The Travelling Trader Quest

Name: The Travelling Trader Quest.
Location: All towns.
Reward: Ability to trade with Rashid.
Required level: 21.
Monsters: Bandit, Wild Warrior, Nomad, Smuggler, Cobra, Lizard Templar, Lizard Sentinel, Spit Nettle, Tarantula, Centipede, Terror Bird, Dworc Fleshhunter, Dworc Venomsniper, Slime, Elephant and possible lured Hydra and Minotaurs.

Items needed:

Rope or substitute
Deer Trophy
3 Iron Ore
Goldfish Bowl
1,350 gp needed for the mission

Information:

We have to start the task on Monday and do each subsequent mission one by one. If we miss any mission, we will be able to do it in a week.

Execution:

Mission 1 - Monday.

We go to the tavern in Svargrond, where we talk to Rashid.

• Player: hi
• Rashid: Ah, a customer! Be greeted!
• Player: mission
• Rashid: Well, you could attempt the mission to become a recognised trader, but it requires a lot of travelling. Are you willing to try?
• Player: yes
• Rashid: Very good! I need talented people who are able to handle my wares with care, find good offers and the like, so I'm going to test you. ...
• Rashid: First, I'd like to see if you can dig up rare wares. Something like a ... mastermind shield! ...
• Rashid: Haha, just kidding, fooled you there, didn't I? Always control your nerves, that's quite important during bargaining. ...
• Rashid: Okay, all I want from you is one of these rare deer trophies. I have a customer here in Svargrond who ordered one, so I'd like you to deliver it to me while I'm in Svargrond....
• Rashid: Everything clear and understood?
• Player: yes
• Rashid: Fine. Then get a hold of that deer trophy and bring it to me while I'm in Svargrond. Just ask me about your mission.

As a trader's helper, you must prove to Rashid that you can find rare items. Your task is to bring the Mastermind Shield. It's Rashid's joke, of course, and you are to bring a Deer Trophy that someone from Svargrond ordered.

• Player: hi
• Rashid: Ah, a customer! Be greeted!
• Player: mission
• Rashid: Have you managed to obtain a rare deer trophy for my customer?
• Player: yes
• Rashid: Well done! I'll take that from you. <snags it> Come see me another day, I'll be busy for a while now.

Mission 2 - Tuesday.

On Tuesday, the merchant is staying in Liberty Bay, where we meet him:

• Player: hi
• Rashid: Ah, a customer! Be greeted!
• Player: mission
• Rashid: So, my friend, are you willing to proceed to the next mission to become a recognised trader?
• Player: yes
• Rashid: Alright, that's good to hear. From you as my trader and deliveryman, I expect more than finding rare items. ...
• Rashid: You also need to be able to transport heavy wares, weaklings won't get far here. I have ordered a special package from Edron. ...
• Rashid: Pick it up from Willard and bring it back to me while I'm in Liberty Bay. Everything clear and understood?
• Player: yes
• Rashid: Fine. Then off you go, just ask Willard about the 'package for Rashid'.
• Player: Bye
• Rashid: Farewell, may the winds guide your way.

Now you have to prove that you can transport goods. Very heavy goods. Rashid ordered a Heavy Package to Edron from the blacksmith Willard.

• Player: hi
• Willard: Greetings and Banor be with you, player!
• Player: package for rashid
• Willard: Oooh, damn, I completely forgot about that. I was supposed to pick it up from the Outlaw Camp. ...
• Willard: I can't leave my shop here right now, please go and talk to Snake Eye about that package... I promise he won't make any trouble. ...
• Willard: Don't tell Rashid! I really don't want him to know that I forgot his order. Okay?
• Player: yes
• Willard: Thank you, I appreciate it. Don't forget to mention the package to Snake.

Willard completely forgot about the order, so the Heavy Package was left at the bar in the criminal camp. The blacksmith asks us not to say anything about it to Rashid. Willard can't leave the store at this point, so we go there and talk to the bartender (Snake Eye).

• Player: hi
• Snake Eye: Hi player. Come in and have a drink.
• Player: package for rashid
• Snake Eye: So you're the delivery boy? Go ahead, but I warn you, it's quite heavy. You can take it from the box over there.

Take the package from behind the door at the counter, and return to the principal.

• Player: hi
• Rashid: Ah, a customer! Be greeted!
• Player: mission
• Rashid: Did you bring me the package?
• Player: yes
• Rashid: Great. Just place it over there - yes, thanks, that's it. Come see me another day, I'll be busy for a while now.

