| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| Kyrel |
Posted - 16 Dec 2013 : 22:08:55
I could use a bit of assisstance people. In short I could use some help coming up with names for some merchant houses located in Mirabar, and possibly a few lines about them.
I'm running a campaign where I had actually intended for the players to pass through Mirabar, and only get periferally (spelling?) involved in the fighting going on between the different merchant houses in Mirabar, but now it seems that they might actually get deeper involved with that aspect of the story. And that leaves me struggling to come up with some good merchant house names. So if you happen to have any good merchant house names on file from your games, I'd love to hear them.
Thank you in advance.
P.S.
Anyone have any idea about how many such merchant houses there are in Mirabar? |
| 10 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| Kyrel |
Posted - 29 Dec 2013 : 23:12:54
Again, thank you very much Jeremy :-) There's some nice stuff and ideas in this. Much appreciated, and Happy New Year tomorrow.
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| Jeremy Grenemyer |
Posted - 23 Dec 2013 : 05:27:14
quote:
Originally posted by Kyrel
Thank you very much Jeremy :-) Very much appreciated.
You're very welcome.
After I finished the write ups I couldn't quite get them out of my mind, so I went back and added some rumors and information about each merchant house.
The style and tone is a little dark, but I get the sense that Mirabar in the time when you're using it wasn't exactly a place where dwarves were friendly to other dwarves.
Anyway, here you go. Feel free to use or discard as needed.
The House of the Black Anvil
The popularity of anvils from the House of the Black Anvil is such that unscrupulous forgers have taken to placing an anvil stamp on the sides of their products and claiming such are true anvils from Mirabar. This is a falsehood easy to unmask, as those who’re familiar with the Black Anvil know their stamps are set into the base of the anvil so as to connect it with the earth and stone on which it is placed.
That the Five Tankards boldly stamp all their cheap anvils on the base is an open secret, but the House of the Black Anvil has been unable to prove the source of such forgeries in part because the heads of the Five Tankards are from prominent families that wield the sort of influence that cause wise dwarves to look the other way in order to best look after themselves.
The House of Harlondus, Hagglers and Auctioneers
Some claim the Harlondan know more about the bidders at any auction than the bidders themselves, and often bring lost heirlooms to auction that are sure to set one dwarf clan against another. Whether they do this for the sake of causing strife or because of an as yet unrevealed mode of business is anyone’s guess.
The Five Tankards oft procure items for House Harlondus and Harlondan hagglers spread rumors of lost regalia and weapons soon to be put up for auction. Agents from the proud clans sure to claim such items as their property have as yet been unable to steal away such treasures before auction as Harlondan goods are almost always guarded by dwarves from Stalwart House.
Bigfoots
The young dwarves in Harkle’s employ have tried without success to convince him to change the name of his business to something more proper, believing that the “House of Harkle” or the “House of Big Feet” is more fitting than simply “Bigfoots”.
Harkle insists that there’s no point in putting a “House” in front of the name since he’s not retired yet and he doesn’t actually own a place of business, preferring instead to sleep anywhere that’s handy (the closer to the first of the next day’s deliveries the better).
Bigfoot deliverymen operate in a similar manner, making them a target for thieves. The last dwarf to try and rob Harkle (over 50 years ago) had his skull flattened under one of Harkle’s big feet, but the lesser deliverymen are sometimes targets. Any attempt at theft, successful or not, rouses the ire of all the Bigfoots, and they won’t stop looking until the thieves, and any goods they stole, are found.
This task is made easy because Harkle and his Bigfoots are well liked, trusted by many and have contacts throughout Mirabar that can be called upon in times of need.
The Five Tankards Trading Coster
Tis said of The Tankards that they care for drink, commerce to provide coins for more drink, and little else. Some claim The Tankards acquire their goods by less than reputable means, run roughshod over tradition and will do almost anything to acquire that which will bring them riches. Such things one might overhear from them include:
“After he swallows it, will his eyes boil out first or will his fingers fall off?”
“No, ye dolt, that’s really the Crown Prince ye’ve kidnapped. Really.”
“Can ye bring down a castle with it?”
“How soon until yer head explodes?”
“Will she try to slay all in her path or will she be selective?”
“If the King sees it, will it slay him?”
“Will he do my bidding without question or delay?”
“I’ve seen it kill halflings outright, send dwarves into hysterics, turn elves inside out and cause orcs to fornicate on the spot. Feed it to a man next time so we can see what happens.”
The House of Stalwart Dwarves
Duty bound and dependable, Stalwart dwarves are nonetheless a mystery to those who hire them. Taciturn even by dwarven standards, no Stalwart claims parentage or clan in Mirabar, nor links to any other clan in the Savage North. Rumors abound as to where the House of the Stalwarts finds its staff. Some believe they are exiles sent from as far away as the Great Rift, while others whisper that old ways long forgotten have been unwisely resurrected and that someday Mirabar will be overrun by same-faced clanless.
