[h3]Vendors[/h3]
[center][img]http://i.imgur.com/IbWcB7Q.jpg?1[/img]
[sub][i]Figure: An artist's illustration of a common, human-sized Vendor.[/i][/sub][/center]

Throughout the land, travelers have occasionally encountered strange beings seemingly made of clay, draped in simple garbs. Their sizes, colors, and aesthetics vary, but there are a few consistencies - heads resembling vases which only darkness can be seen within, and multitudes of tentacles taking the places arms and legs. Vendors earned their name when, after some investigating, their intentions were discovered - they are wandering prize givers.

When someone comes across a Vendor, it will approach them and stand idle, waiting for them to initiate the process. The person will have between one to five minutes (varies), before the Vendor loses interest and continues along its prior path, to offer at least one piece of any suitable currency via tossing it into the Vendor's vase-head. Larger Vendors will usually lower themselves into a suitable position to make this step easier. Any amount of currency may be given, and it has become apparent through extensive testing by scholars that the more currency is offered, the higher the quality of the received item. Once currency has been given, and after a brief moment of pause - in which time gurgling and crunching sounds can be heard within the Vendor's body - the Vendor will proceed to regurgitate a random object of varying form and function. Some examples include:

- Weapons. These may range from common daggers to extremely well-crafted blades rivaling that of even the most renowned blacksmiths' make.
- Random household objects, such as dinner plates and silverware, paintings (occasionally depicting rather bizarre events), and even entire pieces of furniture.
- Various fruits, vegetables, and other food items in varying condition.
- Eggs belonging to various creatures, and occasionally live infants of said creatures.
- Fully grown horses with well-prepped saddles.
- Clothing items, as well as armor of varying make and quality.
- Gemstones which are often worth much more than whatever amount of currency was initially offered.

To add, some individuals have attempted to offer Vendors items other than currency in exchange for a random item in return. In this event, all they will receive is the same item, albeit in a heavily damaged state. This action does not appear to incur any hostility from Vendors, who will not return any attacks against them. If a Vendor is killed, cutting open their body will reveal nothing but a hollow interior, with no riches to be pilfered.

It is currently unknown where Vendors originated from, but the etchings on their clay-like skin imply they were sculpted by someone or some[i]thing[/i] in the past. Scholars' attempts to locate such a being have, alas, produced no results.

Following are several accounts of random travelers' encounters with Vendors.

[i]"I met one while on my way to the next town over to deliver a parcel. Mates down at the tavern said you should always spare a coin or two if you get the chance, so I tossed in three coppers into its... vase... head... thing. Moment later, it reached in and pulled out a nice pair of shoes, handed 'em to me, and went on its way. Very comfy shoes, been using them ever since."[/i]

[i]"During my travels, my horse at the time was struck dead by a bandit's arrow, but I was fortunate enough to escape with my life. Luck shined on me not an hour later, and a Vendor standing some ten feet tall happened along my path. I offered it thirty pieces of gold - as I was rather desiring of something, anything useful - and the damn thing up and spat out a horse. A whole clean mare, brown fur, black mane, and with a bloody saddle on it to boot! Wasn't even a tiny bit bothered about having been vomited out by a creature of clay. Horse has been with me for months now - named her Maela."[/i]

[i]"Met one. Gave it a few gold pieces. Got a cup in return. A nice silver cup, but still - just a bloody cup. Waste of money if you ask me. Although it did make a nice gift for me nan."[/i]