Description
The Fur and Hide Exchange is a long, low wooden building near the Trader's Clearing, raised on stone piers two feet above the ground to allow airflow beneath and prevent moisture and pests from affecting stored goods. It measures forty feet by twenty feet, built from oak timbers with overlapping plank walls that allow air circulation while keeping out rain and snow. A steeply pitched roof with deep eaves shades the building and provides covered space for hunters to deliver goods, and fire treated wooden shingles protect the valuable dry materials inside. Several roof cupolas with adjustable louvers regulate air flow, maintaining proper ventilation and preventing mold in humid weather.
The interior is divided into functional areas for trading, evaluation, and storage. The front section is the trading floor, where a long counter separates buyers and sellers from the storage areas. Hunters lay pelts across its worn surface for inspection while the Hide Master and assistants assess size, thickness, softness, color consistency, flaws, and initial treatment. They determine market value, distinguishing between high quality winter fox pelts and lesser summer hides, stretched and dried deer hide suitable for fine leather and poorly treated material used only for rough work. They offer fair prices based on demand and characteristics, protecting hunters from being underpaid and buyers from inferior goods.
Behind the counter lies the storage area that fills most of the building's length. Heavy racks line the walls, letting furs hang freely without touching, which prevents moisture transfer and allows even air circulation. Premium furs hang on the highest racks for best ventilation, while working grade pelts hang lower. Large hides too big to hang are rolled and placed on elevated shelves, tagged with animal type, hunter, date, and special notes. Cedar planks are placed throughout to repel insects naturally. At the rear, a processing area with scraping benches, stretching frames, and salt or tanning solutions allows basic treatment of fresh hides, with an outdoor covered section for messy work in fresh air.
The Exchange keeps detailed ledgers documenting every transaction, listing each pelt or hide, its provider, price, and sale information. These records prove legality, help track which hunters produce quality goods consistently, and reveal seasonal and long term market trends. The Duke reviews the ledgers monthly to guide hunting quotas and wildlife management, ensuring animal populations remain healthy. Ethical standards guide all operations: only materials from legal hunts are accepted, poached goods are refused, and complete use of harvested animals is encouraged. Prayers of thanks are spoken over shipments and a shrine near the entrance honors the spirits of the animals, maintained with offerings and blessings acknowledging the weight of taking life.
The Exchange strengthens the settlement's economy by connecting local hunters with distant markets seeking quality furs and leather. Merchants trust its assessments, storage, and ethical sourcing, paying premium prices that benefit both the settlement and the hunters. Its reputation spreads beyond Elderwood Grove and attracts specialized traders who travel far to access its reliable goods and respectful practices. It becomes a vital commercial link, offering properly stored, fairly priced, and carefully evaluated materials that uphold the settlement's values and ensure nothing from the animals taken is wasted.
Benefits
The Fur and Hide Exchange provides specialized trading for pelts and leather. All Profession (hunter) and Profession (tanner) checks related to selling furs or hides gain a +2 bonus due to expert assessment and fair pricing. The Exchange generates 150 gold per month from trading commissions and storage fees. The building generates 2 Prestige, reflecting the settlement's reputation for quality furs and ethical hunting practices.