Mercadex Town Market | Free 5e and PF2e GM Resource

Written by Hana the Lorekeeper

Discover the bustling heart of a desert town with Mercadex, a sprawling underground market that comes alive with the vibrancy of traders, entertainers, and hidden secrets. From exotic goods to mysterious NPCs, Mercadex offers a glimpse into a culture layered in history, where every stall might hold something unexpected. But beware—the night market brings its own dangers, with shadowy deals and contraband lurking in the dim light.

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Mercadex - 5e

Large town market

Center of Activity. From the outside, Mercadex is a single-story sandstone and adobe box with open windows blocked by wooden beams and worn canvas curtains. However, traveling down the ramp or a flight of stairs will reveal the building’s true size as it empties into a large, open-air marketplace three stories tall. The building is mostly sunken into the ground to stay cool during the summer, offering a welcome reprieve from the blistering sun. Several large skylights in the ceiling allow light in, but they are covered with pale cloth to minimize the heat allowed in. Smells clash from the various stalls, and many food merchants line the exterior, where specially created chimneys direct heat out of the building. Dust motes float through the air, illuminated by streams of light from above. Vendors are constantly hawking their wares, entertainers are performing, and it’s a vibrant place.

The floors and walls contain worn carvings from a culture that no longer exists, as Mercadex sits on the bones of a previous structure. The building’s purpose at creation is unknown, though some believe it had religious connections.

Mercadex is active from early morning to sunset and is practically dead at night. Semi-permanent or permanent merchants will leave their booths set up overnight, taking only their money and most valuable items with them; however, traveling merchants and those less established will pack up every night. A single guard is responsible for patrolling Mercadex at night, though their effectiveness is often in question.

The Night Market

Explosive Contraband. At least one merchant in Mercadex is involved with selling dynamite under the radar to anyone who can pay their price.

Mercadex da Noch. Because Mercadex clears out at night, the lack of activity is perfect for anyone who wants to make transactions under the cover of night. The local thieves’ guild has an outpost at Mercadex that only operates at night, and many less savory dealings go on at this night market. The guard who patrols Mercadex either doesn’t care or has been bribed to ensure their silence.

NPCs to Meet Here

Itcac

Female dryad, chaotic neutral

Description. Unlike other dryads with lush, flowing locks, soft features, and leafy green attire, Itcac has a harsher, sharper form. Tiny needle-like spikes cover this lean, reedy cactus dryad’s skin, and her spiked hair is styled like a mohawk. She clothes herself in a coarse canvas embroidered with orange arrows, brown lines, and red flowers. Her voice sounds like wind whipping over sand, and anyone who knows Itcac will describe her as “very pretty, but will prick you if you annoy her.”

Occupation. Itcac comes into town once a month to sell her goods. She will offer anything from local honey, tiny succulents, cactus jelly, and arevola oil (find details about arevola oil in Conquest & Champions, Lair Magazine Issue #28, April 2023). In addition to these plant-based products, she also sells addictive substances such as drybrush weed and redklay. Itcac sees no problems in selling these consumables, as they have little-to-no effect on the fey, and genuinely doesn’t understand why the humanoids make such a big deal about them.

Secret. Itcac never claims to be good and has killed at least one person who has tried to uproot, cut down, or take trimmings from her home cacti. She uses their bodies for fertilizer, believing that since they tried to harm her cacti, she can do with them as she pleases.

Goto the Enigma

Androgynous plant (awakened shrub), neutral

Description. No one has ever seen what lies under the mask or mass of robes, gloves, and bandages that conceal Goto’s small form. Some say they are a horribly disfigured gnome, others believe they are a kobold on the run from the law, and a few whisper there is a more sinister truth to the matter. Goto never pays attention to these comments, which is in keeping with their no-nonsense nature. Despite the layers of clothes, their voice is clear when speaking, possessing a strange, scratchy quality, much like dry twigs scraping together. They have a good-natured relationship with Itcac and set up their booth next to hers.

Occupation. Goto is best known as a thrift dealer, selling whatever they pull from abandoned wagons and scavenge from junkyards. Who knows what unusual treasures Goto may have among their wares? There have been many accusations of stealing over the years, but they’re false . . . most of the time.

Secret. Goto is secretly a plant awakened by a wandering druid several years ago. Their memories of the druid are vague and unclear, and they don’t know why they awakened them. They conceal their form so they won’t get captured and trapped in an arcane laboratory for experimentation or a circus for entertainment.

Mr. Waltz Panrod

Male gnome (noble), lawful neutral

Description. Waltz Panrod tries to maintain a noble and refined appearance, but the universe seems out to prevent this: wind will always bluster his smoothed hair, grass burrs will find themselves stuck in his boots, and grains of sand will find themselves in his suit pockets. Although Waltz is well-studied and intelligent, he is naturally pretentious and narcissistic. He flirts with any woman crossing his path, even if she is in a relationship. While many women start off flattered by his words and actions, they’ll quickly grow to detest his presence and actively avoid him. Waltz possesses a magic item that allows him to conjure flowers at will.

Occupation. Mr. Panrod makes his living as a traveling gun salesman since he has no chance of inheriting his parent’s company while his older sister is alive. He is most well-known for using brachiosaurus and triceratops to carry his goods and serve as mounts. Because of his flirtatious habits, the towns he visits are always happy to see him leave.

