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The Shadow Bazaar! A wonder of divine power, a realm accessible to any mortal in any palace at any time. An afterlife for the goddess’s most mercantile. Someday it would be a marvel, a place overflowing with rare goods from all across the world. 

At the moment however, it was pretty empty. A mere handful of Umbra had met their fate while holding the required goods to buy their way into an afterlife of eternal service, and so the staff of the bazard could only really manage a couple of (admittedly pretty fancy looking) buildings and stalls sitting in the middle of a vast empty plain of potential. Add to this the fact that the primitive societies didn’t exactly produce large surpluses of goods, and business was fairly slow, at least compared to what the realm would one day handle.  

That didn't mean there weren't things of interest on offer however. The goddess had spread her shadowy children far and wide, and so while there might not be magic swords and genie lamps on sale there were still a healthy plethora of novelties to be found.

There were stalls with holding coin stored tamed Redwood Deer, the monstrous yet loyal Tarsks, and also a nice pasture holding the goddes’s newly acquired Sanguis Equis and their foals (these winged metal armoured horses were getting a lot of attention, and where the source of one of the world’s first bidding wars even in their juvenile state as everyone from two bit bandits to high level [adventurers] and tribal leaders wanted a piece of that action).

Tools and weapons of stone were also on sale, and the usal wood and stone items had had added to them Fern’s new invitation: Tools and items that had been grown rather than built. A dedicated stand in one of the stalls held thorn tipped spears, claw knives, vine ropes, leaf garments, big heft mallets and so on, all of which proved to be much more resilient than crafted items due to the lack of any joining points, each time being instead a single continuous assembly of plant matter.

Finally, there was food, and, honestly, for a lot of people, this was a big draw. So much so in fact that one of the busiest places in the Bazaar was a restaurant. People would come to the Bazaar, bring an excess of food, and add it to a collective pile which would then be cooked and prepared into a buffet by a high level Umbra [cook] who had sold their culinary talents to the goddess, which you could then take from an amount of dishes based on your initial contribution. 

This place would see people come and go or varios evenings, but the biggest event was a party that occurred every 25 days. The peoples of the dark wood had haphazardly organised it as a get together where representatives from the tribes would pop into the Bazaar to share gossip and news between each other, and then other people had realised that the menu got pretty stacked during that time and joined in. 

Thus Sanctuary’s current representative, Minowbloom, found herself sat at a table surrounded by the chattering forms of half the world’s peoples chattered in various levels of proficiency of blackspeech augmented with the odd added word to fill in the gaps (like, for example, the wood elvish for friend), a dialect that was colociouly referred to as trader talk. 

The restaurant itself was a fantastical affair. It had started out as just an empty square that the elves had hung out in near an exotic food shop. Then the [cook] had set up a little stall in the square to sell cooked food. Then that stall had turned out to be so successful that they’d been able to requisition help, and a bigger space.

This space’s main room was a room featuring a number of finely carved round tables that seemed to perfectly fit however many guests were available from being a cosy little affair when it was quiet to a bustling banquet hall during party time. Lights danced above the dark space, while in the centre of the room a raised stage allowed musicians and singers to perform (be they the employed dead, or guests who wanted to show off). Umbra floated to and fro in the room, carrying trays of food and drink down from the busy kitchen that lay somewhere up above the hall.

It was the perfect cover for what might be described as the Bazaar's first black market, where under the table deals went on to avoid having to go through the middle men of the Umbra. 

Minowbloom was there as part of the whole unofficial operation, though she and her patron’s didn't really see it that way. They went breaking the rules that banned anyone but the dead from selling after all, just, narrowly skirting around the edges of them in a way where keeping their activities on the down low just felt right. 

She wasn't there to sell or buy, she was just sitting at a table, sipping a funny cactus juice drink, and if someone happened to notice the logo on her cloak that showed a tree with a tower on top with 3 figures standing triumphantly atop said tower, recognised it from the gossip mill, and had a certain type of trouble, why they might ask if they could take a seat and tell her about their problems.

