« 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]

[Okay, she is actually going to ask this time, as another person outbids her. What the fuck!!]

What do you mean by that?

[ramuhs]

Oh I know what you plan for that collar, but you know it will be futile.

[garudas]

[She takes a sip of her own champagne.]

No it won't. If you are thinking what I believe you are, then you will not be able to do much of anything, will you?

[STOP OUTBIDDING HER. She stands up slightly for a moment to see if she can find the person who does.]

[ramuhs]

[Very amusing.

And now he'll just lean in close and whisper low in her ear when she sits back down.]

Says the one who prefers being commanded.

[garudas]

[That sends a jolt straight through her, like he had ignited his levin over her himself. It earns a shiver, and the temptation to kiss him right then and there to make him shut up is a battle hard fought. She turns to him when he's still close, and her lips nearly brush his.]

Be careful, or I might test it before we are even out of here.

[ramuhs]

[He just smirks.]

All I'm saying is I think it would look better on you.

[And he'll lean back then, twirling his pen around his fingers as that a third woman has now join the bidding war.

Good luck, dear~]

[garudas]

[Another jolt through her, and she looks at him, incredulous, because how dare he say such things here in the middle of this crowd!? She glares for a moment as he leans back in his chair, noticing at the last second that another woman in the crowd has outbid her. Again.

And honestly, it was more a joke than anything, but now she is determined to get it. Not only because she wants to actually test it, but now it's to prove him wrong.

Thus begins the bidding war between her and this other woman. She keeps raising the stakes, and Benedikta raises them higher. Can she actually afford it? Who cares—it's not like she's going to be giving up her money anyway. She'll just take it in the end. But this bitch!!!!

Eventually, the other woman finally gives up, and the collar is sold to Benedikta for... ten thousand dubloons.

She sits and gives Cid a satisfied smile.]

[ramuhs]

[She should know him better by now~ But he watches with some amusement... As well as some incredulity that it was other women who only bid on the collar, and at some point he met eyes with the other bidder's likely husband who just rubs his red face. Oh, how curious.

If it really were there money he would be much more concerned, but as he said—he never said where the funds were from and really, they might not even exist at all, especially with how he knows Benedikta will be. So once the war is over and the other husband seems to be quite relieved, he just chuckles at her.]

Happy?

[garudas]

[She runs her hands over her dress like a bird straightening its feathers.]

Very.

[A pause, as the next item comes up for bid.]

As you should be, too.

[ramuhs]

Oh I am sure I will enjoy it. But we're only halfway through, so try not to let your imagination run too far.

[garudas]

[She frowns at him, though one can hardly call it a real one.]

Is it only halfway? This is taking far too long.

[And she reaches out her arm and rests her hand on the back of his neck, fixing the collar of his shirt while she turns to listen to the auction drone on.]

[ramuhs]

[A quiet chuckle as he lets her fuss.]

You made it longer.

[But as the auction resumes, it's clear they are nearing the more expensive items now. Old books, "treasured" artifacts of the past, and other goods that any collector would want. Even Tatiana's perfume set sells for quite a sum, the names of which he discretely adds during the third lot of items. Even he is tempted by some of the books, but he waits until the map finally appears.

It's only a fragment a piece of a larger map that is supposedly scattered in other auctions and some still hidden. The origins are unknown but it has been tested and determined to date back several hundred years. Still, it's not surprising that most aren't so interested, but Cid and his intuition says otherwise. And even if it is a fake, better to have it in his hands in the offchance it is real. More than that, someone else seems quite keen to have it. Could be a collector or someone also interested in the potential map. Regardless it gives him a bit of fun to just idly raise his number to make the bid go higher and higher and higher...

Until it tops at one hundred and sixty thousand dubloons. No he doesn't have that much to spend, but he just smiles amiably because he can count on Benedikta to take it, giving her a wink.

The auction continues on with the bids going to the millions now as antiques and larger artifacts come through. Until at last...]

What in the world...

