Your character owns (or has a controlling interest in) a stable business in a town or city. Your character doesn’t actually run the business (counting inventory is rarely an activity appropriate to a life of heroic adventure), but he oversees its operations at the highest level and receives regular reports from the NPC employees that run it for him. These employees are considered loyal and friendly, insofar as they are paid to do their job. They won’t risk their lives for your character, nor, under any circumstances, will they serve as cohorts on an adventure. The might become adhoc lesser contacts IF enough roleplay time is invested in their relationship with the character. Largely due to their efforts, your character will receive income from the business on a monthly basis. This sum is assumed to come after all expenses have been met, to ensure that bookkeeping will be kept to an absolute minimum. Each month, the GM will roll 1d6 to determine how well the business has been doing:
As this campaign is heavily social, this merit has advantages that can outstrip the wealth the merit generates. To balance these factor an injection of reality has been added to initial startup cost for the businesses below. The initial out-of-pocket cost 'purchased' at character creation represents all of these benefits in the condensed unit of measurement of mere gold. After character creation buying and maintain a business is messy and tricky - and there is a reason the common man doesn't just start one himself. Rather than place a burden on the starting character limited cash flow this merit is often at least partially balanced by the primary flaw - monetary debt.
[1 pt.] Small Business :Most small businesses are two- or three-room shops, dealing in inexpensive general goods (candles and wax products) or essential services (butchers, knackers, carpenters, etc.). The business has one 1st level NPC employee. The initial outlay for a small business purchased at character creation is 2,500 gold.
[3 pts.] Average Business : An average business deals in common services that advantage themselves from the product of smaller businesses (ex. _a pub or a restaurant_); or perhaps the provide a more specialized set of craft goods (ex. _tailoring for noble clientele, bard and tacking, well wrought metalwork, etc._). The business has 1d4+1, 1st level employees. The initial outlay for an average business purchased at character creation is 5,000 gold.
[5 pts.] Large Business : A large business is situated in a busy district, probably near harbor facilities or a major thoroughfare to pick up on the custom of travelers. A large and successful inn or tavern would qualify. The business has 1d6+4 1st level employees. Two of these employees are fully capable of dealing with unruly customers and troublemakers. Depending on the GM's preference these npc will be dex or str based. The initial outlay for a large business purchased at character creation is 12,000 gold.
Special Benefit: [Charter, +1 Pt.] Your character’s business has received a charter or a Special commendation from someone in high authority (for example, a queen may award a Royal Seal to those rare businesses selected to furnish the royal household and table). Increase the business’ monthly income by 25% (after all dice are rolled).
*Note*: While your character needn’t spend any of his time overseeing the day-to-day details of mundane commerce, there are a number of reasons why a business will occasionally require some attention and remain successful. Your character may be expected to deal with thieves’ guilds and protection schemes, tax collectors honest or otherwise, potentially violent competitors, and other extraordinary distractions.
Generally speaking, the better your business does, the more attention it will attract from government authorities and unscrupulous thieves alike.
Should your character neglect his duties as the owner and overseer of a lucrative business (or fail to take adequate steps for good management when he’s away for long periods of time), he can expect to enjoy the adventure of dealing with arsonists, extortionists, hostile creditors, penniless debtors, callous taxmen, and other colorful characters. As mentioned, NPC employees are loyal primarily to their weekly source of pay and may be trusted only insofar as the running of the business is concerned (greater or lesser loyalty may depend upon the owner’s attitude). Additional guards and other extraordinary employees must be paid for out of the owner’s profits or pockets.
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