Opened for dots.
The room is spacious, yet spartan in decor. Your arrival was met with a curt nod as you were ushered into the back door of Steele's Emporium of Rare Goods, a fairly new establishment in the Coins district of Absalom. Turning through a few short hallways you were led into this large room. The walls are devoid of coverings and show the wear and tear of many years of disrepair. Your nose may be deceiving you, but you detect the faint odor of stale beer.
Also in the room are several other occupants, none bearing any real resemblance to the others. All mill about, as if waiting for something to happen, and the silence is as loud as thunder. Moments later, a Kelish man appears through the opposite doorway that you entered from, a broad smile on his face and his arms open wide. "My, it what skilled and able bodies the day has blessed me with! Welcome to you all, and well met!" The man is loud and boisterous, and by all accounts this could only be Clovis Steele, the colorful owner of the establishment. Slightly heavyset and in his mid-40's by cursory observations, the man carries himself with a showman's poise and posture, each movement and gesture a grand affair.
"The auction will not be starting for at least an hour, so please make yourselves comfortable for now. My men will bring you food and drink while you wait. We need guards at the doors, the auction block, and the bidding area. Please work the details out with each other. I am sure you are all the finest of professionals, as you come highly recommended!" And with that the man executes a sweeping bow and leaves the room through the same door he arrived. A moment later several men enter the room carrying trays of fruit and cheese as well as pitchers of wine and water. A serving table with a stack of plates and glasses is wheeled into the room as well, and left near the food. Finally, one of the servants comes in with a tray bearing six small leather pouches, and presents it to each of you in turn, offering the pouch. Once completed, the servants leave the room, closing the doors behind them.
Inside the pouch you find 25 gold pieces, a hefty sum for a simple night of guard duty.
"Huh. Curious that they'd offer us so much for a seemingly simple guard assignment. There might be more to this than meets the eye. But forgive me, I haven't even introduced myself! I am Penka! And this is Tree!"
The small, thin gnome with bright purple hair bows to you all with a flourish, and you catch a glimpse of a carefully hidden patch of white hair wrapped into a bun on the top of her head. She wears simple robes of relatively cheap make, though she wears them well, as her figure is full for a gnome and her face has the beauty of the fey. Hanging from her belt is a scroll case and a very well-made looking wand, as well as a sling and a small morningstar.
She points to her companion, seemingly a small treant. It wears no armor, but looks hearty and strong. It blinks at you, sizing you up. You can tell there is an alien intelligence behind its eyes, not at all plant-like.
"I'm very pleased to meet you all! It's good to know that Tree won't be the only strong, able-bodied fighter helping me guard this place!"
A tall woman walks along with the others. She wears a scale mail under a regular set of clothes, and has some weapons with her, but the greatsword at her back calls your attention more than the others. It's a beautiful weapon indeed, and quite large for a woman, one could say. In closer quarters it could be difficult to handle that, but there was also a longsword at her hips, just in case. She definitely looked like a mercenary or bodyguard of some kind.
Elxurian observes the room quite slowly, and then glances at the other present in the room. She removes a lock of her from over her left eye and something might call your attention, if you're perceptive enough. Her long curly hair would look beautiful in a woman with green eyes, and her right one was precisely that color, but now you see the left one, and they don't match! I mean, her left eye is reddish where it should be greenish. It's quite a weird look and gives her a somehow scary face.
Anyway, her posture does not seem threatening, but calm and controlled. When the man is talking she just stares at him without moving, and then gets contemplative, staring at those present at the room, one at a time. She gets her pouch but does not touch the food yet, just waiting there looking at the others, until the gnome with the pink purple hair breaks the ice and introduces herself. The woman replies, but it seems she's more intrigued by the tree than anything else. "Well met, I'm Elxurian. Tell me, can Tree talk?"
"Not in the Common tongue, no. He can speak to me, and I'm teaching him as well as I can, but trees are slow learners. He can understand you, though!"
"He..." The word hangs on her lips for a second, but then she manages to ask another question. She has a look that shows she's suspicious but curious at the same time. "I've never seen a tree with eyes... What exactly is she?" She raises her eyebrows and quickly corrects her mistake. "I mean, He."
