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« mini manta board log: auction houses »
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 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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
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!
👤 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.
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[ Just teasing. Promise. Cloud starts to look around for stairs that can lead towards the second floor. ]
Start there then.
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This way.
[And he'll lead them not toward an obvious staircase, but one that is hidden by what seems like a normal door.]
This is what servants and staff use.
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But they can't really linger. Might get caught in the act if they do. So he follows the other man's lead with a nod. Through the door and up the stairs. Into another hallway. ]
You weren't kidding when you said there's not a lot of guarding going on this way.
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[He pauses for a moment as they walk down the hall, ears listening carefully before he signals Cloud to slow down. Although not near them, there's the faint sound of voices on the far end of the hall...]
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Cloud's hearing isn't like the other man's. He has no clue what they could be talking about. His hand, however, is on his sword. Ready to go, if needed. ]
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It won't be long before they will be able to see that the voices belong to a pair of mercenaries hired for security.
"Aaaah this shit's boring. Wish we could be where the loot is. Could have tried swiping a gem or two off a stash, hah!"
"Hey, the pay here is big enough as it is, you need to do something about those sticky claws of yours."
"Pah, there's nothing up here but paperwork. Who cares about that?"
Well if they didn't think they were in the right area, they got their confirmation now!!]
sorry about this lae
He rolls his eyes instead. Yeah, this really speaks volumes about the quality of the people that have been hired. One is greedy and the other is just. Doing a job. That part he can't blame.
Looking at Eustace, he gives a throwing motion. They need to make noise to distract them long enough to get out of the way. ]
lmflkajd
What.
What is Cloud...
Throwing?
Throw something?
Like what bro—
He just looks at him with an arched brow as he looks around. No conveniently placed rocks... And he doesn't have much but his essentials on him...
...Wait.
He'll reach into his pockets and pull out a small bone chew that was hard enough that would make some notable sound if hitting a wall or that large potted plant down the end of the hall.]
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But okay okay. The chew is tossed. It makes a sound and then the guards attention is divided. They are going to walk towards the sound. But that's not good enough for Cloud. Hopefully Eustace can keep up.
He dashes up behind one. Puts them in a headlock until he passes out. ]
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And Eustace will indeed be able to keep up, coming up behind the other one and there will be an electrical current that shoots down the back of their neck as he hits him right at specific nerve, making the guard crumple to the ground without a word.]
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Cloud dusts off his hands, taking a look around the room. ]
That's the hard part done, I think. Now just to find what we need.
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Lists of sellers, suppliers, and inventory, right?
[He looks around the office. There is also one large filing cabinet that could be mistaken as a dresser and a few bookshelves.]
I'll start with the drawers, but there could be a secret safe or compartment anywhere.
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[ He's also looking through shelves, thumbing through pages. Looking for any fake backings and the like. ]
Then again it might not be that well hidden, given how lightly this place was guarded. Probably didn't think anyone would come knocking.
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[He's rifling through the doors and folders, and while he finds some other interesting notes, nothing so far...]
Here, I found this at least.
[He sets down a folder on the desk that has a lot of names and items bought through clients from the past few months. Not exact, but it's something at least if they can't come up with anything.
But he'll continue looking. Would there be a hidden mechanism? A trigger that opens behind a painting or something?]
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[ Cloud is immediately taking pictures of everything that they find. That means all of the names and items. Then gives the folder back to Eustace to put away.
There might not be a trigger or anything, but Cloud? He looks behind a painting and - ]
Can you break into a safe?
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...Depends what kind it is and if you want to keep it in one piece.
[He walks over to look, brows furrowing as he looks at the lock mechanism that seems to have three different knobs...]
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[ So that only means one thing: Has to find a key. Cloud is looking around in earnest now. ]
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[Seeing Cloud look for a key, Eustace will study the safe and press his ear against it. What are the chances that this thing has some kind of self-destruction trigger for not putting in the right combination? Well, maybe it's not that complicated.
For now, he'll slowly move one knob, listening for that telltale little click. This is where sensitive hearing like his really comes in handy.]
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But Cloud is looking for anything that could be a key. He's carefully going through drawers in the desk. Frowns. Pauses with hands at his hips. Pulls out the drawers again and feels under them. ]
Got it.
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Good, because I think we'll need that key regardless.
[Right at that moment, there are some clicks as he's successfully figured out the combination, but rather than open the safe, it's still held fast. Since the keyhole is still visible, it's clear that both lock mechanisms were in play and now they need that key. What a tricky safe.
But he'll let Cloud do the honors.]
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Inside will be more of the information that they are specifically looking for and the decoder. This time it's financials.
He's wondering, this time, if they shouldn't take the information. ]
You know, I do wonder something.
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[It's a good question, and for now Eustace pulls out the papers and decoder to take pictures.]
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[ He wonders how many dirty Paladins are involved. ]
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I also think the same. The "clients" that are buying most of the goods seem to be more affluent than you'd find within the Corsairs. Especially with some of the auction locations.
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Same. I'm going to report it, but...
[ He's frowning. ]
I also want to handle things myself.
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