Merchant Princes

Seven merchant princes rule Port Nyanzaru, each one with an equal vote in matters of state. All are Chultan. Their single qualification is that they're the seven richest people in the city. Their seat of governance is Goldenthrone, an old, regal Amnian palace overlooking the bay. A merchant prince who retires can yield his or her position to a family member or someone else of immense wealth agreed on by the majority.

The merchant princes surround themselves with loyal family and underlings, but they also employ foreign mercenaries both as city guards and as personal guards. Most of these mercenaries are Zhents, and where one finds the Zhentarim, one can also find Harper spies.

The merchant princes have specific monopolies on all merchandise sold in the city. Characters in need of gear or supplies must deal through these individuals directly or their consortiums indirectly. The only alternative is to resort to the black markets.

Ekene-Afa

Deals in weapons, shields, traveling gear, rain catchers, saddles, wagons, and canoes.
Ekene-Afa (Chultan human gladiator) won numerous gladiatorial contests in Port Nyanzaru's arena before she invested her winnings into financing her first trade deals. She is a legend among the common rabble who grew up watching her battles. Her husband, Kura, is a painter, and they have twin teenage sons named Soshen and Tiryk. Soshen is a city guard, and Tiryk is a popular dinosaur racer. Both were named after Chultan rivers.

Ifan Talro'A

Deals in beasts and beast training
Ifan Talro'a (Chultan human noble) is a greedy, conniving man supported by influential and dangerous friends among the Zhentarim. He is jealous of Wakanga O'tamu's magical power and Ekene-Afa's reputation from the arena. Talro'a sells animals that can be trained as mounts or pets, including dinosaurs and flying monkeys.

Jessamine

Deals in plants and poison

Jessamine (Chultan human noble) doesn't speak often. When the council finds itself divided on an issue, however, Jessamine usually casts the deciding vote. Most of her body is hidden under billowy robes and tightly wrapped black bandages.

Jobal

Deals in guides and sellswords

Jobal (Chultan human scout) made a fortune as a wilderness guide when the party he was working for discovered a stunning cache of Chultan gold and jewels. Miraculously, only Jobal survived the gauntlet of undead and dinosaur attacks, making it back to Port Nyanzaru in a canoe laden with treasure. There's no doubt he's led a life of adventure; his body bears many scars from his escapades.

Kwayothé

Deals in fruit, wine, ale, tej, oil, perfume, and insect repellent
Kwayothé (Chultan human priest) is calm and contemplative in a way that's vaguely menacing. She worships the fire god Kossuth (pronounced kaw-SOOTH). Kwayothé grew up in the streets of Port Nyanzaru, poor and destitute. Through shrewd business deals with traders and merchants, her wealth grew immensely. Kwayothé employs traders who make their own tej and insect repellent.

Wakanga O'Tamu

Deals in magic and lore

Wakanga O'tamu (Chultan human mage) is the only arcane spellcaster among the merchant princes. He's a long-time friend of Syndra Silvane, and he's something of a dandy who's easily seduced by smart women-or perhaps that's only a carefully constructed public image. Wakanga deals in knowledge, information, lost lore, potions, and scrolls. He knows of the death curse but little else about it.

Zhanthi

Deals in gems, jewelry, cloth, and armor
Zhanthi (Chultan human noble) has royal blood in her veins, and few have the courage to dispute the wise, old trader. Zhanthi trades in gems, jewelry, colorful Chultan cloth, and nonmagical leather, studded leather, and hide armor.