The red haired wood elf girl, who had been born rather than made, glanced up as a little bell went off in her head, her [business call sense] skill giving her a warning of an incoming client. That gave her enough time that she could adjust her tiara (which sported a flower made of minnow scales on the forehead) smooth down her leafy one piece suit, check that the knife at her side was set just so that she gave off a competently dangerous look, and also dap her lips clear of cactus juice before they arrived.

It was a silly skill when compared to the [danger sense] her patrons often had, but the [message taker] found that it helped her never get caught slacking on the job. It wouldn't do for her to make the [adventurous] of Sanctuary look bad after all.

The person who took the empty seat across from her was a rather haggard looking elf man who looked just a touch malnourished. It was his hastily applied paints and simple crown of woven branches that gave away everything to the wood elf however. This was someone from a tribe who were down on their luck, and also had never had much luck to begin with.

“Hey are you with the guild? I’m here about-” the elf began, but Minowbloom cut him off kindly

“Hey now, no need to rush into things. You look famished, so let me get you something”

“No no, I could hardly-” the elf protested, but the [message taker] insisted, calling on one of the serving shadows who was hovering nearby due to the elf being a new guest: “A merchant stew please, some Sanctuary Cider too! Put it on my tab”

The Umbra nodded, floated up into the ceiling, and a few moments later returned, placing a bowl before the elf that held the hearty stew filled with mixed meats from all over the world delightfully cut into the shape of coins, and also set down a wooden cup containing some frothing apple cider.

Minnowbloom thanked the waiter, and then leaned back and relaxed for a bit as the hungry elf first eyed his food and then dug into it with relish, the rich meal quite literally the best he had had in his life despite it being somewhat common fare down in shadowton.

She took another sip of her juice, and then, once the initial rush had died down and her guest was eating at a steadier pace, asked “so what’s troubling you?”

Her guest swallowed and then replied “oh it's horrible miss-” before looking awfully embarrassed about the fact that they haven't exchanged names

“Minnowbloom,” she informed him, and then asked “and you?” 

“Crab” the elf repliend, before continuing with his tale after some non verbal prompting “It’s a root viper, nastiest and biggest one you’ve ever seen. We used to just avoid it you know, and it’d leave us be, but it started going after our herds of Redwood Deer and anyone who tries to stop it, well…” It didn’t need to be said that the rarely seen terrors of the woods could do to some poorly armed [herders]

The elf drew in a breath through her teeth at the news. Of all the troubles a wood elf could have in the dark woods, that was pretty high up there. “How big exactly” she asked for clarity.

“I well” Crab had to think for a moment  “if it could balance on its tail I swear it could reach the treetops”

That was bad. Not the worst, tree-kin could just keep growing and growing it seemed. But still very bad. “Sounds like you are in dire straits. Alright you know how this works, yeah?”

“Mmm. Well. My tribe’s not exactly the most well off, but we have some things we can offer. Hide and meat from our herd mostly. Tools perhaps. We aren't the most well off tribe I’m afraid, but that’s never much mattered till now.”

“Might be a hard sell then, but there might be a group who wants to prove themselves against a serpent if you’re lucky. Plus, it's a mission of mercy and some [adventurers] are all heart” Minnowbloom replied, before taking out a tiny pot of pain, a brush, and a large square dry leaf that Sanctuary had started growing (so like paper, but not nearly as good).

“So lets see… root sprent… big as a tree… your tribe is…?” she paused and got Crab’s people’s location and then went on “reward… hide, meat, tools… aaaand done” she concluded finishing her work before showing it to Crab “Hows that look?”

“Like a crime” came a third voice, and then a knife which was driven down into the leaf and the middle of the paper.

“Wha-” Minnowbloom started, and looked to her left to find an Umbra who had phased out of the floor right next to their table, and demanded to know “what’s the meaning of this!”

