Dark Market

The Dark Market in Comosia is a dangerous place to venture unprotected. Most citizens assiduously avoid it, taking considerable detours to do so.

If you are looking for a place of illicit trade, and dare to venture in, it is rumoured that there is no better place on Otrikius to find all manner of exotic goods. There is also a better than average (well, so far 100% better) chance you will never be seen again.

Origins

The Dark Market borders the magic quarter and for good reason. Before the living memory of most the area of the Dark Market was centred on a small unremarkable store selling a variety of scrolls and the materials for writing them. This store was run by Talward Palim a drop out from the nearby university.

Talward hit upon the idea of copying and selling scrolls that he acquired from travellers passing through Comosia. A sound enough idea, unfortunately Talward's ambition outstripped his ability and one night working by the flickering candlelight in his back office Talward made a mistake when transcribing a scroll of heavenly illumination.

The resulting blast cast a pall of darkness over the surrounding streets. This was not simply the absence of light but a darkness that draws light out of the surroundings. No non-magical light source can be used within its boundary and even magical light sources operate for only a few minutes.

After a night of panic as residents of nearby buildings found themselves blind and groping through the streets until they chanced to cross the boundary of the darkness into the comparatively bright night air, the entire region became off-limits. The city placed guards to prevent the foolish venturing inside and erstwhile residents turned to friends and family for shelter.

Talward made his way out of the city fearing (with considerable justification) the wrath of the citizenry. No one head of him after this fateful night.

The city called on the Brotherhood of Aithra to dissipate the darkness but despite repeated attempts they made no progress. Eventually the city simply abandoned the area and citizens learned to skirt its perimeter.

It did not take long for the criminal element to start using the darkness to cloak a variety of activity. At first just using the periphery. A few men stepping a few yards into the darkness to conduct en exchange best done out of sight fo the Comosia City Guard. Since these initial forays it is suspected that the area is now used for more extensive activity. The problem is that no one is sure how such activity would be possible and anyone fool enough to try to find out has not returned.