4e / GSL The Old Troll Market

[Scribble]

So the other night my players inadvertantly found themselves in the feywild... They hadn't really planned on being there, and in fact needed to get back to the prime (or "man land" as one of my players has started calling it) so they set about looking for info on how to get home...

So they came across a Satyr who gave them a number of different answers, one of which being something about The Old Troll Market... (Yes, I stole the idea from Hellboy II)

They ended up buying the location of a portal from an old hag, but then decided (since they have the key to the portal and know here it is) that they would possibly spend some time at the troll market.

So now I need to make the troll market. I am sometimes a bit lazy, so I ask of you imaginative Enworlders.... Help me design The Old Troll Market.

What kinds of interesting stores, locations, items, people... do you think one could find in "The Old Troll Market?"

[Fallen Seraph]

Okay then some ideas.

Items:
-Human slaves.
-Souls trapped in bottles.
-Stars trapped in bottles to light the night (could also be the light source at the market).
-A flute that plays not music but the stolen voice of a singer.
-The eyes of a hawk in the eye-sockets of a goggle.

People:
-A gang of goblins that are paid off by the merchants to keep their smelly bodies away from their wares.
-A pair of Gnomes that pickpocket people while amused by the other's street performances.
-A old hag whose brittle bones are supported by a collection of floating/flying creatures that hold her up.
-A debt collector garbed in rags who has chained to his neck a box full of the "debts" he has collected. He is poor for such debts cannot be repayed in cash.
-A large troll who operates a food venue. This is a special food stall though because he sells "himself" he chops off parts of himself that regenerate and cook them for his clients. His body is usually littered in tags stating prices for that particular part of him.

Locations:
-The "Walking Inn" a house built on stilts that tip-toes about the market. Its waste periodically dropping on those below (just imagine what fun could be had if an encounter brews in the market and one of the legs gets hacked).
-The "Memory House" a seedy little hut in the slums of the market. It is said here your memories can be shown before you in its many rooms. Little do those that enter know that these memories are but fakes that replace your own.
-The "Cramps" the most visited and loudest section of the market. It resides below a large old bridge. Hundreds of stalls line it, many hanging by ropes tied to the bridge. It is here that most and things shop and do business.

Just a couple, will add more when they come to me. Also where do you plan on this being located? Like will it only appear because of certain things like time of the year, in moonlight, etc? Or is it in a specific location, by the sea, in a forest, etc?

[Jack99]

Since my players are heading into the Feywild as well, I think I will yoink any good ideas that comes along!

[Aloïsius]

The market is at a moving crossroad, that has been pinned in place with a staff inside of which a wizard is emprisoned

(Read Vance)

[Scribble]

Originally Posted by Fallen Seraph

Okay then some ideas.

Ok I'm loving the ideas man. More then a few of them will be showing up in my troll market.

I'm definitely having a "slave quarter" or slave section or something.

I like the idea of the bridges and shops hanging off of them... Maybe I'll make the entire thing like that. Or at least the main sections.

I haven't decided where I'm going to put it. I think there should definitely be a proper way to reach it... But maybe only a proper way to reach it if you're outside oft he feywild.

Originally Posted by Aloisius

The market is at a moving crossroad, that has been pinned in place with a staff inside of which a wizard is emprisoned

I use Crossroads for a lot of things, like portals and where "great magics" can happen.

[Fallen Seraph]

Oh and if you only saw Hellboy II in theatres check out the DVD. There is a section devoted just to Guillmero wandering around the Troll Market set explaining EVERYTHING! the level of detail they went into it is amazing.

Now some more ideas.

Ways to Enter:
-When the bridge blocks out the setting sun. The bridge shows its true form of being a doorway as its mighty stone doors open.
-When you bring your eyes level to the surface of the river's water. The market reflection ripples out and sucks you in.
-Wrap the vines around the willow trees to form a gateway through which one can enter the market.
-Only a drawing of the market will show the way. Place the picture infront of your eyes and pull it away to reveal the market before you.

People:
-It is only referred to as "Eyes", it is a seething and moving form of blackness from which a plethora of different eyes look back at you. It lingers in the dark places of the market wrapping itself around the shadows. Only strangers pay it mind, the locals barely recognize it.
- Eladrin Knights are a new force in the market. Few of the residents of the market wish them to be there. But their power and forceful nature have made them a permenant fixture upon the market.
-"Eclipse" is a Fey Demenses that lost much of her power eons ago in a failed pact. She is only now finding her way back to power, selling parts of her pact to those that wish it. She hopes in time she can sell off the entirety of the pact and return to power.
- Rattlers are odd creatures. They willingly allow themselves to be caged in small wicker boxes. They fear the outside world and so they believe the best way to protect themselves is to isolate themselves. They hop around the market in these small boxes full of 20 or more of them. Their called Ratlers because of the ratling they make as they jostle back and forth to cause their box to hop.
- Cats, and make sure you say it with a captial C. They will be sure to tell you how when you say it wrong. Cats, is a single being in multiple bodies. It is all the cats in the market with one mind. It is the master thief, master spy of the market. It is said once a year during a new-moon all the cats of the city leave and become the true form of Cats to meet its master.

[Bold or Stupid]

Badger's in heliotrope robes.
Mighty Bears in kimonos each with an individualised back banner.
A blacksmith who makes delicate metal flowers.
Fey vampire equivalents who will work for you if fed.
A cat in Boots.

[Fallen Seraph]

You know in general I imagine that a Troll Market be very claustrophobic not because of it being in somewhere that is enclosed, but simply because everywhere you go it is jam packed full of stuff and every manner of creature.

Which to add to that:

Creatures/Business:

-Stolen blatantly from Morrowind. Stilt-striders are the carriages of the market. These giant fey-flies with engraved backs for carrying passengers and driver gingerly step their way through the market. The sensitive hairs on its legs keeping it from stepping on anyone as it drops passengers off wherever they wish.