Erebor Merchant
Dwarves can be stubborn and unyielding as stone itself, as all know, and in their dealings with other races it can be assumed that they hardly like to give any ground willingly. In addition, they have an excellent idea of money and its worth, as well as an eye for well-crafted or durable goods. Given this natural aptitude for heckling, it is no surprise that Dwarven merchants are considered very prosperous, even among the notoriously wealthy Dwarven kingdoms. Between themselves and others, they drive a hard bargain. In addition, of course, the goods that they bring to the outside world are some of the finest in the world, and thus fetch high prices among Men. Merchants are normally the most well-traveled of the Dwarves, and they travel in both caravans or solo. As a result, they tend to be adept navigators on the dangerous roads of Middle-earth, and see their fair share of combat. Merchants of Emyn-Engrin primarily trade in the lands of the Easterlings and the Dale-Lands, while Erebor, being in a more central location, often trades with the villages on the Anduin as well as Dale and Rhun, and sometimes solo merchants even venture into Eriador. Trade with Amon Thranduil is much more sparse, the elves being less open to the world, though occasionally Dwarven merchants will contract a wealthy deal with the wood folk.
New merchants are strongly urged to join the Merchants' Guild of either Emyn-Engrin or Erebor, and learn the tricks of the trade from the older, experienced merchants, and to gain experience and funding for themselves. As they progress, and gain their own experience, merchants often choose to specialize in a given area of merchanting (ale & wines, ores, armor, instruments, etc.), and oftentimes also go solo, as they have advanced as far as they can get in the Guild and wish to go off on their own and to quit giving the Guild their cut, but this also separates them from any Guild funding. New merchants are issued only light armor and weapon, but are given considerably more money, and also receive a travel object once they reach the rank of Journeyman.
Merchant ranks run as follows:
- Apprentice Merchant
- Journeyman Merchant
- Senior Merchant of <Specialty>
- Master Merchant of <Specialty>
