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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Ichio smiles to see Amara li again, that means they are at home again. While listening attentively a brief grimace of joy assumed on his impassive face. "Well another opportunity to embitter the existence of the Aspis consortium, Honorable Amara Li can you give us another additional information" while making a small bow, "some additional information would be very useful to us so that our mission was more successful"
You had me at "Aspis Consortium". Any chance I get to bust some Snakes' heads is fine by me. I'm good to get going...just refilled my necessary expendables.. Valeros says as he shows a few wineskins almost bursting at the seams. Qadiran wine, whiskey from Taldor and a hearty mead made by a dwarf named Branil I met a while ago.
Arriving in Korvosa, you learn that the Green Market is in the South Shore district. Once you get there, it is easy to find directions to the 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 East is the main entrance that has large iron gates which can be slid and chained shut. On the northeast and southeast 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 northeastern stalls carry goods other than produce. The eastern-most stall has casks of wine, oils, and vinegar. The other stalls sell quality clothing, jewelry, and finished furniture. On the northwest side is an office that can be secured by another sliding iron gate. West of the office is the market’s back entrance. Finally, in the center west is a park-like area with a large tree and flowered bushes kept alive by an open skylight above.
When the group arrives, the market is bustling with life and commerce as merchants sell their wares and chat with their customers. Men and women do their daily grocery shopping while children run around playing and laughing.
"Ha! I don't know. No one's ever mentioned why they call it the Green Market," a smiling man with a bald pate, shaggy beard and spare frame replies to Diazepane's question.
Green Market (Diplomacy or Knowledge (Local)
Zeeva Foxglove (Diplomacy or Knowledge (Local)
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Madame Shardra peruses the stalls wares with distracted interest. She purchases a large bulb of garlic, cracks it open against a wooden post and peels the dry outer skins of a handful of cloves with a pocket knife. Thoughtfully she munches on the raw garlic cloves as she meanders through the merchants, trying to sift matters of interest from the chat and banter surrounding her...
She does not engage any locals in chat; the potent stench of garlic would be enough to knock them flat.
Once she regroups with the party, she ushers the others into a close huddle to share what she has learned.
As the group compares notes and asks around, one of the merchants nods across the way. "If you want to know about the Green Market, or Zeeva, why don't you ask her, yourselves?"
Following the direction of the nod, you see 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.
As you watch, she finishes a conversation with one vendor passing her a coin and taking an apple before moving on to the next stall and starting to chat with both the vendor and a customer.
Engage her? I haven't even talked to her yet...but ok... Valeros says with a laugh.
Good day, Miss Foxglove.
"Miss Zeeva my name is Ichio and we have been sent through your sister Sendeli to help you with the small problem you have with the Aspis Consortium, we will protect you and eradicate that nest of snakes as quickly and silently as possible."
Zeeva's seemingly ever present smile does not falter when the Pathfinders present themselves, though her brow furrows in concentration as she mentally switches from the calm, happy commerce around her to the darker subject which brought them here.
Her eyes widen and she nods when she's on the right mental track.
“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.”
She's true to her word and will take you around introducing you to each vendor and most of the customers, who seem to be regulars while answering any questions.
"Some say the Market is lucky and sometimes it seems that way. It’s not anything I understand, or control. Yet often I seem to be blessed in running the Market. I don’t know why," Zeeva replies with a sheepish shrug.
"It seems that they want to take advantage of that luck."
Likely the snakes have their eyes on anything involving money or the Society. Those vermin can be trusted as far as I can toss a dragon...which isn't far.. Valeros says as he wanders the market, buying odd bit of food to sample.
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"Dear Zeeva, I have to tell you something but maybe it does not suit you, I think that introducing ourselves to all the merchants in full view of everyone can have its advantages and disadvantages. The Aspis will know that you are no longer alone and they will become more violent and daring and on the contrary it will take away the tactical advantage of surprise. If you like, Goram, who is our bravest warrior, will accompany you and the rest of us will mix among the people as simple buyers and observe."
