Delve deeper into the secrets of the Night Market with the Curator in this latest Loremaster’s Archive.
Editor’s Note: Greetings readers, Amalien here! Would you be surprised to find out that Fargrave occupies a blind spot in my knowledge? Daedric sub-planes are hardly my specialty. So much coordination required for a safe visit. And the paperwork!
So, imagine my surprise when a renowned denizen of Fargrave offered to visit me instead! Let alone the Curator, steward of the Night Market. I’m certain all of Solitude heard me squeal.
The rumor running around the Antiquarian Circle is that the Curator is both deeply cultured and supremely debonair. At the risk of embarrassing myself, I’ve gone to great lengths to set the scene. I requisitioned a wide array of snacks and delicacies from Fargrave, decanted an excellent vintage imported from Skingrad, and hired a qanun player from the Bards College.
What resulted is the following. I hope you enjoy his answers to questions about the mysterious Night Market!
Have any remnants of the Pathfinders been found in all this time, such as objects or journals across the various districts? Are there any records of prior districts or Opulents you have available for study? Finally, what is the nature of the inhabitants of the districts? Is the appearance of familiar beings an illusion or something more?
—Trivuria Arys of House Telvanni
For those unaware, the Pathfinders were one of the first organized groups to make a name for themselves in the Night Market. A number of their members were lost when the doors of the districts closed, effectively cutting them off from our plane. We have, of course, developed protections against such a tragedy, but to answer your question. No. We have yet to discover what became of those we lost.
Recordkeeping, in terms of past districts and their challenges, leaves much to be desired. The consolidation of power down to three factions is a recent occurrence, at least in the eyes of Daedra. I hope, with time, records will be better kept.
Now, regarding the nature of the districts and their inhabitants, I can offer only conjecture. It is generally accepted that the district doors open to reveal planes adjacent to our own. What is not agreed upon is the definition of adjacent. Some believe these districts to be fatelines that have branched off our own. That the doors reveal other possibilities had different choices been made. Others believe them to be the same branch but at different moments in time and that the doors instead capture a single moment that repeats again and again until they close shut.
I have indeed found the number of familiar beings curious. Perhaps there is something to be gleaned from the patterns of these repetitions? Why not visit yourself? Driven individuals often make intriguing discoveries.
What happens to the creatures and beings in the Night Market when the districts close? Do they exist only in that strange state of being as we encounter them? Or do the regions return to their original versions of Fargrave fully intact with the inhabitants being in-turn, returned to a state of normalcy?
Also if you could pass a question on the leader of the Ruckus: Is it true you accept Beastfolk of all stripes? Asking for a friend.
—”Goblin Tim”
As with the previous question, we are unsure of the mechanism by which we are able to visit these realms. And, as such, we are unsure what happens when our brief window into them closes.
Here is what I believe, at least for the moment. These realms have all, so far, been in a state of chaotic destruction and calamitous upheaval. I believe these battles have thinned the walls of their plane and made them susceptible to the nature of the Night Market. Which is all to say that, when our entry into these planes close, they merely return to the battle that was already raging.
On a lighter note, yes, I do believe the Ruckus is open to all Beastfolk willing to join the fray. I’d be more than happy to put in a good word for your “friend.”
Over the years of my study, I have noticed that Daedric Princes often stage conquests over planes of Oblivion for the purpose of expanding their holdings. Have there been any notable invasions by any Princes (or Lesser Daedra) seeking to enter and seize the Night Market for their exclusive control? If I had to guess, I would expect Mehrunes Dagon would have such ambitions.
—Asrea Starlight, Scholar
I am certain many have considered it, but the thing to remember is that the Night Market and its meager holdings are temporary. Liminal. This, coupled with the fact that each district is a writhing hive of combatants, is more than enough reason to spare themselves the effort.
That being said, I suspect they keep a close watch all the same. Sanguine’s revelers do enjoy Tachien’s parties. Mora’s Watchlings and Peryite’s Daedrats fit in amongst the writhing mass of the Thousand Eyes. And Dremora in service to Mehrunes Dagon have taken to Kharakhal’s fighting pit. I’ve even spotted Barbas from time to time. Delightful fellow and a great conversationalist if you’ve a treat to spare.
Tales of the Pathfinders proto-faction, an epistolary shared among the denizens on Night Market, begs a pondering on the unknown broader faction history of the realm. Any stories of the Pathfinders or other factions of yore you would like to share, Curator?
—Nicolas le Bellerose, Spellknight-mentor of planology, Daggerfall School of Julianos.
You should first understand that what factions provide now are rules and structure. The time of the Pathfinders was one of recklessness. Anyone with a dagger on their belt and a friend by their side could charge into the districts under a banner of their own making. Many such proto-factions, as you say, were snuffed out by the roiling chaos and unknown. I suspect they number in the hundreds. But, like the Pathfinders, there are a few who shaped the Night Market as it is now.
The healers of the Sibyl Orac first created the tethers which pull you back from closed districts. I believe the group had a rather dramatic falling out some years later and their leader is now the Omen of Malediction.
The resolute defenders of the Lumic Stewards developed the wards that shield our plane from district invaders. Last I heard, they now serve Fa-Nuit-Hen and aided in the creation of the pocket realm known as Maelstrom.
And you have the leader of the Prime Fundament to thank for creating the first contract with mortal adventurers. Specifically protections that ensured mortals were rewarded in equal measure to the dangers they faced. He retired an eon ago to an island off the coasts of the Colored Rooms after signing a non-compete clause with Clavicus Vile.