“That you’re in big trouble missy, you and all the other law breaking scum in this hive of law breakers!” the umbra announced, as more shadowy figures rose up from the ground while saytars stormed into the venue from the sidelines, all armed to the teeth. A few black-marketeers and their clients tried to make a run for it, and it did not go well for them, while Minnowbloom just raised her hands in the air as her arrester pointed a second knife at her and insisted “But I’ve done nothing wrong!”

[hr]

Yet another day in the Shadow Bazaar. The acquisition of the Rose sword, Sanguis Equis, mosquitos and Mireborn things started to look better but it was not enough. Not by far. More had to be brought in. The Mireborn were placed in coin form until Ashevelen would find a use for them, if there was any and if not, certainly someone would find them a use. 

Making some mental calculations and the sorts, an Umbra spirit appeared before her informing her of law-breakers within the realm. Of course, she knew what they were doing for some time already but decided to let it pass, for a tiny bit of time. Just in case they would eventually understand what would happen to them if they’d be discovered…and they didn’t. 

Ashevelen sent a few Satyrs and Umbras over to shut down their operation. All while watching them through the walls, which were made out of shadows that simply looked different. The mortals were, of course, denying that they ever did anything illegal. With a clap of her hands, all the elves that were seen going inside the restaurant and that were still inside the Shadow Bazaar were pulled into the ground and appeared in shadow-cages in front of Ashevelen.

The room where they were seemed smaller if one would look from the outside than how big it actually was. It was a simple room, unadorned with anything but cages upon cages. All filled now by the elves. 

“[color=aa6c39] You have about 5 seconds to answer my questions before you’re all dead. Who’s the leader? Why did you break the rules? Do I have to remove body parts now or after you’re going to lie to me? [/color]” asked the Goddess in the most threatening voice she could manage. The very walls of the room trembled at the sound and power of her voice. 

“I’m innocent I swear, I didn’t know, they said that it wasn’t breaking the rules because there wasn’t any payment involved” Crab called out, one among a number of protesters, but unlike them, he was the only one who gave a name of an organisation: “It was those damn greedy [adventurers] from Sanctuary, they tricked me! I didn’t know I swear!”

“Hey! Nobody tricked no one, and I didn’t sell anything either!” Miinowbloom yelled back at him

“Oh yeah, well then what do you call this?” The Umbra who had arrested her said, waving the knife pierced leaf she had bad on her upon her arrest. “Looks like a deal to me” he accused, and indeed with the ‘price tag’ of various animal parts it certainly looked like some kind of receipt or contract.

“It’s a poster,” she retorted, before explaining “which I make for troubled strangers, and then take, and then pin up on a message board in Sanctuary for people to see. No deal here, just helpful relaying information” to the Umbra in question, the elf finding that much easier than speaking directly to the very very intimidating Goddess.

Ashevelen took a deep breath and the Umbras left the room. This interrogatory was hers to handle, she let it go for far too long. 

“[color=aa6c39] Now, now. What did I say about lying mortal? What you’re doing is called trade of information. I know you know that because my mortals and you have been doing it for a while now. [/color]” replied Ashe and with a flick of her finger, all fingers on both hands of all the elves in the room broke. All at once and then they got healed, but not before they felt the pain in full. 

“[color=aa6c39] More or will you stop acting dumb and talk? As for Sanctuary, don’t worry. They’re next. [/color]”

“Ow ow ow ow ow I’m sorry, I’m sorry,  I’m sorry” the sufficiently cowed elf replied as she was heckled by her peers who had been punished along side her, Minnowflower clutching her fingers close to her chest as she explained  “they said it was ok, that it was just a more organised way of sharing gossip and news like we already where, but they… but I was wrong! Please don’t hurt me!”

“[color=aa6c39] You’re saying “they” but haven’t provided me with names or descriptions. Should I just take the information from Sanctuary or just go through the Dark Woods, gather all the elves and destroy them…leaving you the last one of your species. I could bless you with immortality and you will see how your people will slowly be forgotten. [/color]” continued Ashe. The elves didn’t know this but Ashevelen had no plans in doing so, merely a way to scare them for good. 

