One town has materials to spare; in another, a craftsperson is waiting for them. A gatherer comes home with more than they can use, while a traveler needs supplies before setting out. A merchant finds a livelihood in bringing those people together.
Get to know your trade
Start with something whose use you know: a potion you carry, a material you gather, or equipment you have used yourself. Visit a market, buy a small quantity, and offer it for sale. As you return to the markets, you will begin to recognize familiar goods, shortages and people.
Choose what interests you about the business. You might enjoy keeping everyday supplies available, finding a buyer for an unusual piece of equipment, or becoming the person who knows where to find a particular material. Each gives you a different reason to visit the market tomorrow.
Give your travels a purpose
Compare the markets in Selene, Dolgan and Corvent. Differences in prices and demand can give you a reason to carry goods from one town to another. Include travel costs and market fees when choosing a trade, and look for something worth bringing back on the return journey.
As your funds grow, you can carry more goods or branch into another trade. You may find a route you like, with people to visit at both ends, or keep wandering in search of your next opportunity. A delivery quest can accompany a trading trip and introduce you to another part of town life.
Trade with people you know
Ask a crafter what they are hoping to make. Talk to a gatherer about the materials they bring home. Their plans may give you an idea for your next purchase, and your travels may help them find a new customer or supplier.
You might become a traveling merchant with an ever-changing selection, a specialist known for one kind of material, or a reliable supplier to a town you have grown fond of. The money you earn lets the business grow; the people you meet give each journey a story. An old trading partner with a new request can be all the reason you need to pack your bag again.
For buying, selling and storage, read Storage and markets (storage-markets). For routes, read Travel and gathering (travel-gathering); for getting to know your trading partners, read Records and communication (records).