Name: Bob
Title: Trader of the Keep
Race: Human
Class: Commoner (Non-combatant)
Alignment: Neutral
Location: The Keep on the Borderlands
Role: Merchant and Supplier
Overview
Bob is a seasoned trader operating out of the Keep on the Borderlands. Known for his practical nature and resourcefulness, Bob has become a vital figure for adventurers and locals alike, offering supplies, goods, and trade opportunities in a harsh and unforgiving environment. Though not wealthy or influential, Bob’s adaptability and willingness to barter make him a dependable source of both provisions and regional knowledge.
Appearance
Bob is a middle-aged man with a rugged and weathered look, a reflection of the rough life in the Borderlands. He wears a patched leather vest over a plain linen shirt, paired with sturdy trousers and well-worn boots. His face is lined with years of survival, his beard scruffy, and his eyes sharp with the instincts of a man who’s seen his fair share of hardship. His hands are calloused from handling goods, and he often smells faintly of leather and pine.
Personality
Bob is pragmatic and shrewd, with a straightforward manner that sometimes comes across as blunt. He has a wry sense of humor and a knack for assessing people, which helps him gauge the sincerity of potential customers and the worth of their wares. Though not particularly greedy, Bob isn’t above driving a hard bargain, and he values practicality over sentimentality. He’s generally fair in his dealings, earning the respect and trust of those he trades with.
Background
Having grown up in the shadow of the Keep, Bob learned the art of trading from his father, who ran a similar stall. Over the years, he expanded his network, making connections with wandering traders, adventurers, and even some of the Keep’s guards. Though he has never left the Borderlands, his knowledge of the surrounding regions and the dangers they hold rivals that of seasoned scouts.
Duties and Influence
Bob’s role within the Keep is simple yet vital: to provide adventurers and locals with supplies and trade opportunities. From basic provisions to rare oddities, his stall is often the first stop for those setting out into the wilderness. While he lacks significant power, his reputation as a reliable trader gives him modest influence within the Keep’s small economy.
Primary Responsibilities: Bartering goods, supplying adventurers, trading with passing merchants
Areas of Influence: The Keep’s marketplace and nearby outposts
Methods: Barter, appraisal of goods, practical trading advice
Motivations and Goals
Bob’s primary motivation is to maintain his livelihood and support the Keep’s community through fair and reliable trade. Though he harbors no grand ambitions, he takes pride in his work and seeks to expand his stock over time. His main concern is ensuring his own survival and that of his customers in the harsh Borderlands.
Primary Motivation: To maintain his trade business and provide for his community
Secondary Motivation: To establish lasting relationships with adventurers and merchants for better trade opportunities
Long-term Goal: To one day secure a larger, permanent shop within the Keep, offering a greater variety of goods
Notable Relationships
Adventurers and Travelers: Bob relies on adventurers for both business and news, often trading in pelts, rare finds, and other goods brought back from the wilderness.
Keep Guards: As a fixture of the Keep, Bob has developed friendly ties with the guards, who occasionally stop by for supplies or to share gossip.
Local Merchants: Though not particularly competitive, Bob keeps a close eye on other traders, ensuring his stall remains indispensable.
Bob is a practical, dependable figure in the Keep on the Borderlands, embodying the grit and resilience needed to survive in such an unforgiving place. Whether you need a salve to ward off leeches or advice on navigating the region’s dangers, Bob is the man to see.