You see a smiling and slightly freezing halfling lady in robes opening the door with a wide grin.
"Oh my fellow pathfinders - I am so sorry to be late! My team just returned from a mission and I was sent to join your group.
I have to admit that I would have wished for better weather. But I freeze so easily coming from Rahadoum, you know?"
She grins again and continues. "Oh where are my manners ... again starting to talk without even thinking."
Shaking her head in shame she looks at all of you and bows: "Enora is my name and I am a little Scarab Sage with a taste for magical phenomena!"
The missive from Venture-Captain Amara Li was clear, and comes to mind as the skyline of Korvosa rises into view over the calm waters of Conqueror’s Bay in southern Varisia.
“Recently the Society acquired a new ally in Absalom named Sendeli Foxglove. Now she has made something of a personal request. Sendeli has a sister named Zeeva in Korvosa who owns a successful marketplace. A competing business interest is threatening Lady Foxglove, and her sister requests the Society investigate and intervene."
“If you consider the matter pedestrian and more suited toward the local constabulary, I wouldn’t blame you. Even so, there are extenuating circumstances. First, the competing business interest is the Aspis Consortium. It makes little sense for them to harass a local greengrocer, so there must be a deeper layer to this. Maintaining close ties to Sendeli Foxglove is an agenda the Society feels is worth pursuing in and of itself, but if we can assist Zeeva while also hampering the Aspis Consortium’s efforts to gain influence in Korvosa, all the better."
“There is smoke here, now find the fire. Extricate Zeeva Foxglove from this feud with the Consortium. If she’s anything like her sister, she’ll want to be an active part of this team—but you are not to let her put herself in danger. We’ve made that clear to her, and you’re expected to abide by it and ensure she does as well. If this matter is simply crooked business, then just resolve it and continue on to Magnimar where Venture-Captain Heidmarch will surely have more in store for you.”
Responding to the missive, the group travels to Korvosa and the Green Market...
The Green Market is a mostly wooden structure built like a massive barn. It stands on a flattened section of raised earth five feet higher than the surrounding street. The structure is only a single story, but the ceiling rises to twenty-five feet and has numerous glass skylights that can be opened and closed with extending poles and ladders for lighting and ventilation. To the south is the main entrance that has large iron gates which can be slid and chained shut.
On the southeast and southwest sides are exterior docks with sliding bay doors, where farmers and merchants can unload the wares from their wagons directly into stalls or bring them into interior kiosks. Inside, the majority of the ground is hard-packed earth, except for the stalls, which have wood flooring. Only the four southeastern stalls carry goods other than produce. The southern-most stall has casks of wine, oils, and vinegar. The other stalls sell quality clothing, jewelry, and finished furniture. On the northeast side is an office that can be secured by another sliding iron gate. North of the office is the market’s back entrance. Finally, in the center north is a park-like area with a large tree and flowered bushes kept alive by an open skylight above.
”Oh Korvosa, I love this city!! Did I tell you about my adventure below the city? Or my cousine Asa living in North Point? No??? Then later ... oh but first we need to identify Zeeva Foxglove. I believe that any merchant here will surely know Zeeva Foxglove! Now let us ask!“
Enora walks to the next merchant and asks. ”Excuse me, do you potentially know where we can find Zeeva Foxglove?“
The Green Market is open to the public, and merchants hock their wares from their booths as customers bustle to and fro. A merchant quickly points Enora and Feybella to Zeeva, who is wandering the market floor, keeping an eye on the crowds for signs thievery, or customers or clients in need of her assistance.
Zeeva Foxglove is a stunning woman with chin-length, strawberry blonde hair, wide brown eyes, and a generous smile. She carries no weapons and wears no armor. A sleek, black cat rubs itself against her ankle.
When the Pathfinders introduce themselves, she greets them warmly.
“Thank you so much for coming. I can’t tell you how much this means to me. I’ve complained to the city, but it’s as if the Aspis Consortium has bribed everyone or the authorities just don’t care. I’m happy to pay for your lodging while you’re helping me. If you like, I can show you around the market and answer any questions about anything you haven’t already been told.”
The Green Market is located in a populated area of South
Shore. Locals who can provide information on its history
are easily found throughout the neighborhood or even the
market itself.
15+ Zeeva Foxglove is the second owner of the Green
Market. Both occasions it has been open, the business was
always popular and successful.
20+ The previous owner died, closing the doors roughly
ten years ago. His death was unexpected and sudden.
Oddly, at no time has any owner of the Green Market failed
to show at least a fair profit.
25+ The previous owner’s death was mysterious—a
wasting disease struck quickly, without warning or
discernable cause, and never spread. Local farmers and
craftsmen believe the market is otherwise lucky, but they
don’t discuss its history openly.
30+ The Green Market was built on or near a site of
importance to the Shoanti. Not as significant as the Grand
Mastaba, but nevertheless still considered sacred.
she is well known among locals. PCs wishing to check into
her past can learn the following facts.
10+ Her reputation in the local community is solid. Her
business dealings have always been fair, despite always
being lucrative.
