and unflattering commentary on their parentage.
She has found in recent months that she hasn't been able to get quite the same quality of milk for her cheesemaking, but she makes do quite well, and if they think they can run her out of business with such underhanded, bull headed... she really has quite an extensive vocabulary and from what you have seen in the last couple of months may even have some of the techniques right in calling down faerie curses towards the objects of her disparagement, though clearly they have not been effectual to date.
The city official you get in to see explains in a rather bored tone that you would have to purchase the booth space from an existing merchant and pay a fee equal to 10% of your proceeds from the fair every year you attend.
I thank the lady for the explanation, and buy as much of the cheese as I think I can carry. I will make it clear I am happily married, and not looking for any "favors", and sympathize with her treatment. I will ask if, were she to have a larger source of good milk, she could make more cheese, as I think it would export well. I will also ask her to try to get in touch with me (although I know it may be hard to get a message to Patras) if the supply problems get worse.
(My thinking is either this is something I can arrange to export, or she will get in trouble and maybe I could purchase her booth space.)
After getting the lay of the fair, I and my bodyguard will head back to Patras, by way of my patron.
She has a store in town, not a booth at the fair. The fair is in the fall and you are traveling in summer. She appears to be very interested in buying fresh milk from a new source...
On the way back you are again met by the same general as before, who spends some time talking with your bodyguard before meeting with you. "You will be headed back a different direction, a slight detour to get you to the new ship we have invested in, of curse it will be registered when you get to Patras as being a private vessel you obtained. In addition to the intelligence we require there are some local merchants who have invested in your venture, and will likely invest in some of your ventures as well. Othlios here can introduce you to them, I have explained to him where they live and who they are." He gestures to your bodyguard when he gives you the name Othlios.
You have in essence traded the status of merchant for merchant adventurer and gained the favors flaw to match with it. 6 xp, 18 Labor points, 1 confidence.
Also the following winter the woman from Thessalonika shows up at your door. It would appear that her shop has burned down, she suspects one of her suitors turned spitefull, but the authorities seem to think it was an accident.
Thank you. I will go edit in the virtue / flaw changes.
Is it reasonable to apply the 6xp to Bargain?
5xp to bargain- you are limited to 5xp per ability from adventure experience.
Thanks. Is it reasonable to put the other one towards Folk Ken?
yes
It strikes me that Stavros' plan for Autumn needs to be replaced by getting his new business ventures in order.
It also seems that even though he will use Bargain for labor points, he needs to learn leadership and Profession: Merchant.
I presume that autumn exposure would count towards the profession.
exposure? If he is working again in autumn to develop his new profession then yes, his exposure experience could count towards either of those. It will also give him another 36 labor points, putting his year's total at 54 (36+36+18-36). In terms of cash his new annual revenue is 100 pounds per year, which means that investing cash into labor points will cost 25 pounds for 36 points.
Yes, I was assuming he would need to work in Autumn to get it set up. In terms of labor points, I believe he earns 72 per season (6 * 12, based on 3 communication and 9 bargain), so he would end up with 72+18+72-36 for 126.
This is in part driven by the comments in C&G that when you change status you need to spend time getting your business in shape. Which seems quite reasonable. And I doubt that by patron would appreciate by sitting around waiting until next year to get moving.
I had my link still set to merchant lore instead of bargain, you are correct, which also means the 18 labor points for the adventure should have been 36 labor points, so at the end of the year you will have 144 labor points.
You also need to decide what to do with the cheese maker. Finance a new shop? Set her up with some connections? Recommend she work at the covenant?