Rivals claim that Stalwart dwarves care only for coin and can be made to turn on those they guard if they are paid double their regular fee. What better way to commit a crime, they say, than by utilizing a dwarf nobody knows and that nobody will miss when he is sent away?
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| Kyrel |
Posted - 20 Dec 2013 : 15:31:35
Thank you very much Jeremy :-) Very much appreciated. |
| Jeremy Grenemyer |
Posted - 20 Dec 2013 : 04:54:03
OK, some custom dwarven merchant house names then.
Here we go:
The House of the Black Anvil
Providers of ironmongery, simple tools and specialists in the creation of custom anvils, said to be blessed by the dwarven gods and made to suit the needs of up and coming forge masters desiring to dominate far flung markets aboveground and below.
The House of Harlondus, Hagglers and Auctioneers
Fast-talking dwarves that bring skill and aplomb to the art of the haggler and not averse to dealing with elves, humans halflings and worse, a Harlondus Haggler will drive a hard bargain and make sure he’s cornered the market before he haggles with you. Harlondus auctioneers know the value of just about everything, can smell a fake before they lay eyes on it, set steep prices and have a reputation for making sure that bidders always pay, one way or another.
Bigfoots
Harkle Brightboulder founded Bigfoots a century ago by literally carrying the weight of his business on his back. Harkle delivered parcels ranging from delicate foodstuffs to full bars of iron without delay, without damage and always with an anxious, ready-to-get-moving-again smile. His beard always grew faster than that of most dwarves, convincing many a beardless dwarfling that the best way to get a beard going was to walk often and everywhere. The fastest of these Harkle hired as deliverymen and the grumpiest he hired out to those in need of someone to light a fire in the beards of dwarves who were not getting important projects or tasks done on time. Harkle’s business is named after his feet, which many believe are as big and wide as they are thanks to the heavy loads he carried and the fact that he never wore boots.
The Five Tankards Trading Coster
The Five Tankards takes its name from a nickname given to the five dwarves who founded the coster, as those dwarves always gathered to eat, swap stories and above all drink from a set of five matched tankards passed down from father to son for several generations. “The Tankards” they came to be known by and in time the five went into business together as brewers and makers of ales, but soon switched to selling all manner of goods, as this left more time for drinking and storytelling.
The House of Stalwart Dwarves
The House of Stalwart Dwarves, otherwise known as Stalwart House or House of the Stalwarts, provides unshakeable, utterly dependable and loyal dwarves that will guard with their lives anything deemed important, provided they are paid in advance. These dwarves know no fear, will not flee from danger and would sooner be overwhelmed than flinch in the face of impossible odds. A Stalwart dwarf does not come cheap, with prices ranging from 50-500gp per day per Stalwart, depending on the length and nature of the duty required. Stalwart House does not accept coins or gems, only trade bars.
Hope this helps. 
(If you need anything fleshed out further [names, enemies, who’s feuding with whom, etc.] let me know.) |
| BEAST |
Posted - 19 Dec 2013 : 18:35:54
The Thousand Orcs might've mentioned a few merchants' names. Bruenor lead his caravan by Mirabar on the way back to Mithral Hall, and after he left, there were a lot of scenes with the Mirabar dwarves contemplating whether or not to leave Mirabar and to join with Clan Battlehammer. I vaguely recall talk of taverns and tradesmen that Torgar and Shingles interacted with before leaving town. |
| Kyrel |
Posted - 19 Dec 2013 : 16:39:30
*LOL* I knew there was something wrong with that sentence.
Yes, Hashimashadoo. I'm simply looking for some creative and suitable names for merchant houses in Mirabar, and some personal oppinions on how many such houses should realistically exist in a city like Mirabar. |
| hashimashadoo |
Posted - 19 Dec 2013 : 14:37:01
Mmmm...creative dessert. Sounds tasty.
So you need us to come up with names and a number? |
| Kyrel |
Posted - 18 Dec 2013 : 23:43:12
I found those as well. The game takes place in...1355 at the moment, as I recall, so I doubt that Shoudra is around yet.
Guys. I appreciate all comments, but I'm really just looking for some creative help in coming up with some names for merchant houses in Mirabar. And possibly some views on how many such might realistically exist in the city. I'm finding myself in a creative dessert for the moment, and coming up with some decent names is utterly eluding me (to my great annoyance). |
| Kris the Grey |
Posted - 17 Dec 2013 : 17:47:18
With Shoudra I think that means she's in place until 1371 or so. |
| hashimashadoo |
Posted - 17 Dec 2013 : 12:43:43
Anvilfist Banner, the Golden Hand, and Thalorin's Manymetals were Mirabarran trade companies mentioned in Volo's Guide to the North. As for merchant houses I'm not sure I could tell you without research. Until Obould killed her, trade agreements were supposedly all negotiated by Shoudra Stargleam. |
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