15+ She was brought to Korvosa from Magnimar as a
child. She is technically nobility in Magnimar, but she has
no connection to it, and she lays no claim to a noble title
in Korvosa.
20+ Orphaned after her parents died tragically, Zeeva
and her siblings were raised by a distant cousin in Korvosa.
Her sister Sendeli now lives in Absalom, and her estranged
brother Aldern returned to Magnimar. Zeeva sold her
portion of her inheritance to buy the Green Market, and so
far it has been a good investment.
25+ Some suspect Zeeva is a witch, but a good one who
is willing to use her powers to help her neighbors.
”Oh how interesting! Look guys ... “
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Stopping at a stall only to buy some sugar cane as a treat for Panda, Cody nods his head at the information Enora knows about the Green market and and Zeeva, ”A previous owner? Maybe we should check with them to see if they had issues with the Aspis. I don’t see why they would be bothering Zeeva or the Green market.”
The small Panda Jr happily rides on Cody’s shoulder as it munch on the cane treat.
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Starling nods at Zeeva. "Actually, we'd be grateful if you could show us around the market as we speak... My friends and I have heard a lot about the famous Green Market of Korvosa, and I'm sure we'd like to hear more about your issues with the Aspis Consortium. She looks around for a few seconds then adds "You have a nice cat by the way. What's its name?" and kneels to pet the cat.
Zeeva smiles and gives the team a tour of the Green Market.
"The cat? Oh, that's Midnight...she's overly interested in people," she says.
Zeeva is quite friendly, and answers any questions to the best of her ability. She responds to the group's questions as they walk.
wanted to buy the Green Market, but I wasn’t interested.
It’s been very successful and, though I never thought
I’d find myself saying this, I love what I do. Then they
wanted to lease space inside of it, but when I found out
what they wanted to sell I declined. That’s when they
started to harass me.”
magic goods. Those things have their place, but my
customers are not adventurers. They are people looking
for food and goods they need to survive. The Green
Market is a community-based business.”
Consortium?:
businessmen to convince me an alliance would benefit
us both. I repeatedly declined their advances, so they
started sending around thugs to “persuade” me. Till now,
I’ve run to the city guard or otherwise eluded the Aspis
thugs, but it’s only a matter of time before their methods
of intimidation get too dangerous for me to refuse.”
that I have protectors of the likes of you Pathfinders, I
hope they’ll leave me alone. Stick around the market and
see what they do. It’s only a matter of time until they
come back to try and strong-arm me again.”
I’ve heard the Green Market is lucky? “Sometimes it
seems that way, yes. It’s not anything I understand, or
control. Yet often I seem to be blessed in running the
Market. I don’t know why.”
abilities manifested after my parents’ death when I was
a little girl. Mostly they give me a hint what is going to
happen before it does. Yet the market is a mystery my
spells and research have never solved. I never use my
magic to cheat or influence my customers.
"Thank you so much for your honesty! Of course we will stick around and keep an eye out for your trouble!"
Enora will try to enjoy the time and try to be attentive.
No sooner had the words escaped E'li's mouth than a man with long blond hair and a lazy eye steps toward Zeeva from among the shoppers. A few of other patrons behind him watch intently, a few of them reaching into their cloaks.
"Miss Zeeva, I suggest you come with me so we can discuss business in private, so as not to cause a scene in such a serene setting as the Green Market.” he says.
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Unusually quiet, Hastard stays astride his companion, rubbing Squealy's sides repeatedly. Only half listening to the other talk as he's lead through the market, he keeps muttering "It'll be ok Nord. I won't let you die again. I promise."
At the sound of the stranger, Hastard looks up suddenly. "Hey, now."
Shaking his head a second to clear it, he refocuses on the task at hand. "My dear sir, we do hope there's no trouble here. This fine young lady was already involved in a business discussion of sorts with my companions and I. Perhaps it's a matter we could help you with? We are, after all, quite skilled in matters of negotiation."
Waving a hand towards the large market, he continues "I mean, such a fine establishment is sure to have more than one discussion ongoing. All these stalls...people bartering for goods...this is the place to discuss matters of finance."
Finishing as he leans forward in his saddle, he inquires "What might this business of yours entail? We'd be most obliged to prove our sincerity to the business men and women of this city."
The man sneers at Hastard. "This doesn't concern you! This is a matter between the Lady Zeeva, and ourselves," he says.
Though no one is standing with him, a few behind him look warily at the group.
"Now are you gonna come talk, or what?!" he hisses at Zeeva.
She looks to the group with concern.
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Starling steps up, addressing the man pompously. "I'm sorry, but you'll have to wait with your proposal. I am here on important business on behalf of a certain prince of Taldor." She lowers her voice, as if to avoid Zeeva from hearing her. "It turns out, you see, that Zeeva here is actually connected by blood to the royal family of this anonymous prince. He sent her a whole group of bodyguards, just in case, you know, to protect her from anything and anyone that might have the ridiculous idea to harm her. That same prince - we'll keep his identity anonymous - once heard a rumor that another noble dared to mock his little sister. The prince, you know how arrogant those Taldans could be, caught the man within a day and locked him in his private tower in the countryside. Let me tell you this - I once guarded the door to that tower and I'll never forget the screams I heard from within. This is to say - you'll do well to remember that the prince never forgets, and the more he's interested in something, the better sensible men, like yourself and your friends here, should stay away." She raises her voice back to its normal level, nodding with a wink at the man, "Wouldn't want to end up in any tower, wouldn't you?"
