NationStates Jolt Archive

Due to a lack of funding following an unfortunate event involving the accidental destruction of our capital city, the Ministry of the Occult is selling off a collection of oddities. These can take the form of arcane devices, holy relics, demonic weapons, just about anything imaginable.

The way this is going to work is that you send a character and request a certain item(s). Since I'm far too lazy to come up with a complete list of the weird items, just assume that whatever item you request is available (within reason). So, without further delay, let the sale begin.
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The Ministry of the Occult was a shadowy organization, and as befits such an organization, was located in a remote and most definitely unfriendly facility. On any other day, the barbed wire, land mines, armed guards, and black adamantium walls served the purpose of keeping away visitors, but not today. Today, the gates were open, auto-turrets deactivated, and a brightly lettered sign clearly pointed the way to the sale.

Lord Magus Balthazar stared blankly as a cargo shuttle loaded with artifacts moved up the shafts from the great subterranean vaults. So much had been lost already, but sacrifices had to be made to ensure the survival of the Ministry. Sighing, he turned his attention back to the task at hand, the sale of the items. Balthazar headed quickly to the entry hall to meet the customers as they arrived.

Father O'Reilly turned up being the standard of Jeruselem to see if there was anything of interest. He had instructions from Jeruselem Catholic Church to snap up all things Catholic of interest. It was a pretty awful place with most things Unholy and Pagan.

He spotted a collection of early Roman Catholic Church crosses and some Byzantines ones too in Gold and tendered $0.1 US million for the lot. A small Roman statue of Julius Caesar was standing at his feet and he picked it up "This too".

Balthazar grins as the priest purchases the Catholic artefacts. The sale was going well, already making a profit without the loss of any particualrly rare artefacts.

"On behalf of the Ministry, I thank you for your purchase, Father."

George was stunned that someone would rip off his idea. Ah well. All's fair in love and business. he thought to himself. He quickly went through the trash and found what he was looking for. Eighty wolf skins blesse by the Thousand Wolf Lord ought to do it. he ponderd over the exact details of the intricate ritual he was setting up.

George spotted some grass men and picked them up too. He approached the counter and said "How much?"

OOC:
Sorry Camel Eaters, didn't know you had a thread like this. Is it in International Incidents? I don't read that forum much anymore. :confused:

IC:
Balthazar pondered for a moment the price of the items, checking a partially complete list of inventory.

"Well, the grass men are quite cheap as just about anyone can make them. They'll cost you $20 US for the lot of them. The wolf skins are a different matter. Now, a regular wolf skin will cost you around $100 US, depending on the season. However, a blessed skin is gonna cost a bit more. I'll give you all eighty for $75,000 US."

Another magus arrives on the seen, placing a golden box of wheels and gears on a nearby table. It looks almost like a clock, except with thirteen hands slowly moving backwards. A small sign next to it reads as follows:

"Armageddon Clock, counting down the seconds for the next billion years. Just three easy payments of $19,999.95"

OOC: Meh. I got like thirteen pages out of the thing.

IC: George poked the man selling the stuff to him. After he bought it he poked him again. And again and again and again.

Balthazar stared at the man for a few seconds wondering what why he was poking him. Deciding it was unlikely the customer was actually poking him, Balthazar walked off to go take his medication. The magus had suffered from rather severe insanity ever since he was possessed by demons, and situations like this tended to make it worse.

Another Ministry employee walked up to the counter to take the customers' orders.

BUMP.

Some random fellow walks in and ignores the 'Do Not Touch' sign on a glowing, rune covered gem. The person bursts into flames, running around for a few seconds before turning into ash. A magus sweeps the ash into a dustbin, replacing the gem upon its stand with a long iron stick.

A well dressed, middle aged man, no older than 36, strolled into the Bazzar. He looked around, and waved down one of the many sales men peddling odd goods. "You wouldn't happen to have anything from the Vatican archives, would you?" he asked.

test

Some random fellow walks in and ignores the 'Do Not Touch' sign on a glowing, rune covered gem. The person bursts into flames, running around for a few seconds before turning into ash. A magus sweeps the ash into a dustbin, replacing the gem upon its stand with a long iron stick.

"How much for the sparkly flaming gem?"

Nexlon was a tall fellow with glasses and black hair. He stared intently at the Rune-Marked gem with interest. He had always wanted something like that.

"On another note, got any Magic Swords I could use?"

