The Rattle Market

Overview

The Rattle Market is Bonetown’s commerce and logistics district. Tarp stalls, rusted crates, auction cages, and guarded storefronts crowd together around the settlement’s main trading routes.

In the current build, the district’s implemented services are the Auction Block, the Sharp End, and Vesper’s Reliquary. Other named market locations remain part of Bonetown’s documented design but are not currently wired as player-facing shops.

Current shops and services

Location	Operator	Current service	Availability
The Auction Block	Vex “The Crier”	Companion auctions and value evaluations	Implemented; 08:00-19:00
The Sharp End	Rust “The Club”	Blades, clubs, blunt weapons, and weapon sales	Implemented; 08:00-19:00
Vesper’s Reliquary	Vesper Thorne	Clean water, salvage, accessories, and sentimental goods	Implemented; 08:00-19:00

The Auction Block

The Auction Block is Bonetown’s central auction venue. Vex runs competitive companion auctions, accepts companions for sale, and evaluates their value using attributes, skills, emotional state, and physical condition.

Vex’s displayed evaluation is deliberately reduced by about 500 credits, with a minimum quoted value of 100 credits. Auctions run immediately through the bidding interface and do not advance game time.

Rook is an implemented companion associated with the Auction Block’s purchasing system.

The Sharp End

The Sharp End specializes in hand-combat weapons. Rust sells blades, clubs, and blunt weapons rather than firearms. The current trade profile charges 150% of an item’s base value when the player buys and pays 70% when purchasing accepted goods from the player.

The shop is open daily from 08:00 to 19:00.

Vesper’s Reliquary

Vesper’s Reliquary is a small perimeter stall focused on practical comforts rather than armor or heavy weapons. Vesper’s current trade profile covers water, salvage, accessories, and sentimental items.

The shop is open daily from 08:00 to 19:00.

Vesper offers the Rattle Market’s most favorable standard merchant spread: the player buys at 110% of base value and sells accepted goods at 90%. Her limited stock includes one Water Filter Part.

Trading rules

• Credits are the market’s transaction currency.
• Each merchant accepts and sells only the items configured in their trade profile.
• Purchases and sales are staged before the player confirms the transaction.
• The Negotiator archetype reduces purchase prices by 10% and increases sale prices by 10%.
• The Bartering stat does not currently alter standard merchant prices.
• Merchant stock and balance values may change during alpha development.

Planned and documented locations

• The Dust Market: A broader supply and equipment market documented for general goods.
• The Survivor’s Shell: A planned armor shop for plates, leathers, and improvised protection.
• The Velvet Room: A separate Bonetown establishment connected to Lady Tar, information brokering, and specialized commerce.

These locations are part of the district’s setting, but the Dust Market and Survivor’s Shell should not be treated as currently available storefronts in version 0.23.

Key NPCs

• Vex “The Crier”: Auctioneer, broker, and evaluator.
• Rust “The Club”: Former pit fighter and weapons merchant.
• Vesper Thorne: Independent trader specializing in water and small comforts.
• Rook: Companion available through the Auction Block system.
• Lady Tar: Proprietor and information broker associated with the Velvet Room.

Dangers and cautions

• Vex’s evaluations favor the Auction Block rather than the seller.
• Market prices include merchant markups and restricted buy lists.
• Independent traders operate under Bonetown’s protection-fee system.
• Guards, brokers, and local power can shape access and prices.

Gallery

Related pages

• Bonetown
• Economy and trade
• The Arena District
• Vex “The Crier”
• Rust “The Club”
• Vesper Thorne