You worked in Dathmor or another Domain where souls are currency. You learned to appraise soul gems, broker deals in the soul markets, and navigate the moral complexities of trading in the dead. Whether you dealt in willing sales, inheritance transfers, or darker transactions, you understand the economy of essence.
Skill Proficiencies: Insight, Persuasion
Tool Proficiencies: Jeweler's tools
Languages: One of your choice
Equipment: A ledger documenting past transactions, jeweler's tools, fine clothes appropriate for Dathmor's soul markets, an empty minor soul gem, and a belt pouch containing 20 gp
Feature: Soul Appraisal
You can assess the approximate value and quality of a filled soul gem with 1 minute of examination. You also know the going rates for souls in various Domains and can identify fraudulent or degraded soul gems. Additionally, you have contacts in the soul trade—merchants, brokers, and collectors—who will buy soul gems from you at fair market value (or better, if you negotiate well). However, this feature only works in locations where soul trade is legal or tolerated.
Suggested Characteristics
Soul merchants walk a moral tightrope. Some rationalize their trade as practical economics; others are haunted by what they've done. All understand that they deal in something profound and terrible.
Personality Traits (d8):
1. I'm always calculating value, even in conversation.
2. I speak euphemistically about souls ("essence," "currency," "gems").
3. I'm impeccably polite, even when discussing horrific things.
4. I collect testimonials from satisfied customers.
5. I'm extremely superstitious about handling soul gems.
6. I donate anonymously to orphanages to ease my conscience.
7. I'm fascinated by stories of people's lives—their souls tell tales.
8. I maintain perfect records of every transaction.
Ideals (d6):
1. Commerce: Trade is trade; souls are just another commodity. (Neutral)
2. Ethics: I only deal in willing sales and proper inheritances. (Good)
3. Profit: The soul market is lucrative, and I'll get rich. (Evil)
4. Regulation: The soul trade needs oversight and rules. (Lawful)
5. Abolition: I'm gathering evidence to shut down the soul markets. (Good)
6. Pragmatism: In Dathmor, souls are currency. That's reality. (Neutral)
Bonds (d6):
1. I possess a soul gem of someone I loved, and I can't sell it.
2. I'm hunting the person who sold a family member's soul without permission.
3. My mentor taught me the trade and protected me from its dangers.
4. I owe a debt to a powerful soul collector.
5. I'm investigating where the souls actually go after they're used.
6. I saw something terrible in a high-grade soul gem, and I need answers.
Flaws (d6):
1. I'm addicted to the wealth the soul trade provides.
2. I've made unethical deals and can't undo them.
3. I'm desensitized to the humanity of souls.
4. I'm paranoid that someone will steal my inventory.
5. I suffer nightmares where the souls I've traded curse me.
6. I secretly collect powerful soul gems instead of selling them.