By Gaumon Milaneux, Reporting from Limsa Lominsa

For many moons now merchants, artisans, and commerce-minded citizens have awaited the long-promised opening of the Limsa Lominsa auction house. Despite the ever mounting outcries that the marketplace becomes more chaotic with each passing day, the admiralty remains strangely quiet on the subject.

Limsa Lominsa's auction house, presently with restricted access.

The lack of a formalized institution to monitor market trends in the cost of commodities was not an issue at first, but the ever-increasing flow of skilled adventurers has brought merchants to the port from near and far. The lack of a formalized market infrastructure has caused a near collapse in local trade on more than one occasion in the last months. Recent restructuring of the market wards has helped to alleviate the problem slightly, but the economic chaos ensues and thrives.

Merchants locally and abroad, as well as upset consumers, have tried to pry answers about the progress from the musketeer guarding the locked gates of the promised auction house, but to no avail. A recent statement from a spokesperson for the admiralty further called on all people to embrace the new wards system for the time being, insisting that if people just follow the recent zoning changes that the problems would be largely resolved. When it was pointed out that the wards are overcrowded with not enough stalls for everyone and hardly any room to move, even if the zoning regulations are followed, the government had no comment. Rumors have been circling for some time over the possibility of more work contracts for retainers to help organize the shopping stalls in the wards further, but what the public really wants to know is why the silence over the auction house.

The current state of affairs is set to only get worse as times goes on, especially if the rumors about upcoming changes in the teaching and operating practices of the crafting guilds are true. Whispers among artisans in Limsa Lominsa, as well as those heard on caravans landing at the docks, seem to support the idea that big changes are in the works which will see a sharp rise in both the quantity and the quality of manufactured items. More on that story will be revealed as events develop, but for the time being, one thing is clear, Limsa Lominsa’s marketplace needs a real renovation or two if they are to have any hope of maintaining their proud position as a leader in the world economy.

By Arzy

With the recent rise of interest in adventuring, some professional traders have had a difficult time getting their profits back to green numbers. From useless trinkets to rare treasures, adventurers get their hands on many an interesting merchandise. Interesting enough to make customers buy what they need from adventurers rather than their local traders. Not all is as it appears though. Some local merchants are actually profiting more from the rise in adventuring. Today, one of the Limsa Lominsa traders was kind enough to share his thoughts with us in an interview.

The market at work.

I understand that even despite the dangers that surround the city, adventurers continue to flock to the area. The Adventurer’s Guild and taverns continue to profit from the sudden influx but how does it affect local traders such as you?

“I do quite well, actually. People always want to eat and what else would you make your meal from other than vegetables? But I reckon them folks selling armor and weapons lost some of their profits because adventurers get more shiny merchandise for less a gil.”

So, would you say that you welcome the adventurers?

“They sure like spending their money and as long as they spend it at my shop, I won’t stop them. But all the bluster they make while doing it is making me wonder if it’s all worth it. Streets are not as quiet anymore and it’s more satisfying to sell merchandise to people you know.”

It is quite lively here. Do you think that Limsa Lominsa will economically profit from the adventurers?

“Adventurers equate to money and money is what makes the world go ’round. Lots of money flows towards Limsa Lominsa’s treasure this way and I’m sure it’ll benefit everyone. Better security, more houses and if I’m lucky, lower taxes for traders.”

Adventurers come from far and wide to Limsa Lominsa, have you had the chance to see any exotic goods flow?

“I got my hands on some vegetables that don’t grow around Limsa Lominsa from an adventurer, and pretty cheap too! You wouldn’t be able to get them that cheap before the adventurers were out and about all the time. Unfortunately, I can’t sell them at a high price because they’re not such a big of a commodity anymore.”

Aren’t you afraid of rise in criminality? Limsa Lominsa is no small town but is it prepared to keep the citizens secure?

“We’ve had some trouble with drunks and pickpockets but the law had no trouble dealing with them as far as I know. Nothing out of the ordinary. And the roads outside are actually safer now, thanks to the adventurers.”

Thank you for all your answers, before we part, do you have any advice for the adventurers that want to start their own business?

“The key to success is reputation. If you have a good reputation of being an honest and kind merchant then people are more likely to purchase the things they need at your shop.”