“You… you wouldn’t…” Minnowflower began, but had enough senses in her to not test the goddess’s patience any further and explained: “I’m with the guild. The [adventurers] guild. Pieapple thought up this idea, or, well, I mean she wanted to do more but some of the others talked her down because they thought this would toe the line better…” and well now it wasn't that ironic.

“[color=aa6c39] Oh’. Yes. I would. There are not that many things in this existence that I dislike more than lying or cheating. So…yes. I would. [/color]” added Ashe, the shadows on the room flaring brightly before continuing “[color=aa6c39] So, let me see if I got this right. A different mortal talked you and your peers into breaking the [i] ONE [/i] rule of my bazaar? No side-deals. You want a place to do it, all you have to do is ask and if I see the profit out of it…then it’ll be created but you mortals instead of doing that, preferred to go behind me back. [/color]” 

Ashevelen took a deep breath before releasing the one called “Crab” from their cage. 

“[color=aa6c39] You. Bring me this Pieapple elf. If you don’t come back fast enough, all your people here will die…horribly. [/color]” 

“Bubububut that’ll take days” Crab replied, having more than enough empathy to not take this opportunity to just bail on everyone else.

“[color=aa6c39] That won’t do. Back to your cage. Who’s the closest to the Sanctuary? [/color]” 

Minowberry raised her hand, as did a random elf blackmarketer as Crab tried to take it back.

“[color=aa6c39] You’re staying here. Elf, you go. Come back here. If you don’t…let’s say that you won’t like what will happen afterwards. [/color]” said Ashe as the elf was “spit” out of her realm. 

That left an awkward amount of time during which said elf sprinted through the forest to get to Sanctuary, got up into said city, got an audience with the bakerqueen and, finally, after a brief delay, returned to shadow world and was picked up by the goddess’s servants and politely escorted back to the prison.

The door to the room opened and Pieapple entered, the picture of nobility. Or at least she had a nice crown and a calm composed look on her face, one that didn’t quite reach her nervously agitated hands that really wanted a throwing weapon in them despite how useless this would be. 

She bowed before Ashevelen and greeted her as “Your divine majesty of shadows and trade” before saying “I understand you have taken one of my subjects captive over a breach of the law? I beseech you to free her, and take issue with me instead, such that we might come to terms and put an end to this unpleasantness as soon as possible” the low level [monarch] milking her the skill she had gotten from the class, [regal presence], for all it was worth in this moment.

Ashevelen looked at Pieapple, inspected her crown with a merchant’s eye and then simply ignored her for a few moments. Letting her sweat. She looked at the elves, at the walls and then…she snapped her fingers. Pieapple and herself were teleported outside of the room and in a square room, which shouldn’t be possible due to the circular shape of the tower but yet it was there. 

The room was bare with no windows, nor doors and only one chair on which Ashevelen sat.

“[color=aa6c39] Drop the bullshit. Your people broke the only law in this place…willingly and at your command. Yet now, you’re asking to come to terms? Maybe my terms is the extinction of your whole species in the hopes that no other mortals would be so dumb. [/color]

“Person. Miss Minnowbloom is my only associate you have taken captive” Pieapple carefully corrected, before catching on “unless you mean… all of elf kind?”

“[color=aa6c39] I do indeed. If one of you breaks the rules, all of you will eventually. No elf that knew about your arrangement, and I know there are more that knew about it, came forward to report it. In my view, you’re all guilty. Now, how should I punish you? Do you have a preferred method of death or just a normal erase works for your kind? [/color]”

“You say this as if there were only elves at this gathering, yet it has not been like that for many moons now. Do you truly think none of the other people have been taking part in this illegal market?” the [monarch] pointed out “or that guild hasn’t done jobs for umbra or satyrs?”