"He's... well I've been told he's the spirit of an outsider that I can call to fill the plants of this world and create a helper. He came to me when I was a bit younger than I am now, when I needed him the most... He actually can look different sometimes, if I call him to me in a place with strange foliage. One time he was made out of cactuses! It was quite a sight! But normally Tree looks like a tree."
A small, well-dressed gnome stands up with a natural flexing grace. Mimicking Penka's flourish, he doffs his (plumed) hat in a ridiculously low bow, with nearly his nose on the floor. He seems remarkably flexible. Straightening up with a quick bounce, his quick eyes take in the rest of the group, lingering on the looming tree.
“Tree, spare that woodsman!” he says with a smile. Then he goes on, smiling at his own joke. “My name is Quarick Fezhal, adventurer, hero and climber of trees! I wonder if I could climb this summit...” He eyes the walking plant before going on , “What brings such a collection of fine blades, and bark, here?”
"Oh, Tree is very good for climbing! I will usually ride on his shoulder, since his legs are much longer than mine! I'm sure if you want to practice your climbing, Tree would be happy to oblige! Just don't use any nails in him! He hates that!"
Elxurian was serious, contemplative, serene. But it seemed her questions were a bunch of jokes to the other gnome. She shook her head and looked at him to answer his question. "I'm here to work, if that's what you wanted to know. Of course, as Penka already mentioned, it is indeed true they are paying a lot for a night's work, so we should expect trouble. What are your capabilities, Quarick?"
“Work? I doubt guarding a place like this..” he waves his hand at the nearly empty room “Is going to be too demanding. More like a time-waster, if you ask me. But the money is good, have to save up for those gold coins to throw to the poor and whatnot. Such largesse is expensive.” He speaks seriously as if it wasn't a joke.
Elxurian does not relax. "If you take it lightly it might be more complicated than it should. Specially because we're a group of people who do not know each other. If we don't understand our capabilities soon enough we cannot split our strengths in a favorable way. I'm good at melee combat, and I know how to stand my ground. I should probably stay at the auction block, to prevent any funny guy from trying to touch anything at the auction."
The gnome smiles and looks up at the imposing and somewhat dour human. "Good at melee? So hitting people hard is your....strength?". Quarick breaks down laughing but soon recovers and approaches Elxurian.
"I am good at...being fast.". With that the gnome rushes up and touches the heavily armed warrior.Before she can react the gnome bounces back, very quickly out of reach. "Is that useful?.
The stocky, blond-haired dwarf has been sitting in the corner without comment for some time now--he pocketed the pouch of coins readily enough, but declined offers of anything but water and some simple crackers, cheese, and grapes. He wears scale mail of a fashion not local to Absalom, and conservative linen robes underneath. A small buckler on his arm suggests that he's ready for combat, but most of his concern seems to be for the crossbow that he has taken off his back and begun oiling. It's a lavish device: gorgeous, dark wooden stock, gleaming steel bow, and far more gears than a normal crossbow, all of which work together to make the set pull smoothly and nigh instantaneously. He slots a bolt into place and straightens up, glancing over at the conversation nearby. For the first time, you really see the thick, ropy scar that courses down the right side of his face.
When he speaks, it's with the clipped, precise accent of one for whom Taldane is not their first language: "I am called Hanz. A pleasure. I can handle myself in combat, though I doubt I am as fast as you, Master Fezhal, or as strong as you, Lady Elxurian." The dwarf does not smile as he introduces himself. "I do, however, have some experience combating the deceptions of witches, wizards, and their ilk. I would be happy to patrol the bidding area."
Elxurian watches the gnome, but it's not impressed, it seems. "I suppose it is, then, as long as you can touch them with a weapon, of course."
Then comes the other guy introducing himself, but something he said really called the woman's attention. She even seemed to flinch for a second, relaxing shortly after. "Then our task is easier. It seems we're gonna be fine if each of us choose a place to guard." She looks around, checking the numbers. "There are seven of us, but since Tree and Penka will probably be together, that makes it 6."
Turning back to the dwarf, she asks him to tell more about him. "Tell me, Hanz, do you live here in Absalom?"
