Hear Ye! A Binding Compact with the Merchant of The Market
Preamble: The Trust of the Traveler
Know ye, brave traveler, that the Merchant of The Market values your trust above all the trinkets and treasures gathered on his long road. As you step across the threshold of this humble (yet mysterious) shop, or peruse these goods from afar, certain vital secrets—your own—are necessarily shared. This Code outlines the sacred duty the Merchant holds over your precious information.
I. The Secrets We Keep (Information Gathering)
By what means does the Merchant gather these fragments of your personal essence? Only through necessary transactions and communications.
1. The Ledger of Identity (Personal Information)
When you make a purchase, petition the Merchant, or scribe a contract (create an account), we inscribe the following upon our hidden ledger:
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Your True Name: (Name)
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Your Dwelling & Post Route: (Shipping/Billing Address)
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Your Sending Stone Mark: (Email Address)
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Your Vocal Token: (Phone Number, if provided)
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The Details of Your Chosen Curio: (Order History)
2. The Scrying Pool’s Glimpse (Usage Data)
As you wander the digital aisles of the Shoppe, our hidden Scrying Pool records non-identifying visions of your journey:
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The pages you peruse.
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The time spent in contemplation.
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The magical device (browser type/device) used for your visit.
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The path that led you to our humble Shoppe (referring URL).
3. The Shadowy Emissaries (Cookies)
The Merchant uses small, magical markers—known elsewhere as ‘Cookies’—to remember you. They are not edible, but they help your digital journey remain swift. These temporary talismans prevent the Merchant from forgetting your chosen treasures in the cart or demanding your name anew with every page turn.
II. The Purpose of the Magic (How Secrets Are Used)
The secrets we hold are used for but four solemn vows:
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To Fulfill the Oath: To dispatch your order swiftly and truly, ensuring the curio reaches your hands.
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To Maintain the Scroll: To manage your account and record your past patronage.
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To Whisper Warnings: To inform you of delays, dangers, or alterations to your order via the Sending Stone Mark.
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To Guard the Walls: To prevent rogues, thieves, and dark sorcery (fraud) from corrupting our transactions.
III. Sharing the Scrolls (Disclosure to Others)
The Merchant will never sell your secrets to rival guilds or dark patrons. Your data is guarded zealously. However, certain trusted allies must be granted a glimpse to fulfill their part of the contract:
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The Swift Steeds of the Post: The necessary Address and Name must be shared with the couriers (Royal Mail, FedEx, etc.) to deliver the package.
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The Bankers of the Realm: Your coin and its verification are handled by the great Banking Houses (e.g., PayPal, Stripe). The Merchant only sees the ‘Success’ or ‘Failure’ of the transaction, not your vault’s combination.
IV. Your Ancient Rights (Control Over Your Secrets)
As a patron of this Shoppe, you retain the following sovereign rights over your secrets:
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The Right to View: You may petition the Merchant to view the entire contents of your personal ledger.
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The Right to Amend: Should your name or dwelling change, you possess the right to correct the ancient records.
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The Right to Be Forgotten: You may demand that your digital records be erased from the ledger, save those required by the King’s Tax Collectors for the appointed time.
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The Right to Refuse the Whisper: You may withdraw your consent for future missives and newsletters (Marketing).
V. The Merchant’s Contact and Final Word
Should any shadow of doubt cloud your mind, or should you wish to invoke any of your Ancient Rights, please use the following channel:
The Merchant’s Emissary: The Purveyor The Address of the Shoppe: The ancient realm of Surry, close to the banks of the Thames The Sending Stone Mark: info@themerchantofthemarket.com
This Code was last decreed upon the [Day] of [Month], [Year]. May your journey be prosperous and your secrets remain safe.