Merchant Shops

[Lavi]

I'm trying to get to grips with the Merchant Shop rules. Making money from them seems very dependant on having higher Charisma types spending money there. What is the benefit to the higher ranked PC to do so? If it is so tricky to earn a decent income from shops, why do it?

[Afur]

As per the Toady table they gain 1 CP as long as they are not more than 3 Cha above.

Options for earning money are limited. Loot is the biggest risk/reward.

[Erinestra]

Correct. I have gone down the shop route because I always play an Issaries merchant in Runequest Sadly I don't think that's the way to "win" this particular game but it's entertaining trying to puzzle it out. Absolutely nobody has spent money at my shop (as far as I can tell) so don't expect to earn much CP that way. Also unless you spend all your time minding the shop it generally just throws off a small amount of surplus, so not exactly a great way to earn money either. I'm not complaining, I've enjoyed myself so far, but this is a game about duelling and warfare, if you play it differently expect it to be hard work!

[Puckohue]

Absolutely nobody has spent money at my shop

That's not true.

[Erinestra]

Absolutely nobody has spent money at my shop

That's not true.

Ah! In that case I am blissfully unaware of who has, what a terrible shopkeeper I am! I'll have to go away and find out who did so I can fawn over them annoyingly...

That would also explain the 2CP I enred from the shop! was wondering about that.

[Puckohue]

unaware of who has

Maybe that should be public?

[Torben]

Correct. I have gone down the shop route because I always play an Issaries merchant in Runequest Sadly I don't think that's the way to "win" this particular game but it's entertaining trying to puzzle it out. Absolutely nobody has spent money at my shop (as far as I can tell) so don't expect to earn much CP that way. Also unless you spend all your time minding the shop it generally just throws off a small amount of surplus, so not exactly a great way to earn money either. I'm not complaining, I've enjoyed myself so far, but this is a game about duelling and warfare, if you play it differently expect it to be hard work!

Hey I spent money at your shop last month, lots of it in fact!! I got some new clothes, a super hat and a fake beard....if you hadn't noticed maybe I shouldn't have paid..doh!

[Erinestra]

unaware of who has

Maybe that should be public?

That would be good! I actually want to try and do nice things back to anyone who does!

[Erinestra]

Correct. I have gone down the shop route because I always play an Issaries merchant in Runequest Sadly I don't think that's the way to "win" this particular game but it's entertaining trying to puzzle it out. Absolutely nobody has spent money at my shop (as far as I can tell) so don't expect to earn much CP that way. Also unless you spend all your time minding the shop it generally just throws off a small amount of surplus, so not exactly a great way to earn money either. I'm not complaining, I've enjoyed myself so far, but this is a game about duelling and warfare, if you play it differently expect it to be hard work!

Hey I spent money at your shop last month, lots of it in fact!! I got some new clothes, a super hat and a fake beard....if you hadn't noticed maybe I shouldn't have paid..doh!

I have reprimanded my shop assistant who will now keep careful note of who spends money at the shop and we are looking into a suitable reward scheme! In the meantime would Broar be interested in attending a party?

[grumbold99]

Grumbold has been urged by his mother to be a good Locaem boy, venture to Boldhome and join the cult of Issaries and open a shop, like generations of his ancestors before him. Particuarly considering it looks like a strong gust of wind could blow him over, so earning fame and fortune at the frontier seems unlikely.

He notes that while shops are inherently unprofitable if nobody spends any money in them, a curious thing happens if the shopkeepers nip round the corner to buy trinkets and comestibles from one another. The natural flow of currency seems to almost miraculously generate profits for everyone involved.

Consider our esteemed Treasurer, Goldgotti. His huge wealth doubtlessly derives from being the head of his enormous extended family, all proud shopheepers.