Mission 3 - Wednesday.

We go to a bar in Port Hope.

• Player: hi
• Rashid: Ah, a customer! Be greeted!
• Player: mission
• Rashid: So, my friend, are you willing to proceed to the next mission to become a recognised trader?
• Player: yes
• Rashid: Well, that's good to hear. From you as my trader and deliveryman, I expect more than carrying heavy packages. ...
• Rashid: You also need to be fast and deliver wares in time. I have ordered a very special cheese wheel made from Darashian milk. ...
• Rashid: Unfortunately, the high temperature in the desert makes it rot really fast, so it must not stay in the sun for too long. ...
• Rashid: I'm also afraid that you might not be able to use ships because of the smell of the cheese. ...
• Rashid: Please get the cheese from Miraia and bring it to me while I'm in Port Hope. Everything clear and understood?
• Player: yes
• Rashid: Okay, then please find Miraia in Darashia and ask her about the 'scarab cheese'.
• Player: Bye
• Rashid: Farewell, may the winds guide your way.

As a trader, you also need to be able to deliver various shipments and goods in a timely manner. This mission will be to bring Scarab Cheese from Darashia. Unfortunately, it rots very quickly in this climate so we will only have 30 minutes to transport it. We talk to Miraia, who runs a bar in the desert town.

• Player: hi
• Miraia: Daraman's blessings, player. Welcome to the Enlightened Oasis.
• Player: scarab cheese
• Miraia: Let me cover my nose before I get this for you... Would you REALLY like to buy scarab cheese for 100 gold?
• Player: yes
• Miraia: Here it is.

Now we have to deliver the cheese to Rashid. We can't use any means of transportation, because no one can stand the stench of this cheese. It is best to use the haste spell, or strong haste. It seems like a lot, but a weak character may have trouble tearing through the jungle at this time, especially since there is a chance of encountering a Hydra by the lake, in addition to Tarantulas, Elephants and many less harmful monsters that block the way. Besides, you can't send that cheese by Parcel.

The way from Darashia to Port Hope on foot.

• Player: hi
• Rashid: Ah, a customer! Be greeted!
• Player: mission
• Rashid: Have you brought the cheese?
• Player: yes
• Rashid: Mmmhh, the lovely odeur of scarab cheese! I really can't understand why most people can't stand it. Thanks, well done!

Mission 4 - Thursday.

Today Rashid is staying at a tavern in Ankrahmun.

• Player: hi
• Rashid: Ah, a customer! Be greeted!
• Player: mission
• Rashid: So, my friend, are you willing to proceed to the next mission to become a recognised trader?
• Player: yes
• Rashid: Well, that's good to hear. From you as my trader and deliveryman, I expect more than bringing stinky cheese. ...
• Rashid: I wonder if you are able to deliver goods so fragile they almost break when looked at. ...
• Rashid: I have ordered a special elven vase from Briasol in Ab'Dendriel. Get it from him and don't even touch it, just bring it to me while I'm in Ankrahmun. Everything clear and understood?
• Player: yes
• Rashid: Okay, then please find Briasol in Ab'Dendriel and ask for a 'fine vase'.

Another ability that a trader should have is the ability to transport goods safely. A great test will be transporting a delicate elven vase (Fine Vase) in Ab'Dendriel. Prepare 1350 gp and go to the local jeweler (Briasol):

• Player: hi
• Briasol: Ashari player.
• Player: fine vase
• Briasol: Rashid sent you, I suppose. Before I sell you that vase, one word of advice. ...
• Briasol: Make room in your backpack so that I can place the vase carefully inside it. If it falls to the floor, it will most likely shatter or break if you try to pick it up again. ...
• Briasol: This vase it not meant to be touched by human hands, so just keep your hands off it. Are you ready to buy that vase for 1000 gold?
• Player: yes
• Briasol: Here you are.

With the newly purchased vase we are to return to Rashid. The matter is not as simple as it seems, because with too long a trip, the vase may crumble in the backpack. So, being careful all the time, we return by boat to the city of the pyramids (Ankrahmun).

• Player: hi
• Rashid: Ah, a customer! Be greeted!
• Player: mission
• Rashid: Have you brought the vase?
• Player: yes
• Rashid: I'm surprised that you managed to bring this vase without a single crack. That was what I needed to know, thank you.

Mission 5 - Friday.

Today Rashid will be sitting in a familiar bar on Darashia.