Secret. Waltz is an incredibly superstitious man. Despite being a savvy businessman, he’ll buy anything that protects him from ghosts, demons, and other supernatural creatures, even if the product is obviously junk. He claims to be haunted by ghosts, but whether this is true or simply the result of an overworked mind is debatable.

Mercadex - Pathfinder 2e

Large town market

Center of Activity. From the outside, Mercadex is a single-story sandstone and adobe box with open windows blocked by wooden beams and worn canvas curtains. However, traveling down the ramp or a flight of stairs will reveal the building’s true size as it empties into a large, open-air marketplace three stories tall. The building is mostly sunken into the ground to stay cool during the summer, offering a welcome reprieve from the blistering sun. Several large skylights in the ceiling allow light in, but they are covered with pale cloth to minimize the heat allowed in. Smells clash from the various stalls, and many food merchants line the exterior, where specially created chimneys direct heat out of the building. Dust motes float through the air, illuminated by streams of light from above. Vendors are constantly hawking their wares, entertainers are performing, and it’s a vibrant place.

The floors and walls contain worn carvings from a culture that no longer exists, as Mercadex sits on the bones of a previous structure. The building’s purpose at creation is unknown, though some believe it had religious connections.

Mercadex is active from early morning to sunset and is practically dead at night. Semi-permanent or permanent merchants will leave their booths set up overnight, taking only their money and most valuable items with them; however, traveling merchants and those less established will pack up every night. A single guard is responsible for patrolling Mercadex at night, though their effectiveness is often in question.

The Night Market

Explosive Contraband. At least one merchant in Mercadex is involved with selling dynamite under the radar to anyone who can pay their price.

Mercadex da Noch. Because Mercadex clears out at night, the lack of activity is perfect for anyone who wants to make transactions under the cover of night. The local thieves’ guild has an outpost at Mercadex that only operates at night, and many less savory dealings go on at this night market. The guard who patrols Mercadex either doesn’t care or has been bribed to ensure their silence.

NPCs to Meet Here

Itcac

Female dryad, chaotic neutral

Description. Unlike other dryads with lush, flowing locks, soft features, and leafy green attire, Itcac has a harsher, sharper form. Tiny needle-like spikes cover this lean, reedy cactus dryad’s skin, and her spiked hair is styled like a mohawk. She clothes herself in a coarse canvas embroidered with orange arrows, brown lines, and red flowers. Her voice sounds like wind whipping over sand, and anyone who knows Itcac will describe her as “very pretty, but will prick you if you annoy her.”

Occupation. Itcac comes into town once a month to sell her goods. She will offer anything from local honey, tiny succulents, cactus jelly, and arevola oil (find details about arevola oil in Conquest & Champions, Lair Magazine Issue #28, April 2023). In addition to these plant-based products, she also sells addictive substances such as drybrush weed and redklay. Itcac sees no problems in selling these consumables, as they have little-to-no effect on the fey, and genuinely doesn’t understand why the humanoids make such a big deal about them.

Secret. Itcac never claims to be good and has killed at least one person who has tried to uproot, cut down, or take trimmings from her home cacti. She uses their bodies for fertilizer, believing that since they tried to harm her cacti, she can do with them as she pleases.

Goto the Enigma

Androgynous plant (awakened tree), neutral

Description. No one has ever seen what lies under the mask or mass of robes, gloves, and bandages that conceal Goto’s small form. Some say they are a horribly disfigured gnome, others believe they are a kobold on the run from the law, and a few whisper there is a more sinister truth to the matter. Goto never pays attention to these comments, which is in keeping with their no-nonsense nature. Despite the layers of clothes, their voice is clear when speaking, possessing a strange, scratchy quality, much like dry twigs scraping together. They have a good-natured relationship with Itcac and set up their booth next to hers.

Occupation. Goto is best known as a thrift dealer, selling whatever they pull from abandoned wagons and scavenge from junkyards. Who knows what unusual treasures Goto may have among their wares? There have been many accusations of stealing over the years, but they’re false . . . most of the time.

Secret. Goto is secretly a plant awakened by a wandering druid several years ago. Their memories of the druid are vague and unclear, and they don’t know why they awakened them. They conceal their form so they won’t get captured and trapped in an arcane laboratory for experimentation or a circus for entertainment.

Mr. Waltz Panrod

Male gnome (noble), lawful neutral

Description. Waltz Panrod tries to maintain a noble and refined appearance, but the universe seems out to prevent this: wind will always bluster his smoothed hair, grass burrs will find themselves stuck in his boots, and grains of sand will find themselves in his suit pockets. Although Waltz is well-studied and intelligent, he is naturally pretentious and narcissistic. He flirts with any woman crossing his path, even if she is in a relationship. While many women start off flattered by his words and actions, they’ll quickly grow to detest his presence and actively avoid him. Waltz possesses a magic item that allows him to conjure flowers at will.

Occupation. Mr. Panrod makes his living as a traveling gun salesman since he has no chance of inheriting his parent’s company while his older sister is alive. He is most well-known for using brachiosaurus and triceratops to carry his goods and serve as mounts. Because of his flirtatious habits, the towns he visits are always happy to see him leave.

Secret. Waltz is an incredibly superstitious man. Despite being a savvy businessman, he’ll buy anything that protects him from ghosts, demons, and other supernatural creatures, even if the product is obviously junk. He claims to be haunted by ghosts, but whether this is true or simply the result of an overworked mind is debatable.

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