At the very heart of Dergorai’s Slave Trade District lies The Ring of the Enslaved—the central marketplace where deals are struck quickly, coldly, and without emotion. This vast square, paved with smooth dark stone, is surrounded by massive buildings where negotiations take place, contracts are signed, and new “merchandise” is prepared. The hum of voices never ceases here—merchants shout their offers, guards issue commands, and the clinking of chains echoes as enslaved figures move slowly and obediently, never daring to lift their eyes.
The square is divided into four sectors, each catering to specific needs of the buyers.
- Upper Row – The place where the most expensive and “elite” slaves are sold: trained gladiators, skilled servants, and specialized laborers capable of performing complex tasks. Here, dark dwarves and wealthy buyers inspect their potential purchases, test their strength, and negotiate future orders.
- Middle Row – The primary trading zone, offering workers, miners, blacksmith slaves, and house servants for noble families.
- Lower Row – The section of the market where war prisoners, criminals sentenced to eternal labor, and debtors who have lost their freedom are sold. The air is thick with the stench of sweat, blood, and hopelessness.
- Underground Row – A hidden part of the market known only to insiders. This is where those whose fate must remain secret are sold—spies, mages, rare beings, and individuals whose power is of interest to exclusive clients.
At the edges of the square stand stone obelisks engraved with magical runes that suppress magic and psionic abilities within the area. At the center of the marketplace, a raised stone platform serves as the auction stage, where the most valuable slaves are displayed and the largest deals are struck.
Despite the strict order, the shadows of The Ring of the Enslaved conceal those who seek to change the system—underground agents searching for escape routes, fugitive slaves hiding among the buyers, and informants willing to sell secrets for the right price.
Notable NPCs
Chief Trader Sargrim Black Key
“Everything has a price. The only question is—who is willing to pay it?”
Sargrim is the overseer of the marketplace, a master of pricing and a talented manipulator. He doesn’t care whom he sells, as long as he secures maximum profit. He dresses in fine yet practical dark clothing, and his long fingers, adorned with rings, are never still—always counting coins, handling contracts, or twirling keys.
Inquisitor Drakhard the Ruthless (See Slave Trade District)
The chief enforcer responsible for maintaining order in the market. His cold gaze and iron discipline ensure that any uprising is crushed before it even begins.
Smuggler Krigar the Shapeshifter
“Only a fool takes what he is given. The smart take what they need.”
Krigar is a master of shadowy dealings, selling escape plans, classified information, and loopholes in Dergorai’s laws. He is always hidden in the background, impossible to find unless he wishes to be found.