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Crysta escorts you all back down to the festivities, where everyone makes their respective Influence checks. At the end, Hegio steps out onto the arena floor to make his final announcement.
"Thank you all for your participation in this Bid for Alabastrine!" He takes a breath and scans the crowd as the applause washes over the blood stained floor. "This was a heavily contested final round, and I believe many will be surprised at the final tally."
Scriptum: Vayde
Working End: Irith
Prophet's Burg: Irith
Luminous Wharf: Myrosype
Courts of Abstinence: Temel
As Hegio finishes announcing the Luminous Wharf, Cyran is visibly surprised by his loss. He shoots a glare at Myrosype, who appears visibly disappointed with her performance.
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As the crowd disperses, you all have a moment to speak with each of the bidders.
Temel seems giddy with his win of the Courts of Abstinence. "I am ecstatic! I will have the opportunity to influence so many and show them a better way. Thank you for helping me strive for this! Please, I'm sure you all must be tired- you will be my honored guests at my manse as you rest for as long as you'd like. It seems the Pathfinder Society are better allies than I assumed!"
Irith shares, "Overseeing two districts will be quite the responsibility over the next several years, but one that I am thankful to shoulder. As thanks for your counsel, I'd like to present you with a miser’s mask."
As you catch up to the slow-moving, elderly Vayde, he gazes past his long nose at you. "Please, do not share what you have surmised with anyone. There is critical knowledge for my family that I hope is locked in the scriptum. As thanks for your discretion, please take this headband of unshakeable resolve."
Before your group leaves toward Temel's manse, you see Cyran standing in shock. As you arrive, his eyes drift up from the sandy floor. "I... am not used to losing. I was quite sure I had put in enough resources to win, but seems that someone outmaneuvered me at the end." He continues with steel in his voice, "I will find out what happened, and make sure it never happens again." He continues in a gentler tone, "Regardless of that, I thank you all for speaking with me. It was enlightening to meet so many of you on the Material Plane that come in such... shapes and sizes. As a token of thanks, here is a wand that has served me well in the past."
Before you leave, Cyran also says, "And if you'd like, I'd be happy to teleport your group to Absalom whenever you area ready to leave. Just have Temel send me a message and it will be done."
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Tiny feels there is no great mystery in the loss of one district to Myrosype-- not after their information was compromised. He bows deeply to Temel and the others, and accepts their gifts with the thanks of the Society.
"This has been profitable for all. Best of fortune in your future endeavors."
With that done, he busies himself eating lots of food from the sumptuous Druman buffet tables until the others are ready to take Cyran up on his offer of teleportation.
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The group enjoys relaxing at Temel's estate, then heads back to Absalom thanks to Cyran's teleport. The Grand Lodge is bustling with activity, as many Pathfinders are gearing up for expeditions out to the Planes of Earth, Fire, Air, and Water.
Venture-Captain Brackett and Trade Prince Aaqir al'Hakam urgently arrive in a meeting room once they receive news of your arrival. Breathlessly, Aaqir al'Hakam shares, "Welcome back, Pathfinders! How did your adventure unfold?"
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In a language both the VC and the Trade Prince speak, Kivuli recounts everything from the encounter on the bridge though the final bids.
"We worked very hard to block Myrosype. We had everything wrapped up until Myrosype offered a bribe in exchange for intelligence on our efforts. Syndra accepted the bribe, recounting all of our efforts. This unfortunately resulted in Myrosype manipulating the bid to win the Wharf. None of this addresses how she almost got us all arrested at the border and nearly ruined the mission single-handedly."
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Raven would offer a sign of respect before nodding at Kivili's report after asking some one for a translation. "He speaks the truth. I am embarrassed to report as well that I offered very little help in the bidding section as well. On the bright side we kept her from earning a monopoly on the city itself."
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After hearing about the bribe, Venture-Captain Brackett assures you that he will investigate. The Trade Price, however, seems ecstatic. "Only one district?! That is amazing! Pathfinders- she was set to win the whole city! You must have some silver tongues to influence so many powerful individuals. This is quite the achievement! Come now, we must celebrate!"
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Tiny bows low to the venture captains, backing up his companions' words of what happened but offering little else. The normally cheerful tiefling is withdrawn and thoughtful, and after the Trade Prince has suggested celebrating, he takes off his mask to let his faction leader see his unhappy (if grotesque) face.
"I will say no with many thanks, wise Trade Prince. I have been given much to think on! Trade grows only in the river of trust.
"Small-friend companions, it has been my honor to travel with you. May your future journeys be profitable," Tiny says, replacing his mask, and shouldering his bladed staff as he goes to meditate on the many paths of fate.