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By special invitation as a member of the Dark Archive, you've come to a room within the depths of the Grand Lodge of Absalom, tucked away in tunnels you might not have come across had the note not given very helpful directions. The chamber is lit by candles, purple curtains obfuscating one end of the room while a series of benches fill out the remainder. A lone crate sits in front of the curtains, from which a man in black robes and festooned with golden jewellery emerges.
The man introduces himself as Alminster, and that today he has a unique good on offer for the man or woman interested in making the purchase. He explains that an Osirion bounty hunter unloaded an escaped female halfling after payment for her services fell through, and with some adept negotiation skills, procured the slip for himself. Within a matter of weeks he realized the slip's immense potential value to the Dark Archive, given their search for powerful artefacts.
With a quick double-clap of his hands, a female halfling in tan sack-cloth robes and shackles steps out from behind the curtains. Walnut skin and black hair surround two eyes that seem to glimmer. Her hands look like animated charcoal with what seems to be glowing embers flickering to life at the corners of one's vision.
Behind and to her left another halfling, this one male and carrying a cage, emerges. Within the cage is a rat, but its necrotic flesh and lethargic movement mark it as undead. It claws at the cage feebly, while also trying to bite the male slip's hand.
The female halfling looks towards the rat...
The rat ceases its attempts at escape and locks eyes with the female halfling. In another moment it expertly moves the latch of its cage, allowing the door to swing open. The zombified rat shambles out and crawls to the female halfling. There it crawls up her gown to perch on her shoulder. She looks to the crowd gathered and smiles.
"Ladies, Gentlemen of the Dark Archive. I would like to introduce myself as Namaeva Caxaron. My current owner Alminster has told me that a slip of my talents might be of use to you all, and that bids are starting at a reasonable 200 gold pieces. You are free to ask whatever you like before placing bids..."
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Marcellus watches the proceedings dispassionately, leaning on his fauchard. Tall and muscular, his features might give those familiar with Cheliaxan nobility some pause. His clothing might be worn in places, but it is pressed and neat, and even stylish for Egorian some seasons ago.
He thinks a moment, and then steps forward to ask his questions. "Firstly, why is such a valuable servant in sack-cloth and chains? Are you a flight risk, such that you would need to be bound, whether physically or magically, in the field?" He pauses for a moment to allow the respondent to consider, and prepares to ask another, but then quiets and just waits patiently.
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Namaeva looks over to Alminster for a moment, and the human gives a solitary nod. She then turns to look towards Marcellus, but avoids making direct eye contact.
"There are individuals, and indeed groups within the Grand Lodge who find the notion of slavery offensive, and others still who think having someone of my talents under such a state of bondage would be particularly alarming. Rather than go for an ostentatious display, I've been given clothing that would pass the notice of most."
Namaeva lifts her hands, rattling the chains, and causing some of the "embers" in her arms to glow briefly.
"As for the chains, I am a re-captured slave. The circumstances of my escape and capture however make simply returning me to my former owners a financially unwise decision for those parties involved in my capture. My former master, to whom I acted as an assistant, has been charged by Osirion authorities of several counts of unlawful execution of living property, and illegal necromantic experiments. It was during my escape from him that I first learned of my capabilities."
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I never understood the point of paying money for an employee up front. If she gets eaten by our research I'm out all of that gold, where as hired help being eaten actually saves me the bother of paying them.
Namaeva looks to the apparently plane-touched individual in the corner, and bows her head.
"While I cannot speak to the competing business models of hired help and full ownership, I can assure you that the likelihood of my being eaten would be miniscule."
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What skills do you possess that would enable a starting cost of 200 gold coin?
The speaker is a metal clad halfling all of three feet tall. The armor depicts hellish scenes of devils scourging fallen humans in the pit.
"I have quite a skill at operating magical devices from my time as an assistant to my former master. I am trained in all social graces and know when to make myself unseen and unheard as one of my station should be. I have a natural gift for the subjugation and command of undead creatures and have studied several texts relating to them to assist me in this matter. Lastly, should any of these skills prove unwarranted to a situation, there is one other thing I am capable of, if Master Alminster will allow me a demonstration?"
