The two storey building in front of the group of warehouse is the new office of Matthos Barcor, Merchant of Godsgrace. Though still small, it is richly appointed. Visitors will be shown into the reception room and depending on their relationship with Master Barcor, may find themselves either shown into the parlor, on the first floor. Or Matthos Barcor personal study on the second floor. Several large warehouses front onto three wharves thrusting out into the Vaith, all of which are owned by Barcor. Barcor's home, a manse of moderate size, is also present within the compound.
Currently resident:
Porther (Servant, valet, and secretary, 55)
Darwyn (Clerk, 24)
Borys (Groom, and stable-hand, 17)
Absent:
Matthos Barcor (Proprietor, 24). Currently in Sunspear on business.
Matthos Barcor: Proprietor
Matthos Barcor
Age: 24
Rank: Freedman
A merchant with extensive contacts throughout Dorne and the Six Kingdoms. He is loyal to Godsgrace and Dorne, and is determined to become the wealthiest man in the Princedom. Has served as House Allyrion's trade advisor for the last few years, as well as an unofficial emissary of his Lord.
Skills:
Income + 2
Investment is actively welcomed. The current terms are a 15% per year return beginning the year after your initial sum is invested. This requires a minimum of ten years investment before you can withdraw your funds. After this ten year period you may withdraw all or part of your funds at any time.
Current investors:
House Reyne: 200,000 dragons
House Mallister: 100,000 dragons
Last edited by Ganbarenippon; October 31, 2012 at 07:38 AM.
Matthos Barcor personally greets his visitor at the door to his modest office. Though he had not traded much outside of Dorne, the reputation of House Reyne in matters of business was known even in distant Vaith province.
"Welcome to Dorne, my Lord. I trust your journey was uneventful? Please come inside from the heat. Porther! Water for our guests!" He called to a wizened old servant as they entered the shady interior. "Wine is good my Lord, but after crossing the desert water is necessary!" He chuckled at his own attempt joke as he showed his visitor into the modest study. 'Stop babbling Matthos!' He snapped to himself, just as Porther entered carrying a carafe of cool water. "Now my Lord, how may Matthos Barcor serve you?"
"Politics. I was advised to talk about politics first.", Soren accepts the water with a thankful nod. "There has been a lot of tension between Dorne and the rest of Westeros lately, you will have noticed. I want to make sure that this meeting has only financial matters, no political ones. What I need from you good man, is an answer to the following question - If there shall ever be an open conflict between my people and your people, would you still fulfill your business promises?"
'Direct and to the straight to the heart of the matter.' Matthos thought, trying to keep his face from betraying his surprise. He took a sip of water in order to buy himself a moment to think.
"The recent tensions between our two nations have been...unfortunate to say the least, My Lord. But I am a business man first and foremost. So in answer to your question; should war, Seven forfend, break out between your people and mine I would still not hesitate to fulfil my business obligations." Matthos paused in order to allow the answer to sink in before continuing. "However, I am also a loyal Dornishman, to both My Lord Allyrion and The Crown and should those obligations entail a betrayal, such as providing certain information to cetain people, then we would encounter difficulties. I, like you, have no wish to complicate business with matters of politics; but you have been forthright with me, and so I can only be equally forthright with you and remain in good conscience, My Lord."
"Good." Soren nods to one of his servants, who brings a bag with scrolls. "We would never ask for information, or that you betray your people. Such is not the way of Castamere. But if we should come to an agreement about money, we expect it to flow even if there should be an open conflict - as you said correctly - the gods forbid."
He pulls a scroll out of the bag and rolls it open.
"Let us talk business then. I have of course made this journey, because Castamere looks for further opportunities to invest coin. Your business is very young, but we have a history of providing investments for upcoming businesses, if it benefits both parties well."
"So tell me, good Merchant, what are you conditions for customers?"
"My Lord, I am most pleased to hear our views are so similar on matters of coin." Matthos said, and he truly meant it.
"I am well aware of Castamere's excellent reputation when it comes to investing in new ventures. Although I have to confess, I never believed I would be on the receiving end of such fortune!" He chuckled. "Now, as for my initial conditions; shall we say a minimum of five years investment at ten per cent return per year beginning one year after the initial investment?"
"It is as you say, My Lord." Matthos agreed, eased by familiar rhythm of negotiation. "However, as you have said yourself, we are still a small company. Certainly nothing on the scale of The Goldenhall!" He took another sip of water, as Porther entered with a tray of dates and unobtrusively set them on the table before leaving the study once more.