While Ichio takes a few steps away from the group and mixes with the pedestrians and merchants that crowd the square
Zeeva shrugs in response to Mylvwara's question. "I suppose I don't. But even if I did know the source of this place's good luck, there's no guarantee that I'd be able to influence it, in any case. If my luck runs out, I will be thankful for the time when I had it."
"It is a percentage of transactions," she explains to Diazepane. "That way, I'm as encouraged to make this place as successful as the vendors are."
"Try one of these oranges. They're the perfect mix of sweet and tangy," she tells Valeros, handing a copper over to the vendor and handing the fighter one while she takes one for herself.
She is drawn up short by Ichio's remarks.
"I...hadn't thought of that. I'm not afraid of the Aspis. I'm just worried that they're going to disrupt things here and frustrated that they won't take 'no' for an answer. But you are the experts. If you think it's better that they not know you're here or why."
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Diazepane is strolling along, yawning, lulled into the false sense of security offered by the crowds.
"I think this citrus flavor would really go with my extracts of reduce person," he comments to nobody in particular. "The oils of the skin are quite aromatic, I should take a few dried peels and see if they can be distilled."
Thank you, Zeeva. Oh..very juicy...might have to grab a bushel before heading back. But, yes.sometimes being subtle is best. The snakes are seldom predictable...but an educated guess is relatively safe. A man like Diazepane here..he does the thinking ..guys like me do the dirty work.
"Kareenos sells juices. I'm sure he'd give you some peels, if you wanted them. I think he sells most of them to Tabala who dries them for her potpourri," Zeeva tells Diazepane.
"Oh, I'm sure you're selling yourself short, Valeros. Just because you know how to swing a sword doesn't mean you don't know how to use your brains.
She grows more somber when answering Kal'Ryon's question. “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.”
As you are strolling along, chatting with Zeeva, a quartet of individuals sidle out of the crowd and next to the woman. They are all covered in cloaks and other loose clothing.
But as the leader approaches, one of the others draws aside her cloak, revealing armor and weapons.
"I suggest that you come with us so we can discuss business in private so as not to cause a scene in such a serene setting as the Green Market," he sneers.
"I'd rather not," Zeeva replies, looking to the Pathfinders gathered around her hopefully.
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Kal smiles at the on-comers, sensing the latent hostility. He produces a perfectly smooth, grey wand- and taps it gently on his thigh. Quickly stowing it again.
"I'll happily follow, lead the way." The hint of fangs, and the reflection of light off his deep black fingernails appears almost sinister- and the little motes of entropy that surround his form spring to life.
I have a funny feeling polite isn't going to cut it here. Go pound some salt, lady. Your "discussion" isn't going to happen...not on my watch. Valeros says, stepping forward between Zeeva and the newcomers.
It's clear that the Aspis agents weren't expecting resistance, at least not to the degree that they get. It's also clear that they're ready to defend themselves in the face of that resistance as they all reach for weapons.
The other market patrons quickly scatter as it becomes apparent that violence is in the offing.
Both of Diazepane's bombs hit, the sound of moisture in the air crackling to ice filling the air. The leader is caught completely off guard and takes full damage from both hits and is staggered by the cold. The magenta garbed man is able to avoid the worst of the splash but is also staggered.
"M-m-m-my...aren't you the d-d-d-dangerous one?" the leader says to Diazepane, followed by arcane gestures and words.
And those arcane gestures and words are followed by: "Sit down with your hands clasped in your lap until you can't see any of us anymore."
The thugs all throw off their cloaks and draw bows and arrows, launching the missiles at Valeros and Kal'Ryon, respectively, though the one hit by Diazepane's bomb can't get his fingers to work well enough to knock the arrow and draw.
The one aimed at Valeros flies wide but hits a fleeing customer. It bursts into a flash of white energy and the woman falls to the ground asleep.
The one directed at Kal'Ryon hits only because he wasn't quite ready and he also gets very sleepy.
Get her out of here! Valeros says as he takes a step towards the spellcaster and slashes at him with his blades.
Anybody wanna walk away from this, now is your chance...I'm feeling nice...for now..
Valeros punctuates Diazepanes frosty attacks with more steely ones.
They are quite enough to take the spellcaster out of the fight (and this world.)
The remaining thugs falter