EBON GATE: GM Thandiwe Announces Major Merchant Week Changes! Merchant Week is condensed to Oct. 16–20, and Merchant Passes are being eliminated. Spinner winners will now confirm services through WORK LIST, with a minimum 1,000 Soul Shard fee automatically deducted upon acceptance. Merchants may charge more for certain services, with fees disclosed before confirmation. For more information:
Text of Discord Post follows:
GM Thandiwe September 29
Merchant Week
on 29 Sep 2026 at 5:28PM
from the Official GemStoneIV Discord
on #-paid-events Ebon Gate 2027- Merchant Week Announcements channel
Over the years, we’ve heard various discussions, suggestions, and requests for Merchant Week. There have been folks who stress about how the merchant pass works, getting it, using it, and then forgetting to rip it for their gift. Others purchase a pass and then find they can’t use it because life gets in the way. Last year, we tried something new. This year, we are trying something else.
Condensing Merchant Week
We are condensing Merchant Week to run from Friday the 16th at noon through Tuesday the 20th at midnight. We’ve found over the years that the full 7 days is too much on staff, leading to longer ASSIST queues as players get items fixed due to errors made during the fatigue.
No More Merchant Pass
That’s right, going forward there will not be a need to purchase a merchant pass. Having a pass created an expectation for players regarding services, and for 61.6% of those players, the expectation was not a reality and led to deep disappointment with many of them unable to receive even one service. Therefore, instead of a pass, services, raffles, and merchant work will be handled as follows:
Merchant Work:
Spinners have been reconfigured to require the person spun to confirm they want the work. Each merchant has the ability to set how long the confirmation time will last, but the default is 30 seconds. Winners will confirm on the WORK LIST attached to the spinner by TICKLing it, which will automatically deduct a Soul Shards fee for the service. All work will have a minimum fee of 1,000 Soul Shards. Some services may require a higher fee, but this will be explicitly stated and part of your confirmation. You may DENY by TAPping the associated work list.
If for some reason, your requested work gets denied, then the merchant will refund you. You will get confirmation of this as well.
Here is what that looks like in practice:
The dark mahogany spoon comes to a stop, pointing directly at you!
You have been selected by Ayleano’s dark mahogany spoon.
To confirm that you want this service, TICKLE Ayleano’s work list within the next 30 second(s). If you would like to decline, TAP Ayleano’s work list within the next 30 second(s).
A fee of 1,000 soul shards will be deducted from your balance when you confirm.
The dark mahogany spoon continues to spin about, seeking someone else…
Confirmation:
>tickle list
Confirming will finalize your service and deduct 1,000 soul shards from your balance (you currently have 14,000).
If you are sure, TICKLE Ayleano’s work list again in the next 30 second(s).
>tickle list
You tickle Ayleano’s work list and confirm your service. 1,000 soul shards have been deducted from your balance (NEW balance: 13,00).
What it looks like if your time elapses:
Your time to confirm the service on Ayleano’s work list has run out. Your name has been removed from it.
>tickle list
You tickle Ayleano’s work list, but nothing happens. Either you have not been selected for this service, or your window to confirm has already passed.
What it looks like if you don’t confirm:
Your time to confirm the service on Ayleano’s work list has run out. Your name has been removed from it.
What it looks like if your service type is denied:
Your place on Ayleano’s work list has been withdrawn, and 1,000 soul shards have been returned to you.
If for some reason, you log out after a denial and before your refund can be processed, then you can ASSIST to have it returned.
All of the above messages are in monster bold.
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