[Animayhem]

Thoughts?

I am enjoying having a merchant. Unlike other factions you have no quest giver so you need to do the speciality quests and then random npc quests.

Since most of the npc quests are fetching items, logically it would make sense for merchantile to want inventory.

Instead of ranks maybe give the equivalent xp/note that you would get if you were in another faction. Or maybe if you have a merchant have them give you the quest.

[DarkRanger]

I was actually toying with the idea of suggesting guard aid for merchants that could be hired for a cost through the merchant master. Not sure if they should have a quest giver though, since collecting and selling goods is their quest and they're not supposed to be just another legion/temple/guild that can own shops and better housing.

[Animayhem]

I was actually toying with the idea of suggesting guard aid for merchants that could be hired for a cost through the merchant master. Not sure if they should have a quest giver though, since collecting and selling goods is their quest and they're not supposed to be just another legion/temple/guild that can own shops and better housing.

I am not sure what you mean by better housing? Do you mean cheaper rates through noteriety? Right now any house Rim could buy is the same rate as everyone else.

I have often wondered if everytime you sell and pay bribes and fees if that counts towards note.

Having a guard available for a fee. Would this be like a summoned maybe you buy a wand with limited charges for aid? Having to buy a wand each time?

Or would the legion help if there were assassin attacks as merchants are a business.

Or maybe as there are private guards protecting the inns maybe have a few guards patrolling the merchant areas assisting if you are attacked.

Regardless it is still a nice option to be able to be a merchant.

[DarkRanger]

Cheaper rates and also availability of manor and tower, which only merchants and red wizards can buy. As for the guard, what I had in mind was the same as faction aid(spawned and dominated, not summoned), but with a gold cost.

[Sundraoi]

First let me start off that I've had a PC merchant in both carnations of Thay. Both of them have done the storied quest but aside from the beggar have not done any other quest. Their notoriety, aside from storied quests, was received from other players because being a merchant means she has to be a "people person". Get out there and make solid customers who want to come back to her and her shop for their adventuring items. Maisri is 14th level so there are ways to get the notoriety and xp you need to further your PC. And remember, it's not a race to the top, sit back and enjoy the RP.
As for the benefits of a PC merchant, there are many. The influx of gold is the top of Maisri's list. Merchants do get a discount on housing as I've checked this out with Maisri. They also get a increased amount they can have in their banks and a merchant master in almost every town to sell to. Keep in mind the other factions only have one or two people they can sell to.
With those benefits in mind the merchants do not need a quest giver; their quest is to get inventory and make money. Pretty simple really.
The guards.. would be a nice idea but the market areas are already patrolled by legionnaires usually. If your merchant is in a house the guards will come running if someone tries to steal your furniture and such but that's it. As for guards/legionnaires helping you with assassins attacks? I'm feel pretty secure in saying that one won't be happening. The only assistance anyone gets with them is from their own summons or friends who are with them.

[Animayhem]

First let me start off that I've had a PC merchant in both carnations of Thay. Both of them have done the storied quest but aside from the beggar have not done any other quest. Their notoriety, aside from storied quests, was received from other players because being a merchant means she has to be a "people person". Get out there and make solid customers who want to come back to her and her shop for their adventuring items. Maisri is 14th level so there are ways to get the notoriety and xp you need to further your PC. And remember, it's not a race to the top, sit back and enjoy the RP.
As for the benefits of a PC merchant, there are many. The influx of gold is the top of Maisri's list. Merchants do get a discount on housing as I've checked this out with Maisri. They also get a increased amount they can have in their banks and a merchant master in almost every town to sell to. Keep in mind the other factions only have one or two people they can sell to.
With those benefits in mind the merchants do not need a quest giver; their quest is to get inventory and make money. Pretty simple really.
The guards.. would be a nice idea but the market areas are already patrolled by legionnaires usually. If your merchant is in a house the guards will come running if someone tries to steal your furniture and such but that's it. As for guards/legionnaires helping you with assassins attacks? I'm feel pretty secure in saying that one won't be happening. The only assistance anyone gets with them is from their own summons or friends who are with them.

Thank you for clarifications. All questions answered.