Hello everyone, and welcome to the Finder’s Archives.
This time around, I’ve created a ready-made location for you, to use in your campaigns. This is rather a lot of information though, so it has been split into two posts, with the other one following next week. Enjoy. 🙂
MARKET ROW
CN Village (community outside city walls)
Corruption +1; Crime +2; Economy +3; Law -7; Lore +0; Society -1
Qualities Prosperous (30% base value + 50% purchase limit), tourist attraction (increase base value +20%)
Danger 0; Disadvantages none
DEMOGRAPHICS
Government secret syndicate (crimelords)
Population 173 (130 humans, 15 elves, 12 gnomes, 5 halflings, 11 other)
NOTABLE NPCS
Asphon Dolmachis (LN male human cleric of Iomedae 2)
Captain of the Guard, Market Row – Darfin Marks (LN male human fighter [Weapon Master] 6)
Myra (LG female human expert 3)
Nilli Berthens (CG female halfling rogue 5)
Valiant Maiden (NG female human? Vigilante 5)
Zermon Crow (CE middle-aged male human rogue 7)
MARKETPLACE
Base Value 700 gp; Purchase Limit 3,750 gp; Spellcasting 3rd
Minor Items 2d4; Medium Items 1d4; Major Items —
MARKET ROW
Located just outside of a large metropolis is Market Row. Established shortly after the beginning of the last war, by enterprising merchants seeking to attend to the needs of the soldiers themselves, this humble market town has since changed much in tone. When established it was originally a pious community, serving the wars, but at some point in the past, the unwanted elements of society started filling Market Row, and over time, the community evolved into a place of vice and money making, seeking only to drain the soldiers of all their coin before they continued into the city itself.
Market Row is nestled against the town walls and consists mostly of stalls and tents. A few permanent structures have been built, however, and some tents and stalls have been in business for so long that they’re considered landmarks by the locals. Its proximity to the metropolis enables the criminal elements of the metropolis to hide in the small community, but there are plenty of locals who are perfectly willing to cheat, exploit, or in some cases, murder for their own profit.
The local economy in Market Row is independent of the city, and most of the inhabitants there are transient in nature, to the point where the government has practically given up on enforcing any taxation on most inhabitants and simply accept the taxes paid or enforced in the few built up areas. It is rumoured though that some of the council are taking bribes from the crime lords of Market Row, in order for it to remain autonomous.
The inhabitants themselves make their living by preying on soldiers who pass through, as is expected. However, in Market Row, enough cash can buy you almost anything, from companionship to absolution of your sins. It’s all a matter of where you go.
The local crime lords are the de facto government in the area, and in previous years, they were ruthless. However, new and younger gangs have appeared and flourished causing the old establishment to start losing its grip. And much to the surprise of the inhabitants some of the new gangs are positively benign compared to both government and the older gangs.
PLACES OF INTEREST: (Part 1 – Will be continued next week)
THE WEARY WANDERER
The weary wanderer is one of the permanent structures in Market Row. It’s old and decrepit, but the sign is always freshly painted, to lure in the warriors. Inside a visitor will find that the building is slightly better maintained than it appears on the outside and that there are plenty of tough looking bouncers hanging around to maintain order.
There are two reasons for the security to be in place. The first of which is the staff: all are comely females of all species, catering with drinks, food and occasional companionship to all guests. Though the slightly higher than average prices at the Weary Wanderer might discourage regulars, the soldiers do not seem to mind. But some of them do find themselves with a throbbing headache the next morning, and empty pockets.
The second reason for the security is well-hidden. In the backrooms of the Weary Wanderer is not only a Pesh Den, but also the headquarters of the Scarlet Crow, one of the oldest gangs in Market Row, and the currently dominant one.
MYRA’S PROVISIONS
Myra’s Provisions is one of the semi-permanent tents in Market Row. Compared to the other tents in the area, it’s a fairly large cotton tent, filled to the brim with all kinds of goods, from backpacks to brooms to rations that actually taste nice. If it’s not here, it’s unlikely to be anywhere.
Myra (LG female human expert 3) is the only openly honest trader in Market Row, and her reputation for reliability and her open heart are known to all in Market Row. Myra prides herself on this reputation and is more than willing to help anyone in need, and offers generous discounts or payback options to the destitute. Myra always seeks out adventurers and soldiers and encourages them to visit her. The reason for this is her missing son and husband. A year ago, they joined the war, and she hasn’t heard from them since. Should adventurers or soldiers visit her, she’ll offer them up to 50% off all her goods, on the mere promise that they’ll keep an eye out for her family, and let her know if they find them. No one has yet come back, but Myra refuses to lose hope, trusting in the good of others to bring her word of her husband and sun.
Kim Frandsen
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