• Player: hi
• Rashid: Ah, a customer! Be greeted!
• Player: mission
• Rashid: So, my friend, are you willing to proceed to the next mission to become a recognised trader?
• Player: yes
• Rashid: Fine! There's one more skill that I need to test and which is cruicial for a successful trader. ...
• Rashid: Of course you must be able to haggle, else you won't survive long in this business. To make things as hard as possible for you, I have the perfect trade partner for you. ...
• Rashid: Dwarves are said to be the most stubborn of all traders. Travel to Kazordoon and try to get the smith Uzgod to sell a crimson sword to you. ...
• Rashid: Of course, it has to be cheap. Don't come back with anything more expensive than 400 gold. ...
• Rashid: And the quality must not suffer, of course! Everything clear and understood?
• Player: yes
• Rashid: Okay, I'm curious how you will do with Uzgod. Good luck!

The time has come to show that we can bargain. Our target is the Crimson Sword. We head to the Uzgod blacksmith in Kazordoon.

• Player: hi
• Uzgod: Hiho Player! Wanna weapon, eh?
• Player: crimson sword
• Uzgod: Me don't sell crimson sword.
• Player: forge
• Uzgod: You telling me to forge one?! Especially for you? You making fun of me?
• Player: no
• Uzgod: Well. Thinking about it, me a smith, so why not. 1000 gold for your personal crimson sword. Ok?
• Player: no
• Uzgod: Too expensive?! You think me work is cheap? Well, if you want cheap, I can make cheap. Hrmpf. I make cheap sword for 300 gold. Ok?
• Player: no
• Uzgod: Cheap but good quality? Impossible. Unless... you bring material. Three iron ores, 250 gold. Okay?
• Player: yes
• Uzgod: Ah, that's how me like me customers. Ok, me do this... <pling pling> ... another fine swing of the hammer here and there... <ploing>... here you have it!

Since Uzgod doesn't sell swords, he has to specially forge one for us. Rashid has forbidden us to buy a sword more expensive than 400 gp, but it must also be in perfect condition. We reject the first expensive offer, the second of poor quality, and only the third time do we accept. He will make a cheap and high quality sword for 250 gp, but we have to bring him 3 Iron Ores for it. With the sword, we return to Rashid.

• Player: hi
• Rashid: Ah, a customer! Be greeted!
• Player: mission
• Rashid: Have you brought a cheap but good crimson sword?
• Player: yes
• Rashid: Ha! You are clever indeed, well done! I'll take this from you. Come see me tomorrow, I think we two might get into business after all.

Mission 6 - Saturday. We go to NPC Rashid, who is at the NPC Mirabell tavern in Edron

• Player: hi
• Rashid: Ah, a customer! Be greeted!
• Player: mission
• Rashid: So, my friend, are you willing to proceed to the next mission to become a recognised trader?
• Player: yes
• Rashid: My friend, it seems you have already learnt a lot about the art of trading. I think you are more than worthy to become a recognised trader. ...
• Rashid: There is just one little favour that I would ask from you... something personal, actually, forgive my boldness. ...
• Rashid: I have always dreamed to have a small pet, one that I could take with me and which wouldn't cause problems. ...
• Rashid: Could you - just maybe - bring me a small goldfish in a bowl? I know that you would be able to get one, wouldn't you?
• Player: yes
• Rashid: Thanks so much! I'll be waiting eagerly for your return then.

We have proven that we have all the qualities important for a merchant. Now the merchant is asking us for a small, private favor. He has always dreamed of having a pet. One that would not cause much trouble. It will be a Goldfish Bowl. We can catch it ourselves in Calassa. Of course, someone can do it for us, but keep in mind that only one fish can be caught in one place (they usually reside in seaweed, or coral reefs).

• Player: hi
• Rashid: Ah, a customer! Be greeted!
• Player: mission
• Rashid: Have you brought me a gold fish??
• Player: yes
• Rashid: Thank you!! Ah, this makes my day! I'll take the rest of the day off to get to know this little guy. Come see me tomorrow, if you like.

Mission 7 - Sunday.

Today the merchant arrives in the garden above the depository in Carlin.

• Player: hi
• Rashid: Ah, a customer! Be greeted!
• Player: mission
• Rashid: Ah, right. <ahem> I hereby declare you - one of my recognised traders! Feel free to offer me your wares!
• Player: bye
• Rashid: Farewell, may the winds guide your way.

He has officially confirmed that we are a trustworthy trader, and from now on we can trade with him at will.