NPC Focus - Gerde Benthammer

Gerde Benthammer

    Gerde Benthammer is the dwarven founder of The Bent Hammer metalsmithing shop and an exceptional worker of metal. Although she was born with a bent spine (congenital kyphosis), Gerde has never allowed it to hamper her or slow her down in any way. Mercilessly teased when she was younger, she developed an exceptionally friendly personality as a defense mechanism and now is treated well by everyone, even those who once derided her.

    Armor and weapons made by Gerde are always of masterwork quality, yet she only charges 50% more for an item of this nature. She employs five apprentices, and standard caliber items are usually made by these apprentices with her supervision. The apprentices are given a quarter of the price of the item made, with bonuses often thrown in as incentives. Two of these apprentices are Gerde's own children (Niklaus and Juliane), but they are treated no differently than any of the other three.

    Gerde may be a friendly sort of person, but her skill and acumen as a merchant is well known. She will happily cut a deal for those of the lower class, as she knows this will bring repeat customers, but will also charge the wealthy more since she knows that's what they expect. Her personal code of honor will never allow her to take advantage of someone, however, so the prices she charges the wealthy are always reasonable and fair.

The Bent Hammer