[At first, when Liem encountered steeper prices from Highstorm vendors, he’d thought the difference was due to prevailing attitudes towards Meridian in the wake of the recent Oracle conflict. His face was well-known in both cities by now, and probably most of the vendors he usually saw at market during his visits had long since learned who he was and what side he fought for. He wouldn’t have been surprised at some ill will from the locals as a result.

But, he realizes as he browses — it’s more extensive than that. Even the other Highstorm locals have to fork over more for basic goods than they once did. The growing tensions and feelings of uncertainty have evidently affected the local economy.

Liem, who is ever in search of a good deal, expects to go home empty-handed today. But he is too curious to go yet; though he takes care to be unobtrusive about it, he takes his browsing as a chance to listen to the talk going on around him. Sometimes, such things end up being illuminating.]

If your services are for hire, you may have more luck in Springstar. [Liem uses the barrier of his sunglasses (worn at night…?) to smoothly evade the sour look the stall proprietor shoots his way.] The markets there are often amenable to trading goods for labour, rather than coin.