“As for my death, well, you will have to eat me I suppose, or else your consequences doesn’t stand up to Lektoria’s” Pieapple said calm,y as if she had not been utterly terrified by the prospect when first threatened with it, before swiftly adding “that said, I don’t suppose I can offer you… what is the word… reparations instead? And a suggestion to help mitigate the impulses causing this lawbreaking in a way that would be profitable to you?”

Ashevelen grabbed Pieapple with two fingers and lifted her in the air. The room started to become bigger as Ashe’s form grew in size. She raised Pieapple up and Ashe opened her mouth wide as if you eat her…then dropped her in her mouth. Only for Pieapple to be transported into a different room which looked similar but this time, there were two chairs and one table. 

“[color=aa6c39] You should’ve seen your face. [/color]” said Ashe as she laughed out loud at the terror Pieapple most certaily went through. 

The elf most certainly had not appreciated reliving her nightmares. The only thing stopping her from collapsing to the floor in a foetal position was the pool of poison and the shattered remains of the seapods that had held it resulting from her futile attempt to fight her fate via throwing skills. So instead she stood, shaking in place, trying to get a hold of herself.

“[color=aa6c39] Calm down, will you? I asked how you want to die and did what you requested. [/color]” replied Ashe with a wink.

“That was not... Funny. At all. Not the first time, not the second time” she shuddered, before simply summing up it all up by cursing her life with “fuck, why me?”

"[Color=aa6c39] Not for you maybe. As to "why you". You know the answer to that and now…my patience is growing thin, mortal. You mentioned a deal, go on. Just don't forget one thing. The rule has been broken and if you don't negotiate properly, I'll eliminate your whole species as a warning for others. [/color]" answered Ashe calmly before a miniature Sanctuary appeared on the table and got crushed by a divine hand. The image then restarted itself, this time showing Sanctuary being devoured by monsters and then again and again, each time a different method of destruction would appear, getting more and more wild and inventive. "[Color=aa6c39] You've got until I run out of ideas…[/color]"

I just wanted to explore a cave with my friends, the monarch thought to herself, and then fate had decided to make her a plaything of the gods. Then she took a deep breath, reactivated her skill, and got back to business. She decided to not waste time pointing out that Jeon had a house there and probably would not take well to it or his people being attacked. This was her problem, she would solve it herself and not lean on his help.

She stepped out of the poison pool, pulled leafy sheath out of a pouch, sat at the other side of the table, and pushed the diagram she’d drawn over.

“Let the guild operate officially. People come, they make requests, they deposit or contractually promised rewards and then the guild handles all the business of proving a task is done and distributing these rewards. You, naturally, get a cut as standard practice, plus the guild takes on the debt of all your… lost profits“

The diagram itself depicted an organically grown structure sat in the Bazaar, and a detailed diagram of its interior hosting space for guild staff to take, store, and distribute rewards. Record rooms and bounty boards. Training halls, and a tavern for the [adventurers], and dedicated space for the Bazaar staff to sell directly to them. It also had perfect measurements of materials, dimensions and capacity jotted down, that made it clear that this hadn’t been made in a hurry.  

“Both Sanctuary, and my future kingdom will also take on this debt of course… also if I might make a suggestion?” she asked, this bit more tepidly “You introduced people to the wonder of trade, of barter, of selling, made a relf for it, and then locked it down so only your people could truly trade in it. This is… frustrating, to some. You are in your right to do things this way, of course, but if you want to stop stomping out blackmarkets, then, maybe, just set up a way that outsiders can buy and sell, just in a way that proffits you. Take a cut, charge a fee, anything. Just let the market be free”

The Lady of the Trade listened to Pieapple’s proposal silently, nodding at times and shaking her head when a point made was not fitting her imagination…especially the bit about dimensions and materials to which she outright said “No” before allowing Pieapple to continue.

