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IC: *Auction notices appearing across the land*
Posted: 23 May 2005 05:05 AM |
Large dark obsidian slates, with a strange quill somehow filled with a luminous green ink attached to them, have appeared in the following places:
Brandibuck inn
Buckshire Trading post
The cavern of Nu'men
The mage tower of Naillamne
The PAJWT in Port Royale
They have written in perfectly formed lettering, the following message:
We, the Gathering, are offering for auction the remains, and certain memories, of the mage named Malakai Fenghuul. The successful bidder will receive...
1) The body of this mage, intact and still with the possibility of being restored to life.
2) All possessions the body had upon him at the time of death.
3) All necessary information as to be able to retrieve the halfling known as Johe the guyver. Who as of this morning has exhausted the last of his food and water in the place of his captivity. A place so well warded we do not believe any will find it without this information.
4) Information as to how to release the halflings of Brandibuck from the new forms they find themselves bound within. Some it is already too late for this to be achieved for. But by the cessation of this auction at least twenty five halflings -may- be freed if swift action is taken.
5) The answer to three questions posed as if to Malakai when he was alive, but with a guaranteed truthful answer. We accept no responsibility for what questions he can and cannot answer, but will guarantee he will answer as truthfully and completely as he is able. The questions must be posed immediately upon receipt of the prize.
No single part of this lot may be bid for. The entire lot will go to the successful bidder, who may do with it as they please.
All bids are to be written upon this slate. We regret that those shielded from mind magic will be unable to bid. The starting bid is one million gold. All bids must be guaranteed by the bidder, funds must be immediately available, gold is the only currency we will accept. This auction will run for one week, or until a full day has passed without a higher bid being placed. Bids may be confidential, or with any assumed identity desired, as we will know your true identity.
*the rest of the sizeable slate is blank. Any legend lore or the like cast upon the slate reveals no malign purpose, beyond protection of the slates themselves, and a plethora of security measures to guarantee bids are authentic* |
'The bond that links your true family is not one of blood, but of respect and joy in each other's life. Rarely do members of one family grow up under the same roof.' - Richard Bach, Illusions. |
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Re: IC: *Auction notices appearing across the land*
Posted: 23 May 2005 07:15 AM |
*Cantor marches into Buckshire Trading post and immediately checks the message board*
"Ahh, excellent," he mutters to himself, "well, lets see how many other serious contenders there are."
*Cantor enters a bid of 2 million gold and openly signs it with his name* |
Cantor Matriel - "How much?" |
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Re: IC: *Auction notices appearing across the land*
Posted: 23 May 2005 08:29 AM |
| *The quill is seen smoothly flowing across the slate in Brandibuck tavern, held by an invisible hand. A bid of two million and fifty thousand gold is written upon the slate. The handwriting is non-distinctive, perhaps deliberately so. And the bid is left unsigned.* |
'The bond that links your true family is not one of blood, but of respect and joy in each other's life. Rarely do members of one family grow up under the same roof.' - Richard Bach, Illusions. |
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Re: IC: *Auction notices appearing across the land*
Posted: 23 May 2005 02:57 PM |
*Leon Black reads the slate and ponders to himself that the vendor is missing an oportunity*
*After more carefull consideration he attempts to write the following*
" 2000 gold for a toe "
*and signs his name*
((The ink ceases flowing from the quill when he attempts to write this. And no other method of writing works upon the slate. It would seem bids that abide by the laid out terms are the only ones that the quill will allow to be written. - editted by Sirac)) |
If you catch a butterfly.
You can either keep it and watch it die.
Or let it go and watch it fly away.
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Re: IC: *Auction notices appearing across the land*
Posted: 23 May 2005 06:18 PM |
*With a flourish, Jack Flashblade bounds into the Brandibuck trading halls. Taking the pen carefully with manicured fingers he writes a bid of Two million and one hundred thousand upon the slate*
*His dress is less exquisit than normal, rather than wearing his usual loud and gordy silks, he wears last seasons party gear. Almost as though he had just sold his shirt...* |
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Re: IC: *Auction notices appearing across the land*
Posted: 23 May 2005 11:10 PM |
*Cantor looks across the last two bids and his mouth twists into a scornful smile* "Such small bidding increases," he mutters. "What are they playing at?"
*Cantor stands and frowns at the slate for a minute before placing a bid of 3 million gold and signing it.* "Well, let's see if they're really as poor as they make out." |
Cantor Matriel - "How much?" |
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Re: IC: *Auction notices appearing across the land*
Posted: 24 May 2005 02:06 AM |
*perfectly formed lettering appears beneath the latest bid*
We acknowledge the bidding stands at three million gold. We will accept bids from consortiums. For such a bid to be entered, all that would form a part of the consortium must hold the quill, speak aloud the terms of their share of the bidding and how much gold they will contribute to the overall bid. The last person to do so must then write the final total amount of the bid. If none of the terms spoken aloud conflict, and the total amount offered tallies, the bid will be accepted.
