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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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With the guard now fallen to the floor and unconscious, Leona listens closely to other sounds, ears twitching.]
They're going to notice him missing eventually.
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[A glance out.]
Grab his badge, would at least buy us some time to pass those who haven't seen you yet.
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Let's go.
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But they need to be quick as they'll hear footsteps approaching.]
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Oh.
Interesting.
He smells what he’s sure is a powder keg nearby.]
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[He tilts his head in the direction of where it is.]
Can be useful.
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Won't need much to ignite it, either.
[A subtle hint will be heard by the buzz of electricity and spark at his fingertips.]
If it can draw everyone out, then we can slip in. Should be long enough for us to release whatever is inside to create enough of a disturbance.
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Even if it doesn't, it'll be enough of a distraction.
[His nose twitches.]
Smell a couple of people headin' this way.
[Be proud of his sharp nose.]
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Get ready.
[Fingers poised, he waits until the right timing before he fires off a small, thin bolt of lightning. It's so fast, almost instantaneous, that no one would have noticed. Not that it would have mattered—the large BOOM as the barrel explodes is plenty enough and soon the hall fills with shouts and running as people start to panic.
And just as they hoped, there will be enough smoke and chaos to let them slip through the now unguarded doors.]
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It won't buy them too much time, but hopefully enough.
For the room that they're in? Filled with various cages with animals inside. Some of them chained to the floor of their own cages, others laying there in defeat or broken, or worse: some might not have been able to make it through the day, after all.]
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An unfamiliar surge of anger rushes through him, yet his countenance remains as "quiet" as ever—if a lot colder. He takes a moment to take it all in before he steps forward to the nearest cage.]
We need to work fast.
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What are we waiting for then?
[There is a test of magic. Huh, he can use it here. He supposes they haven't applied anti-magic resistances everywhere in the building, but he can't use it to his fullest. For now then, Leona goes to another cage and takes a look at the lock. Doesn't seem complicated. One ear flicks towards the door just in case...]
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Soon, although initially frightened because what the fuck someone is shooting the cages??? The animals that can move will start to move to exit the cages.]
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then he tilts his head.]
Guards incoming.
[That's all the warning he'll give the other man. Who knows. Maybe Eustace will go trigger happy on them?]
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But despite all the noises, he does hear the warning and turns towards the doors.]
The animals should manage, but I'll cover. Keep opening the cages.
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[Because those guards are definitely rushing in now!
Leona leaves it to Eustace as he continues to focus on opening the cages.]
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[Only, instead of said in the typical cheeky way, he says it with such a dark, grim tone that it sounds as if he's going to really murder them. And well, maybe a little. In a way it's to avenge these poor souls trapped in these cages, and when the doors open the guards come in, lightning will be flying as he clears a path for the animals. It's a good opener, and the larger, stronger beasts will quickly rush off, the more timid ones focusing on running (and thus trampling) anything in their path while the more predatory will gladly seek out to lunge and swipe at the ones who harassed them while caged.]
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The lion makes sure all the animals are out, guiding the more predatorial animals to the ones who dared cage them. None of them are happy, after all. Combined with Eustace's lightning and the animals' rage, it might end up becoming a bloodbath at this rate.]
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But it won't be too much longer for all the animals are free and now it's a complete chaos and frenzy as the animals have moved on to actually on stage where the auction was being held. More screams can be heard from the distance, and it's then that Eustace pulls back.]
Enforcement should be on the way if they haven't already.
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We'll take that as our cue to leave then.
[Ears perked, listening closely.]
The animals here have been released.
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[They don't want to be questioned for their...questionable behavior and he doesn't want to get framed for something. So exchanging a glance with Leona, he moves towards the back where another door is.]