The wary-looking dwarf cracks a wry smile. "I think the answer now is yes. I am new to Absalom, however--I grew up far to the south. I live now in, eh, what do they call it...the Foreign Quarter. I find the many strange people there make me...less obvious. And you, Lady?"
She raises an eyebrow at the more-than-polite treatment. "Me? Well, I've been making a living here for quite a while now. The city has a lot to offer. What about you guys?" She raises her head to the others as well.
"I am a native of Absalom."
You see a well-groomed Varisian woman with chestnut brown hair tightly gathered under a bandanna. Her eyes are the color of the sky, with small flecks of silver near the iris. Her skin is fair with small freckles on her nose and cheek bones. She is dressed in a courtier's outfit - a tan three-quarter length coat trimmed with blue, green, and red. She wears loose leggings under the coat. An iron holy symbol of Sarenrae hangs prominently around her neck. She is medium-height, with a solid frame and straight posture.
She bears no weapons.
"My name is Tsura, and this is my first time working as a guard. If I make a mistake, please let me know to correct myself." She nods in greeting to the tall human, the dwarf, the two gnomes, and the tree. She pauses slightly, realizing that she just greeted a tree, but dismisses it just as quickly. She also notices a shadowy figure in the background, but decides to wait to see if he will introduce himself. "If no one objects, I would like to guard the auction block. People near large crowds makes me nervous, and I would like to be apart from the main activity."
In her nervousness, she fidgets her fingers, making motions as though wanting to hold something.
"I have been coming and going mostly." Weighing the coin pouch in his hand, he proceeds to empty its contents in one of his own belt pouches.
The last to join the conversation, the fair-skinned man -a Taldan if his accent is any indication, even if his complexion is not- is of average height more or less, standing at five feet and ten inches tall, and appears to be fit and agile, if a little on the slender side. Black-haired and amber-eyed, he carries a shortbow and a matching quiver on his back and wears simple and functional leather armor, the latter partially covering well-made fitted clothes of somber hues complemented with black knee-high boots of soft leather and gloves to match in both color and material. Although his black hooded cloak makes it a little difficult to tell, it would seem that except for the bow and armor he is carrying no other armaments.
"My name is Jonas, Jonas Crow," he introduces himself with a smile, friendly if a little crooked. "You can call me Jon though. And some have taken to calling me by my last name, which they find amusing. Truth be told, it probably is." Though his apparent demeanor does not seem to match the colors of his attire, his last name, especially when taking his hair into consideration as well, certainly seems fitting enough.
- Really irrelevant, but requires a roll none the less.
You manage to bump into the woman and quickly retrieve the item.
Quarick gravely inclines his head at the scarred dwarf. Serious for a moment, it is obvious he regards a battle wound as a true mark of pride and honor. But the flighty gnome says nothing and turns back to the Eluxrian. ”I can touch them with a weapon. But having quick hands is useful nontheless! “.
The tiny gnome jumps and reaches out behind the armed woman's ear and produce her own sunrod! ”I believe this is your,s my lady?” He says with a grin before going on ”I think you are right however. Shall I work among the crowd and prevent danger from the patrons at the auction?”
The hears that distinctive Varisian accent. Turning to Tsura he listens keenly to her words, obviously enjoying hearing the cadence of home. He adds to her, in throaty Varisian.
Elxurian reaches back behind her ear too, but instead of drawing something magical from there, she grips the handle of her greatsword tight. She does not draw it, however, releasing it and choosing another option to deal with this event.
The woman takes (disarms) the sunrod back from his hands with a strong thrust. "Very funny." She is deadly serious, and obviously didn't like the joke. She stares daggers at Quarick, but that's all she does for now about it.
Elxurian turns to the others and tries to organize this a little better, although she's not giving orders to anyone. "So Tsura and I will guard the auction block, Hanz and Quarick will patrol the bidding area, Penka, Tree and Jon, you have the wall door. Do you have any close-range weapon, Jon? Tsura?"
