THE PRICE *page_break You are a merchant. You have plied your wares from the desert to the sea; from the grasslands to the mountains, and have made a comfortable living for yourself. You've just set off in a caravan returning with many trade goods from the East, after a very profitable excursion. Before we get started, what is your name? *input_text name What would you say has contributed most to your success? *temp shrewdUnchosen *set shrewdUnchosen true *temp guardsUnchosen *set guardsUnchosen true *temp martialUnchosen *set martialUnchosen true *temp leadUnchosen *set leadUnchosen true *temp dedicUnchosen *set dedicUnchosen true *comment Once you've made one choice, you can't set that stat/value again. *choice #I take great care in my business dealings. No one gets one over on me. *set shrewdness %+50 *set shrewdUnchosen false *goto secondBest #The loyalty of my personal guards. They are carefully selected and well-paid for their services. *set guards +2 *set guardsUnchosen false *goto secondBest #My skill with a sword. I protect my own goods. *set martial %+50 *set martialUnchosen false *goto secondBest #Words. I have a way of easily swaying others. *set leadership %+50 *set leadUnchosen false *goto secondBest #Single-minded dedication. Once I have set my mind to accomplish something, I cannot rest until I succeed. *set dedication %+50 *set dedicUnchosen false *label secondBest And you have another aptitude, as well. *choice *if shrewdUnchosen #A particular shrewdness in the buying and selling of wares. *set shrewdness %+25 *set shrewdUnchosen false *goto worst *if guardsUnchosen #A larger-than-average contingent of guards. *set guards +1 *set guardsUnchosen false *goto worst *if martialUnchosen #Significant martial training. *set martial %+25 *set martialUnchosen false *goto worst *if leadUnchosen #Some natural charisma. *set leadership %+25 *set leadUnchosen false *goto worst *if dedicUnchosen #Any task that I begin, I am dedicated to see it through to completion. *set dedication %+25 *set dedicUnchosen false *label worst But you have a failing... *choice *if shrewdUnchosen #...I admit some naivete in arranging business deals with others. *set shrewdness %-35 *goto last *if guardsUnchosen #...I tend to overlook the training and upkeep of my personal guard. *set guards -1 *goto last *if martialUnchosen #...I can't swing a sword to save my life. *set martial %-35 *goto last *if leadUnchosen #...I'm not exactly the most tactful person. *set leadership %-35 *goto last *if dedicUnchosen #...I always get distracted, and can never seem to finish things. *set dedication %-35 *label last Nobody's perfect. *finish