« 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

[ramuhs]

[And as his damn nat 20 luck would have it, they will indeed make it out of the ballroom into an empty hall that was likely used by servants. Not only will it give them a breather but it will also lead them directly out to a back side entrance near where their crew is waiting. They just have to get there.]

Quite, but we did accomplish what we came for.

[After double checking they are alone as they continue onward, he pulls out the crystalized whale and sighs.]

I rather wish we hadn't.

[garudas]

[They have been getting rather lucky tonight with a number of things... But when they exit into a silent hallway and Benedikta closes the door behind them, she exhales with some relief.

A relief that is short lived when she catches a glimpse of the crystal whale in his arms. As they walk, slower than before, she runs her fingers over the end of the tail.]

It is just a child.

[A pang of both sadness and anger hits her all at once, and her fingers close into a fist.]

As much as I'd prefer to agree with you, better that it was here than anywhere else. And that we were able to spot it.

[ramuhs]

It still would have been better had it not happen at all.

[Perhaps it's his own paternal instincts that make this hit rather hard. Were this Mid... But he just mentally shakes it off.]

We'll have to find someone who can safely break through the crystal, but even then how can we bring it back to its parents? Can we find them? Are they even...?

[He dreads the thought, but he does not believe the story one bit and he knows that this young whale was not taken so easily.]

[garudas]

[She understands what he means and where that sentiment comes from, but she can only give him a sad, half smile. If it did have to happen, better that they were the ones who found it. That doesn't make her any less angry about it...]

... I am going to assume no.

[Just going to be as realistic about this as she can be. She doesn't want to think further on what could potentially have happened to them...]

What are we going to do with a baby whale?

[ramuhs]

[A long sigh.]

While we could technically keep it at the Roost, we are not equipped to actually look after it. We'll need someone's expertise... [Hum.] The Conservatory, perhaps?

[garudas]

Ah...

[She does look down at the whale with some concern. Would even that be enough...?]

That is run by that cat dog. Nanaki, was it?

[ramuhs]

I believe so. I've been there once to meet Turo there, and it is quite the sizeable sanctuary.

[garudas]

[They are coming up to the door at the end of the hall now, and she can only hope that it will lead them outside. Her steps have started to hasten again.]

And you are certain that it will be the best place for a whale?

[ramuhs]

It's the only place I can think of now, and we don't exactly have a lot of time on our hands. The longer this child stays in the crystal...

[The less likely it will survive.

And as if on cue, they reach the door and Cid will only take a moment to listen outside before opening it slowly to find it all clear.]

[garudas]

[She looks around at where they are once they are free from the hallway, glancing around at the tall buildings to get her bearings before she pulls him in a direction that leads towards the back.]

This way. There is a back street that they are waiting for us on.

[The dread is clear on her face though, even if she doesn't say it, that feeling tightening every feature. There can only be one end to this thing if they keep it in there any longer than they need to... But for now, she will focus on leading them through the grounds along the side of the building. Fortunately, it is mostly empty save for a few strays escaping, so it's a rather smooth escape on that front as well.

The carriage that awaits them is on the street, and Cid will notice one of their men waiting outside, dressed as a coachman.]

They are already gone?

[She asks him when they arrive, and he nods to them both, rushing them to climb in with a gesture.]

[ramuhs]

[Cid will nod at their coachman before ushering Benedikta in first and following right after. It's only when the carriage starts to move does he sink in further against the seat and let out a low exhale.]

Think I'm getting too old for these "heists."

[garudas]

[She takes the seat beside him rather than across from him, deflating alongside him. She removes the set of rings from her fingers and sets them onto her lap, as well as pulls out several jeweled bracelets and necklaces from inside her dress to toss them onto the seat across from them.]

At least we do not come from them empty-handed.

[She glances at him.]

Are you tired?

[ramuhs]

Very.

[A rough, weary voice as he runs a hand over his face.

Some of it is physical, but it's not surprising that the whole ordeal was mentally and even a little emotionally taxing as well.]

[garudas]

[She reaches for his hand before it can fall back to his lap, and she grips it tight, fingers threading between his.]

It is over.

[And now her attention turns back to the crystal whale. She falls silent a moment.]

Do we know of anyone who can break it free?

[ramuhs]

[Never has he felt more grateful to have her here next to him, and it reflects in the way he smiles at her and squeezes her hand before his brows furrow in thought.]

