[spspecialcharacters.XML]

<!--unlucky merchant -->
<NPCCharacter id="spc_wanderer_aserai_8" name="{=XBJtv4mD}{FIRSTNAME} the Spicevendor" voice="softspoken" age="28" is_female="true" default_group="Infantry" is_template="true" is_hero="false" culture="Culture.aserai" occupation="Wanderer">

[wanderer_strings.XML]

<!-- failed merchant -->
<string id="prebackstory.spc_wanderer_aserai_8" text="{=1ssGvu9j}I can tell you my story. If you spend time among merchants, I suppose you will hear it anyway, told as a cautionary tale, complete with a great deal of moralizing and tut-tutting." />
<string id="backstory_a.spc_wanderer_aserai_8" text="{=Gepa1szA}My father was a merchant. When he died, he left his children a small inheritance. Most went to my brothers. They headed east, to the lands of the Padishah, leaving me in charge of our interests in Calradia. For me to step into my father's shoes, and be treated as an equal by other merchants, I knew I had to make a lot of money in a short time or they would elbow me out of the market." />
<string id="backstory_b.spc_wanderer_aserai_8" text="{=jnbQL2ta}I had an opportunity to buy pepper from another trader who was selling at a discount, and needed cash. I of course inspected the pepper and its storage. I interviewed the watchmen at the warehouse. You can trust us madame,' they said. 'Rest assured your pepper is in good hands.'" />
<string id="backstory_c.spc_wanderer_aserai_8" text="{=YOzdVTeS}But one of them kept a brazier lit at night, for the warmth, and a camel kicked it into a bed of straw when he was off relieving himself. When he returned, the warehouse was in flames. And so became penniless." />
<string id="response_1.spc_wanderer_aserai_8" text="{=EB6RcaTF}Merchants take risks. I am sorry it turned out so badly for you." />
<string id="response_2.spc_wanderer_aserai_8" text="{=Nz0iyKaM}All one's pepper in one warehouse. A cautionary tale indeed." />
<string id="backstory_d.spc_wanderer_aserai_8" text="{=bk3Ir2uC}Well... Even now I feel I made a wise choice to buy the pepper -- wise, but unlucky. Such is fortune! Had I not seized this opportunity, other merchants would have mocked me, a woman who lacked the daring to succeed in a man's trade. Instead they mock a rash woman who lacked a man's judgment. And here I am, looking for work." />
<string id="generic_backstory.spc_wanderer_aserai_8" text="{=OohIyeJo}My parents were merchants, and I inherited a share of their workshops and camels. But banditry and the fortunes of trade ruined me, which is also common, and now I must make my money some other way." />