The Wandering Emporium was a traveling bazaar of merchants, creatives, and miscreants that wandered the infernal realm of Avernus in the Nine Hells. The master of this marketplace was the rakshasa Mahadi, a servant of the devilish god Asmodeus.[1]
The emporium was a welcoming place in the otherwise perilous and horrifying plane of Avernus. It was considered neutral ground that offered respite from the hell's many conflicts,[4] most predominantly the Blood War.
Description[]
The emporium traveled across Avernus using nine massive infernal war machines. When Mahadi chose, the monstrous vehicles came to a halt and formed a semi-circular perimeter. Within this makeshift barricade the market's vividly-colored tents were thrown up and the emporium opened for business.[4]
It was illuminated by dangling lights, emanated exotic scents, and featured rhythmic music that drew in nearby denizens and travelers.[4]
Geography[]
The emporium had no permanent location in Avernus, but wandered around under the direction of its master.[4]
Trade[]
First and foremost, Mahadi used the emporium as a means to gather souls for his master Asmodeus. The rakshasa did this by presenting mortals with an infernal contract that had to be willingly signed. The contract granted them a boon, such as a powerful magical item or the resurrection of a loved one, in exchange for their eternal soul.[4]
To fulfil this duty and complete his deals, Mahadi was allowed to openly travel between Avernus and the Prime Material plane.[1] While in Avernus, the merchants of the emporium offered various items for sale, such as hellish arms and armaments, demon ichor; yugoloth larvae; a devilish courier service; currency exchange for soul coins; and even a barber's run by a Calishite woman named Burney.[3][2]
Notable Locations[]
- Firesnake Forge: The salamanders that serviced the emporium's war machines also sold weapons and armor to its patrons.[3]
- From Here to Avernus: Fhet'Ahla the amnizu offered currency exchange and messengers in exchange for soul coins, preferably those that contained the souls of celestial beings.[2]
- Ichor's Aweigh!: Owing a significant financial debt to Mahadi, the human mage Elliach sold ichor here. He had been grotesquely transformed by exposure to the ichor he sold.[2]
- Infernal Rapture: This restaurant and spa was run by Mahadi himself and existed as its own demiplane separate from Avernus.[1]
- Z'neth's larva farm: Ripped away from the battlefields of Toril, the warlord Z'neth was forced to run this piddling business pay back his debts.[2]
Inhabitants[]
The emporium was occupied by the merchants who peddled their goods and services within, along with the devilish drivers who piloted its infernal war machines.[4] Nearly all of them were indentured to Mahadi in some manner or another.[3][2]
Appendix[]
Appearances[]
Adventures
Video Games
Organized Play & Licensed Adventures
References[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Adam Lee, et al. (September 2019). Baldur's Gate: Descent into Avernus. Edited by Michele Carter, et al. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 126. ISBN 978-0-7869-6687-5.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 Adam Lee, et al. (September 2019). Baldur's Gate: Descent into Avernus. Edited by Michele Carter, et al. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 130. ISBN 978-0-7869-6687-5.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 Adam Lee, et al. (September 2019). Baldur's Gate: Descent into Avernus. Edited by Michele Carter, et al. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 129. ISBN 978-0-7869-6687-5.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 4.6 Adam Lee, et al. (September 2019). Baldur's Gate: Descent into Avernus. Edited by Michele Carter, et al. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 128. ISBN 978-0-7869-6687-5.