With that the halfling woman once again looks to her owner, who in turn nods to the other slip who had been holding the rat cage. The slip produces a key and unlocks the halfling woman's bindings. She looks to animated rat on her shoulder, and it climbs off of her, heading for the curtains. Alminster parts the curtains, revealing a stone wall several feet behind it. The zombie-rat stops in front of the wall, rearing on its hind legs as if to sniff the air. With a few gestures and a single word, a gout of flames erupts from her hands, enveloping the undead rodent. It squeaks in dismay, and then lies still as the flames abate.
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I find your explanation enlightening, thank you for an exact answer. When does your term of contract expire? I expect this person has clear title as well. And I am willing to bid 200 coins provided the answers are accurate and lawful. I would also wish to examine the documents. My final question why did you run? I can guess, but I prefer to know.
Law domain roll 11
Profession Public Defender 11+13+5 - 29
Sense Motive 11+5+5+3 - 24
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Alminster produces a contract for Meridoc to review as Namaeva begins her explanation. The document details a transfer of ownership of Namaeva from an Osirion merchant family to Alminster, with an Osirion Bounty Hunter name Aegra Corshand acting as an intermediary.
"I ran away when my master found that I had, during the course of my duties, discovered his experiments, and he subsequently attempted to ensure my silence by making me his next subject for testing."
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"Important point of order before I bid. Is the nature of your bondage your own doing, or were you taken against your will."
Lani Pindari, who has some funny ideas about slavery.
"I was born as a slave, as have all members of my family going back at least four hundred years into the history of my former owner's family's household. I don't necessarily understand your question, but if you are asking if I'm happy with my present situation, then yes, I am. I am alive and likely to go into the ownership of a new master who will appreciate my talents."
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"Hmmm. Burning hands is a very useful spell of the lowest tier for dealing damage to minor creatures, especially those who swarm in mass quantity. Combining this with the ability to make subservient the undead means that I shall likely bid in this auction. I happen to have some capital freed up at the moment. Should I win, what kind of upkeep expenses will I be looking forward to?" Marcellus seems to be mulling over some calculations in his head, idly rocking the fauchard from one hand to the other. He seems completely comfortable in manipulating the long weapon.
He reacts to the following response. "Was to make you the subject of his later tests? Well, that turned out badly for him, and created this opportunity for us. And so, again I ask, are you a flight risk? Given that I will not subject you to any dangers that I will not face myself, noting that if I take you to a place with the Undead I would be there to protect you, will you flee from me? Is my investment at risk from that?"
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Namaeva looks to Marcellus, her head tilting slightly as she thinks for a moment.
"I would not run from you, the situations you describe, nor any other situation save those closely matching the circumstances I ran from: the callous disposal of someone who could still be of use if but given an opportunity to serve."
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Marcellus tosses his hair back from his face and studies the displayed halfling a moment and then nods, curtly. "Very well. Though I no longer have access to the funds from my family, I have some of my own moneys set aside. Devote your energies to my cause, and I shall both purchase you, and protect you. You may not have heard due to your recent arrival, but I have something of a reputation for defeating foes and having my teams come back whole."
He steps back, leaning against the wall of the chamber, and studies the other invitees, sharp eyes going from one to the next.
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Marcellus watches the bidding coolly, and bides his time. He does look the halfling in sackcloth over again, studying her thoroughly.
Seemingly satisfied, he turns his attention to the other bidders.
MeriDoc is very familiar from the law offices he runs, in his own and the Paracountess' name. Stories have come from them about his contracual abilities rivaling those of even specialized devils. On the other hand, stories also come of singing soliloquies deep in the bowels of the Archives themselves So the man has a lighter side, too.
Zajic is far less known, though his presence is quite commanding of attention, even bored and buried deep in a book. His attachment to Hell is even more direct than the halfling, with a reputation of ancestors dealing with devils rather too closely.
Finally he speaks up, without a tremor in his voice even though he is probably far outmatched in wealth by the others. "I bid one-thousand pieces of gold."
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Marcellus watches the bidding coolly, and bides his time. He does look the halfling in sackcloth over again, studying her thoroughly.
[dice=Know the Enemy] 1d20 + 17
Seemingly satisfied, he turns his attention to the other bidders.
