Belgraen takes note of the Vudrani man, and recalls that Vudra and the island nation of Jalmeray are home to many gods. This man here is most likely a servant of Irori, a summoner who is bonded to an elephant-headed Agathion of Nirvana, much like Asher is bonded to Abraxiel. ...but then again, he could just be a Rakshasa.
The elephant headed man examines the scrolls before stating in a booming baritone that he will raise to 345.
Julistar raises to 350, and then a nondescript man who has thus far been silent and sitting near to the back bids 355.
Dianora remains where she is, poised in case Asher can't control himself and engages in hostilities with the Chelaxian priest.
Belgran will wait for the bull headed statue to come back up to auction. Until then he continues hacving a conversation with the woman in the burka. Does she respond to the questions I posted earlier?
If anything else of particular significance comes up for auction belgraen may bid, but frankly he's ready to get started on their mission.
Belgraen still speaking to the woman in the Burka,
"Do you know if any of these items would be particularly useful for myself or any in my group? "
Edit: also, if the little slave girl is within 60 feet I want to concentrate a few rounds on Detect magic and see if she has any lingering magical effects. My thought is that the Chelaxians may have put some sort of enchantment on her to prevent her from running away. Perhaps not if she's not a prized/valuable slave. I just want to check.
Spellcraft to identify any lingering auras the girl may have
Asher maintains eye contact with Julistar, showing him that he is not intimidated. He is neither disrespectful nor challenging, as the servant of Hell would likely take it out on Neferet. He simply demonstrates with a quiet reserve of will that he will neither bend nor break to the cleric. "Four hundred gold pieces."
1d20+27
1d20+27Asher maintains eye contact with Julistar, showing him that he is not intimidated. He is neither disrespectful nor challenging, as the servant of Hell would likely take it out on Neferet. He simply demonstrates with a quiet reserve of will that he will neither bend nor break to the cleric. "Four hundred gold pieces."
Thinking to the group,
"Asher, thank you for bidding. I didn't realize someone else had bid."
The Cheliaxian cleric outbids Asher, and makes his full approach to the slave girl. He gently grabs her arm, pulls her up, and leads her away, whispering something in her ear, and glaring at Asher the whole while.
The priest gives the former slave no heed.
The charts is now at 410 gold pieces.
___
"Well, dear mage, we do know that each item has something to do with the tomb. However, we are not sure how helpful each item will be. Unfortunately, we have another contact for you to meet, but he was not available to meet with you until after this event."
The slave girl is devoid of magical auras, except for those lingering from being so close to the priest.
___
A wealthy Osirion man bids on the charts, bid is now at 450 gold pieces.
Belgraen is going to wait until the auctioneer does the "going once, Going twice" part on the charts and gauge if they're worth it. THere seems to be a lot of interest, so he's intrigued. Other than that he'll make polite conversation with the woman in the Burka while he waits for the bull headed statue to come up for auction.
To the woman in the Burka,
"So where will this other contact be meeting us? Do you have a name or description of this person so I know whom to look for?"
"The contact is not meeting you. You are meeting the contact. This is an important distinction. At the conclusion of the auction, I will lead you to his residence."
___
"Going once, twice ..."
"The contact is not meeting you. You are meeting the contact. This is an important distinction. At the conclusion of the auction, I will lead you to his residence."
___
"Going once, twice ..."
Belgraen raises his hand slightly and says loudly,
"470"
Dianora continues to wait and watch, hopeful that Asher won't cause a scene, but ready in case he does.
"The contact is not meeting you. You are meeting the contact. This is an important distinction. At the conclusion of the auction, I will lead you to his residence."
___
"Going once, twice ..."
Belgraen raises his hand slightly and says loudly,
"470"
___
"Sold!"
"Our next item is a statuette of a bull-headed man, cast in bronze, with inscriptions on the forehead, heel, and chest. Once again, dating from the the reign of the Four Pharaohs of Ascension, this piece is sure to be a once in a life-time find. Bidding will commence at 800 gold pieces!"
Julistar immediately raises to 900 gold pieces.
Julistar immediately raises to 900 gold pieces.
Belgraen speaks up,
"One Thousand"
Belgraen immediately thinks to the group
"I suspect the Chelaxian is getting increasingly perturbed at the fact that I keep outbidding him. Please keep an eye on him and let me know if he's about to attack me. That would be inconvenient."
Speaking quietly to the Veiled woman,
"I'm running out of money. Generally I don't have much use for it other than for spell casting components, but again i usually don't participate in auctions. Does your group have any intention of assisting us with the auction expenses?"
**Remember Bel didn't hear the mental introduction**
Julistar immediately raises to 900 gold pieces.Belgraen speaks up,
"One Thousand"
Belgraen immediately thinks to the group
"I suspect the Chelaxian is getting increasingly perturbed at the fact that I keep outbidding him. Please keep an eye on him and let me know if he's about to attack me. That would be inconvenient."