A salesman (who will remain without name) ponders the Imitoran's request. Walking to a contained dimensional rift, he reaches in. After feeling around for a few seconds, he pulls out an original text written by Galileo.

"No one will be missing this for a while. That will come to $500,000 US. It should be more, but seeing as it isn't mine, I can make an exception."
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The magus selling the burning gem looks up as Nexlon arrives.

"This, my friend, is a rune stone crafted by a master artisan, very rare, very dangerous. It could serve as a limitless source of energy, a horrific weapon, or just an interesting decoration. It will cost you one million dollars. Just be careful not to let it touch your skin, it tends to set people's souls on fire, most unpleasant."

The magus laughs, gesturing towards the ash-filled dustbin.

"As for magical swords, we have many hundreds. Many say they have the best results from our demonically possessed weapons, though some like to stick to the old flaming swords of death."

The Imitoran smiled. "You read my mind. I'm willing to pay tripple if you have the two sister texts. I'm also willing to pay sixty thousand a piece for the 'missing' gospels."

The salesman pulls out a reference book, checking a few entries before responding.

"The gospels shouldn't pose too much trouble, but the other texts might take a little longer. Feel free to look around, I'll be back in a few minutes."

He walks to the dimensional rift, jumping in. In the Vatican, he pops out of a wall, searching around for the items in question.

The Imitoran nodded. He looked around, looking for anything else of intrest.

"Done," Said Nexlon, handing the Magus a credit card. He picked up the Gem carefully with a pair of gloved hands and slipped it into the pocket of his overcoat. He then went over to check out the swords.

Nexlon rifled through the collection for a few minutes before drawing out an gigantic Buster Sword. He cut the air with it, leaving a fizzling black line that seemed to slice the very matter around it. Huge Demonic Sword, Check. Soul Destroying Gem, another check. Seemed like a good combanation to Nexlon.

"How much for the sword?" He asked the Magus.

The magus smiles, tallying up the price.

"Ah, you have good taste in weapons. The Dark Blade of Nagh'Azriax is a most excellent sword. Wielded by the demon lord of the same name, it brought death to thousands in the service of hell and is just as effective now as it was then. Since you have already been such a good customer, I'll sell it for the same price as the gem, one million."

We're looking for any item that has any preturnatural ability to defy gravity on its own. We're willing to pay a nice sum for such objects.

A rather archaically dressed man, but with the long red hair common in Slaytanicca (albeit streaked with black and grey from age) and a well-trimmed Mephisto shouts exhuberantly from the bottom of one of the bookshelves. Embarassed by his own rudeness, he gets up and walks quickly towards the proprieter.

"Hey man, erm, is that really the King in Yellow down there? Is that for sale?"

An artifact dealer looked up at the visitor from Cloudships.

"I have something that should do nicely."

Making sure the restraining chains were in place, he took a sealed canister from a shelf filled with similar canisters. It immediately flew upwards, stopped only by the chains.

"This is the trapped essence of an sky elemental. As long as you keep it sealed, you have a perfect anti-gravity device. This little item will cost you fifty grand."
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The book dealer with whom the Slaytaniccan was speaking smiled slightly, adjusting a pair of spectacles.

"All items in this case are for sale. Needless to say, they are all real, accurate texts. We even have a few originals. I take particular pride in an original copy of the Book of Amun Ra."

Lord Vetin peered about, noting the presence of an Imitoran with watchful eyes. Yes, he'd heard about these from the Informational Ministry... the country with power enough to destroy an entire island. He'd keep an eye on them for sure.

Vetin was a tall, narrow man in the manner of most Cantanori nobles. His hair swept back over his scalp, revealing a high forehead, quite in place on the well-dressed, black-clothed form of the Lord High Minister of Trade.

He picked up an interestingly hued stone, red, with a flicker in its core. "This will go... quite well with the rest... What price this stone, storekeeper?"

((OOC: Imitora! Shoulda known I'd see you around. Read the post carefully and see'f you can figure out who I am.))

A 5'5" man walk in with metal case handcuffed to his right hand and is dress in a three piece black suit. Two armed guards walk in behind him. The man's hair is brown and has red eyes. The man name is Shinobi Shaw and is a Brimstone Mafia Boss.

"Lord JWolf is looking for some Egyptian things. What do you have?" asked Shinobi Shaw.

I believe thats a worthy sum. Money being wired to you immediately. I'll be taking that spirit. Now If I could just find my lead weights.