Enora silently listens to the discussion and knows that her lack of social skills would just lead to confusion and more hurdles for their task!
Therefore she observes and waits for a moment where her magical talents and her knowledge could be of use!
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Suddenly thankful his visor is down, Hastard can't help but smile at the lies unfolding about him. 'There are ways to deceive without lieing' considers the man.
Trying to look tall in the shadow, he inclines his head and guides Nord to move with Lady Zeeva. "I have swore to protect the innocent till my days end. At this time, it seems, she is the innocent I'm to protect."
"You may discuss your business with her in front of us....or you may leave."
The man looks hesitant as the group speaks up for Zeeva, especially as Starling and Hastard speak.
But he snarls and says "These isn't optional negotiations!" The group sees him draw a blade, along with several other shoppers.
The man sneers a response to the group, then nods. "Get 'em, boys!"
The distraction the man provided, as well as the crowd of shoppers, enables four thugs to get the jump on the Pathfinders. All four pull a greatsword from cloaks or from concealment among the baskets and crates.
One blade cuts into Cody, while the second narrowly misses the flat-footed Feybella. The third deals a vicious blow to Enora, while the last stikes Hastard.
Hastard and Cody are the first to mount a response.
Initiative (bold may act)
Thugs
Hastard (-11 hp)
Cody (-16 hp)
Narris
Enora (-21 hp)
Feybella
E'li
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Taking the heavy blow from the blade-men, Cody directs Panda to attack as the hunter draws and attempts to trip the foe with his own blade.
Panda shifts up to bite and claw the same foe.
Cody:
Free: direct Panda to attack
move: draw scimitar
Swift: Invoke Animal Focus Bull +2 Str for both Cody (1 min) & Panda
Standard: after Panda moves up, attack the Green Blade-man.
Panda:
Free: shift 5ft
Full Action: Attack bite, 2x claws
Both using: Pack Flanking +2 flank, Outflank +2 tohit, Precise Strike +d6 damage, Animal Focus Bull +1/+1
trip vs CMD
trip vs CMD
to hit
to hit
to hit
If foe is tripped add +4 to panda's attacks.
Hastard takes up a defensive position, guarding Zeeva from the blue-clad enemy. His lance bites into the man's leg, while Nord prepares to bite any that venture near.
Cody takes the other flank. He trips the green thug easily, then panda goes after the prone man as he screams.
Seeing one of his men go down, the sneering leader steps back from Zeeva. He casts a spell at Cody with a pointed finger.
Initiative (bold may act)
Thug 1 (green) (-32 hp)
Thug 2 (red)
Thug 3 (yellow)
Thug 4 (blue) (-8 hp)
Hastard (-11 hp)
Cody (-16 hp)
Narris (purple)
Enora (-21 hp)
Feybella
E'li
Enora, Feybella, and E'li are up!
Enora steps back and casts ‚haste‘ on the party.
Enora casts a spell to increase the speed of each team member. Feybella stabs at the yellow-clad enemy twice, her first blow missing badly but the second striking true. The spell effect seems wasted on Cody, however, as his limbs seize up. The hunter seems completely unable to move.
E'li launches a pair of stones at one thug, who takes them both to the chin.
The thugs, all damaged, renew their assault. The green-clad warrior, though severely injured, takes heart as Cody stops moving. The attempts to stand.
The red thug advances on Feybella, and has to let his guard down to get to her. He does strike her with his blade, drawing a long tendril of blood. The yellow thug tries to double-team Feybella, but his blow is not as well-aimed.
The blue warrior tries to tie up Hastard, striking the gnome soundly.
Initiative (bold may act)
Thug 1 (green) (-32 hp)
Thug 2 (red) (-10 hp)
Thug 3 (yellow) (-6 hp)
Thug 4 (blue) (-8 hp)
Hastard (-35 hp)
Cody (-16 hp)
Narris (purple)
Enora (-21 hp)
Feybella (-11 hp)
E'li
Hastard and Cody are up! Cody can attempt another save, which is a full-round action.
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Panda Jr strikes out at the green man as he tries to stand likely hitting him.
If the green man is not dead then Panda continues to attack the man until he falls and then shifts 5 feet to attack the Blue man with any remaining attacks.
Cody's veins on his forehead bulge as the exert his will over his own body breaking the spell and freeing his body to start moving once again. He looks for the spellcaster with murderous intent in his eyes.
Panda:
AoO: Attacks as green as he stands.
Full Action: Attack bite, 2x claws
Panda using: Animal Focus Bull +1/+1, haste +1/+0
to hit
to hit
Cody:
Full round: Break hold spell