Speaking quietly to the Veiled woman,
"I'm running out of money. Generally I don't have much use for it other than for spell casting components, but again i usually don't participate in auctions. Does your group have any intention of assisting us with the auction expenses?"
**Remember Bel didn't hear the mental introduction**
"I'll take over the bidding from here"
Anum will outbid by 100 anyone else who bids from here on out
"I'll take over the bidding from here"
Anum will outbid by 100 anyone else who bids from here on out
Belgraen thinks to the group,
"Anum, I don't fear the Chelaxian. I was merely making an observation. But as you wish."
"Don't worry about the Chelaxian," Dianora thinks. I'm ready should he decide to do something about you or Asher."
"Anum, I don't fear the Chelaxian. I was merely making an observation. But as you wish."
"I didn't mean to imply that you would fear this man, only that I have had my eye on this piece since I walked in and maybe this will throw him off a bit"
Asher looks at Dianora, a bit of distaste evident on his face. 'Devil worshippers are an insidious group. I'm not worried that he will attack us, though it would probably be wise to only eat food you prepare yourself for the next few days. I expect that we will find ourselves in direct competition with him in the future for the secrets of the pyramid. I long for such a conflict, as it will be the day that Abraxiel smites him and I can find his slaves to tell them that they are free.'
"I didn't mean to imply that you would fear this man, only that I have had my eye on this piece since I walked in and maybe this will throw him off a bit"
"Anum, I don't fear the Chelaxian. I was merely making an observation. But as you wish."
"Fair enough. You are, after all, a well known seeker of such treasures."
Julistar and Anum keep raising for a few rounds, until the bid reaches 1,200 gold pieces. How badly do you desire this piece?
The Mithral Scarab turns to Belgraen and relays that the organizations will donate 2,000 pieces to the group.
Julistar and Anum keep raising for a few rounds, until the bid reaches 1,200 gold pieces. How badly do you desire this piece?
The Mithral Scarab turns to Belgraen and relays that the organizations will donate 2,000 pieces to the group.
Anum wants this piece, he'll go as long as it takes
Julistar and Anum keep raising for a few rounds, until the bid reaches 1,200 gold pieces. How badly do you desire this piece?
The Mithral Scarab turns to Belgraen and relays that the organizations will donate 2,000 pieces to the group.
Belgraen replies to her,
"Excellent"
Gideon then relays this information mentally to the others
"We have an extra 2000 gold fromm our benefactors so feel free to use it."
Anum wins the statue after a 10 minute bid battle, ending at 2,500 gold pieces, and a very angry Cheliaxian priest.
After a few more items that do not garner your interest the auctioneer brings out the final lot.
"Our final piece, ladies and gentlemen, is a mysterious golden mask, which has been seen floating around the bazaars of Osirion and as far away as Katapesh within the span of the last 50 or some odd years. This mask, topped with 11 sphinx feathers, opens at a bid of 800 gold pieces. Do I hear 800?"
Anum wins the statue after a 10 minute bid battle, ending at 2,500 gold pieces, and a very angry Cheliaxian priest.
After a few more items that do not garner your interest the auctioneer brings out the final lot.
"Our final piece, ladies and gentlemen, is a mysterious golden mask, which has been seen floating around the bazaars of Osirion and as far away as Katapesh within the span of the last 50 or some odd years. This mask, topped with 11 sphinx feathers, opens at a bid of 800 gold pieces. Do I hear 800?"
Anum will appraise the item and check it out with Detect magic before bidding
Belgraen gets within 60 feet if he's not and examines the mask a few rounds using detect magic. After a few rounds he returns to his position dear the woman in the Burka
Appraise
Spellcraft
assuming the mask is magic and/or valueble Gideon will wait for Anum to bid on it until He sees a reason to do otherwise.
Anum and Belgraen both uncover that the mask is worth a small fortune -- the materials alone set it at over 2,000 gold pieces, and it is indeed magical - very magical. It cast a strong conjuration aura, and every now and then the eyes of the mask flash with an unearthly light.
Several of the audience members move forward to examine the mask. A Sotan man who had bid on several of the smaller items, proposes a bid of 850 gold, Julistar raises to 900, followed by the Vudrani summoner at 1,000. Once again, the Sothan man bids, raising the price to 1,300.
Anum and Belgraen both uncover that the mask is worth a small fortune -- the materials alone set it at over 2,000 gold pieces, and it is indeed magical - very magical. It cast a strong conjuration aura, and every now and then the eyes of the mask flash with an unearthly light.
Several of the audience members move forward to examine the mask. A Sotan man who had bid on several of the smaller items, proposes a bid of 850 gold, Julistar raises to 900, followed by the Vudrani summoner at 1,000. Once again, the Sothan man bids, raising the price to 1,300.