[A quiet mutter under his breath, the item they had been waiting for appears. Rolled out on a cart is a whale statue made of crystal, a beautiful golden liquid swirling inside it. The whale is arched up as if leaping out of the water, and the waves beneath are actually a shallow bowl. When it is called Ocean's Treasure, a buzz is heard through the crowd and he glances at Benedikta.

That was it. Throughout the auction, they noticed that items that had the word "ocean" or "sea" in it ended with higher amounts and garnered more interest regardless what if was. Between that, Tatiana's perfume line, and now this, they could be sure that this was using ambergris. And sure enough, when the presenter pushes a button, the liquid inside starts to move and it pours out of the state's spout like a fountain, the sweet scent spreading through the room.]

[garudas]

[Even if they do not plan to spend a single coin on these items, she still cannot help but balk at the price that the map piece goes for. She hopes, for their sake, that it does lead to something bigger. But as he said, better in their hands than in someone else's in the event that it is a real treasure. Finding the other pieces would be quite the job, though.

The rest of the items are mostly inconsequential. Mostly art pieces and books, nothing that she is all that interested in, and it shows as she idly sips her champagne, looking bored and uninterested. Even the perfumes she lets slide. She had considered bidding on them before, if only so that they do not end up in the wrong hands, but she would be interested after to see what sort of person it is that is so keen on getting them.

She has certainly noticed that same trend that he had, and as they are whispering about it when that particular piece comes out, it is time for her to finally perk up, stretching to see over the heads to get a better glimpse. And when she does...]

What the fuck is that?

[Muttered under her breath to him, her face twists in confusion.]

Is that a sort of diffuser?

[ramuhs]

I imagine so, but how strong must it be if we can catch a whiff from here?

[It's faint but noticeable, and now the bidding war has begun with the numbers immediately skyrocketing.]

[garudas]

[Her eyes narrow as the scent reaches her, and while others think it a pleasant one, it makes Benedikta sick to her stomach.

She presses her nose to his shoulder and lowers her voice.]

I think you know. Surely you recognize that smell?

[ramuhs]

I know, I didn't even need to smell it. But that's my point—how much could they have used to create so much?

[He's also doing his best to control his expression, but everything about it just left a bad taste in his mouth.

And once again, his intuition is warning him that there is more to this that stinks.]

[garudas]

Or perhaps that is the draw of it.

[The bids continue to climb, higher and higher, and she searches the room for Mister and Missus Danos.]

The strength of it being the valuable quality? I do not know for certain, but it would make it all the more valuable if it required less.

[ramuhs]

And the same could be same if it required more. Regardless... It's clear this will be the winner of the auction.

[It's already surpassed the highest amount bid so far, and it keeps rising. But why? What about it that makes it so sought after compared to the other goods? Is there something else to the liquid?]

[garudas]

[He is right. Either way, this reeks of suspicious. There is absolutely no way something so simple could manage to go for... what is it at now? Climbing close to two hundred thousand?

Benedikta's fingers curl around his leg as she continues to gaze past him around the room, catching the faces of those most eager.]

Shall we join in the fun, or wait it out?

[ramuhs]

I'd say wait it out. The vast majority of this crowd is also sitting out so we would not seem suspect.

Rather... Check the crowd.

[Although the bidding war has had at least five or so participants, the rest of the crowd is doing similar as them, whispering in awe or curiosity. But as Cid hinted, there are others who are scrutinizing the piece with hardened expressions.]

[garudas]

Poor Mr. and Mrs. will be so disappointed to know that we did not bid on their hot ticket item.

[Benedikta gives a little nod to them sitting a table near the front, Tatiana in particular looking peaceful as a peach over there.]

Do you suppose that they are in on it?

[ramuhs]

Opposite. I think they may be like us.

[garudas]

Ah.

[She glances at another one who raises the bid before her eyes land on the item again up on the stage, and her gaze narrows in suspicion.]

Are you feeling a little light-headed too?

[ramuhs]

[...Hmmm.]

Now that you mention it, I do feel a little off. I thought it was just from sitting here for so long.

[garudas]

[She lowers her voice as she leans in closer to his ear, teasing with a little brush of her lips against it, making it look like they are just an overly-affectionate couple.]

Did you ever find out if there was anything special about those products from the whales?