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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.”
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Though the woman looks a typical example of a beauty from the frozen north, the pale glacial blue tinge to her skin and a distinct look of 'otherness' about her tells of an unearthly heritage. Her grooming and presentation is highly polished and immaculate, however her thin layer of make-up only just disguises the varying scars and wounds which mark her as a person used to the front of combat.
She wears finely cut clothing, elegant but functional, and in the reds and blacks of Cheliax, her cloak secured by a brooch pin bearing the insignia of an infernal eye looking out of swirling portal.
In her hand she holds a silver wayfinder bearing the image of a dragon, and she looks into it absentmindedly.
"I wonder what changes Venture Captain Heidmarch will have in store?
Driving off Aspis agents otherwise seems easy enough"
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The small gnome plodded into the room after all the others. "Apologies for being tardy. There was a mix up with my orders.". She pokes the drawn on the shoulder. "Get out of here, beardy. You've been called elsewhere."
She takes the now abandoned seat, and pulls open a journal, taking notes on the assignment. "Do we know anything about the market? Does it have a name? What does Foxglove sell there?"
As she asked the question, a large spellbook that had been poking out of her backpack slipped from its bindings and fell to the floor with a crash. "Sorry," she grunted as she grabbed it up and tried to stash it away again.
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A noble young man strides in the room without haste, very confident in himself. He quickly glances at the other pathfinders and smiles widely.
"Greetings, fellow adventurers! I am indeed the Baron Dioneo, second of his name, Starnon-Oberigo. A pleasure to meet you all."
As he enters, the room's temperature increase by a few degrees.
You notice quickly that, even if he has the manners and the noble grace, he is not human at all. His white-flaming hair and his burnt skin make you think he is an Ifrit. His clothing includes some features you recognize as chelaxian.
Turning towards Amara Li after her speech, he chuckles and says "Well I know how to start a fire. Finding one following the smoke won't be that hard! Seriously, what means do you recommend to deal with these filthy scums? Is spontaneous combustion allowed?" he asks licking his lips.
"Furthermore, do you have any more information about the activities of the consortium in Korvosa? Also, you mentioned Zeeva as a 'lady', does that mean she is a noble of some sort?"
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As the holy warrior greets the others you can sense he is focusing on all of them in turn as they clasp arms. "Greetings to all. My name is Wyrgan Goodheart, crusader for Ragathiel. It is a pleasure to meet you all. Turning to those with religious symbols or garb he asks of them "Whose divine allegiance do you swear to?"
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Standing in the back of the room is a tall braud muscular man with a cloak covering his body. He has no visible weapons but definatly looks like he can hold his own in a fight. "Greatings fellow pathfinders, I am Bane." After the Venture captain speaks he just listens intently
-Posted with Wayfinder
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"It is a Green Market, Foxglove runs the market, but not the stalls. The principle goods sold there are foodstuffs, but she sometimes allows other types of things such as baskets and jars to also be sold."
With the exception of robust religious conversation the trip passes without incident.
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.
Zeeva Foxglove is the second owner of the Green Market. Both occasions it has been open, the business was always popular and successful.
The previous owner died, closing the doors roughlyten 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.
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.
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 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.
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.
Some suspect Zeeva is a witch, but a good one who is willing to use her powers to help her neighbors
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Seeing the follower of Ragathiel having a tough time of it, the demon-blooded Teifling Hellknight offers a little comfort and welcome conversation
"Ragathiel? A good choice, I can relate to the themes of vengeance and redemption, though the most important part is righteousness. He is of mixed bloodlines, as am I, so I suppose he stands as a good example of what I can aspire to. Personally I spent many years as an athlete and fighter so its loosely Kurgess that I put coins in the plate for, but that's about it."
She checks her Shining Wayfinder once again.
***
"A witch running a fair and legitimate business on a Shoanti sacred site? I suspect we are in for more than casual conversation then, just as Zeeva is apparently no regular greengrocer"
Svetlana makes ready to wander over to the main building nd find Zeeva
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"It is true Ragathiel is of mixed heritage... like you and like myself. He is also a tower of glorious might. One day should let me speak to you of his epic struggle versus the Maelstrom serpent. It is good to see someone who cares for upholding the laws such as yourself in the Society. I feel the Society sometimes allows those of a .....dubious... nature to join."
Wyrgan walks into the market observing sellers and buyers for anything amiss...
He does not go straight for the witch's location yet. He first looks to see if anyone else outside of his party is interested in the witch as well.
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Mostly people come in the main steps at the bottom, but there are other entrances in use that you could easily utilize.
Wyrgan sees nothing awry in the market. It looks prosperous and well run.
"Get your Fresh Beans Here" shouts the man next to him.
"Apples. Lovely Green Apples" is the reply from across the way.
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“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.”
"If the Aspis Consortium sees 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.”
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"Let us disguise ourselfs as non pathfinders and lie and wait. If they see pathfinders they may not come around and we wont be able to know what they are after"
-Posted with Wayfinder
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"“Initially they 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.” explains Zeeta to Svetlana.
"Potatoes! Potatoes! I have Potatoes, just dug this morning!"
"Beer, and tap and by the barrel!"
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"No, and not beer either" says Zeeta.
"“Weapons, armor, and 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.”
"Fresh fish!" goes out the call. Nearby a cage of ducks starts to quack.
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A man pushes through the crowd and approaches Zeeta.
“Hello Zeeta. I think we need to discuss some business. In private. So as not to.. cause a scene in such a serene setting as the Green Market.”
She looks alarmed, and her cat arches its back hissing. Zeeta turns to you. "help?"
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"You should watch who you talk to. We'll see whose pet is whose."
Sneers the man, somewhat shaken that anyone would speak to him in such a way.
His words lack the impact of Nox's though
The others start to cluster around him and Zeeta, pushing away other market goers who seem to find lots of reasons to be elsewhere suddenly.
Status
Orange - shaken
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"You dont threaten my friends!"
As the others start to move closer to Zeeta Bane will make his move.
Swift action dragon style. On yellow