Commoner John

[Sliver]

It is the beginning of spring, and it is as fine a day as ever in the city of Mohora. The skies are clear and the sun is lazily climbing towards the top of the sky at these late morning hours.

John heard a bit of Mohora's foul nature, but perhaps it was the place that would present the opportunity he needed. Besides, the ride was kinda free.

Cae, a nice elven woman that offered John a ride in her cart in exchange for his aid in unpacking her goods, smiled softly to John as they reached their destination, a small general store named Marnirn's Gathering owned by her husband, Fallon Marnirn.

On their ride, John noticed Cae had a horrible sense of hearing and a bad case of eye twitching, but Cae simply said it was some bad experience while she was serving with the guard and didn't like to tell anything more.

A few kids quickly gather around the cart and Cae selects a few. They climb up the back of the cart as the others leave and are ready to hand over the sacks and boxes.

[Umbranar]

Alright little fellas, hand a few of those heavy bags over to me Said John as he saw the kids lifting some of them with great effort.

He was glad to have this free ride, he could effort it, but needed all his capital to start business.

Cae, Where do you want these bags?! he shouted back to were Cae was and knew that he probably had to ask again.

[Sliver]

The two kids push a couple of the larger sacks towards the edge of the cart for John to take, while Cae approaches the cart as well and picks up a couple of boxes full of apples, stacked on each other, with ease.

"Follow me, inside." She says as she approaches the store's door, shoving it open with her shoulder.

As you follow her inside, the weight of the sacks is beginning to burden you, while Cae doesn't seem to mind the weight at all, as you enter into a small shop full of crates and sacks of different food, bottles and kegs full of different liquids, signs with prices and the content of the container are posted next to everything.

A woman is picking through the fruit and throwing it into her basket, while a boy, probably her son, sits on top of a sack of wheat, waiting for her to finish.

An elven man stands up as you enter, letting Cae put down the boxes before giving her a hug. "I was worried I'd have to make lunch today!" He says with a laugh.

He lets you place the sacks next to the boxes before holding out his hand. "Thanks for aiding my wife. I'm Fallon, and you are?" He grins widely.

[Umbranar]

John shakes the hand. Name`s John, John Harrow Travelling Merchant. Though I`m still working on getting started for real sais John smiling.

A favor for a favor right? Anyway I should probably be going, don`t want to consume all your precious time. Can you recommend me an Inn to stay for a couple of days till I have found myself a permanent place to stay?

[Sliver]

"I have a better idea." Says Fallon with a smile. "How about you help us finish unpacking the goods, and then you can stay with us for a day or two? Cae is making lunch soon, no problem if it will be bigger than usual."

[Umbranar]

This is exactly what John intended with his question, its a bit shameful to admit but he like to manipulate others in this way. Anyway this would buy him some time to sell some of his goods and find a permanent place to rend.

That is very kind of you Fallon thank you. Lets unload and unpack and earn our lunches.

John moves out to finish the job.

[Sliver]

As John leaves into the street, he notices a few of the kids from earlier rushing off away from the cart into a side alley, while the couple of kids on the cart don't seem to have noticed anything.

Cae follows behind you, but hasn't seem to notice what is going on, while Fallon stays behind to deal with the customer.

[Umbranar]

John ponders about what happened for a short while.

Guess a sense motive is in order? [roll0]

[Sliver]

You notice that the kids on the cart seem a bit worried, or perhaps stressed, about something. It's possible they only pretend to have not seen the other kids.

[Umbranar]

John walks up to the kids on the cart and stares from up close to the one that seems the most nervous to make him/her even more nervous.

After about half a minute (or until the child responds) of staring John speaks to him with a friendly smile on his face: What was that about?

[Sliver]

The kids start to sweat under your glare, and share a frightened look when you finally ask your question, but before they can say a word, you feel Cae's hand on your shoulder.

"Now there, I'm sure whatever you saw was nothing. Probably just your imagination playing up. Right, kids?" She smiles kindly at them, and as you turn back to look at them, they seem confused at first, but silently nod.

[Umbranar]

John looks at Cae, hes pretty blown away by her kindness then shakes it head.
My guts tell me something is going on, but their not my good. Still if there is anything I need to know and you wish to talk about it, young man, you know where to find me.

John continues unpacking but asks Cae: You know all these kids? You seem to trust them with your cargo.

[Sliver]

Cae shakes her head. "It is hard to know all these kids, they are too many. But in the end, they are the same. I don't carry any valuable goods, and they never take more than a single sack, which the sales cover, so it's really not a problem. They do it because they have to. Feeding their family, a real one or each other, is something they have to do." She sighs as she gently sets a couple of crates on the floor, the customer leaves along with her son.

"We have plenty of years ahead of us, but these kids... They could meet their end any day. Who knows if they'll starve, or get killed by an angry merchant, or under a horse... Turning a blind eye to their actions today, perhaps gives them a little hope. Perhaps I won't see them tomorrow grown up and in jail, but at the laborer's market, looking for work." And she goes outside to take in more sacks.

[Umbranar]

John nods and after unloading the rest he sais: Maybe we can help them one day with shelter and food. It`s not within my power or budget now but maybe in the future.

[Sliver]

Cae smiles as you finish unloading and head back outside. "Yes, it would be wonderful, someday..."

