An illegal mage-ran market under Faline. The market is housed in empty waterways, cisterns, and repurposed maintenance rooms. Mages have been making use of the abandoned system for ages, and the Dancing Market is a concept recently resurrected by the pro-mage faction Sangre Mar.
The market is host to all kinds of goods and services, the sellers all mages. Goods vary between innocent fruits and vegetables to monster parts and illegal potions. Not everything sold in the Dancing Market is illegal, but the sellers being mages often struggle selling their goods above ground with mage reputation being down.
That said; any type of seller can join the Dancing Market. There can be multiple of the same, too, so do not feel restricted.
Besides goods there are people dealing in services as well, be it mercenaries, tailors, tattoo artists, sex workers, and everything else one can think of.
The market is freely accessible to those who know of it. Certain establishments that have entrances to the market in their basements might advertise with it, and posters only readable by mages may be found around Faline.
Every time one visits the market, it is different. Not all halls are occupied by sellers, and which ones are changes every time. Besides being the reason for the name, the “dancing” of the market also makes it far harder for it to be caught out by authorities. When it is not in use, the space itself can still be used to whoever wants to, be it to hide in or fight your enemy.
The market is a lawless space, and it is not monitored. That means it has the potential to be rife with pickpockets, or possibly witchfinders. It also means the people abusing the place are not protected from the consequences of their actions, and anyone caught may be dealt with accordingly.
For those who do desire a bit of extra protection, Sangre Mar offers their members for a fee, be this money or an exchange of goods for sellers.
Inspiration
The map
DISCLAIMER: Map is for fun, and NOT "official" !!
"Top" view of the Dancing Market, with various alleyways, entrypoints, and seperate "rooms" for more long-term establishments.
Click here for a map with some placement points and more inspiration pictures.
The dancing market has a map, but this is by no means an “official” map. Some players may prefer playing with a map, and others may rather play without. There are undoubtedly hidden tunnels and rooms, so do not let the map restrict you. You may use the map to point to whoever you are rp-ing with where your character may have their stall, but you do not have to.
The dancing market also moves, so usually a character will not be keeping the same spot, unless they are perhaps providing a service that is hard to move around.
Any character with an establishment in Faline who wants to have a stairway to the dancing market, can just have one! The map shows a few names, but this is by no means a limit, just something I felt like including.
The Dancing Market is set up as an interactive opportunity for people who have characters who need a space to sell their goods/services, and characters who want to make use of it. There will be open threads, but also feel free to make your own closed ones. The Market is an open space! Use it how you will!
It is also a way for me to spread Enn’s influence further, of course, and to create more interaction/activity opportunities for the Sangre Mar members.
I am open to suggestions!
FAQ
How does my character join the market?
There are no requirements! If you want your character to set up shop in the Market, they can do so at any time! If you would LIKE to do a little roleplay with Enn and your character, I'd LOVE to rp with you, ALWAYS, but it's not a must what-so-ever.
Players are welcome to post links to their character's shops, or their profiles, in the comments of this forum post! This way you can edit the comment yourself in case something changes, etc, without coming to me.
When is the market active?
Any time you want it to be! It is just a location for your use. I will sometimes make posters in the #muckraker-gossip channel on Discord, but everyone else is free to do the same, or not! There might be open threads you can freely join, but you are also welcome to make your own; open or closed.
Can my witchfinder character enter the market?
Sure! We love drama!
Leader of Sangre Mar and the man behind the return of the Dancing Market. Can be contacted for various reasons, such as:
Swift reply and action are his top priority.
Looking for a new outfit? Something that helps you stand out from the rest of the rubble?
Well don't talk to me I don't want to hear it.
..
Alright, fine.
Fresh produce and Myserious Goods From across Ivras
Deep Valley Provisions is a seasonal grocer located inside The Dancing Market. It is owned and operated by Ramman Tibir and his associates. Ramman, above ground, was a respected farmer south of Mead who specialised in rearing a bird species; Rawlks. Underground however, he is a conduit for all kinds of magical and rare produce and goods for all of underground Ivras.
This is not your everyday farmers market. Whilst there is a steady flow of good healthy fruits, vegetables, grains and herbs, depending on the season and celebration there may be a rotation of incredibly rare and not entirely legal goods for every occasion.
• Grocer of standard seasonal produce, hebrs and grains, as well as unique, rare and often illegal organic goods as well.
• Has various seasonal offerings that line up with the Anathema events calendar.
• A feast for all of the senses.
• Prefers gold payment, but happy to barter for other items should they be of interest.
• Well known for his importation of Rawlk feathers and the creatures themnselves once a year.
• Cheerful for the most part, but Ramman does not suffer fools either.
• Mages gotta eat - even in crime land. A well known stall amongst the market.