A dealer of antiquities notices the Mafia boss,

"Lord Wolf will doubtless be pleased to hear that we have the Book of Amun Ra as well as a number of mummies. When brought back to life, some of these mummies can be quite useful. Some might try to fulfil ancient curses, so for obvious reasons we like to keep the mummies nice and dead. We also have various idols and amulets of Egyptian origin, though most are of little use to any but art collectors. The book is an original, so the price is up for negotiation."
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The dealer of magical stones looks up as Lord Vetin spoke to him.

"That stone will cost seventy thousand. It has the power to... well it has very little power, actually. A nice eternal light source, though. It helps to keep away spirits as well. Lucky the soul destroying gem was already purchased, our insurance prices are awful with all these accidental deaths."

The Slaytaniccan scratched his beard as the man said this. The last part made his eyes bug.

"Shi.." a lump caught in his throat. "Sorry Sir." He coughed.
"Could I go outside and make a phonecall for a second? I'll be right back. Please, hold those books for me!"

The man stumbled, almost running from the shop, fumbling in his pocket for his phone and cigarettes with trembling hands as he left.

A dealer of antiquities notices the Mafia boss,

"Lord Wolf will doubtless be pleased to hear that we have the Book of Amun Ra as well as a number of mummies. When brought back to life, some of these mummies can be quite useful. Some might try to fulfil ancient curses, so for obvious reasons we like to keep the mummies nice and dead. We also have various idols and amulets of Egyptian origin, though most are of little use to any but art collectors. The book is an original, so the price is up for negotiation."

"Get me a second." said Shinobi Shaw.

Using his cellphone, Shinobi Shaw called Lord JWolf personal phone.

"My Lord, they have the Book of Amun Ra and several mummies. Plus, various idols and amulets of Egyptian origin. What do you what, my lord?" asked Shinobi Shaw.

"Buy the Book of Amun Ra and all of the mummies. Plus if they have them, the Sword Of Osiris, Anubis' throne, the Gem of Anubis (Has the power to turn people into the undead), and the Gem of Horus (Has the power of the skys)." said Lord JWolf.

"Ok, my lord. Will do." said Shinobi Shaw.

Shinobi Shaw turns back to the dealer of antiquities and says "Lord JWolf will took the Book of Amun Ra and all of the mummies you havw. Plus if you have them, the Sword Of Osiris, Anubis' throne, the Gem of Anubis (Has the power to turn people into the undead), and the Gem of Horus (Has the power of the skys)."

"How much? Just name the price because we have the money." said Shinobi Shaw.

OOC: How many Egyptian mummies do you have?

The doorbell clings melodically contrasting with the creaking of the wooden door being opened. The figure stands in the entrance momentarily, allowing his eyes to adjust to the dim room. His eyes followed the various other customers browsing the store, surveying all that was available for sale.

The Navy Blue hooded cloak, emblazoned in black with the Greenwood clan symbol was shifted aside to allow the one known as Sigrun to view the store's inventory more clearly. A closer look would reveal him to be an Elf of Tarlachia, yet few knew his true position in his clan. Not that it mattered here either. He was simply here to shop.

Sigrun walked up and down the rows slowly, his footsteps light, the anti-demon sword Lanta sheathed on his back with a hilt of elaborate design. Here and there, he picked up a random artifact, studied it, read the cards that stood next to them on the shelves for their information, and set them down once again.

His brown eyes spied the catalogue that sat on the counter not too far from the register. Picking it up, he flipped slowly through it, while simultaneously listening to the other customers go about their business. His eyes rested upon one page in particular.


Egyptian Transport Rings
A technological device that exceeded the capabilities of humans in its time that allowed travelers to travel with the use of the Rings of Ra. Nowadays, owners can use it to travel over short or great distances in a mere blink of an eye. Two homing platforms provided with each set.
Price: Negotiable

Sigrun studied the picture some more, then looked up at one of the magus nearby.

"Excuse me. How many of these do you have in stock?"

Outside, the Slaytaniccan pulled a pewter cigarette case from his pocket. After dropping the first two and snapping the third in his fingers he eventually got one lit. Taking a couple of slow drags he made his call. He talked exhuberanly into the phone for two or three minutes, not touching the rest of his cigarette, then hanging up reentered the shop, his face beaming, his eyes totally unblinking.

"We can offer you one million for The King in Yellow, and twenty for that and The Book of Amun Ra. US dollars. If you prefer."

A Ratheian man dressed in dark flowing robes steps into the bazaar and looks around with interest.

"A catalogue! I want things! Many things!"

