« mini manta board log: auction houses »

[seaboards]

SPECIAL QUEST: AUCTION HOUSES

This mini log is for the Special Quest listed on the January 2025 MANTA Board. The IC and OOC timeline for the log is for the entire month of January, and players can play with the idea that things get more difficult later in the month as word spreads and auction houses become more difficult to access and deceive.

There have been recent reports of large amounts of inventory potentially related to the recent whale hunting and crystal statues appearing in various underground auction houses. They are hard to find and both Armadas are feeling heat from the public and higher officials: Corsairs for being suspected as the ones behind all this illegal trade and the Paladins for not being able to close this case out yet.

Both sides will either be working against or with each other depending on what they are assigned to do or how they meet, and suspicions will be high from both sides. Be careful!

There are multiple auction house locations, all with different inventory passing through but all are high end with only those in the know or of elite status will frequent. They are often held on remote islands, but some are clever enough to have them literally underground beneath venues such as casinos. Some are actually "innocent" in the sense that while they likely have illegal goods in their stock, they are not related to the whales and crystal trade. However, they still need to be investigated, and who knows? Maybe there are interesting items there…

Objectives: The following are objectives or assignments that members of each Armada can do in an attempt to infiltrate and investigate the auction houses to find the targeted goods and those involved in the trade. While listed generally, players can be creative to alter and change things to fit the style of the Armada. Working together or against opposing members is allowed.

"Security." Pose as a security member to guard any of these positions: outside the building, high ranking auction participants, storerooms where inventory is kept.
Buyer. Participate in the auction and try to win the item! Where the funds are coming from—not our problem.
Seller. Find something to be sold at the auction house. Is it actually worth something? Is it fake? Have to be convincing to get it on the list somehow and allow entrance into the building.
Other. Any other possible means to get inside the auction house. Just sneak in like a thief? Post as an inspector? A journalist? Crazy drunk? Be creative!
Raid. For those who don't have the patience or have determined that targeted items are there, just raid the auction house! Arrest, capture, or kill(??) them all!!! This might not always be the best option, but perhaps the chaos could create openings.

The following are items that one might find at any of the auction houses, but players can also come up with something else that could be interesting! If a player would like to claim or be part of a specific find or list something they made up, comment to this subthread.

🐋 Whale parts. From raw materials such as bones, ambergris, and oil to specific goods made from such materials such as perfumes, scented oils, wines, and furniture. Without a specific license of approval, this is all considered illegal and one of the main targets for this quest.

👤 Crystal statues. Encased in solid crystal will be animals and people who are victims of the illegal operations that started late summer. Are they still alive or not? Like the whale parts, this is the high priority target.

🫙 Potions. A number of different potion sets will be up for grabs. Their effects range from powerful healing to love potions to dangerous curses.

🦄 Creatures. Various creatures and beasts are a common staple for these auction houses. Sprites and fairies, golems, rare animals like the unicorn, or even dangerous monsters that can barely stay contained in their cage. Some of them may even resemble past bounties: horned dolphins, small carnivorous rabbits, mermaids. Some of these are legitimate, but many are fake.

📚 Forbidden Tomes. Various books that deal with ancient myths, legends, spells, curses, creatures—the topics will vary. There is even a limited edition signed copy of the hit erotic dragon fanfiction, Dragonheat. However, some of these may be fake and contain grandma's old recipes instead. Wait, that actually might be valuable—!!

🪈 Sound of Music. There are special instruments that are said to have special effects when played, such as talking during one's sleep, compelled to speak the truth, etc. There is even a very rare otamatone that only plays the song Thunderstruck. Music sheets are also in demand, some claiming the music could lead the way to treasure, or the notes are actually a secret code for something else. There is also a valuable antique music box said to have a haunting melody, the dancing figure seemingly able to move on its own…

🐕‍🦺 Commanding Collar. A special collar that when worn will make the wearer obey whatever their "owner" demands. "SIT BOY!" Handcuffs sold separately.

🗺️ Treasure Map Pieces. Treasure maps are common to find, but only a few are worth the gold the auction houses bring. Scattered throughout numerous auction houses are pieces of a treasure map said to lead to an "ancient treasure" that dates back to the time before the Flood, when the world had more land masses than water. Is it real or not? (A map CAN be formed, but it will depend on how many map pieces are found during this log!)

❓ Wildcard. For any other items that players may think of!

It goes without saying that any auction house that is selling either or both the whale parts and crystal statues will need to be shut down. How that happens, well. Guess it depends on who is there.

If you have any questions, comment here.

Comments

[garudas]

[She snorts into her glass, and brings her fingers up to the painting, next to which there is a large "DO NOT TOUCH" sign.]

Does it? What with all these other gaudy wares around here, it seems to fit in. I'd say this is one of the lesser pieces. And perhaps that is the point.

[ramuhs]

[A small laugh.]

Fair enough. Something that may seem less valuable due to there being less jewels on it and thus lose attention but catching the eye of the one looking.

[garudas]

So the question is...

[She taps it with her finger to see if the rings will work. She's feeling daring tonight.

Alas, it doesn't.]

Are we to be looking for the more unassuming pieces that bidders place higher bids on?

[ramuhs]

[....Hmmmm.]

