« 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]

[Well, with them distracted for now by the broken smoke statue, Benedikta looks at the one that is in front of them, and at the shadow of the small whale that is trapped inside as he moves her away.]

What about this...?

[ramuhs]

[He looks up at it.]

What would you propose?

[garudas]

Well, we cannot very well walk out of here with it looking like that, now can we?

[ramuhs]

[A small, quiet huff.]

Do you need my assistance?

[garudas]

Well, it would certainly help...

[Considering that it's made of bone... She's not sure if her wind is strong enough to do much else besides knock it over.]

It is something of an unexpected hindrance to our plans...

[A glance over at the Danos table, where chaos continues to consume them with the smoke billowing up and more people trying to shove themselves away from the smoke that rises up to the ceiling and fills the room.]

What do you think?

[ramuhs]

I think I can take a crack at it.

[A wry grin as she'll feel that familiar buzz of levin.]

On your signal.

[garudas]

Be sure to make it as big as possible.

[Both of her own hands light up with magic, her wind mixing with the static that buzzes between them.]

And be prepared to grab it once it is done.

[Her eyes remain locked on Tatiana across the room as she tries to save what is left of her own products, but it will not last for much longer, as Benedikta whispers into Cid's ear.]

Now.

[ramuhs]

[Given he has to be discrete, there is no brilliant flash or flourish. But there will be a loud CRACK and CRASH as the bones that framed the statue as a "cradle" shatter, the pieces flying and people screaming in surprise. Those closest also risk being cut, and the buyer screams from the burns and bone piercing his leg.

With Benedikta's winds, the crystal casing also cracks and breaks, and Cid moves in just in time to catch what is hidden inside.

A sight that sends a cold, silent chill through the crowd as they see the truth hidden within the statue: an infant pygmy whale crystallized in that brutal way that has been under investigation for the past several months.

Right on cue there are shouts as Paladins suddenly rush in, announcing the arrest of the organizers and those who participated in the illegal trades. Needless to say, more chaos erupts from their arrival.]

[garudas]

[She had anticipated something big and showy, and the rain of bone (she shudders at the thought) is no surprise for her. She's prepared for it, and there is a subtle and invisible shield of wind that goes up around them to ensure that neither of them are harmed by the very small and very sharp pieces that are sent flying in all directions and showering upon them. Screams shatter the din of conversation, people now shoving more aggressively to get away. The buyer of the piece is doubled over and crying in pain, and it is somewhat satisfying to see that no one is bothering to help him as his leg seeps blood.

And at the same time as the explosion, Benedikta had sent another wave of her magic through the diffuser piece across the room. The rest of it breaks, and just like the statue, pieces fly every which way. Tatiana and Sebastien try to make a run for it, but as the Paladins burst into the room, they falter.

The guilty always do.

Seeing this, Benedikta grabs hold of Cid as a Paladin rushes their way, putting on a frightened look.]

Darling, what is going on—!? Some sort of attack?

[ramuhs]

[Tucking the crystallized whale into his jacket under his arm, his other goes around her.]

Let's get out of their way for now—come on, over here.

[And he will dutifully lead her off to the side, blending with the crowd as they make their way through.]

[garudas]

[Benedikta's eyes rest on the crystal whale, and although it would be a terrible idea, she has half a mind to go back out into the crowds and search for the seller to have a word with him. That word being her knife in his gut. Instead, she follows Cid through the chaos, searching the faces of all the people. Several of them bump her on the way, shoving and pushing to get to the exit, and she shoves a few of them back with a curse under her breath.]

They have a carriage out back that we can take. Unless you want to try getting out the front door like everyone else—

[She spots Tatiana and Sebastien making a run for it, a suitcase of their things haphazardly closed and tucked under his arm.]

Shit—

[ramuhs]

[He was running through their options as they moved, considering the pros and cons and what would be more advantageous when her swearing brings his attention to look around and...]

We should take out something else first.

[And she likely won't need much encouragement to change directions, picking up their pace to catch up with them.]

[garudas]

The trash.

[She is quick on her feet, using not only her body but her magic to shove people aside for her. She has to step over someone who has fallen, tackled to the ground by a Paladin to be arrested, and she knocks another uniformed Paladin out of her way. They are moving quickly, and she does not intend to let them escape...

So when they finally catch up to them—]

Oh, Tatiana!? I'm so sorry, with all this commotion, I—

[Benedikta grabs Tatiana by the hair and pulls, dragging her backwards, and playing it off as an accident when the woman whirls around to scream at her. She lets go, but steps on the back of her long dress instead, tearing it when she tries to run off.