MeriDoc is very familiar from the law offices he runs, in his own and the Paracountess' name. Stories have come from them about his contracual abilities rivaling those of even specialized devils. On the other hand, stories also come of singing soliloquies deep in the bowels of the Archives themselves So the man has a lighter side, too.
Zajic is far less known, though his presence is quite commanding of attention, even bored and buried deep in a book. His attachment to Hell is even more direct than the halfling, with a reputation of ancestors dealing with devils rather too closely.
Finally he speaks up, without a tremor in his voice even though he is probably far outmatched in wealth by the others. "I bid one-thousand pieces of gold."
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Marcellus shrugs at Meridoc's comment. "I have been called eccentric, and more. Since I left Egorian, my life has changed dramatically. The only time I came close to death was at the hands, well, chains, of Kytons, and the prospect of tools to defeat them in the future is something I want to examine further."
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Alminster nods in acknowledgement of the new bid. "Two thousand, the new bid stands at two thousand, do I hear anything higher than two thousand?"
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Marcellus shrugs, and looks off towards the ceiling. His dejection at the direction the proceedings have taken is pretty obvious. Expertly, he turns his fauchard point downward, and moves towards the back of the room, excusing himself from the remainder of the bidding. He does watch, however trying to decipher the motives of the bidders.
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There is the slight puff of displaced air as an extremely beautiful half orc woman dressed in exquisitely made Chelaxian hellnight signifer robes appears near the back of the room.
Dark feathered wings that grow from her back briefly eclipse her features in their shadow as she orients herself.
Spotting the halfling a smile filled with equal parts amusement and promise flows across her face.
"My mistress has interest in this one and I am informed that the cost of a life is very well known. I bid 5,450 gold for the pleasure of it." with a voice like honeyed silk.
She arches a perfect eyebrow at the rest of the crowd while glancing around to see if there are any other bids.
** spoiler omitted **
Alminster gives pause at the suddenness of the new arrival, but takes the bid in stride. "5,450 gold pieces, that's 5,450 gold pieces, do I hear 6,000 from anyone? 6,000?"
Namaeva for her part visibly flinches at the arrival of Maya, and now seems to be sizing up the half orc, and making sense of the wings growing from her back.
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Are all bidding at the same result? To release this person into the service of the Darkive untill such a time comes when the faction holds less sway for seekers and retired Pathfinders.
If not I'll gladly bid againt thee. If so, I will not frivolously spend my coins and yours to this grifter, motioning to the auctioneer.
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"6,000 from the halfling gentleman in armor. Do I hear 7,000 gold? 7,000? 6,000 gold then, going once..."
Whilst Alminster rattles off the new point of the auction, Namaeva reaches up to her brow, where sweat has begun to bead and roll down her face. As she withdraws her hand, she notices her hand trembling.
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Lay a charge at my doorstep, send your seconds to call a duel, or find better manners. The hellknight smiles warmly to the new arrival.
The grifter found a candidate for the Darkive. We are assessing the value of a life. Maya called a raise dead, I raised her call by a few hundred coins, cartage and per diem must be added Maya. This game is far less illegal and immoral than the normal course of work in the lodge.
Eitherway as I have established earlier we (Maya, Marcellus, and I) bid on the same outcome. Marcellus will have a new trainee, Maya and I will argue which of us obtained victory in the field of accidental indentured employment. Zarta will have a new member. And you...? Are you bidding too, and what motive exists in your dark heart? I find lecturers and lechers are nearly the same sound, so must share a common ancestor.
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Marcellus shrugs. "I grew up with slaves, more than most can imagine. However, when utilized properly, the institution has its benefits for both side." The man seems thoughtfully honest, not someone who quotes emplaced rhetoric and dogma of a church rooted in the very levels of hell.
"As to your offer, my hands are indeed safe. However, I suspect that most of those here are also without ill-intent, but I could not guarantee it. I am no longer a rich man, but survive through my efforts in the Society. So, I can promise to put my effort in keeping my charge safe, but the coffers of these others seem deep indeed."
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Bluff d20 + 12, 13 = 25, 2=14, 8=20
MeriDoc generally does not bluff. He lacks the skill in hiding emotions and prefers to flat out inform his intentions. He does have a few magical enhancements (circlet of persuasion) for diplomatic overtures to the jury.
