
WELCOME TO THE GRAND MARKET! GOT COIN?
You've found the jewel of Port Sunder! Forget the docks, this is where the real trade happens. The Grand Market is a sprawling, chaotic, and glorious ocean of sound, color, and commerce. Tents of every conceivable color stretch as far as you can see, and the air is a dizzying perfume of Keshian Blood Spice, Skarosian sun leaf, smoked fish, and a thousand other things. Here, you can find anything, from a single star-ice blade from the frozen north to a clockwork toy from a gnomish mountain city.
MEET THE MERCHANT: SAMIL OF KESH
At the center of the spice aisle, in a tent of brilliant orange and red silks, sits Samil. He is a Saurian from the continent of Kesh, his green-scaled hands patiently arranging his wares. He's a master merchant who has traveled farther than most, and he knows the story behind every item he sells. He's shrewd, but he respects a customer who appreciates true quality.
"YOU DO NOT JUST BUY SPICE, TRAVELER. YOU BUY THE SUN OF A FOREIGN SKY, THE RISK OF A PERILOUS VOYAGE. THIS SOLTERRAN SILK? IT IS WORTH MORE THAN GOLD BECAUSE IT IS WOVEN LIGHT. THIS KESHIAN BLOOD SPICE? IT IS THE FIRE OF MY HOME."
LORE & SECRETS
The Grand Market is the physical proof of Port Sunder's importance. It's the only place on Lythos where you can find goods from all continents in one place. The Solterran Empire is stingy with its exports, making their silks and teas incredibly valuable. The star-ice blades from the Skaldvin of Boreas are said to be forged in magical ice and will never dull. The market is neutral ground, but even here, the shadow of the war creeps in.
Key Tip: Haggling is expected, but don't insult the merchants. Many, like the Saurians, are proud and may refuse to sell to you if they feel disrespected. The best deals are found at dawn, when the ships first unload.