Wallace Grimley
Appearance and Equipment
* Short brown hair and sideburns, "soul patch" facial hair, light brown eyes, fair skin, 6'5", heavyset and wide. Has a chipped front tooth and notably large ears.
* Usually wears his signature bright green coat (the inside of which is loaded with pockets), striped green and dark green pants, boots, and heavy brown tunic upon which there are many hooks, pockets, and pouches stocked with various and eclectic goods.
* Unarmed.
Skills and Abilities
Merchant Network: Wallace employs a number of apprentices/journeyman merchants in Elbion, and maintains a reliable list of contacts--fellow merchants, but also innkeepers, tavernkeepers, guard captains, nobles, and others--across major cities and some smaller settlements. This network also includes some underground and shady types, to assist in illicit activities and getting in touch with "particular" buyers and clients. Wallace always seems to "know a guy" who can help him source just about anything, from information to rare items.
Summoning: Wallace sure has hell prefers not to fight any battles himself; as big as he is, it's just not his thing. Though never enrolled in the College of Elbion, he solicited for bespoke lessons from students and professors to hone and direct his moderate magical potential for summoning. Practically-minded more than anything else as far as arcane pursuits were concerned, Wallace settled eventually on a single reagent-based conjuring to be his workhorse spell. It does effectively cost him money every time he summons his Rumbler, since he is inept at properly enchanting the reagent required and must purchase them.
• Summon Rumbler: Wallace may expend an Earthen Summoning Stone to summon his Rumbler, an eight-foot tall rock golem. The golem retains a narrow, limited intelligence and follows basic commands. Lasts for one hour or until destroyed or unsummoned.
Charisma: Whether it's a broad grin, a hearty belly-laugh, a clap on the shoulder, or the manner in which he carries himself in general, Wallace has a way with people. The entirety of his presence--his size, his affable nature, his attire and the array of impressive goods attached to it--has a tendency to sway and influence people to his favor.
Personality
* Has no qualms about conducting shady business. He'll sell daggers to assassins, reagents to dark mages, and armor to raiders, so long as the coin is agreeable. Maintains a "It's just good business" mentality about it.
* Generally has a jolly and personable disposition, though can be quick to irritation in certain cases.
* In conjunction with his size and the clinking and clattering of his coat-wares, Wallace is a loud and very noticeable individual. He has a hawker's booming voice and ain't afraid to use it. Loves to talk about two things in particular: his wares, and himself.
* Has a thick, rural accent and a quirk of speech: he pronounces "s" sounds as "sh" sounds, giving his speech the character of sounding slurred/drunk. Can be difficult to understand.
* With an energetic and enthusiastic work ethic, Wallace isn't afraid to get his hands dirty or to work his ass off. Relishes it, in fact. In his early days, it's how the nickname "The Walking Bazaar" stuck to him, since he quite literally carried many of his wares around everywhere--and still does.
* Has strong opinions in certain regards, but doesn't let that stop him from--if possible--remaining genial with people. His network of contacts is key to his continued success.
+ Isn't bothered by his fatness. He sees it as a sign of his success as a self-made man.
+ Enjoys going nude in public baths. And elsewhere. He really shouldn't.
+ Can be self-interested and greedy at times. Shocker.
+ Aspires to positions of power and influence.
+ An avid collector of a variety of things: maps, treasures, artifacts, books, paintings, and more.
+ Hates thieves, raiders, and pirates. Doesn't stop him from selling to them, and he only acts on this hatred if they steal his stuff.
Biography & Lore
Ain't nothin like a shelf-made man, I'll tell ya. You get born a big ol' farmboy then get yer shtart down the river in Elbion. Shometimesh people be lookin at you funny, but you know how it is, heh heh heh: keep at it and make that shale, buddy. And then you get yerself a lil' profit and you already know what to do: Go big, tha'sh righ'. Man, tha'sh how I got the name "The Walking Bazaar." I went everywhere and shold everything I could.
Buy and shell, buy and shell, and damn yer ol' buddy Wallish doin' good for himshelf, he he. Exshpand that businessh and you already know what it is: I got my own apprentish merchantsh and contactsh all over. Shuitsh me good and it don't shlow me down none--I'm shtill out there walkin' and shellin'.
And here'sh what'sh next fer yer ol' buddy Wallish: Been tryna crack inta tha Merchant Counshil of Elbion, but I done heard the newsh: the Empire out wesht under Gerra. And, I'll tell ya, I can shmell opportunity bettern anybody I know.