We would draw attention to Malakai's status as one of the master artificers in the land. And to his knowledge of much forgotten magic. And to his status as possibly the most hated mortal to those of Netharu, making his body of great worth to them. And we welcome any further bids...
The Gathering. |
'The bond that links your true family is not one of blood, but of respect and joy in each other's life. Rarely do members of one family grow up under the same roof.' - Richard Bach, Illusions. |
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Re: IC: *Auction notices appearing across the land*
Posted: 24 May 2005 08:39 AM |
| An invisible figure takes up the quill in Brandibuck tavern, and quickly writes a bid of three million and fifty thousand gold. By the time the new bid is noticed by a tavern filled with worried looking halflings, and half hearted cheering breaks out...the door to the tavern opening and closing has long since been missed. |
'The bond that links your true family is not one of blood, but of respect and joy in each other's life. Rarely do members of one family grow up under the same roof.' - Richard Bach, Illusions. |
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Re: IC: *Auction notices appearing across the land*
Posted: 24 May 2005 02:12 PM |
Another bid is placed upon the slate in the brandibuck tavern, though the handwriting is notably different. The bid is for three million, one hundred thousand gold. An unsure hush falls upon the tavern once they notice this new bid...
((to make clear, once a bid is made, all other slates immediately show the same bid, though more faintly. It is clear where the bid was actually written)) |
'The bond that links your true family is not one of blood, but of respect and joy in each other's life. Rarely do members of one family grow up under the same roof.' - Richard Bach, Illusions. |
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Re: IC: *Auction notices appearing across the land*
Posted: 24 May 2005 02:18 PM |
| Within minutes of the new bid being placed, a further bid is written upon the PAJWT slate. The bid is in yet another handwriting style, and offers three million, one hundred and fifty thousand gold. Nobody sees the bidder enter or leave... |
'The bond that links your true family is not one of blood, but of respect and joy in each other's life. Rarely do members of one family grow up under the same roof.' - Richard Bach, Illusions. |
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Re: IC: *Auction notices appearing across the land*
Posted: 24 May 2005 03:49 PM |
| Another bid placed in the Brandibuck inn. This time, with so many recent bids, the quill is seen by an observant halfling to simply vanish, then the words are written upon the board, to be met by startled gasps. Three million, two hundred thousand. Again no signature is placed aside the bid. |
'The bond that links your true family is not one of blood, but of respect and joy in each other's life. Rarely do members of one family grow up under the same roof.' - Richard Bach, Illusions. |
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Re: IC: *Auction notices appearing across the land*
Posted: 24 May 2005 04:00 PM |
| Again, within minutes of the bid appearing upon the brandibuck slate, the quill rises into empty air, watched by numerous eyes who still see nothing of the author. A bid is written of three million, two hundred and fifty thousand gold in bold precise lettering. |
'The bond that links your true family is not one of blood, but of respect and joy in each other's life. Rarely do members of one family grow up under the same roof.' - Richard Bach, Illusions. |
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Re: IC: *Auction notices appearing across the land*
Posted: 24 May 2005 04:17 PM |
Another bid is placed in PAJWT for three million, three hundred thousand gold. The handwriting once again looks totally different to all the previous bids, though a very discerning eye might notice a certain similarity between certain of the bids...
((requires a spot of over 30 to be able to notice this trait)) |
'The bond that links your true family is not one of blood, but of respect and joy in each other's life. Rarely do members of one family grow up under the same roof.' - Richard Bach, Illusions. |
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Re: IC: *Auction notices appearing across the land*
Posted: 24 May 2005 04:32 PM |
A bid in Brandibuck again. Three million, three hundred and fifty thousand gold. The handwriting looks similar to the discerning eye to the bid placed three prior to this bid.
((spot skill of 15 required to notice this)) |
'The bond that links your true family is not one of blood, but of respect and joy in each other's life. Rarely do members of one family grow up under the same roof.' - Richard Bach, Illusions. |
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Re: IC: *Auction notices appearing across the land*
Posted: 25 May 2005 04:03 AM |
*Cantor enters a new bid of three million five hundred thousand gold and signs his name*
To anybody observing this signing, they would notice Cantor standing strangely and muttering something. A listen skill of 12 would be able to notice another low voice muttering something also.