Her husband, however, has continued to run, leaving his dear wife behind...

"Sebastien!!!"]

[ramuhs]

[He may be fast, but Cid is quicker as he pretends to "stumble" and reaches out.]

Bollocks—!

[His hand grabs Sebastien's tail and yanks on it, making the leopard yowl as Cid's hand continues to grab at his jacket again pretending to be stumbling and staggering.]

Sorry—!

[And a hard elbow to the chin when Sebastien turns, Cid looking absolutely appalled.]

[garudas]

[They may be some of the worst people in the world for selling what they are, but it still makes her angry that Sebastien would run off without his wife, leaving her there to fend for herself. Even a pair of criminals should have each other's backs, and she is proud to say that she knows Cid would never pull something like that on her. Not that he would survive for much longer if he had, of course—

But she doesn't feel terrible, and she can't help but smirk as she watches Cid elbow that cat in the chin.

"What are you doing!? Get off my dress!"

As soon as Benedikta makes eye contact with one of the Paladins, she motions to have them fetch her.

And when Tatiana turns around—]

Watch it!

[She lets herself get bumped by someone rushing past behind her so that she has a reason to step on the woman's tail and pin her down.]

[ramuhs]

Careful, easy now!

[As Cid steadies Sebastien, the leopard glares and tries to free himself.

"Let go!" the leopard roars, and slams his forearm against the side of Cid's face.

It was a reaction he expected, and he likely could have avoided or blocked it to some degree. But instead he takes the hit in full, staggering back with a groan as he tastes blood from his cut mouth.]

[garudas]

[That pride that Benedikta feels snaps into rage instead as she watches Cid get clocked in the face with Sebastien's arm.]

Oh, no you do not—

[She grabs Tatiana by the wrist and wrenches her at the Paladin who had come their way, and she goes crashing into the large bear in uniform, screaming and shrieking and demanding that she be let go. Benedikta is long gone, however, and is shoving her way over, shouting at people to MOVE! so that once she reaches Sebastien...

...

She can lunge at him, grabbing hold of his tie and yanking him closer so that she can grab a fistful of his ear.]

[ramuhs]

[There's a moment when he can only watch a bit stunned at Benedikta lunging and grabbing Sebastien as she does. It startles everyone else so it would be a few seconds before Cid comes to his senses and quickly rushed to her to pull her away while some Paladins also rush in to break them up. Last thing he needs is her getting arrested for this!!]

[garudas]

I dare you to punch him again—!

[She pulls harder on his ears, her other hand going for his whiskers while he cries out in pain, calling for help, when Cid grabs her to pull her back. The Paladin grabs Sebastien as Benedikta slips out of their grasp, and she strikes her hands through the air, as if trying to get in one last scratch before he is out of reach.]

What are you—!?

[But when she sees that it's Cid and not some other uniformed officer, she heaves out a breath and shoves her messy hair out of her eyes.]

[ramuhs]

[He can't help but smile, if a little exasperated, at how tenacious she is about trying to "avenge" him. So he just hugs her close to him as he tries to gesture to the Paladins that he has everything in control.]

It was deliberate, I took the hit.

[His voice is close to her ear so only she can hear as he tries to keep them out of the way of the remaining chaos.]

[garudas]

[She has to lean into him further when another couple brushes past them, and Benedikta clicks her tongue, turning to stare at him in disbelief.]

But why? Surely you were not trying to get me angry, were you?

[Her hand reaches up to brush against his cheek where he'd been hit.]

[ramuhs]

No, of course not.

[A wry grin that turns to a slight grimace when she touches the sore spot.]

Just ensuring I look more like the "innocent victim."

[garudas]

Well, I do not...

[She gives the tiniest shakes of her head as she looks him over, and then down at the crystalized whale he is still carrying.]

So we'd best find a way through all of this before one of them decides to arrest me for attempted murder.

[ramuhs]

You'll be fine, it was in defense of me. But getting out would be the better course of action.

[He then glances around, the Danos couple fortunately putting up enough of a fight to distract the others.]

This way.

[He'll then pull Benedikta through a gap in the crowd towards what is hopefully an exit.]

[garudas]

[Her hand takes his and she lets him lead, though he might feel a bit of her magic being used to nudge people out of their way lest anyone else go crashing into them. It takes some weaving and some dodging, and some poor wolf gets tackled to the ground as he tries to make off with some jewels that she remembers he definitely did not bid on, but they eventually make it to the other side of the room.]

We certainly caused quite a scene.

[She sounds proud, if anything.

But whatever sort of exit this is, wherever this door leads, as long as it is out of the main ballroom—]