In the world of Vasagarod, the Merchant class serves as the connective tissue between the warring kingdoms. While the Aristocrats decree and the Defenders march, the Merchants are the ones who supply the steel, the grain, and the information required to sustain a continent on the brink of collapse. They are the masters of the "Middle Ground," navigating the dangerous waters of the Great Sea and the treacherous passes of the Highlands with a singular focus: the conversion of chaos into profit.
Merchants in Vasagarod are defined by their mobility and their lack of rigid national loyalty. They are often the only individuals allowed to pass through the Great Naval Blockade or cross the River Iryavath with relative ease, provided their permits are in order and their bribes are sufficient.
Hadka (Khara): A cunning administrator who rose from a low social standing to control the vital ports of Narethin. He is driven by a deep insecurity regarding his lineage, fueling an obsession with wealth and maritime dominance.
Rheal (Sanquor): A master of the spice markets who balances the sale of exotic flavorings with a side trade in high-end poisons. He acts as a key informant for the Sanquor crown, proving that for a Merchant, a secret is just another commodity.
Lina (Sanquor): A former spy who has transitioned into the merchant class. She uses her predatory intellect to manipulate land markets, specifically targeting successful Farmers to expand her own commercial empire.
The power of the Merchant class is anchored in the great trading hubs that link the ten factions:
Tharval’s Great Market: Located in the capital of Gurval, this is the premier destination for mineral wealth, rare ores, and enchanted trinkets from the deep mines.
Narethin’s Great Port: The heart of maritime trade, where exotic wares from across the Great Sea are exchanged for northern timber and steel.
The Khetai Shipyards: A commercial powerhouse that exports river vessels to every kingdom, making the Khetai merchants the primary financiers of naval expansion.
To survive the "prelude to chaos," Merchants rely on specialized gear that ensures their goods—and their lives—remain intact during transit:
Merchant’s Scale: A precision tool used to verify the purity of gold and the weight of rare minerals from the Bustac Mine.
Transport Vessels: Ranging from the heavy Merchant Carts used in the Velthar grasslands to the specialized Azure River Traders capable of navigating the Irya’s currents.
Discreet Protection: Many merchants carry the Stab Pin of the Learned or hire Defenders to act as private security, knowing that a full warehouse is a prime target for the Crimson Tides or desperate Peasants.
The most unique aspect of the Merchant class is their relationship with the Southern Invaders. While the Kings fear the prophecy-driven nomads, many Merchants view the south as an untapped market. They are the "Grey Dealers" who provide the north with its luxuries while secretly ensuring the southern tribes have the supplies they need to maintain the pressure. In Vasagarod, the Merchant knows that as long as there is a wall, there is money to be made on both sides of it.