Demon Beast Trading Routes
The Demon Beast Trading Routes were a complex network of supernatural commercial pathways established during the Great Ethereal Exchange of 1666. These routes connected various Infernal Marketplaces with the wealthy estates of the Greater Decomposer Dynasty, facilitating trade in rare demon-infused commodities and mystical fungi.
Ancient cartographic representation of the primary Demon Beast Trading Routes, showing major trading posts and mystical waypoints
Historical Development
Originally established by Baron Brimstone, a prominent member of the Sulfuric Aristocracy, the trading routes emerged from the need to transport valuable hellfire-processed minerals and demon-enhanced mushrooms between realms. The routes became particularly important after the discovery of soul-bonded metallurgy, a process that required both demonic essence and fungal catalysts.
Major Trading Posts
The Obsidian Exchange
Located at the intersection of the Mycelial Highway and the Abyssal Path, the Obsidian Exchange served as the primary trading hub for demon-beast merchants. The facility was known for its unique architecture, featuring columns of crystallized demon breath and floors made from polished nightmare obsidian.
Fungal Gateway Markets
Established by Lord Amanita von Goldcap, these specialized trading posts incorporated both spore-powered transportation and demon-safe storage facilities. The markets became famous for their ability to preserve even the most volatile supernatural commodities.
Preserved ruins of an ancient Fungal Gateway Market showing characteristic demon-resistant architecture
Traded Commodities
Security Measures
The routes were protected by the Hellhound Guard, an elite force of supernatural creatures trained in both combat and commercial protection. Additional security was provided by fungal ward systems, which could detect and neutralize unauthorized dimensional breaches.
Modern Significance
Today, many of the original trading routes have been incorporated into the Underground Financial Network, though some segments remain exclusively accessible to members of the Demon Truffle Consortium. Recent archaeological discoveries continue to reveal new information about the sophisticated trading systems employed during the routes' peak operation.
A preserved fresco depicting the Hellhound Guard patrolling a major trading junction