"Ooh, Quarick, you'd better watch out! I think she's got some demons! Do you have demons, Elxurian? I hope I'm not rude asking... but Quarick was just playing around! We gnomes do like to jest. Sometimes I'll hide within Tree's branches and scare children by speaking to them with a SPOOOKY voice! Tree's actual voice is too slow and quiet to really be SPOOOOKY." Penka giggles, hoping to relieve some of the tension in the room.
"Allow a man some mystery, milady," Jonas replies to the one called Elxurian with a mock bow, his tone and mannerism teasing and mischievous perhaps but hardly mocking. "Suffice it to say I have a couple of tricks up my sleeves if it comes to that."
He shrugs then. "Although I would like to think it will not. I do not particularly enjoy fighting."
"One never knows what one might find, however," Hanz intones gruffly. "I plan to keep one finger on my trigger, yes?" He pauses slightly. "Do any of you know what items are for auction this day? I have not heard."
Hanz is hiding something--he does have some idea of what at least some of the items on sale are, and he's trying to find out what the rest of you know.
"Nope, I don't think I was told what items are being sold! Whatever they are, it's our job to make sure they aren't stolen! We should probably get on with it... each of us has our position now, right? I think I'll go somewhere where it is easy to watch the bidders... I find that Tree does a good job of keeping people on edge, and I delight in seeing rich guys squirm!"
Elxurian listens to Penka, but does not smile. She keeps a grumpy face, displeased by the joke and the question alike. "I don't have the demons, whatever do you mean by that. I know gnomes are like that, that's why my blade's still sheathed."
"Suit yourself" - she replies to mystery man, shaking her head. She just realized the night will be complicated, so she tried to get this... guards... on the edge, at least to be as alert as they could be.
The mention of the product was good enough to do that. "Yes, you can assume the positions you like, as we've already split our forces in position. Now, I'd like to require you to pay attention to every detail tonight. I've heard something very rare will be auctioned tonight, and thus there might be trouble. That's why we were all recommended for this job, to guarantee nothing happens to it, and we were paid a good sum to do it." She turns to the purple-haired gnome. "Pelka, since you won't be standing with Tree, do you mind being our connection? You will be responsible to pass out any information between us, and keep a lookout on the situation of the other six of us. Is that ok for you?"
"It looks like Elxurian has appointed herself leader." Tsura folded her arms and fingered her braid as she regarded the armored woman. "Don't try to require things of me. The item is obviously of great worth to certain buyers, and of mysterious origin and function." She narrows her eyebrows. "And no one pays twenty-five measures for a warm body to stand guard. I'm expecting trouble, and so should you."
She shakes her head. "Leaders does not appoint themselves. I didn't do that, but if I did, I'm not a leader. So just disregard any order I give you, simple as that. I'm suggesting one of us to be a connection that we, as a mixed group of individuals trained in varied areas, don't have. But I can simply stand there and guard the place quietly, if you prefer." Elxurian shrugs, seeming indifferent.
"No need to argue," Jonas interjects. "If we are to guard this place and the auction taking place in it, we do need some sort of plan and at least a little coordination. And since noone was offering to give us a little instruction on the matter -I know I certainly did not- Elxurian took it upon herself to do." He shrugs. "And if she has even a little experience on such things, perhaps it would be the smart thing to do to hear her out."
He then turns to the dwarf. "As for the items, not really, no. And I do admit that the prospect of pay and the rather hefty sum of it did wonders to make me forget of my natural curiosity." He chuckles softly. "Long stoy short, I forgot to ask."
Jonas seems to be hiding something; not all that much, but certainly a little more than what he is saying. And just maybe the money is not the only thing that brought him here.
After a short while, the door to the main area opens and the portly man appears in the doorway, motioning for you to follow. He leads you down another short hallway into the main meeting room of the building. A well-crafted podium stands in the northeast corner of the room next to a squat table covered with a red cloth of velvet. The main area of the room has a roped off area with a dozen or so comfortable looking chairs, and beyond that are several rows of benches. In the southern end of the main room are two booths, one to the east and one to the west. Each has an opening facing towards the center of the room, half of which is protected by a row of lateral iron bars. To the south, beyond the booths, are a sturdy set of double doors.
Milling about the room are several men and women in servant's livery. They are currently setting up and arranging seating, rolling more carts of food and drink to stations around the room, and tidying up the room itself.