On hand, no. However I have heard of places and people who have been working on such processes. Those on Eltrut will be safer, but we will need to alert the authorities regardless.

Last thing we need is for this to be reported and we get framed, taking the attention away from the real culprits.

[garudas]

[She catches that little smile, and she tries to return one of her own.]

I believe I spotted both the seller and the buyer being apprehended.

[That draws a winded sigh out of her.]

So long as they are aware that it is in our possession, I see no reason for us not to see it through to its finish.

[ramuhs]

Aye, and they would be busy enough as it is.

For now, lets stop by one the larger branches before continuing on. We still have a long few nights ahead...and we still need to contact those at the Conservatory. We would need to free the whale there, so perhaps they already know of someone who could help. If not we would need their permission to bring someone in.

[garudas]

[She leans over to press a light kiss to his cheek.]

Allow me to contact the Conservatory, at the very least. If you know of those who might be able to free the poor thing as soon as possible, then work on finding them.

[She remembers what he had said as they were walking through that hallway.]

Any longer and we might have some trouble.

[ramuhs]

[His eyes close at that kiss before he nods.]

Thank you.

[And he'll return that kiss with one of his own in gratitude...and perhaps a little need as well. That need to just have someone there to help with these heavy burdens they've found themselves with. Especially when what was supposed to be a far simpler operation has turned much more complicated...

From there they first meet with one of the offices that was part of the investigations. Needless to say they were all shocked by what they had as well as their testimonies, and it would take some persuasion to be allowed to continue to care and find a way to save the infant whale in the crystal. Mentioning the Conservatory helped.

After that, it was a matter of making contacts, with Benedikta to Nanaki and Cid to Turo about the situation.]

[garudas]

[It will be a busy couple of days following the auction. Between contacting people and trying to find and meet with those who can free the whale from the crystal, as well as coordinating with Nanaki about the situation, they make their way to Eltrut. In the midst of that, she tries to find news of what happened to those sellers and buyers, and while the Paladins are hush hush about it for the most part, that is not her only source of information. And the information that she does end up finding, while very little, is enough. Many of them have been apprehended and are being investigated further, including the Danos', with their shop closed and under investigation as well.

It helps to bring some comfort knowing that they will not continue.

And after ensuring that there will be a home for the whale for the time being in the Conservatory, they bring the crystalized statue as quickly as they can. The sooner the better. They are shown to the saltwater pool where it will be living until it has grown and can survive on its own and it will be there that they can free it.

And there where Benedikta grips Cid's hand tight as they set the whale down on the ground where water meets sand.]

[ramuhs]

[It's been tense, and he's still worried about the young whale, but there is much more relief knowing it will be safe.

Relief...that will be short-lived when the little one enters the water and swims around before clearly crying for its parents. The high pitched sad "song" that echoes over the lake heartwrenching. Some hope comes when the surrogate whale found by Turo's Xolo pack—a cousin that had survived the slaughter—appears to quickly swim towards them, but it is a bittersweet reunion, the little one inconsolable.

It had been through too much, seen too much...and Cid pulls Benedikta closer as they can only watch helpless.]

[garudas]

[As they watch it and listen to that song that it sings, most likely crying out for its family, she holds his hand. He'll feel her fingers tighten around his in an attempt to keep her emotions at bay, her expression remaining hard and angry, that fury from the night of the auction still lingering. It is sad, but she is more angry than anything that this happened at all, and now...

...

Now it is all alone.

That thought makes her chest twinge with an ache that makes her breath hitch. She knows what that feeling is like. Perhaps that is why she is so keen on ensuring that it can survive.

When he pulls her closer, she rests against him, watching as the little whale tries to console its cousin.]

It will take some time...

[ramuhs]

A lot of time.

[He heaves a heavy sigh.]

As of now they may the last of their entire pod... But perhaps we could try and find others for them.

[They may have each other, but even the cousin is still young. Orphaned.]

[garudas]

Others who perhaps had lost their pods in the same way.

[She looks around at the water, at the pool that they swim around in. Could it house many more of them?]

Though, a small part of me hopes that we do not find more.

[ramuhs]

Likewise.

[Another low exhale as he watches the whales for a little longer, the crying quieting even if the whales have yet to move from their place.]

...Let's leave them be.