Also, I want to mention this as well. Because you guys are actually working, and not just random adventurers, your starting wealth will be different. Unfortunately the PFSRD doesn't have it listed, but basically an occupation is how you earn your keep, and you gain bonuses based off of that.
For example, if Mixster wanted, he could choose a "Marine background" for his bard because he's usually on a ship. Given how he wants to be a merchant of sorts, he could choose "merchant" or "seaman" as his occupation. Others include apprentice, arcane merchant, diplomat, fisherman, guide, and pirate.
Say he goes with Merchant. This is what he gets:
Merchant
The merchant is a buyer and seller of goods.
Alignment: Any (usually non-good)
Skills: Choose 2 of the following skills as permanent class skills: Appraise, Bluff, Diplomacy, Intimidate, Linguistics, Perception, Profession, Sense Motive. If a skill you select is already a class skill, you receive a +1 competence bonus on checks using that skill.
Bonus Feat: Persuasive
Starting Money: 3d4x10
For a bard, his bonus money is 1d4x10 added to his occupation's starting money.
BTW, if your occupation gives you a feat, that's a bonus feat.
And yes, there is a Scribe occupation.
This is all in the Tome of Secrets book. Not to mention a few more base classes like the Spellsword, Warlock (which does get its Eldritch Blast), and Warlord. You can easily find a copy of it.