“[color=aa6c39] I am not concerned about lost profits. Like all mortals you’re understanding the nature of the trade in a wrong way but that’s not for me to teach you. What I care about is that my rules have been broken. If any of you would’ve come forward to ask permission about it, I would’ve said yes in a mortal heartbeat and yet, you decided to go behind my back. But–[/color]” replied Ashevelen in a friendly manner before standing up and touching one of the walls. Immediately, a wall opened up and the bazaar came into view.

“[color=aa6c39] Follow me. [/color]” she said without looking back and walked until an empty area, devoid of stalls, stood before them.

“[color=aa6c39]  You’re saying a lot of things about debt, mortal but do you understand the debt you’re facing? You understand as well that I could stop all blackmarkets that pop up almost immediately while in my realm and…Do you understand that I can’t let you get out of this without some form of punishment ‘lest others see it as weakness and profit based on it? [/color]” 

“If you can shut them down then who would…” Pieapple began to ask, only to realise the answer “ah. Other gods” 

“[color=aa6c39] And not only. [/color]” said Ashe, turning her head towards Pieapple and winked.

Tapping her foot on the ground, the building Pieapple showed Ashe earlier on slowly started to rise from the ground. Initially the building would follow the exact dimensions of what was showcased on Pieapple’s plan but then it grew in size, whole rooms added to support members living there, a training yard with different environments to help training for different quests and more. Right on top of the building, there would be three different statues. The biggest was of Ashevelen, the patron of the realm and then on each side a statue of the Kathetikon and one of Jeon. The building stood 6 floors up and 6 down with different hidden rooms to where only those that would speak a password would be allowed to pass. 

“[color=aa6c39] Go inside, have a look. Check the new additions. I’ll wait. [/color]”

The confused [monarch] did so, and for a while the fear and trepidation was washed away as she marvelled at the vision her crown had allowed her to plan come to life in a fashion far grander than even she could have imagined. After having spent so much time planning and experimenting, it was a delight to explore somewhere new again, to go on a little adventure. But eventually it ended, the elf releasing that even if the goddess had said she would wait it was best to not make her do so for so long.

So, with a great deal of trepidation, she stepped out of the door and said to Ashe “It’s amazing… but there’s another part to this isn’t there? This is repayment, yet still, there’s also punishment. So what is it?”

“[color=aa6c39] The punishment is very simple and it comes in stages. First, you’re going to have an overseer. One of my own Umbra, just to make sure no backroom deals are made. They will be informed about everything your guild does or plans to do. They’ll not intervene in the decisions unless they somehow affect my business, say, your people choose to get involved into a war between other mortals which would harm the Umbra or their deals. Second, I’ll receive a cut from all the quest rewards which will be sent to the bazaar to be further sold. Third, all the [adventurers], will be tasked with bringing something they haven’t seen before back from their trip. An animal, a plant or maybe a new song. Fourth, your kingdom will enter into a formal alliance with Shadowton and set a trading route between them two and the last thing…you’ll allow the admission of my Umbra/Satyrs into the [adventurers] guild. [/color]” said Ashe, raising a finger each time she made a point. 



“That trade route will be… some undertaking it has to be said” The elf replied, mentaly double checking the map and looking haggard by that burden already, but then swiftly added “b-but give me time and it can be done”

She then went on, pulling out a blank sheet and noting down things while she ran down the points in her head. “Manager. Fine. Still don’t know what a war is. The cut makes sense, no problem. Might need to, uh, find a way to encourage people to hand in new stuff because that is nearly impossible to enforce I think. Hmm” 

Then she got to the last point and looked a bit confused and replied “oh, um, there wasn’t any kind of rule barring them? Did… oh. Huh. Maybe that wasn’t obvious. We can put extra effort into inducting them, if that works? Well, them and people from all over.” 

She finished the last strokes on her document and then presented the impromptuly drawn up contract/IOU to the goddess. 

“A merciful deal, your divinity” she said, before adding “I was worried it would cost me an arm and a leg” jokily in an attempt to dissipate the tension.

