M: "So it has come to my attention that your interest in the Scriptorum has nothing to do with politics, but rather that the library contains an exceptionally rare tome."
V: "What? How does everyone know this? Did those Pathfinders tell you that? Is that what you were meeting with them about? Spying on me??"
M: "No, no. Those Pathfinders were anything but helpful. I have my own resources, and they are definitely not amongst them. How I know is of no consequence anyway. Hear me out, I think you will agree that it is very fortuitous for you that I know."
V: "I'm listening."
M: "Here's what I propose. You are clearly the one with the high bid on the Scriptorum. Tell me exactly what you've bid. Allow me to one up you by a single gold, and do not re-bid. I will let you have your book for HALF of what you were bidding anyway. I want to district, you want the book. We split the cost. It doesn't get any more 'mutually beneficial' than that."
V: "Wait...you would s-sell me the book? Outright? I had never even considered that an option. No follower of Kalistrade would dare sell a priceless historical artifact from the Scriptorum's library."
M: "Well, lucky for you, I'm not a prophet. I don't even even care what the book is. One book of your choice, half the bid price. Do we have a deal?"
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Graves shrugs. "Nothing has contradicted any of our information. Bracket said she was the financier. She herself has admitted to a strong connection to the Consortium... and we've seen her dealing with the bastards that killed the Master of Spell."
"I...I don't know. She has a connection, yes, and maybe you're right. I was just expecting to see so much more in her past, based on our briefing. Surely, she should have blood on her hands, or have been involved in some way in the planning for the attacks if she was providing the financial backing. It really looks like she might just be a banker of sorts that happens to do business with the consortium, that's getting her unrelated business prospects destroyed by the society to weaken the consortium indirectly. I feel much less comfortable engaging in this kind of opposition than I would to someone more directly involved in the attacks."
"Regardless, I'll refrain from accepting her offer due to my own uncertainty, respect for everyone here and the job we've been asked to perform, but I am no longer certain I'm happy with what we've accomplished. I will need to think and see on this for some time, I am afraid."
V: "That is a most generous offer Myrosype. I must consult with my d...my source. Uhm, to make certain that this will be an acceptable method of acquisition."
M: "Your what, for why??...whatever, I don't care about the particulars, I just need to know your answer. And soon."
V: "I shall find you as soon as I have a response."
With that Vayde leaves.
A short while later Myrosype leaves to tend to other guests. and you can slip out.
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Shi waited a few minutes before exiting the room after the two departed. Once outside, he quickly made his way to join the others.
"I think Myrosype found Vayde's weakness. She is offering to sell one of the books of Vayde's choice in the Scriptorium for half the current bid, "if" he tells her his bid so she can beat it by a gold piece." Shi said. "Not sure how to use it to our advantage. Is there a clause in the bidding process that bids are secret until after all bids are in? Maybe pass the word to the others that Vayde is offering a non-believer access to the Scriptorum?" Shi said, giving a full breakdown of the conversation between the two.
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After he exits the room with Myrosype, Ela nonchalantly tails him and approaches when he is sufficiently separated from the Aspis woman.
Sooooo... how did your meeting with her go, Vayde? If she's trying to talk you out of her district, don't trust any promises too quickly. She threw some lofty promises at us as well.
With your knowledge of the arcane you recognize a vanish spell but he must have been able to cast using Silent, Still and perhaps even Quicken to do so instantly like that. You hear the rapid tapping of a cane near the top of this long flight of stairs. You run after but there is no trace of him.
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Uh oh
Ela quickly rejoins the group to warn them of this turn of events. She walks up with her hands held out to her sides in an expression of clear resign.
Well, I guess Myrosype had a productive meeting with Vayde. He's turned and is now actively avoiding any contact from us. He fled my presence with a vanish spell....that was silent, still, AND quickened... Impressive really... I need to learn how to do that...
She trails off slowly pondering the spell and forgetting the matter at hand for only a brief moment. She snaps back to attention.
Anyway, he no longer values our input and can't be counded on to keep a district from that vile Aspis woman.
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"Well, I guess that forces our hand, then." Graves says, with a dissatisfied frown. "Let's see if we can't keep Cyran on board, at least."
He goes to find the man, and strikes up a conversation.
"Well, it would seem this all nears an end finally. I imagine the process is quite a bit different than some planar negotiations."
"Though no less convoluted." He adds, with a slight grin.
"You've probably done well to avoid working with the Consortium. Can only imagine what sort of thing they'd get into with a solid trade route into the outer planes."
"You should be able to do just fine on your own, I'd say. Your experience will no doubt be invaluable. The Wharves will do you well there, though if you really want to move product, having the storage warehouses in Working End would probably go a long way."
"Myrosype might try to wrest that bid from you, just to force you to deal with her." He adds. "You've already invested a fair amount to acquiring both... a few more coins for the End can't do any harm, and might make cross planar trade all the more lucrative."
"You're right. I really do prefer to work alone, especially for anything I want done perfectly. Five years is difficult to predict. And a long time for someone like that to get nosey. I think I would much rather keep my business affairs to myself. Thank you for the reminder. I shall go settle this matter with Hegio for good."
As expected, you see Vayde 'reappear' near Myrosype. She then talks to Hegio, who announces the conclusion of the event.
