I feel the need to weigh in... though wonder if any minds are willing to change.
You talk about roleplay and IC... but then you say that it is improper to take the market to the customers.
Really?
So everyone is to act their character the way you think, ignoring real InGAME realities?
Let's look to the real world for an example... Markets are set up where people will buy stuff. freelance markets are set up on busy streets.. some without "permission", either because not needed or because the vendors are willing to risk it. (ever be in a major city downtown? ever?.. what about New York, with the purse vendors...
now Lets look at closer analogy... during gold rush of '49 (and after...) towns sprung up around where miners could sell their gold. Taverns, houses of ill repute, and markets. Because the money and customers were there. Period. the Barons would set up a town as near to mining spots as they could, and competed with other Barons, and their towns, to get the miners to sell there... because it meant money.. and the survival of town.. and his wealth. No one insisted that the miners go all the way back to St. Louis to sell their gold...
what about gas stations... geez, they are always on corners.. and usually near traffic.. esp where people get on and off expressways... same with fast food places... and the stores like walmart spend MILLIONS to find the best locations... Locations based on business, not wishes and dreams.
Now, I doubt Hydlaa will go the way of Dodge city.. or other cities who died out... but please, if you want it to be real roleplay.. then there either needs to be a reason to hang out there... or there will not be people there... Of course the townies (NPCs) will be around... they live there.. and are safer.. but most of the Players are adventurers and hunters and such.. they tend to drift off and do other things. Next I will be hearing how we should not craft in the arena... because it is rude or something... (the sound of the hammer is distracting.. I mean.. I am trying to kill here! he he he)
This issue touches on a lot of other issues.. but Point I am addressing is complaining about the market seeking a location the customers want. That is what markets do. Nothing stopping anyone from having a market set up in the sewer... and if able to sell there, more power to you, I say.
Now, the only issue I see with Gugrontid market... I am unsure how many people will know it is there.. I still check in the plaza... Tavern is kinda out of the way... I would imagine a real market would be set up in center of triangle formed by the mine, Gugrontid proper, and the tunnel back out... trouble is, Without the need for eating... a lot of the miners just seem to be thinking about mining... no hunting.. no weapons.. nothing but digging and selling plat... though I suspect a lot of the precious RPing happens while they mine...
Personnaly, I wonder about commitment to RP.. This is a threat to it? THis is how things would happen if Yliakum was real! (don't we want RPing to be realistic?) How about tells? How can you roleplay having someone interupt you from 20 miles away? I think it is a lil silly to argue about market placement, and not real barriers to roleplay.
But hey, that is just me, right?