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======Merchant====== {{:patterns:merchant-dragonage.png?direct}} [[games:dragonage|Dragon Age: Origins]], Bodahn the Merchant. =====Description===== A merchant is a [[patterns:NPC|NPC]] with whom the player can buy and sell [[patterns:item|items]]. Often the merchant is an [[patterns:inpc|interactive npc]] and the player must navigate a [[patterns:dialog_tree|dialog tree]] before trading with them, though this is not always the case. Some merchants, when spoken to, take the player immediately to a buy/sell screen. Merchants sometimes specialize in selling a particular kind of [[patterns:item|item]], such as a [[patterns:equipment|weapons]] merchant. Merchants also sometimes offer services other than buying or selling goods, such as enchanting weapons or sharing story information. Some games, such as [[games:bg2|Baldur's Gate II: Shadows of Amn]] support the player attempting to steal from the merchant. Merchants are often located in [[patterns:city|cities]] or other [[patterns:nucleus|nuclei]], and only accessible when the player is in the same location. Other games have mechanics that support the merchants being accessible while the player is adventuring. =====Variables and Affordances===== * **Type**: what type of goods the merchant buys and sells * **Services**: what other services the merchant offers * **Accessibility**: when or how the merchant is available to the player =====Examples===== * [[games:dragonage|Dragon Age: Origins]]. The player encounters Bodahn the Merchant (and his son, Sandal, who provides enchantment //services//) when leaving Lothering. Bodahn decides to travel with the player, and is always //accessible// from the main party camp. Bodahn sells goods of many //types//, including weapons, armor, and potions. He will purchase any item from the player, including [[patterns:junk|junk]]. * [[games:xmenlegends|X-Men Legends]]. Forge is //accessible// from any save point, allowing players to manage inventory while they are on missions. ====In Worked Examples==== * [[examples:gaelanbayle|Collect the fee for Gaelan Bayle]] =====Related Patterns===== * [[patterns:npc|Non-Player Character]] * [[patterns:inpc|Interactive Non-Player Character]] * [[patterns:item|Item]] * [[patterns:junk|Junk]] * [[patterns:equipment|Equipment]] =====Quest-Level Relationships===== * [[patterns:unlock_quest|Unlock Quest]] - Some merchants are not available until the player completes a certain quest to unlock their wares. This may be because what they sell is of too high a level until that quest is completed, or because it is a privilege to be able to buy from them as what they sell is more powerful than usual shops, so a quest stands in the way of the player and the opening of the shop. * [[patterns:quest_tied_item|Quest Tied Item]] - Some merchants sell items related to quests. * [[patterns:compilation_quest|Compilation Quest]] - For some quests, the player is required to gather certain items in order to create/craft a bigger or different item. Some merchants sell components of these quests. {{tag>level:npc games:dragonage games:xmenlegends}}