The Mercato Umbra

The Mercato Umbra  –  named for the Thread  –  is Porto Radica’s infamous black market, operated in secret by the Thorn Syndicate under the watchful eye of their Quartermaster. Hidden in the old stone underworks of the city and accessed only through veiled contacts or encoded invitations, the Mercato is far more than a den of smugglers; it is a tightly run hub of forbidden commerce and whispered contracts.

Here, traders barter in rare monster parts, illegal alchemy, spiritbound objects, and necromantic paraphernalia, alongside “extra-legal services” such as untraceable assassinations, identity forgeries, and silent disappearances. It operates under a strict code of secrecy, enforced by masked Weavers who mark high-value trades with spectral thread to ensure compliance; betraying its trust is a near-certain death sentence.

The market is protected by Syndicate muscle and Weavers, working to keep the market safe from trouble both inside and out. Despite its illegality, the Petal of Ferrus, whose troops’ job should be to shut down such a venture, is rumoured to turn a blind eye – or even receive certain favours in return, as is the Petal of Umbra. In times of crisis, the Mercato Umbra has been known to supply what the city cannot, ensuring its survival and complicating its outlaw status.