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Cantor Matriel - "How much?" |
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Re: IC: *Auction notices appearing across the land*
Posted: 25 May 2005 08:32 AM |
| Yet another anonymous bid is placed in the Brandibuck tavern. Either there is a multitude of interested parties, or someone with some scholarly skill is making a good attempt to change their handwriting style with each bid. The new bid is for three million, five hundred and fifty thousand gold. |
'The bond that links your true family is not one of blood, but of respect and joy in each other's life. Rarely do members of one family grow up under the same roof.' - Richard Bach, Illusions. |
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Re: IC: *Auction notices appearing across the land*
Posted: 25 May 2005 02:14 PM |
*In flowing script, below the last bid the following is written*
I, Captain Jack Flashblade, and the consortium i represent, bid Three million seven hundred thousand coins of purest gold.
This 'tis upon the condition that Rasputin of Elbereth adds half a million golden coins to this bid, making a total of Four million and two hundred thousand golden coin.
If we are succesful in our bid, Rasputin of Elbereth will recieve the information we hope to lead to the discovery, and subseqant saving of the Halflings, and my promise of aid in recovering or restoring them.
I will recieve all else from the lot to split amongst the consortium i represent as i see fit.
Captain Jack Flashblade
((this bid does not glow with the same green light as the other successful bids, seemingly awaiting confirmation from this Rasputin - edit by Sirac)) |
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Re: IC: *Auction notices appearing across the land*
Posted: 25 May 2005 03:46 PM |
| *The above bid glows green and is accepted after Rasputin's signature is added to the bid. The bid stands at four million, two hundred thousand gold.* |
'The bond that links your true family is not one of blood, but of respect and joy in each other's life. Rarely do members of one family grow up under the same roof.' - Richard Bach, Illusions. |
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Re: IC: *Auction notices appearing across the land*
Posted: 25 May 2005 06:27 PM |
| Bid at Brandibuck of four million, two hundred and fifty thousand gold. |
'The bond that links your true family is not one of blood, but of respect and joy in each other's life. Rarely do members of one family grow up under the same roof.' - Richard Bach, Illusions. |
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Re: IC: *Auction notices appearing across the land*
Posted: 25 May 2005 06:52 PM |
| Jack Flashblade and Rasputin stand side by side and speak their terms for another bid. Four million, three hundred thousand gold is bid. |
'The bond that links your true family is not one of blood, but of respect and joy in each other's life. Rarely do members of one family grow up under the same roof.' - Richard Bach, Illusions. |
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Re: IC: *Auction notices appearing across the land*
Posted: 26 May 2005 01:13 AM |
*Cantor walks into the Buckshire trading post holding his axe of the sentinel. He quickly mutters a command word then peers around at his surroundings. He nods in satisfaction and walks up to the board*
*Cantor enters a bid of 4 million five hundred thousand while muttering something unintelligible, he then offers the quill to a block of empty air to his right. The quill dissappears and another messy signiture is signed while the invisible partner also mutters terms of the agreement* |
Cantor Matriel - "How much?" |
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Re: IC: *Auction notices appearing across the land*
Posted: 26 May 2005 02:48 AM |
*The same precise lettering appears as before*
We, the Gathering, thank all the interested parties for their bids. As of now, all bids must be in increments of two hundred and fifty thousand gold. No smaller increase will be accepted. All other terms and conditions remain the same. We confirm the current bid stands at four and a half million gold. |
'The bond that links your true family is not one of blood, but of respect and joy in each other's life. Rarely do members of one family grow up under the same roof.' - Richard Bach, Illusions. |
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Re: IC: *Auction notices appearing across the land*
Posted: 26 May 2005 05:30 AM |
| Jack Flashblade and Rasputin enter another bid, side by side, for four million, seven hundred and fifty thousand gold. |
'The bond that links your true family is not one of blood, but of respect and joy in each other's life. Rarely do members of one family grow up under the same roof.' - Richard Bach, Illusions. |
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Re: IC: *Auction notices appearing across the land*
Posted: 26 May 2005 10:51 AM |
Eleanor walks into Ye Hole in De Ground Inn with a warm smile on her face, and walks across to the slate. With a grin to Winky, she begins to write on the slate.
Ten Million gold pieces –Eleanor Thorn, the people of Brandibuck, and their benefactors
She then turns to the people gathered in the Tavern, bows her head, and walks out without a word |
Eleanor Thorn- Tinker and apprentice wizardess |
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Re: IC: *Auction notices appearing across the land*
Posted: 26 May 2005 11:18 AM |
| *The Halflings look around, shocked. Some wonder how a Halfling came to possess so much money, and whether there is foul play involved. Many look to Winky, to find a reassuring smile upon the gnomes face. Then music begins to play, and the Halflings begin to cautiously smile and laugh, praying to Kaldair that their problems will soon be over.* |
'The bond that links your true family is not one of blood, but of respect and joy in each other's life. Rarely do members of one family grow up under the same roof.' - Richard Bach, Illusions. |
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