"Here is the contraband that you can use as bargaining chips as you make your way through the market; do your best to use it wisely, if at all if you can find the best way to find a guide and reach Tseka."
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For those who wish to know about the Undermarket, you may make a Diplomacy or Kn: Local check; roll once for one of those skills and read up to the highest spoiler you qualify for!
Almost anything can be found in the black markets of Undermarket under Goka, including drugs, poisons, gambling, slaves, and even firearms.
Rumors hold that one of the many entrances into Undermarket resides inside a silk shop named the Cresting Blossom. Ordinary customers use currency to purchase wares; however, those who provide contraband to the proprietor gain access to a secret tunnel leading far beneath the city.
Whispers from the ratfolk of Undermarket tell of the Aspis Consortium’s renewed recruitment efforts in the last few months.
For those who wish to know of the underground terrain beneath Goka, you may make a Kn: Dungeonnering or Kn: Geography check; same rules as above!
Undermarket is comprised of large caverns. A canal flows through it, allowing contraband shipments to flow in from the Embaral Ocean.
Deeper into Undermarket, lost crypts, burial chambers, and ancient churches liter the ominous caverns. Even locations that seem to be abandoned are frequently repurposed.
Rumors hold that an entrance into the Darklands resides in Deepmarket, hidden among the dozens of tunnels that wind down for miles into the darkness.
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Hakime, after talking with a few people makes a couple of discoveries and while not surprised at the availability of such things advises the party that "Apparently, almost anything can be found in the black markets of Undermarket under Goka, including drugs, poisons, gambling, slaves, and even firearms."
She adds, "Rumors hold that one of the many entrances into Undermarket resides inside a silk shop named the Cresting Blossom. Ordinary customers use currency to purchase wares; however, those who provide contraband to the proprietor gain access to a secret tunnel leading far beneath the city. Perhaps we should give that a try, but do we find a guide before we gain access or once we have?"
"Find a local guide inside the market, as outsiders are unlikely to know which places and people to avoid, but be careful of whom you trust below the city. Unscrupulous individuals prey on travelers such as yourselves, picking their pockets or leading them into ambushes.", Amara Li answers.
"I will leave that for you to decide; use your wisdom to find someone who will be prudent in guiding you and without ulterior motives to harm you."
Thanks to Hakime's ability to reach others, they find out about the Cresting Blossom as the quickest way to reach the Undermarket. Opening the door to the shop, a lone human merchant is busy dusting a multicolored glass vase prominently displayed on the counter. Along the walls are fine silk tapestries and shelves are stocked with additional fine glasswork.
"Greetings, folks.", the man speaks in slow, yet studied Taldane. "What may I interest you in today?"
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Marduk looks at Wyeth. "Suppose i could pass for a smuggler if i look angry enough?"
"Friend, you're frightening even with a smile on your face. You'll do fine." He looks down as he waggles his metal prosthesis. "Can't fake this. I suppose I can throw on an eye patch and pass for a scurvy pirate. Arr."
***
In the Cresting Blossom, Wyeth pauses just inside the doorway, silently stepping to one side as if guarding the others.
"Yes it is, a fine example of crystal glass. They are more durable than they look, but care should still be taken. Is there anything else you are looking for?", the man replies.
Between Gob and Aspex, the man nods. "The sun doesn't set without a price... but is this enough?"
He is insinuating that you should up the ante to gain access to the Undermarket.
"It is the Deepmarket you want? An interesting group indeed.". The merchant looks over the painting with a wry smile. "That will do, woman, that will do."
Looking around to make sure no one else is in the room, he goes to a blue tapestry and moves it aside, revealing a door flush with the wall. Opening it, the party sees a 50-foot-tall metal spiral staircase that descends into the darkness. "Knock five times at the door below before entering.", he states matter-of-factually.
The party works their way down the winding staircase. At the dimly lit 10'x10' clearing at the bottom, there is a single wooden door. Aspex, still taking the lead, knocks one, two, five times on the door. It then opens, a large half-orc with a jagged axe at his side holding the door.
