Owner: Saskia van der Zee, a mysterious woman with a history as a former adventurer turned exotic merchant. She has weathered skin, jet-black hair tied in a long braid, and emerald green eyes that miss nothing in the bustling Grand Bazaar. A skilled tracker and hunter in her younger days, Saskia now focuses on acquiring and trading rare and exotic creatures—often through questionable means. Her shop is filled with the sounds of chirps, growls, and eerie whispers as her unique wares catch the attention of curious buyers.
The Menagerie of Marvels is a visually striking stall in the Grand Bazaar, filled with cages, tanks, and strange artifacts. Thick vines and leaves, reminiscent of jungle undergrowth, hang around the stall, while shadowy figures—statues of petrified victims—are propped around the space, casting eerie shadows. Magical wards and Fey trinkets shimmer faintly around her most valuable items, deterring would-be thieves. Saskia’s voice is soft but commanding, and those who dare inquire about the origins of her stock are usually met with a smirk and a cryptic answer.
Notable Wares at The Menagerie of Marvels
1. Animals Acquired from the Jungle and Stolen from the Feywild
Blink Dog Pup (Feywild Origin) – 2,500 gp
- This mischievous pup can blink in and out of existence, making it difficult to catch. It is highly intelligent, but raising one requires the utmost care, or it may vanish.
Faerie Dragon (Juvenile) – 3,500 gp
- Stolen from the Feywild, this small, colorful dragon delights in playing tricks and casting minor illusions. It’s a playful companion, but its mischievous nature can lead to chaos.
Jungle Wyvern Hatchling – 6,000 gp
- A small wyvern from the depths of the jungle, this hatchling is dangerous but loyal to those who treat it with care. It can eventually grow into a powerful combat mount with a poisonous tail sting.
Displacer Beast Cub – 4,500 gp
- A rare displacer beast cub that has the ability to project an illusion of itself a few feet away, making it difficult to hit. It requires a firm hand, as it retains its predatory instincts.
Jungle Fire Lizard – 1,800 gp
- This small, flaming red lizard from the jungle can exhale bursts of flame when threatened. Often used as a living torch or guard pet.
2. Exotic Animal Eggs
Dragon Turtle Egg – 20,000 gp
- A massive egg from the deep waters, stolen by poachers. Hatching a dragon turtle is a slow and dangerous process, but the result is a formidable creature capable of crushing ships.
Griffon Egg – 9,500 gp
- A rare egg from the high mountains. If raised properly, the griffon becomes a powerful and loyal mount, often used by knights and adventurers.
Basilisk Egg – 7,000 gp
- This dangerous egg will eventually hatch into a basilisk, capable of petrifying its prey with a glance. Only the boldest, or the most foolish, would attempt to raise such a beast.
Cockatrice Egg – 3,500 gp
- A volatile creature that can turn its enemies to stone with a peck, a cockatrice hatchling is a risky pet but has been used by alchemists and potion makers for its magical properties.
Jungle Serpent Egg – 2,500 gp
- This large, spotted egg contains a giant constrictor snake from the deep jungle. Though lacking magical abilities, its sheer size and power make it a formidable ally.
3. Petrified Life-Sized Statues of Victims Turned to Stone
Petrified Noble (Victim of Medusa) – 8,000 gp
- Once a wealthy nobleman, this life-sized stone statue still retains the panicked expression of its final moments. It's a chilling reminder of a Medusa’s curse, and some believe the statue holds magical residue that can be harvested.
Petrified Fey Knight (Victim of a Basilisk) – 12,000 gp
- A striking stone figure of a Fey knight, armor and weapon still intact. The knight was turned to stone in combat, but magical energy still seems to flicker within the statue. Some speculate it can be reversed under the right conditions.
Petrified Mercenary (Ithosian Talons) – 5,500 gp
- A well-muscled figure frozen mid-strike, sword raised high. Saskia claims it was found in a ruined temple deep in the jungle. Some suspect it was a victim of a Gorgon’s breath.
Petrified Scholar (Curse of the Olmoy Ziggurats) – 9,000 gp
- This finely detailed statue once stood in the depths of the Olmoy Empire, now recovered and sold at Johan’s stall. It’s said that the scholar knew too much, and his punishment was to be turned to stone by ancient magic.
Petrified Faerie (Feywild Curse) – 3,800 gp
- A delicate and haunting figure of a petrified faerie. Small and intricately detailed, it was once a powerful Fey, turned to stone by an ancient curse. It still hums with faint Fey magic, and Johan suspects it could be brought back under rare conditions.
Petrified Troll (Mid-Regeneration) – 10,000 gp
- A half-regenerated troll, frozen in stone. The figure’s petrification occurred mid-regeneration, causing strange, misshapen limbs and an eerie half-flesh, half-stone appearance. If the curse could be undone, the troll might come back to life, but few are brave enough to try.
Unique Items
Manticore Pelt (Enchanted) – 6,500 gp
- This manticores' pelt retains some of the creature’s magic, offering limited protection in combat. When worn as a cloak, the wearer gains resistance to slashing damage.
Gorgon Horn Staff – 12,000 gp
- A staff made from the horn of a gorgon, imbued with the essence of petrification. Once per day, the staff can cast Flesh to Stone, but only for a brief period.
Feywild Lure (Glimmering Stone) – 3,000 gp
- A small enchanted stone that, when activated, glows with Fey light and can attract or pacify Fey creatures. It’s used primarily by hunters, but its magic is volatile and unpredictable.
Atmosphere and Experience at The Menagerie of Marvels
The Menagerie of Marvels is filled with strange and magical sounds—the roars of caged beasts, the hiss of slithering creatures, and the soft hum of magic that permeates the air. Exotic scents—both sweet and earthy—mix with the dampness of the jungle foliage that decorates the stall. The cages and tanks create an almost overwhelming sense of danger, with curious eyes and claws darting out to inspect passersby. The petrified statues scattered around the shop add an eerie atmosphere, with their lifelike expressions caught in their final moments of fear.
Saskia’s demeanor is welcoming but guarded, her laugh soft and knowing. She is a haggler, always pushing for the best deal while dropping hints about the true power or danger of her merchandise. She enjoys telling tales of how each item came into her possession, though it's clear that not every story is entirely true. The stall is policed by magical wards and small Fey creatures bound to protect the wares, adding an extra layer of protection to the exotic beasts, cursed statues, and dangerous artifacts that fill the space.