"I want to thank everyone for attending, and of course, the bidders for making this a successful new chapter in Alabastrine's future. The FINAL results are as follows:
Courts of Abstinence, Temel Passad
Luminous Wharf, Cyran Androtus
Prophets Burg, Irith Nomazamo
Scriptum, Myrosype
Working End, Cyran Androtus
Congratulations to the winners. Final payments can be arranged at the Esteemed Bureaucratic Foundation anytime in the next seven days. I hope to see all the bidders and maybe more in another five years!"
As Hegio declares the results, Myrosype's expression grows increasingly sour. By the end she leaves in disgust, heading towards the private quarters.
As soon as she leaves, the staff begins ushering people out of the arena.
Cyran approaches Ela, but addresses you all, "Well! It seems we're no longer welcome here. I am anxious to meet with Trade-prince Aaqir al'Hakam and discuss the possibilities. I have no further business in Kerse today and would happily teleport all of us to Almas if you are ready.
If you have business in Kerse, I can meet you at Temel's in a day or two, at your discretion."
"As you wish. I'll stop by in a couple days to collect you. And thank you. I had not given Alabastrine serious consideration previously. But the vast spaces I now have at my disposal there will make an excellent base of operations for my burgeoning interplanar transport business as well as the means to distribute locally."
"Please, stay as long as you like, as my guests. The Pathfinder Society has proven a most valuable ally. Something I shall not doubt again. I thank you sincerely for your efforts. I do not believe I could have purchased the Courts for the price I did without your help dividing Myrosype's vast resources. If any of you wish to follow in the Prophet's footsteps I will gladly assist you in such worthy pursuits."
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"As you wish. I'll stop by in a couple days to collect you. And thank you. I had not given Alabastrine serious consideration previously. But the vast spaces I now have at my disposal there will make an excellent base of operations for my burgeoning interplanar transport business as well as the means to distribute locally."
She smiles at his approval and lights up at the possibilities of employment he now possesses.
AND the local trade market has a fair amount of affluence to match your high-value planar goods. If it's alright with you, I may return one day seeking employment in your trade empire to gain some of my desired planar experience. I will continue with the society for now, but remember me!
She keeps it brief and leaves him be to celebrate his winnings, returning to Temel's estate with the team.
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"Please, stay as long as you like, as my guests. The Pathfinder Society has proven a most valuable ally. Something I shall not doubt again. I thank you sincerely for your efforts. I do not believe I could have purchased the Courts for the price I did without your help dividing Myrosype's vast resources. If any of you wish to follow in the Prophet's footsteps I will gladly assist you in such worthy pursuits."
We're glad to help! We should only need to stay a couple of days, when Cyran will join us and conclude some business with The Exchange. We appreciate your hospitality. You must be relieved that this is all over!
"I am glad to be done with that auction. Although this venture is really just beginning. I am excited to get underway. Now I just need to sell the idea to the Chellish. They are skilled negotiators for sure. But I will be much more comfortable in that environment."
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Before the return trip, Jon thanks Temel. "Your hospitality has been tremendous, and the Pathfinder Society owes you a debt for stepping up and making a play when we asked it of you. Thank you."
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"It went well, Venture-Captain." Jon grins. "About as good as expected, I think. Myrosope was left with a single district, so her time and money will be spent managing that while having little real influence."
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Ela then immediately gestures towards Cyran, excited to unveil his intended alliance with the Pathfinder Society.
And better than that, we found the mutual beneficiary you were looking for: a trade partner in Druma! I think you already know Cyran Androtus. His winnings allow him to setup a hub for inter-planar travel there, and he finds a partnership with us beneficial to minimizing his efforts in the Prime Material Plane.
The young elf steps aside a bit to let Cyran speak for his own enthusiasm, after the intro of sorts. After he and Aaqir have spoken at length, Ela speaks up about her interest in the planes.
Trade Prince, I don't presume that you would have me lead missions any time soon, but I would love it if I could be assigned to more missions related to planar travel soon. Perhaps once this trade network is setup, I could specialize in work related to that? It would give me a chance continue interests of study from my time at the Arcanamirium.
You notice her voice breaking ever-so-slightly, as she can barely contain her excitement at the prospect. Her round face gets a little redder as she speaks. Her face sobers and sours a bit as she suddenly remembers Myrosype.
Also, I suspect the Aspis won't end their efforts to thwart us with their failed attempt in the auction. We achieved our goals in Druma... but there is much work to do.
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Trade Prince, I don't presume that you would have me lead missions any time soon, but I would love it if I could be assigned to more missions related to planar travel soon. Perhaps once this trade network is setup, I could specialize in work related to that? It would give me a chance continue interests of study from my time at the Arcanamirium.
"Well, 'soon' may be a bit too ambitious. But there is a rather delicate mission on my desk that will require agents with your finesse. I fear it may be too dangerous for you...just yet. The project is codenamed: 'Cindersworn'. Seek me out when you have more experience."
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"It went well, Venture-Captain." Jon grins. "About as good as expected, I think. Myrosope was left with a single district, so her time and money will be spent managing that while having little real influence."
"Yes, I do believe that is the best possible outcome we could have hoped for. Politics in Isger continue to look favorable to increasing trade with Druma. Alabastrine will become much more important. I'm sure Myrospye will be engrossed in those changes. But without having the control she desired, she will instead need to dedicate resources, and more importantly time, to protecting her investment there. Well done Pathfinders. I don't think I have anything further at this time."
"Oh! Some letters arrived for some of you...let me see what we have here..." He hands you a summons...perhaps your next mission?