To counter your question, do you think our "friend" would do such a thing? Or would they be more boastful and put it all on display?

[garudas]

Danos?

[She frowns at that, dropping her hand back to her side with an air of disappointment. That painting could have been sold off for a small fortune—]

That, I do not know. I still cannot tell if his wife is even a part of it with her perfumes, or if she is oblivious to the dealings of her husband.

[ramuhs]

I highly doubt she would be so oblivious, but I suppose it is possible.

[He gives her hand a small squeeze as he certainly had noticed her attempt.]

But I think your earlier assessment holds water. We should see how much this painting goes, or how fervent the buyers are.

[garudas]

[It was a silly attempt. She should have known, but what was the harm in testing?]

I do wonder if these are more related to that other incident. With the crystals...

[With her hand in his, she tugs him along to the next display, keeping her voice low.]

Might as well kill all the birds with a single stone, yes?

[ramuhs]

[A low laugh as he takes another sip of champagne, eyeing the display in front of them. It's ornate vase said to be excavated and dated to the world before the flood.]

Might as well, eh? Whether it be one or the other... We've somehow found ourselves with vested interests in both.

[And then a more playful look.]

I really am rubbing off you.

[garudas]

[She's about to sip on her champagne, feigning interest in the vase, when she lowers it to look at him.]

What is that supposed to mean?

[ramuhs]

Look how interested you are in this, when in the past you'd avoid it like the plague, not wanting to be involved.

[garudas]

[She lowers her glass and bristles at him.]

I am not.

[Do not sully her reputation like this!!!]

I am merely ensuring that justice is served where it needs to be served. I am still looking to garner favour with whatever that large creature beneath the ocean is, and what better way to do so than to help the smaller, hunted whales?

[She doesn't mention the crystals because that one hits a little too close to home still, and wants to see that one is put to a swift end.

That, and the whales were cute.]

[ramuhs]

[Mhm. Sure, dear.



Is what his expression says so very clearly before he chuckles.]

Then perhaps we should look and see if there's anything here with similar themes. Even if the item itself is innocent, surely the sellers and buyers would be suspect, especially when it's already well known how "hot" a topic it is.

[garudas]

[It's true!!! Is what her own frown says as she buries it into her champagne, glad for the change of subject.]

What sort of themes do you suppose we should be looking for?

[ramuhs]

Anything with whales or the ocean perhaps, though I'm not sure what one could do with crystals... Statues, or something large that could hide them in.

[garudas]

Mm. [A nod of agreement and then a thoughtful pause.] I wondered if they were perhaps... calling cards, if you will?

[She cants her head, swirling her glass absently as she looks around them.]

A way for buyers to know who is selling what goods. So it would make sense to look for those things.

[ramuhs]

[A nod in return.]

I'd wager so. And with this being Elah, I reckon they would try to be even more discreet.

[Unlike corsair based auctions that wouldn't care about such things.]

[garudas]

Perhaps Elah is the perfect place. No one would suspect any illicit activity to go down at a Paladin's auction?

[She fiddles with her rings again, tempted to try taking this awful looking vase before she decides against it.]

... Is there anything you have seen that you wish to bid on?

[ramuhs]

[Don't take the awful looking vase please—]

Hmmm, not yet. However I did hear murmurs of a special map that's been floating around. Perhaps that, or some tools or books if they catch my fancy.

[He would of course go for something like that—]

[garudas]

[Yes, of course he would choose something like that! And her expression says as much, though colour her intrigued.]

A special map? I have not heard of that. To what?

[ramuhs]

Ah, that's where the rumors get interesting—and a bit predictable. No one really knows, but some believe it could lead to one's wildest riches. A secret treasure? An ancient magic? Perhaps even to a place from the old world.

[garudas]

Or the relic...

[She mumbles it under her breath, almost without realizing that she has, and there's a flash of determination in her eyes.]

No doubt that others will covet the map just as much. If it is the right size, then...

[ramuhs]

[He deliberately did not say that knowing she would draw her own conclusion. Whether it would lead to the relic, be a step towards it, or a fool's errand, no one knows. But might as well get a piece for themselves.]

You plan to steal it? That's if you can even get close to it. No doubt it will be much more secured that the "gallery" here.

[garudas]

[Again, another situation where she should not get her hopes up... but this could be the closest they have been to it. If there were any maps that could lead to such a valuable and powerful treasure, it would be at a place like this, would it not?

She leads him along by his hand, and she eyes that empty but guarded hallway that sellers are coming and going from... Surely he can guess what she is thinking just by the thoughtful look on her face.]

Have you so little faith in us? As if security is going to be an issue.

[ramuhs]

[A wry chuckle.]

Perhaps if it were our main goal.

[His gaze follows hers.]

But we have quite a few targets, so best to come up with a plan or we risk losing everything.

[Which is not saying they shouldn't, in fact they can go for it. But just his usual reminder to not rush in.]

[garudas]

[As more people begin to filter past them, some pausing to look at the items on either side, she steps up close so that she can keep her voice low.]

Fine... [A touch of disappointment to her grumbling.] But I am not coming out of here empty handed.

[She'll waaaaait to go pocketing things.]

Finding Danos or his items should be our first priority, yes?