Turning to you, Clovis says, "Our guests for the evening will begin arriving shortly. Please prepare yourselves accordingly and take your places." As an afterthought he adds, "Oh, and do try to look mean and surly! You are supposed to be frightening guards after all!" With that comment he glances down at the gnomes, one looking like a dapper gallant and the other a purple-haired hobo with a tree following her. He raises his eyebrow for a moment in their direction, pauses, and then shrugs to himself. Whistling as he heads back through a different door, disappearing into the room beyond.
She looks at Jonas, and apparently something he said caught her attention. Anyway, she nods to the man. "I have experience working with others, but not much leading."
Later on the man comes, and Elxurian cannot help but to feel uncomfortable with the comments. Weirdly enough, she does not feel the man is worried, but quite the opposite. She just stands there for a minute, thinking about what could this mean.
If no one else has any other plans she moves into her position beside the block. "Then let's go."
The gnome grins at the man, pleased with his cheerfulness and energy. he takes the words to heart though, and as Clovis leaves, Quarick grows serious.
The gnome, lithe and agile as a hunting cat of the Mwangi Expanse, prowls around the chairs and benches, looking for anything amiss or out of place. The quick little swashbuckler knows that many robberies are set up, long ahead and who knows what might be lurking? His face is set and firm, his quick little eyes darting among the seating arrangements.
Jonas shakes his head as the rotund man leaves after advising them to "look mean and surly", the look on his face one of amusement. "Perhaps we should on occasion growl as well? Simply for good measure," he quips as he moves to join the cheerful gnome in a search of the place.
"Find anything, Master Frezhal?" After their self-appointed task is complete, the Taldan moves to take the position Elxurian instructed him to moments earlier, taking care to at least have a good enough look of not only the proceedings as soon as they start but of the bidders as well.
"Oh, but I was planning to stay with Tree! He's my protector!"
Penka climbs up on what passes for a shoulder on Tree and directs him to stand behind the chairs where the possible buyers will be seated. He does so, and Penka tries to look stoic and serious.
A short while later the main doors are opened and customers begin entering the establishment. The first to be allowed in are ushered, one by one, to the first booth on the west side of the entrance. There an exchange is made, a large pouch from the customer in exchange for an ivory paddle embossed with a number. Each person is also given five small gold-colored rods. Second, they move to the booth on the east wall, which appears to be some sort of weapons check-in, as various daggers, rapiers, and so forth are handed across the counter. Thankfully it appears that only the guards will be armed this evening. Each person is then escorted to the roped off area and shown a seat.
All in total there are eight bidders that end up being seated in the cordoned off area before the doors are opened to the general public. Each of them in turn is also checked for weapons, but instead of an exchange for a paddle and rods they are each given a plan looking paddle with a series of letters stamped into its surface. These people then take seats and places around the benches and outer area of the chamber.
A pair of the liveried servants enter from the back hallway with a large chest between them, placing the container directly behind the velvet covered table. One of them removes a large key from his belt, unlocking the front of the chest and opening it. They then step away to the area behind the chest, standing against the wall. Many in the crowd surrounding the roped off area strain and struggle to get a look at the chest's contents, but the movements are futile as the table blocks all views of the container.
The room is buzzing with conversation, and it continues to grow, the attendees growing increasingly eager for the event to begin.
Quarick looks up from his searching and eyes Jonas seriously. Pulling a 'mean and surly' face and putting gravel into his high voice he says ”Nothing yet”. The he laughs and turns back to work.
As the people pour in the gnome looks them over carefully, being sure to bow and flourish to each lady and nod somberly to each man. He makes quite a sight and does his best to flatter and charm the incoming crowds. Quarick remains roving among the crowds and chairs, ready to leap to any disturbance or trouble.
Penka and Tree stand near the cordoned off area, trying to look gruff.
-Posted with Wayfinder
Hanz looks around carefully, scanning the incoming crowd--particularly the wealthy ones in the cordoned-off area--for concealed weapons or signs of magical trouble. The one I seek is likely in that group...but we'll have to wait it out. Auction. Strange idea. He keeps his crossbow loaded, but loosely held at his side, scanning the crowd with eyes narrowed.
