Such a Deal—A Tour of Traders in Mummy's Mask

Tuesday, December 6, 2016

In the spirit of the holidays, it's time to go shopping! Designer Paul Peterson can be found hawking his wares below, describing the trader mechanic in Mummy's Mask. You ain't never had a friend like Paul.

Ah, gentle travelers. To what noble purpose may an unworthy guide such as myself be put for you on a morning so clearly blessed by Ra himself?

Shopping, you say? Perhaps the blessing of generous Wadjet would be more appropriate for those seeking new objects of wonder and delight. There are many fine traders in and around the most wonderful city of Wati, noble souls. Gaze upon our most voluminous bazaar!

Your access to more exclusive shops comes as your reputation grows. Just like life.

But now that I look more closely at you, I perceive that you must be adventurers, here to participate in the lottery! It is most fortuitous that we have met today, for I may be able to guide your way with what meager wisdom I possess.

It is said that every party that comes back from a successful journey in this world may exchange the prizes they discover for those that a trader can provide. If you have lost your way on this road, there will be no trading in your future. And as with all things, there are rules that must be obeyed.

Before any of you begin trading, you must settle the record of your accomplishments. If your adventuring has given you rewards, gather those together with all the rest of your possessions before you arrive. Then you are ready to bargain!

And there is so little time and so much to see in the markets! The haggling alone all but ensures that each of you will only be able to visit one stall when you come.

Also, many of the places you may visit will not wish to deal with money. There are unfortunate taxes to any monetary transactions that can be... avoided, if participants simply exchange objects. So after you have chosen the undeserving merchant you wish to bargain with, trade amongst yourselves to ensure that each person has what they want to give away for clearly more magnificent treasures. However, these are not charity booths. The merchants are masters at bargaining and will be willing to trade only objects of roughly comparable quality. But cheating adventurers can shorten a trader's lifespan, so you can be fairly sure that you are getting value for your trades as well.

Equal value? Close enough.

We could begin in the Sunburst Market. The selection there is unparalleled, and you will have your pick of anything you desire... so long as what you desire is a common gewgaw. However, the merchants there are so simple that they will take almost anything you have about your person in trade.

For all your Basic needs.

Oh, peerless explorers, how could I have believed that such trash would satisfy the appetites of such as you?! Let us speak of it no more. The treasures you surely seek are more likely found with more specialized shopkeepers. Each tends to carry a very specific type of good, so if you find the right one, you are much more likely find your needs fulfilled.

It is a funny thing about these merchants, though: If you approach them by yourself, then no matter how many objects you see displayed, you will only find exactly two that are of any interest to you whatsoever. However, if you bring others with you, the seller will miraculously find another object for each of them. Then you will all be free to decide amongst yourselves which object each of you will take, with the leftovers being consigned to the dusty part of the tent forever. If you have trouble doing so, I'm sure a quick dice throw could sort out who gets to choose first.

Open 24 hours a day.

As I said, each trader has their own specialty. The Smiths of Wati hammer away at their forges, crafting the weapons all the lottery winners need. But Falsin Deek over here does not like to deal in objects of war such as weapons, armors, and spells. He instead carries a fine selection of more utilitarian fare: potions and books, rings and amulets—these can all be found within his walls.

But if unlocking the mysteries of the arcane or divine is more to your liking, just next door you will find Hadden Hoppert, perhaps the finest scribe in all of Osirion. He is only too happy to share his secrets for just a couple of similarly powerful boons.

While these three are happy to meet with any and all adventurers, other traders are more selective. They often only contact you after you have done some great service to their shining selves or to the city as a whole.

Be careful or you may rot in the belly of a sand kraken for 1000 years.

If I may also offer more humble knowledge, do not think that such simple shopkeeps as you see here are all that you will find in glorious Osirion. Many more exotic traders may be willing to barter what they have for what they want if you are brave enough to seek them out. But beware that the more specialized the goods, the dearer the cost.

For example, you might find some troublingly large footprints over by that glassblower's shop. I expect that you'll be able to trade a few glittery curios for the weapons of the fools who decided to follow them.

What happened to "never make a deal with a dragon?"

I pray to Wadjet the most divine that my paltry knowledge is of some minor benefit to your glorious selves. It is always an honor to help those who are so clearly the chosen of the gods. Perhaps you shall even choose to reward my efforts, if they please you, but we can deal with such matters later.

For now the question is... What do you seek?

Paul Peterson
Adventure Card Game Designer