I imagine plenty of mortals view the Night Market as a chance to earn coin. Are the mortals flocking to the market struggling with the Drain? How is Redmaiden landing in the hands of those that are? For a mortal-dominant faction like the Ruckus, is there an even higher Daedric pact keeping them protected from inevitable madness?
I would not dare to pry so deeply into Kharakhal’s past, mind you. A mortal succumbing to the Drain is a tragic thing no matter whom they bear allegiance to.
—Nikola Frey, of the Eclipse Inquisitorum
For readers who may be unaware, the Drain is an affliction mortals suffer when they remain in Fargrave for too long. Redmaiden is one means, a medicinal substance to be charitable, that is used by mortals to prevent or treat the ailment.
Redmaiden itself is very hard to come by and those who make a business of it are extortionists and opportunists at best. That leaves most mortals with only one option. A Daedric pact. These contracts offer magical protections against the Drain while operating inside Fargrave, the Night Market included. This is one of the many reasons why I advise joining a faction. Being unmoored is difficult and dangerous. Why take unnecessary risks?
Now, the studious among you may already be a step ahead of me. If Daedric pacts are required to protect oneself from the Drain, how are you protected by a pact with Kharakhal Moon-Eye, the mortal leader of the Ruckus? Is Kharakhal susceptible to the Drain or is he himself protected by a powerful Daedra?
If I may be so bold as to repeat the wise words of our dear question writer Nikola Frey, “I would not dare to pry so deeply into Kharakhal’s past.” Those who enter a pact with the Ruckus are protected from the Drain just the same as those who join the Glittering Goad and Thousand Eyes. How Kharakhal has accomplished this is a question for a different time.
I have heard rumor of quite a few unique items that have been found when the Market was last opened. I am curious—what are some of the most interesting items that you have seen recovered from the Night Market? Have any interesting books crossed your many paths that might pique my interest?
—Benefactor, Librarian of the Imperial Library
It pains me to say that books are the rarest of district treasures. Districts are often in a state of destruction and rampant chaos and, as I’m sure you’re aware, books are delicate. Additionally, the attention of mortal adventurers is fickle and easily distracted by gold and challenging beasts. They do not see value in scrolls or literature from these shattered planes.
That isn’t to say it never happens. I keep a modest collection of district literature in my care. It is an odd array with no unifying theme or genre. An indecipherable book of alchemical ingredients. A letter of complaint regarding the quality of malachite sold by a materials vendor. And a rather dull romance novel titled, “The Dremora Who Tamed Me.” Cliché ridden, but of course beggars can’t be choosers.
As the Night Market is in a plane of Oblivion, I’m wondering if the residents managed to catch some pets from out of time. Are there any species extinct on Nirn that you have seen in the Districts?
—Professor Arniel Gnome
I am not familiar with all the creatures that have gone extinct from your mortal plane, but I can share some of the strangest beasts that I have seen pulled from the districts.
There was a great lizard with a towering neck pulled from a district of lush jungles. An enormous, multi-armed bear made of gelatinous slime. Small mechanical frogs that croaked in unison. Four-winged birds that were able to perfectly repeat words spoken to them. And the spirit, or echo, of a dog that could fit in the palm of my hand.
This is not to say you will find these creatures up for sale. Frightfully few survive, removed from their natural habitats as they were. Only so much can be gleaned about their habitat before the district doors close. So, creatures “saved” are not always creatures kept.
Oh! There was once a flock of gooblets. Now that’s a creature I know to be extinct from your plane. Strange little bird. Flightless, and a briefly enjoyed delicacy in the Night Market. Butter, salt, and marinated in … brandy? It escapes me.
There are gaps in the world that should not exist. Places that operate beyond the reach of order. How does the Night Market, and even Fargrave, evade the gaze of the Battlespire? Are these realms truly hidden or simply ignored by the Imperial Battlemages? I find it hard to believe that my colleagues would ignore the temptation of power one could obtain from such a place.
—Absentis Vesanus, Imperial Battlemage
Why do you assume we are being ignored? I am certain there are many who enter the Night Market in the name of mortal guilds. Your Battlespire included. Mortals who think themselves clever and invisible. In truth, “clever” visitors are always welcome. Power in the hands of mortals is fleeting. A temporary threat, if a threat at all. But knowledge? Research? That’s the end goal.
A word of advice. You mortals so often seclude yourselves. Place knowledge at the fingertips of only a select few. You believe your secretive walls to be impervious. Know that the paths into the Night Market go both ways. You walk amongst us untouched, and we walk amongst you unseen. Do not mistake this for a threat. I merely tip my glass in your direction. We are all after the same thing. Some of us just have more time.
I see you, Keth, shrouded in Fargrave’s chaos and mystery; the rumors shadowing your origins—of fatelines (a “new wave” manner of saying shadow realms, of course… kids these days). Is your chosen name, Keth, a coincidence? Or do you bear some familiarity to certain Incarnations of War? Answer me, or I shall take an answer myself from your dying breaths.
—Alexis Z. Ashwing, Undaunted Nightblade
I assure you my name is of no import and nor are the dim allegations you’ve conjured from it.
Editor’s Note: And that’s all there is folks. A rather abrupt ending if I’m being honest. He put the quill down after the last question, gave me a polite nod, and then disappeared through a portal.
I’m also realizing he didn’t touch the snacks I left out. And after I had gone through all the trouble of securing Fargrave delicacies. Oh dear, I hope I didn’t offend him.
Well, until next time readers!
Our thanks to the intrepid adventurers for their questions concerning this perilous realm within a realm. Do you have your own theories about the Night Market and its denizens? Share them with the community on our official forums.
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