Perception
Tsura takes position directly beside the velvet-covered table. She takes the 'bouncer pose' and tries her best to look dour as she surveys the room.
She also takes sidelong glances at where the items for auction will be placed. Long, appraising looks.
Elxurian takes a step back, so she has a better peripheral view of the chest, but also does not need to take an eye out of the public. She puts a hand on the grip of her longsword to discourage any stupid soul of doing anything dumb.
From the other side of the table, flanking with Tsura, she watches as the crowd get anxious.
Moving to take up a position opposite Hanz, on the other side of the cordon, Jon unslings his bow and keeps it in hand, ready to bbe armed and fired if need be. From there he scans the various attendees, though his attention is mostly focused on the eight bidders within the cordoned off area; after all, if any are going to be trying to get the item he is interested in the most, it will probably be one or more of those. As he looks at them, he does not only look for anything out of the ordinary as the dwarf is doing, but also tries to see if he can recognize any of them.
You recognize several of the people who are located in the cordoned off area.
Lady Eliana Cormas is a young Taldan noblewoman from a fairly known house. As is fitting her station she is dressed in finery of the latest fashion, with her long blonde hair tied up in an elegant knot of braids and her fair skin and striking green eyes catch the eye of many of the attending males.
Caranah Luciant is a Chelaxian priestess of Asmodeous, and is whispered to be in high favor and the next in line to replace Vicarius Giordano Torchia. She has raven black hair, blue eyes, and pale skin. Her features are sharp and her gaze is constantly shifting across the crowd.
The man in the Andoran military uniform is obviously Caspar Van Alphen, a minor member of The People's Council. He is known to work mostly with relations in Absalom and is a common fixture in the political circles.
The last face you recognize is that of Vieri Bertoletti, a businessman from the Coins district. It is widely believed that he was one of the major players in the Sczarni family before some of the recent troubles. He has been linked to Guaril Karela on several occasions.
The rest are complete strangers to Absalom and Taldor, and remain figures of mystery to you.
The first person of note is a beautiful female with braided blonde hair and striking green eyes. She is wearing a lovely green dress which compliments her features and curves, making her even more impressive looking than her looks alone would accomplish. The next, a female wearing dark and plain clothing, seems to keep a watchful eye on everything around her. She has coal black hair, blue eyes, and pale skin - obviously rarely exposed to the light of the sun. Next to her is a dark skinned Mwangi man, with long dreadlocks that are tied in blue and gold ribbons. He wears red and yellow clothing that is trimmed in golden fabric. He seems at ease and rather calm. Next, a man in a military uniform, his black hair is well groomed and his hazel colored eyes are heavy-lidded. Sitting apart from the others is an older man, his tanned skin is weathered and he has the wild look of someone who spends little time within the city. He wears a black leather duster, which seems a little odd considering the time of year and the heat of the season. His hair, beard, and moustache were once black, but age has introduced a salt and pepper coloring to them all. Near the front of the roped area stands a thin man with his black hair tied into a well oiled ponytail. He wears simple clothing, trimmed in red, and his eyes dart around the room, taking in every movement. Near him stands a female with red hair and blue eyes. She wears a green tunic with gold trim and plain tan breeches. She seems somewhat nervous and observes the others carefully. Finally, there is a large half-orc male wearing a well-worn leather breastplate with a large red hand imprinted over his left breast area. His head is cleanly shaven and his eyes are dark and unwelcoming.
Penka takes in the look of all the people in the roped-off area, paying particular attention to the older man who looks a bit "wild".
The excitement within the room continues to grow. As the doors finally close with a solid thunk the noise almost instantly dies down. Several hushed conversations can be heard, but all attention seems to be drawn to the front of the room, the eyes of nearly every attendee firmly focused on Tsura and Elxurian, expectantly waiting.
