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Message: <blockquote data-quote="jerichothebard" data-source="post: 1425234" data-attributes="member: 4705">I think a logical precaution would be a standing long-term contract with a well-known and mid-high level adventuring company to recover anything that goes missing from his home or business.  They don't work for him on a regular 9-5 basis, but are on retainer as needed, with the standing agreement that anything else they (*ahem*) 'recover' in the process, they are free to keep.  Give them some back story and a reputation - a couple years ago, X group of nefarious thieves broke in and stole Item Y, so his boys went out and got it back, and in the process took out an entire thieves' guild in City Z or ship full of pirates in Harbor AA with a #2 pencil, and then, on the way out, lit the place on fire.Or who knows - maybe his boys want to retire, and the merchant is looking for a new group of heavies to do recovery - plot hook?That, and a sizable liability insurance policy.  Haven't invented insurance in your timeline yet?  Maybe this is the guy what does it!Probably not, unless he gets to the point of selling major magic items.  Just how many of them are there in your game?  Besides - how realistic are your economics, anyway?  In the end, do you really care if he could afford it, or would you rather it just be a cool facet of your campaign and damn the cost?That might be more reasonable, but still pretty derned expensive...Well, let me ask you this - are you tied to the idea of making him just an expert/aristocrat?  Why not give him some middling levels of wizard himself?  Maybe he went to wizarding college, had a mid-level INT but had a high CHA (mama says, sorcerers are like a box of chocolates, you never know how they're going to taste), and just became that one guy who could help you get anything?  (You know the guy...)  Need a love potion?  Talk to Howard.  Need a new magic wand, but don't want to pay retail?  Talk to Howard.  Need to get into the Spellcaster's Club for a hot date, but your scroll says your only 17 1/2?  Talk to Howard.  Failing your trancendental divination class because you can't achieve that 'special trance'?  Talk to Howard, and tell him Jerry said to ask about the faerie fungus...So, he graduated with mediocre grades but great connections, and his natural inclination led him in this direction...  So, maybe he wasn't cut out for the life of a full time wizard, but can still adequately protect his business, and save casting costs on Identify/Analyze Dweomer/Arcane Lock, etc.just some thoughts.jtb</blockquote>

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