The warming light from the sun has been replaced with a flickering orange glow that emanates from torches stationed throughout the entirety of this cavern. Buildings made of various types of wood and stone line the walls of this immense grotto, while other ramshackle shops snake their way through the causeway. A large canal in the middle of the cave moves ocean water deeper into the chamber. Multiple slapdash docks with accompanying dinghies bob slowly on the canal. A large building stretches across the canal, its exterior caked in barnacles and algae. The smell of salt water lingers in the air.
Various peoples walk about in the area, although dark alleyways look more imposing in the poor lighting conditions. The majority of the customers and merchants are out in the open streets and shops.
Hakime doesn't like it down so deep...
Likewise, Gob isn't that familiar with the Undermarket. Perhaps he'll have to do some research later.
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"Arr," Wyeth says as he adjusts his eyepatch, "this dark and dismal not be to me liking!" He takes a deep breath and smiles. "But at least the smell be right! Aye, that salty air, she be refreshin', eh mateys!"
-Posted with Wayfinder
The party makes their way through the market, they ask around about informants, slowly working their way to guides. The first person they are pointed out to is a red-haired woman named Dorice. The locals say she is regular in the market, a sellsword who occasionally works with local organizations and guilds.
Approaching the woman, she, her cropped hair doesn't even reach her scuffed breastplate. She's sharpening her blade outside of a tavern, an empty plate next to her. She briefly looks at the party, then goes back to her blade. "You don't look like the typical people who want to hire me. Why're you here then?"
"Heh, well you don't get something for nothing down here, sister.", Dorice replies without making eye contact. "Perhaps if you entertained me, I could part some information. Though I'm only interested in practical things, like take-downs, evasions, and finishing strikes; show me your best moves and I might be willin' to talk."
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Marduk looks back with a look that spells "i have to show a trick?"
"If you want..."
Marduk runs up to a wall, and shows a flashy attack kick.
"I expected something from you, half-orc." Dorice pauses to quickly judge Marduk's action. "Acceptable.", she touts.
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"Arr, I'm not bein' no performer, nor here to entertain you or anyone else, lassie. And not much of a scuffler either, thanks to this," he says as he reaches down to pat his metal peg leg. Without warning he continues the motion quickly around to pull the fauchard from his back and execute a vicious hooking maneuver.
"But I get by, arr."
Unlike Marduk's standard, average effort, Wyeth puts more energy into his action, quickly hooking the barrel Dorice was leaning on. She barely has time to support herself with her sword as Wyeth then tumbles the barrel to its side. "Impressive. I barely caught the speed of that.", Dorice nodding in approval.
Hakime goes for a double trick shot, aiming at an apple barely visible from their position.
*plonk*
*tang*
*thud*
The apple can now be roasted over a firepit with its new handle with fletching.
"Not sure about those two, but the lot of you would be fair competition.", Dorice acknowledging the party. "Well, bad news is that I can't say I've heard much of this Tseka. Guess, he or she is in the Deepmarket and I try to stay outta there. Those jobs... ain't my style.", Dorice shrugging her shoulders as she continues. "Rumor has it them Aspis folk set up a base down there a few years back; got checkpoints and everything. It had been quiet til recently. Something about an attack and a traitor from that Lodge building has caused their numbers to rise. They were looking for mercs to join their ranks, but I declined. Heard they even got their hands on one of their Lantern agents that was working for some Shadow something a few years back."
Sounds like Lantern Lodge and Shadow Lodge, both former factions within the Society before the former became a full fledged hand of the Society within Tian Xia and the latter dissolving after its leader left.
Dorice is about to walk away before she turns her head with one last piece of advice.
"If you are deadset on the Deepmarket, better do more to look the part. Too many bright colors, baggy and flowing garb, and loose items means you're a mark. No one will get you a deal down there like that; only gonna get you killed. Nobody's gonna bat an eye if you get get murdered and robbed. One of them Pathfinders came down here dressed like that and almost got killed because he wasn't minding his own business, like you right now."
With that, Dorice leaves you, more informed, but still without a guide.