[attr="class","header"]THE BLACKWING BAZAAR

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A region as big, as bustling, as industrialized as Hoenn is bound to have as many places that slip through the cracks as it does people. Every weekend, as the clock strikes midnight, one of these places is transformed as if by magic. Empty warehouses, abandoned homes, the shady corners of routes nobody has any business occupying, the specifics don't quite matter. If it's off the grid and big enough to hold the festivities, it's enough to be home to the Bazaar.[break][break]

The nature and the location of the Bazaar are shrouded in secrecy. The only trend is that there is none; the Bazaar never appears in the same city twice in a row, except for when it does to throw guessers off of their game. If you don't have an invite from someone in the know, you're SOL. The best you can do is follow the whispers in the streets and the motions of the crowds, each more subtle than the last. If you can hear the faint pulse of music or see the slightest flash of neon, you'll know you're in the right place.[break][break]

[attr="class","header"]SO MUCH TO DO, SO MUCH TO SEE

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So what kind of hullabaloo is all this secrecy hiding? To sum it all up in one word, the answer is "people." Without them, the Bazaar is nothing. It's just a bunch of open-air tents hidden in the shady corners of a route, or a tricked-out building that'll go back to being abandoned the next day.[break][break]

However, the more people trickle in, the more the bazaar truly comes to life. Vendors peddle goods and information from all over the region, and sometimes even parts far beyond. Entertainers of all stripes flock to the main stage; musicians, comedians, actors, wrestlers, anyone with something they feel is worth showing off to the people. Games of chance, contests of strength, and dares of all kinds echo through the halls.[break][break]

Most importantly, it's a place for the disenfranchised and disgruntled to speak freely. Those with no love lost for the League can air their frustrations and criticisms without risk of persecution. Rivals from opposing gangs can break bread with one another, maybe even finding the common ground only neutral turf can provide. Anyone whose tastes in goods skew a little more grey marked can browse wares they'd never find on legitimate channels. In a sense, this is the real function of the Bazaar; a safe haven and little slice of freedom among like-minded individuals.[break][break]

[attr="class","header"]HONOR AMONG THIEVES

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Of course, if you can actually find the Bazaar, you've already got the hardest part out of the way. There's no entrance fee, no ID badge, certainly no membership junk to have to mess around with. If you find your way to the Bazaar, consider yourself a welcome guest. But like any guest, you're only welcome for as long as you keep the peace. Nobody likes mud tracked in their humble abode. The Bazaar, its hosts, its vendors, and its guests are no exceptions.[break][break]

Rule 1) Leave your messes at the door. The Bazaar's neutral ground. If you can't handle seeing someone you hate there, either get over it or get out.[break][break]

Rule 2) We don't trade in lives. The Bazaar allows all sorts of barter within its walls; rarities, oddities, information, rumors, services, promises, and the almighty dollar. You'll notice blood's nowhere to be seen on the list. There's a reason for that.[break][break]

Rule 3) No squealers. If you can't handle free speech and grey-market goods, that's fine. Nobody's holding you at gunpoint here (and if they are, see Rule 1). But tell the League and ruin the fun for everyone else? Well, now you've put a lot of targets on your back. If the bouncers find any ranger or League official ID on you, they're pulling the alarm and calling a Rule 3 just to be safe.[break][break]

As a whole, the Bazaar operates on the honor system. You honor these three simple rules, everyone else honors the fact that there's one of you and many of them. Ruin everyone else's good time? Well, Isaac might be a good-natured guy, but he can't promise everyone else here is. And they might be all too happy to express their displeasure.[break][break]

[attr="class","header"]HUMBLE BEGINNINGS

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It sounds lovely, doesn't it? Well, that's the best part! It will be.[break][break]

Emphasis on will. Connections and entertainment and resources don't come cheap. And as mentioned above, the Bazaar is only worth the people that it brings to the table. While this makes it ripe for expansion, it also means that Isaac's starting from the bottom when it comes to resources.[break][break]

Currently, the Blackwing Bazaar has a collapsible stage, a backyard-tier wrestling ring, and a few poker tables. Its first and most loyal vendor is a hot dog salesman who works stupid late hours and is 200% okay with overlooking shady dealings. It's a start! But, boy is it a start in need of some TLC. Isaac's going to have his work cut out building the Bazaar up into the counterculture haven of his dreams.