She turns to the kids, who climb down from the cart. "Thank you for your help today." She says with a smile and hands them two copper coins, one for each, before waving them off to run away. They say thank you and run off into the same alley the other kids before went into.

"Would you like to escort me while I take in the horses?" She asks. "Of course, perhaps you'd want to talk with Fallon instead. He is a good business man." She offers as she climbs into the cart.

[Umbranar]

There`ll be plenty of time to talk to him when we get back, can`t have a lady travelling through the streets alone, can we now? John responds with a smile.

[Sliver]

Cae laughs as takes the rains and leads the horses down the street towards the district's stables. "I can handle myself pretty well. Probably better than a feeble merchant..." She winks. "But it's for the best. Fallon is a great merchant, could have gotten you to agree to something horrible!"

[Umbranar]

john smiles at the comment and gets on the cart. We will see what he has in mind, hope it can boost my own goal to owning a shop one day.

[Sliver]

Cae laughs as she drives the cart. "I'm sure you'll agree on something." You reach the stables and a young man climbs up the cart to lead it to it's place before putting away the horses. Cae pays him 4 copper coins before turning to you. "Let's head back, shall we?"

[Umbranar]

John nods at the suggestion of going back, while wandering what Fallon could offer him. He should earn some money and buy a flute, he felt sad about not having one with him. Atleast he was at his destination now and could start setting up shop.

[Sliver]

It takes a few minutes to return, while Cae hums an unfamiliar tune to herself.

You enter the shop and see Fallon organizing through the products, organizing everything. He smiles to the both of you as you enter.

"I'll go prepare the meal." Says Cae as she walks to the back room.

Fallon nods to her as she leaves and turns to you. "Would you like to help sort through all that?" He asks you as he continues to work.

[Umbranar]

John tries to memorize the tune so he might play it one day when he gets his hand on a proper flute.

When they return and Fallon asks for help, John nods and starts to sort things out: So, Cae said that I might wanted to talk to you about business.

[Sliver]

Fallon smiles, "Ah, did she now? Well, sure. Why not?" He puts away a few crates. "What is your business in the city, what do you hope to get? Do you have any skills, or anything to offer?"

[Umbranar]

John keeps on moving crates and sacks while talking, clearly not used to heavy lifting. I know my way around a shop, negotiation. Also learned basic flute play but that`s not something Im currently aiming for. My goal is to earn my money trading, maybe own a shop or inn some day.

[Sliver]

Fallon nods. "Well, I could offer you a job around shop, but business isn't doing that good that I need the help, or can pay it. On the other hand, I need to keep watch of the shop and Cae isn't that good with the folks. Would you like to handle suppliers? We have a spare room and we'll feed you, you'll get paid for the work you do and you'll build a name for yourself in the meanwhile. How about it? You get the goods and I sell them."

[Umbranar]

This was indeed great news, John could now forge a network of suppliers and have shelter for the time being.

John smiles and puts out his hand: Deal!

[Sliver]

Fallon smiles back and shakes John's hand.

Cae returns, "lunch is served." She says and returns back to the back room, Fallon falling in behind to help set up the table.

Cae brings out a few plates and Fallon joins in with the food. They place it all on a table by the side of the room and sit down. "Come, lets eat." Smiles Cae to you.

There is Gut Warmer stew, Pan and Egg, some hard cheese, butter, beef, pickled eel, flattop mushrooms, meat grass salad and Nordlar mead.

[Umbranar]

John laughs as he sees the meal that is served.

Been a while since I had a meal like this, if every day will be like this, ill make sure to stay for a while.

[Sliver]

Fallon laughs as Cae smiles. "Thank you," she says "you are welcome to stay as long as needed."

And both of them sit, beginning to dine and chat along you.

(Unless you want to talk to them about something, you can fastforward as you wish)

[Umbranar]

(fast forward is fine)

[Sliver]

What would John do after lunch is finished?

Cae goes to clean the dishes and Fallon returns to serving customers. He doesn't push you to do business right away and leaves it up to you.

[Umbranar]

After dinner, John waits for Fallon till he has no customers and then goes to him.

So, any work I can start with?

[Sliver]

Fallon thinks for a moment. "Well, how about you get us some supplier of breads? The staple of every meal, and some merchants bring with them some high quality of bread, most of it even exported. Always demand for bread..."

[Umbranar]

Sure where can i find him?

[Sliver]

"Ah... Well, I'm not really sure where exactly. Most likely one of the stands in the market would be directly owned by a merchant that would rather just bring it in and let us handle the distribution." Fallon says.

[Umbranar]

John thinks for a moment.
I think I negotiate a sweet deal, how much are you planning to store?

[Sliver]

"Well, it is best that you find one who could offer daily import of bread, to keep it fresh. While some breads can go a long way, most who trade those would probably transport it with some form of magic. Twenty loafs per type would be optimal, I'd say."

[Umbranar]

John smiled, a big deal right away.

You can count on me.

With that John leaves for the market.

[Sliver]

Ah, the market. So many people, so many trades, bargains. John scouted through the different stalls, examining the traders.

Some sold meat, some furs. There were fabrics, fruits and vegetables. A jewelry trader even. And there it was, a man trading a large variety of bread along with other foods.