"Besides, just because you and I can agree to never let politics come in between matters of commerce, I am sure Sunspear would be more likely to look upon me with far more suspicion if I suddenly received massive amounts of money from a Kingdom family. Even one with the spotless reputation of your own House." Matthos paused once more.
"Let us say my initial offer stands, at ten percent over five years. The option shall be included in any contract for your House to extend it's investment for a further five years at the fifteen percent return The Goldenhall provides. As a gesture of good faith, I would also be willing to provide preferential loan rates of ten percent to either your House, or any trusted friend of House Reyne, provided they come with your guarantee of course in the form of a letter of recommendation under your seal. The usual rate for any foreign House is fifteen percent, My Lord. After the ten year period expires...well let us talk about that when the time arises." Matthos took a date up and popped it into his mouth, in an effort to calm his rapidly beating heart.
"What exactly do you mean by this period... you'll note that an investment at a return rate of 10% will not even have amortized in five years, nor by far. It has merely amortized after ten years, and only then would begin to benefit the investor. Before that time, it is rather a loan we'd give you to build up your company."
"I understand your concern though. Here's a counter offer: Castamere will invest 200.000 golden dragons into your company, at a return rate of 15 per cent every year, for an undefined period of time."
The date was what nearly killed Barcor; as he nearly swallowed it whole in shock. He coughed for a moment, before reaching over to the carafe of water, pouring himself a glass and recovering his himself. After this unfortunate display (and in front of an investor no less!) he could no longer even focus on the negotiations at hand. All his careful posturing was blown away in a moment. The Reynes really did get straight to business! "My Lord, there are no words...done. In the sight of the Seven, done and done! Porther, fetch the papers!" He called, a slight edge of hysteria in his voice.
Last edited by Ganbarenippon; October 04, 2012 at 09:39 AM.
"Very well. I will see to it that the 200.000 golden dragons reach you before this year ends. And you will see to it that the 30.000 dragons reach Castamere every year. Don't fail us, and you'll be recommended. Don't fail us, and there's room for more business between us in the future."
Matthos had finally recovered his composure. "As you say, My Lord. Let us hope for a long and fruitful relationship. Now then, may I present you with a small gift to mark this special occasion?"
"I, Pinkie Pie, declare that these treats are fit for a king, or a queen, or a princess!"
"Me? Ruin? I'm not the ruiner, I'm the ruinee! Or is it ruinness? Ruinette?"
"She's ahead of the litter all right. The pick of the litter. The cat's pajamas. Oh wait. Why would Applejack take some poor kitty's pj's? That's not very sporting of her."
"More balloons! No, that's too many balloons. More candy! No, less candy. Ooh! I know! Streamers!"
"Oh my gosh. Hold on to your hooves – I am just about to be brilliant!"
"If you would kindly follow me, My Lord?" Matthos says, rising to his feet and holding the door to his study open. They made their way to the stables at the rear of the building. Matthos bowed the man inside. A beautiful golden mare was awaiting them. Narrow faced, and beautifully proportioned she was one of the world-famous sand steeds of Dorne.
"With the greatest of respect, My Lord, you in the Six Kingdoms breed large, ill-tempered horses. Perfect for war but not much else." He patted the mares flank as he spoke and gave a grin. "In Dorne we bred horses for speed. This is Celerity." He said indicating the horse. "And now, she is yours."
He slowly strokes the short mane of the horse. "A beautiful animal. It is an honor to accept this gift from you, even more so since I will only offer plain coins in return. She'll be well treated and appreciated, I assure you."
"I am sure she will be, My Lord." Matthos replied with a bow. "I shall leave you to get acquainted. Please when you are ready, return to the house and we shall see about lunch!" Matthos bowed once more, and left for the office, bellowing for Porther as he did, and still struggling to comprehend what had just happened to him.
Matthos Barcor greet his visitor in the modest reception room. He knows very little, only that the man was well-dressed and looked like a noble according to Porther. "Greetings, My Lord..." he began, before pausing eyes widened in surprise 'Porther! Damn that man! You'd think he would know a highly-placed member of the court when he saw him.' He thought savagely. "...please follow me." He said, bowing his Ser Edric into his study. "Porther! Wine!" He snapped, giving the man a good glare as he did. As he and his visitor were seated he asked "How may Matthos Barcor serve you, My Lord?"
Matthos Barcor, Merchant of Godsgrace
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