In specific to this case, the only animosity he posesses is plainly directed towards the Auctioneer. Eying the man with cruel intent hoping some mistake would allow swift and brutal justice to land squarely upon this interloper who dares broker in fellow Halflings and possible future Pathfinders.
Much of MeriDoc's odd statements regarding the faction of love (Cheliax) and his adoration of the Libririanatrix stem from mistaken information (in error or with purpose) from Zarta herself, She has a dedicated follower blind to any indiscretion at the cost of a promise never kept.
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A suli, wearing naught but some pants leads in a woman dressed in blood red order of the chain hellknight plate, that appears to have a griffon bound into its chains. She carries on her back a resplendent bronze shield in the shape of a lion's face and wears a stylish golden unholy symbol of Asmodeous. She carries herself with extreme confidence.
"Damn it Suli, we are late due to your bumbling about. I did not task you to work for the lovely Zarta to lead me into dead ends about this place. Sorry to all of you for my tardiness, while Suli is quite the physical specimen he lacks a great deal in the area of intellect which makes him a bit unsuited as a guide. I would have sent forward my herald to announce my arrival, but I did not receive permission to bring him with me into the Archive. Ah, Meridoc I trust your business is quite well. I know we had our disagreement about my leaving Zarta’s side directly, but I have agents in place to work for her, such as Suli here.”
Jasmine looks over the assembled group.
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“Lord Thrune, I am sorry that I did not address you first, as you surely deserve. It is an honor to meet you, as you can see by this,” Jasmine produces a token stamped with the symbol of House Thrune, “I carry the favor of your House.”
She then turns toward Asher. “Ah Asher, come to admire the beauty to be found at an auction. I would not have thought to see you in such a place, I mean I know you ‘watch’ over the Archive, but this type of thing doesn’t seem to be your style, even given your unusualness for someone of your persuasion.
Venture Captain Dza’Thrune, I am pleased to make your acquaintance. I admire your reputation for getting people to do as you wish from your words alone; I too endeavor to ensure that my words are heeded in much the same way.
Anyway to the task at hand; 7,000gp for a slip? What makes her so valuable? Lord Thrune, if you desire such a one as this, I will bid on your behalf, but I don’t see what makes her so valuable. If you don’t I do believe that Hellknight Meridoc to be a man of honor, and will treat the slip fairly.
Be known that whosoever wins this bid shall, like all slave owners be beholden to treat their property in a fashion that befits their station. The person shall be adequately fed, clothed, and housed. As a member in good standing of the Order of the Chain, I will ensure this is done. Remember always that chains bind both ways from slave to master and master to slave. Should one link fail, so will the chain. For the good of the Society, if you choose to send this slip on missions, it behooves you to outfit them properly for their missions as I do with Suli here.”
Jasmine stands to the side to see how the proceedings continue, looking at Marcellus to see if he wishes to take up her offer.
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The current bid is 6000 not 7000 unless you're raising. You may or may not be aware, I intend to make this person a member of the Darkive, not the Sovereign Court. Marcellus has an interest in training, I see no reason to object.
The person in question will gain a solid ally in me, and a detailed contract pertaining strictly to service up to but not including seeker missions. At which point she would be free to chart her own course. Contract not binding progeny of the contracted.
As the official documents were not provided to me yet - I will examine those carefully and bring firey retribution upon the Auctioneer if found to be illicit. I fear they are valid so my immolation of said person will be purely intangible as a summer daydream....one can dream still.
So, unless I am being raised...let us proceed.
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”I do indeed understand, that any of the folk that are bidding, including myself if I choose to, would employ this slip with the Archive. As I do with my slave here,” Jasmine indicates the large Suli standing next to her. She then proceeds to pull out a piece of paper and hands it to Asher. “Here is an invitation to my presence here, mostly due to my continued support of the Paracountess, through my slave. As my slave does work here, he was given permission to guide me to this particular place. And no, before you ask, this does not grant my access to other parts of the Archive, perhaps when this business is concluded you could assist me in leaving, as the suli yet again has shown his limits. Unless Lord Thrune wishes me to bid on his behalf and present him with a gift, I do not intend to bid against Hellknight Meridoc, though I would gladly bid against Asher for the honor of giving such a gift.”