The Green Market (Sarenith (VI) 21st 4709 AR-Erastus (VII) 15th, 4712 AR)
The Pathfinder members of the heroes received a briefing in person at the Society's headquarters in Absalom before undertaking the long voyage back to Varisia. The missive from Venture-Captain Amara Li was clear, and came to mind as the skyline of Korvosa rose 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."
Amara Li also gave the Andoran Pathfinders a message from Major Colson Maldris:
"My loyal friends,
As you know, I've
relocated to Magnimar recently to oversee the establishment of our nation's
embassy within the City of Monuments. While the accommodations at the embassy
are nice enough, there are times I find myself wishing for more privacy,
especially when dealing with Pathfinder business that doesn't fall completely
under my jurisdiction as an Eagle Knight and representative of Andoran. I've
learned the Foxglove family manor within the city has sat empty for the past
year and think it would make a very nice home away from Absalom, not to mention
that it would show our nation's influence to acquire such an estate. Would you make
some inquiries with Sendeli in Absalom and Zeeva while you are in Korvosa,
pursuant toward my purchase of the townhouse?
With confidence,
Major Colson Maldris"
Any travel expenses incurred along the heroes' journey to Korvosa were provided, and they had ample time to make purchases in either Absalom or Korvosa before heading to the Green Market. The heroes were familiar with the Green Market and its proprietor.
The Green Market
The Green Market is located in a populated area of South Shore. 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 roughly seven 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.
Zeeva Foxglove
Zeeva Foxglove has lived most of her life in Korvosa, and she is well known among locals. Her reputation in the local community is solid. Her business dealings have always been fair, despite always being lucrative.
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.
The Green Market
Eventually the heroes arrived in Korvosa and went to the Green Market to meet Zeeva. 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.
The heroes' first action was to find Zeeva Foxglove in order to question her about the situation and assess
the best course of action for the Pathfinders to take to complete their
mission. The Green Market is open to the public, and merchants hock their wares
from their booths as customers bustle to and fro. When the heroes arrived, Zeeva was wandering the market floor. She was identified by the heroes.
"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."
Zeeva gave the team a tour of the Green Market since they were interested. She is quite friendly, and answered any questions to the best of her ability. Since the heroes obtained Sendeli Foxglove's favor last year, Zeeva took note of them, remarking, "My sister has spoken quite highly of you. She's never one to be easily impressed." The heroes had been instructed to keep her safe, and to look out for her best interests.
When the heroes asked what the Aspis Consortium wanted: "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."
When the heroes asked what they wanted to sell: "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."
When the heroes asked what the current situation with the Aspis Consortium was: "Initially they just sent over pompous 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."
When the heroes asked what they could do to help: "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."
Marketplace Bushwhack
Shortly after the heroes introduced themselves to Zeeva and became acquainted with the Green Market, the Aspis
Consortium makes a brazen attempt to bully the market's proprietor. As she
makes her rounds – whether the heroes remained close by her side or dispersed themselves innocuously through the market's stalls - a group of thugs revealed themselves from within the crowd and approached Zeeva.
The thugs were disguised as ordinary market shoppers. One of them stepped into
Zeeva's path as the rest made themselves known around her. The leader suggested that Zeeva come with him so they can "discuss business" in
private so as not to "cause a scene in such a serene setting as the Green
Market." Zeeva looked to the heroes to help defuse the situation.
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