Belgraen thinks to the others,
"Well, this is going to be a challenge. You realize of course we must have that mask."
Belgraen thinks to the others,
"Well, this is going to be a challenge. You realize of course we must have that mask."
"Rather than wasting your time while others bid," Dianora thinks, "you may be best served to wait until you are only competing with one person and the others have stopped bidding. I find some men get caught up in the competition and may go beyond what they can afford if they must. Of course, that method may draw more attention. I suppose I could try to claim the item at the end of bidding as I've not yet taken any items.
She moves casually away from the Chelaxian priest, more confident that he won't resort to violence with Asher, into a position she would be able to bid if her colleagues wish it.
"Rather than wasting your time while others bid," Dianora thinks, "you may be best served to wait until you are only competing with one person and the others have stopped bidding. I find some men get caught up in the competition and may go beyond what they can afford if they must. Of course, that method may draw more attention. I suppose I could try to claim the item at the end of bidding as I've not yet taken any items.
She moves casually away from the Chelaxian priest, more confident that he won't resort to violence with Asher, into a position she would be able to bid if her colleagues wish it.
Belgranen thinks back
"I don't know if its specifically important to our mission or not, but I do know it's powerful. As such it will probably be a boon for us and similarly needs to be kept out of the hands of our enemies or competition. Whatever it takes, we need it."Gideon considers for a moment then asks mentally,
"Sister, do you think it would be sufficiently intimidating enough to let the room know what you are and then bid on it? My thought is that perhaps it would keep others from bidding. The red mantis's have quite the reputation? What you you think?"
Asher closes his eyes and begins muttering in Celestial. The runes drawn in the sand are helpful for the ritual, but Asher found years ago that they are not strictly necessary. Abraxiel will come when he is called. If a dramatic revelation is what they want, it is what they shall get.
Julistar takes the lead with a bid of 1,500. This price makes the other bidders halt. The smooth Cheliaxian smiles, victory within his reach.
Julistar takes the lead with a bid of 1,500. This price makes the other bidders halt. The smooth Cheliaxian smiles, victory within his reach.
Belgraen Assumes someone else is going to bid, but if they say "going once, going twice" he'll step up and bid 2,000. To my (player) knowledge we haven't spent any of the "Churches" money yet anyway.
Walking forward in the same steps the Vudrani did earlier, Dianora will summon the red shroud that can denote members of her order. Smiling as she approaches, she says in a voice meant to carry but not threaten, "While this is not the mask I typically wear, it is of interest to me and mine. 2,000 golden sovereigns."
Walking forward in the same steps the Vudrani did earlier, Dianora will summon the red shroud that can denote members of her order. Smiling as she approaches, she says in a voice meant to carry but not threaten, "While this is not the mask I typically wear, it is of interest to me and mine. 2,000 golden sovereigns."
The auction pavilion, which only moments ago rang with thousands of sounds and many voices, falls immediately silent following Dianora's statement. The Vudrani man, still manifesting his elephantine form, bows his head at Dianora, and whispers to her, "If He Who Walks in the Blood feels the need to claim this lot, then the Vudrani will respect his wishes, for he has blessed our Maharajahs since the Great Matriarch spread her wings and brought us the Light."
After his statement, he moves towards the back of the tent.
Julistar, standing 10 feet to the right of Dianora, and very near his slave girl, doesn't skip a beat, projecting in his rich baritone, "Your God pales in comparison to the Dark Prince, and it is for him that I bid 2,200 gold pieces!
The Kemesarian looks at the two dumbly, shocked by the bold statements being made. Upon opening this auction he would have never guessed that the gods themselves would take interest!
Belgrean thinks to the group,
"This is getting interesting. Bid on Diana. We've got you covered."
Bel considers his repitoir of spells and prepares to bring one to mind to cast.
Dianora bows her head momentarily toward the Vudrani. "My thanks. My God appreciates your understanding in this matter."
She then turns to the Chelaxian priest, her tone remaining warm, though a hint of steel can be heard in it. [b]"My god pales in comparison to nothing, and most certainly not the lord of devils. I can appreciate the order that you so cling to, but in this case that mask shall be leaving with me. 2,300 gold."[b]
Belgrean thinks to the group,
"This is getting interesting. Bid on Diana. We've got you covered."
Bel considers his repitoir of spells and prepares to bring one to mind to cast.
Perception
Xaven's Stealth Check:
-15 ranks
-3 for training
-5 for equipment
-2 for feat
________________
25
(Rough initial estimation, character still in development)
Asher fails to notice anything, as well as Anum and Dianora.
Julistar raises the bid to 2,400 gold pieces, but his grim expression shows he may be ready to throw in the hat.
All pary members hear the voice in their mind, but Bel is obviously 'talking' to Dianora."Dianora, Are you going to bid or would you prefer I did?"
Dianora smiles sweetly at the high priest.
"2,500"