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<blockquote data-quote="Vuron" data-source="post: 66626" data-attributes="member: 14">Well ignoring the comments about free market vs controlled commodities (blah, blah, blah) I'd use the markets as a way of fostering new adventure ideas on people.Example: If you assume for instance that major psionic items are pretty much the realm of the giths and the mindflayers you either force the PCs to pay extra in a place like Sigil, where they have to compete on cost with numerous other bidders (factions, blood war generals, proxies, etc) or go to substantially more hostile locations such as a mindflayer city (which of course would earn them the enmity of the giths).Furthermore while most magical traders are probably well guarded against thieves (wards, guards, etc) there are probably more than a few spies outside watching for items to liberate from thier new owners. A Balor who could use item x to further his plans suddenly is very interested in the PCs who buy it.Beyond that numerous good NPCs are liable to try to purchase items to take them out of circulation, if for example your campaign is largely on Oerth Mordekainen and company are probably loath to allow a major influx of weapons that could fall into the hands of Iuz etc.In most of the campaigns were people have the ability to purchase items beyond potions and simple magic items I rarely have the sellers be humans or standard demihumans, as these races are either highly focused on keeping power or highly sentimental. That generally leaves Planar Races and the Arcane which often leads to unique situations.</blockquote>

[QUOTE="Vuron, post: 66626, member: 14"] Well ignoring the comments about free market vs controlled commodities (blah, blah, blah) I'd use the markets as a way of fostering new adventure ideas on people. Example: If you assume for instance that major psionic items are pretty much the realm of the giths and the mindflayers you either force the PCs to pay extra in a place like Sigil, where they have to compete on cost with numerous other bidders (factions, blood war generals, proxies, etc) or go to substantially more hostile locations such as a mindflayer city (which of course would earn them the enmity of the giths). Furthermore while most magical traders are probably well guarded against thieves (wards, guards, etc) there are probably more than a few spies outside watching for items to liberate from thier new owners. A Balor who could use item x to further his plans suddenly is very interested in the PCs who buy it. Beyond that numerous good NPCs are liable to try to purchase items to take them out of circulation, if for example your campaign is largely on Oerth Mordekainen and company are probably loath to allow a major influx of weapons that could fall into the hands of Iuz etc. In most of the campaigns were people have the ability to purchase items beyond potions and simple magic items I rarely have the sellers be humans or standard demihumans, as these races are either highly focused on keeping power or highly sentimental. That generally leaves Planar Races and the Arcane which often leads to unique situations. [/QUOTE]

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