People always want what they cannot have, and every new law creates a source of profit for those who challenge it. The major challenger in Riedra is a cabal known as the Dream Merchants. The Merchants are smugglers first and foremost—they run dreamlily and other Sarlonan goods to Khorvaire, and they provide a black market for Riedrans who want goods beyond the basic tools of survival provided by the Inspired. In the bastions, the Dream Merchants provide other criminal services: theft, forbidden information, fencing of stolen goods, even assassination. Such actions are extremely dangerous, and the costs of criminal services are four times those listed in Sharn: City of Towers—assuming the Merchants are willing at all.
The Dream Merchants, while established in bastion cities, are rarely seen in the villages. Individual merchants sometimes travel between villages, posing as couriers. They carry bags of holding containing a wide range of contraband goods they can exchange with villagers. Wandering merchants are generally masters of Sense Motive. They are very careful about whom they reveal their true nature to, since one misstep could bring death. Although most Riedrans have heard of the Dream Merchants, common wisdom is that these people are the direct servants of the altavars, sent to tempt and test the devotion of the innocent. Loyal Riedrans report such criminals immediately.
Dream Merchants can be found in most bastion cities with a successful DC 25 Gather Information check; failure by 5 or more results in the authorities learning of the character's interest. The Merchants also maintain a number of outposts on the islands of Ohr Kaluun. Their strongest support on the mainland lies in Rhiavhaar— remnants of the freebooter spirit holding true.
Most Dream Merchants are human experts or rogues. A few manage to unlock innate psionic talents and become lurks; the dimensional pocket power of the lurk can be invaluable for a smuggler.
Getting the PCs Involved: The Dream Merchants are great contacts for those who want to enter Riedra by stealth. Characters who are conversant with the criminal underworld of Sharn might be able to make contact with a merchant through the dreamlily trade. The Merchants can smuggle people into Nulakhesh, Pyrine, or Corvagura through their Ohr Kaluun gateway. They can also provide Riedran traveling papers, at a steep cost of 250 gp per person. Within Riedra, Dream Merchants can help with transportation, information, or other needs. They can acquire nearly anything, but exotic goods take time—and prices are modified up to 100% in favor of the merchant.