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| The sights, smells, and ambient chaos of a bustling open-air market. |
Sometimes my players decide to "go shopping" at the nearest open market, with very little warning. This forces me to generate a quick number of merchants and temporary shops on the go. Personally I suspect my players do this just to see if they can catch me unprepared, or to perhaps catch that momentary glimpse of panic in my eyes on the rare occasion.
1. Setup & Venue
Where is the merchant selling from?
A Squeaky Handcart or Pushcart: Tilted on an uneven cobblestone street, piled haphazardly with goods.
A Canvas-Covered Wagon: Heavy wooden wheels, pulled up along the market perimeter; doubles as living quarters.
Under a Patchwork Tent: Staked out with frayed rope and sun-bleached cloth, offering welcome shade.
Spread Out on Rugs: A collection of faded woven carpets laid directly onto the dirt or stone floor.
A Semi-Permanent Wooden Stall: Sturdy timber frame with fold-down counters and hanging hooks for wares.
A Permanent Stone Shopfront: Open bay doors facing the square, reinforced with iron shuttering for lockup.
2. Provenance & Supply
Where did this merchandise actually come from?
Handcrafted / Homegrown: Made or harvested directly by the merchant or their family.
Local Outsourcing: Purchased wholesale from nearby guilds, farmers, or city artisans.
Legitimate Trade Partner: Sourced through established commercial routes and regional trade caravans.
Far-Off Import: Burlap sacks and wooden crates stamped with foreign seals and distant ports of call.
Secondary Market: Bought second-hand, salvaged from local estate sales, or acquired via barter.
"Best Not to Ask": Unmarked, suspiciously discounted, or bearing freshly scrubbed crests and initials.
3. Condition & Quality
What shape is the stock in?
Pristine / Mint: Brand new, immaculately polished, or fresh off the farm.
Well-Maintained: Lightly used or stored carefully; full functional utility with minor cosmetic wear.
Serviceable / Weathered: Shows clear signs of hard wear, but still does the job reliably.
Questionable: Fraying seams, rusted ironwork, or slightly turned provisions; buyer beware.
Dilapidated: Barely holding together; requires immediate repair or clever tinkering to function.
Hazardous / Trash: Expired, broken beyond easy repair, or outright volatile.
4. Pricing & Bargaining Attitude
How does the merchant handle coin?
Standard Market Rate: Unwavering, fair pricing sticking strictly to the book values.
Mildly Mark-Up: A 10–20% surcharge for "convenience" or "exotic appeal."
Bargain Basement: Priced to move fast; the seller clearly needs fluid cash right now.
Outrageous Gouging: Absurdly inflated prices aimed squarely at gullible-looking adventurers.
Open to Trade / Barter: Prefers rare trinkets, rumors, or services over cold copper and silver.
Haggler’s Delight: High starting quotes, but visibly delights in a good verbal duel over silver.
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| "Every merchant in the market has a story—and a price." [Editor's Note: A slight error occurred during generation of the artwork, but the image offered too many possibilities for role-play to be dismissed!] |
How is business going today?
Frenzied Demand: A crowd surrounds the stall; stock is flying off the shelves before your eyes.
Brisk & Steady: A constant stream of local customers keeping the merchant comfortably busy.
Average Day: Intermittent traffic; the merchant has time to chat between sales.
Slow & Quiet: Few shoppers stopping by; the merchant looks restless or bored.
Desperate Silence: Zero sales all morning; the merchant is visibly anxious to close a deal.
Shunned / Boycotted: Passersby actively avoid the stall, crossing to the other side of the street with wary glances.
6. Merchant’s Demeanor & Appearance
Who is standing behind the counter?
Finely Tailored: Clad in rich fabrics, polished boots, and subtle jewelry that speaks of wealth.
Practical & Modest: Clean, durable work clothes built for long hours standing on stone.
Rough & Patchwork: Threadbare tunic and mud-spattered cloak; worn down by long travel.
Hired Hand: A bored apprentice or teenager taking orders while the real owner is away.
Exotic Foreigner: Wearing striking attire from distant lands, speaking with a distinct accent.
Down-on-Their-Luck: Disheveled, anxious, and looking like they haven't had a warm meal in days.
Bonus Table: Quick Quirks & Distractions (d6)
Add an instant flavor note to the stall!
Pet Companion: A loud parrot, a sleepy hound, or a caged exotic beast draws glances.
Distinct Sight, Sound, or Smell: The stall reeks of pungent spices, ozone, sweet pipe tobacco, or wet fur. Maybe there are small glowing moths flying about? Or... See the orc merchant above!
Background Noise: The merchant is constantly tapping a coin, humming a tune, or shouting over the crowd.
Mysterious Item: Sitting prominently behind the counter, clearly not for sale.
Overly Eager Apprentice: A young assistant keeps chiming in with unsolicited, overly honest product details.
Unusual Guarantee: The merchant swears by a bizarre personal oath or magical ward on their stock.