Finally, the door behind them opens quietly, and the rotund man from earlier emerges from beyond, sharply dressed and bearing a wide smile on his face. He steps to the podium and surveys the crowd before speaking, "Good evening and welcome to you all! I am Clovus Steele and I welcome you all to this special event. Commoner and noble alike, you have all come for a chance to glimpse, and even purchase, some of the most fantastic and exotic items in Golarion. From the cold wastes of the north to the wild jungles of the south, I bring to you only the finest rare and wonderful goods." He pauses dramatically for a moment before continuing, "Before we begin, let me clarify the rules of the evening. First, all bids are binding contracts, and must be resolved at the item's closing. For those who have not pre-arranged payment terms, payment is accepted in the form of coin, gem, or note." He glances out across the gathered crowd, taking a moment to observe the many faces before him, "Second, any bidder may request to closely inspect any item, but no items are to be handled by those not of my own staff. And last, all sales are final." He lets the last word hang in the air for a moment, and says, "With that behind us, let us bring up the first item for bid!"
The evening starts with the more mundane offerings; a tribal mask from the Bekyar people of Garund, the talon of a black dragon, a piece of Numerian technology, and a lock of hair from a nymph. Each item is carefully lifted from the chest and placed on the table by servants, ever under the watchful eye of the two women standing guard at the front of the room. The auction picks up pace with the sale of a talking sword which actually insults several of the attendees before being sheathed, a case of spell research scrolls from Nex, and a hand shaped from a strange black crystal, said to be the appendage of a dead god. With each passing item the level of excitement within the gathered masses grows, as each item is more fantastic than the next. As payments are made they are carried to a metal box in the back of the room where they are deposited into an opening in the top. Some of the higher priced items are handled with the golden rods issued to the eight within the roped off section. These rods seem to have several spinning components built within sections of each device, and are dialed to a specific number before being snapped in two and offered to Clovis.
Finally, the last item is announced, "And the last offering this evening, an item that came to me from a strange traveler from a far away land," Clovis states, his showmanship playing the crowd well, wetting their appetite for the revelation, "From the very depths of the Inner Sea herself, a relic of time long since forgotten. A wonder of the history of mankind itself! I give to you for the first, and only time, a true fragment of the Starstone!"
The servant behind him casts a fearful glance at the last item in the chest, a coffer made from a strange green metal, and reaches inside, bringing the heavy container forward. He places it on the velvet covering and slowly opens the lid.
'Some important people here this day,' Jonas ponders as he recognizes some of the more important bidders. Still, those he does not seem to find familiar trouble him a little, but since there is nothing he can do at the moment about it, he does not let it frustrate him too much.
As the auction finally begins, Jon divides his attention between the bidders in the cordoned off area and the items that are being offered. One after the other, the rogue finds little of interest, as if he is waiting for something in particular, though the talking sword and its colorful vocabulary does result in a soft chuckle escaping his lips.
As the last item, what is sure to be the most sought after of the offerings, is brought forth, his eyes almost light up, though he is quick to hide his interest, and move from the bidders to the supposed fragment and then back again. Examining the shard as best he can from where he is, he then turns to see who are going to be the ones most intent on getting it.
Penka, from her perch in Tree, tries to get a clear view of the supposed starstone fragment.
After long years in the circus, Quarick had gained a fine eye for showmanship and flair. Clovis had these traits in spades, and was playing the large and wealthy group like a finely tuned lute. The gnome watched the salesman closing, admiring him and his skill
He snorted however at the 'Starstone'. Will people actually think he has a real chunk of the Starstone? Come on... Quarick's expressive face reveals his amused disdain at the attempted con man. His eyes narrow as he looks at the supposed magical artifact.
Tsura could feel her mouth watering with each auction item brought to the block. The attendees were money. Their bids were money. The chest just to her side was brimming with money. Money, money, money. In her old life, she would have been scheming and planning on how to unobtrusively 'bump' into as many people in the room as possible. Distracting touches on the arm, clearing her throat just over their shoulder, dropping her purse and moving as they bent over to help...
But such things were behind her. She gave her head a small shake to clear her mind. The Light disapproves of avarice and greed. She instead focused on the task at hand, watching to see who was bidding, and especially who was not bidding. They were the ones waiting for the finale. As the sliver of Starstone was presented, she only glanced long enough to confirm that it was, indeed, a chunk of rock before turning her attention back to the attendees.