“[color=aa6c39] War. When two mortal kingdoms start fighting for whatever reason…as for the incentive. Got an idea. Tell them they’ll get special offers for whatever is sold in the bazaar that’s not alive based on how many new things they bring. Say…1% reduction of prices for 5 things, 10% reduction for 50 things, 25% reduction for 150 and finally a 50% reduction for 500 new things but for each one thing they bring that was already discovered, they lose one “point”. [/color]” replied Ashe as the new HQ of the adventurers guild would continue improving as they talked. Beds, lights etc would appear, all made out of solid shadows.

“[color=aa6c39] I am aware that there wasn’t a rule but my Umbra aren’t interested in fighting and the Satyrs are meant to protect the forest. They won’t bulge on their own, so..give them a nudge. As for the “people from all over”, I’ve got plans for that but they’re not meant for…mortal ears yet. [/color]” continued Ashe.

With a wink, Ashevelen materialised two swords in front of her and they flew towards Pieapple at a very fast speed. One for the arm, one for the leg. When they reached her, the swords passed through her, leaving only a tiny dark line where they hit. The line would remain with Pieapple all her life, a mark from the Goddess.

“[color=aa6c39] There, now you’ve got a good story to tell. Tell them you’ve lost your arm and leg in a deal but then managed to get them back. [/color]” 

“Gahhh ah not again” the elf cursed and then felt at her scarred limbs with a mix of amazement and flabbergasting, before groaning “Urrrgh, you know you and Lektoria would get on great I just know it”

“[color=aa6c39] I’ll plan on finding that out later on and also, you’re the one who asked for it. [/color]” said Ashe with a smile.

“[color=aa6c39] Now, I’ve got more important things to handle. Keep the end of your bargain and you’ll prosper. Don’t…and you won’t need to worry about eating anymore. See ya’, mortal.[/color]” winked Ashe before disappearing. 

Pieapple let out a deep sigh of relief that it was over, glanced back at her new, empty, guild hall, took another breath and then set to work getting it staffed, starting with bailing poor Minowbloom out of jail.

At least she had level up notifications pinging in her head to keep her company for the start of her trip over there.

[hider=prestige]

Darkwood adventure guild: 16

 -3 ap: unlocked tech: writing 
 -3 ap: unlocked tech: plant shaping: allows [druids] and the like to encourage plants to grow into the shapes of tools, houses, etc. These are generally more resilient than constructed equivalents, though they are of course limited to plant matter based materials. This can also apply to Forest-Kin, which opens up an interesting realm of possibilities that mere selective breeding cannot reach. 

5 ap to rebrand to simply the Adventurer’s Guild and go global. [Adventurers] in the guild can also now gain bonus trade and shadow related skills. 

1 ap to recruit new members to fill up the guild hall’s staff, and induct new members from across the globe into its ranks

+1 for significant role
+1 for colab
+1 for 10,000+ chars

Adventurer’s guild: 8

[/hider]

[hider=summary]
A bunch of elves have been doing a blackmarket in the Bazzar’s first, and currently only, restaurant. The Darkwood adventurer's guild has been taking part, an elf called Minnowbloom getting quest requests from worried elves. While getting one from an elf called crab, the Bazzar staff raid the restaurant and arrest everyone who has anything to do with the blackmarket.

After some threats, the trade goddess Ashevelen gets Pieapple’s name out of Minnowbloom, and summons the [monarch] to account for her and her people’s crimes.

After a bit of back and forth, Pieapple convinced Ashevelen to let her set up an official adventuring guildhall inside the Bazaar, one which will pay tax to the goddess (something an official supervisor will make sure of)

She also has to (actively) recruit umbra and saytar members, not get involved in business that will upset the Bazaar (such as joining wars), get adventurers to bring anything new they find to the guild (said get special offers in return) and finally once she sets up the kingdom gifted to her by Lektoria she has to set up a trade route between it and Shadowton (as well as from an alliance with the town)

She agrees and, after getting a set of phantom scars on an arm and a leg thanks to a joke, is left with an empty guild hall she needs to fill.

[/hider]