He began shuffling towards a table and looking around at assorted before turning to one of the other men.

"Do you have any artifacts of the Crimson King?"

OOC: I have a dozen of the everyday sort of mummies and four of the evil cursed variety.
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A magus walks over to the Tarlachian Elf, looking at the catalogue entry his perspective customer was reading.

"Transport rings, eh? You're lucky to have gotten here when you did. We have just two left, a rather popular item. What would you be willing to pay for one (or both if you want)?"
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The book dealer looks first to the Mafia boss.

"The mummies are available, and will be sold once a price is agreed upon."

He looks next to the Slaytannican,

"I'm willing to accept that price, The King in Yellow is yours. As for the other item..."

At this, the dealer looks back to the Mafia boss, a rather nervous look on his face.

"As I was saying, the Book of Amun Ra seems to be contested between the two of you. The Slaytannican is willing to pay twenty million, what is your bid?"

A younger man, an employee of the book dealer goes over to one of the artifact dealers, returning with a list of items.

"Excuse me sirs, which one of you was looking for the Egyptian items? The Sword of Osiris and the Gem of Anubis are present and for sale. The Throne of Anubis is not in our inventory. The magi theorize it to be lost beneath the sands. The Gem of Horus has been missing from the archives for some three centuries, reportedly stolen by cultist revolutionaries."

At hearing the name of the Gem of Anubis the man inhaled sharply.

"I desire it! And any artifacts of the Crimson King, if you do have them."

He smiled at the men, a rather chilly smile. " One million for the Gem of Anubis and thirty million for the book of Amun-Ra."

The man's face fell, but his eyes lost none of their vitality.

"Thirty five. For a genuine original."

The book dealer looks first to the Mafia boss.

"The mummies are available, and will be sold once a price is agreed upon."

"How does two million for each everyday sort of mummy and four million for each evil cursed variety. 12 everyday sort of mummies and 4 of the evil cursed variety mummy. The total is 24 million for each everyday sort of mummy and 16 million of the evil cursed variety mummy. said Shinobi Shaw.

"Here is 40 million for the mummies. Have your people load them in the trucks in the clear area in front of your store." said Shaw as he give the case to the man.

On radio, "Bring my another case." said Shaw.

As 5'8" man walk in with another case handcuffed to his left hand and a Heckler and Koch MP-5k in his right hand.

He looks next to the Slaytannican,

"I'm willing to accept that price, The King in Yellow is yours. As for the other item..."

At this, the dealer looks back to the Mafia boss, a rather nervous look on his face.

"As I was saying, the Book of Amun Ra seems to be contested between the two of you. The Slaytannican is willing to pay twenty million, what is your bid?"

Shinobi Shaw turns to the Slaytannican and said "You have two ways to pick from. The easy way or the hard way."

Behind Shaw, the two armed guards pulled their AK-108s and waited for the order.

A younger man, an employee of the book dealer goes over to one of the artifact dealers, returning with a list of items.

"Excuse me sirs, which one of you was looking for the Egyptian items? The Sword of Osiris and the Gem of Anubis are present and for sale. The Throne of Anubis is not in our inventory. The magi theorize it to be lost beneath the sands. The Gem of Horus has been missing from the archives for some three centuries, reportedly stolen by cultist revolutionaries."

"Me." said Shinobi Shaw.

"What are the price of the Sword of Osiris and the Gem of Anubis? Find the Throne of Anubis and Lord JWolf will pay good for it." said Shaw.

A small arab came looking for anything he could sell on at a latter stage.
"Deamonic jewels? Hairpins? old texts? statues? I buy!"
Naturally such things at home were now getting high prices - the council of faith was smashing all 'pagan' items and thus creating a dangerous high price market.

The Slaytaniccan nods at Shinobi, and grimaces. His eyes smoulder for a moment, then he turns back to the proprieter.

"Very well, just The King in Yellow. One million USD"

He offers the assistant his hand..

The Slaytaniccan nods at Shinobi, and grimaces. His eyes smoulder for a moment, then he turns back to the proprieter.

"Very well, just The King in Yellow. One million USD"

He offers the assistant his hand..

"You're a smart man." said Shaw.

A magus walks over to the Tarlachian Elf, looking at the catalogue entry his perspective customer was reading.

"Transport rings, eh? You're lucky to have gotten here when you did. We have just two left, a rather popular item. What would you be willing to pay for one (or both if you want)?"


Sigrun looked calmly into the man's eyes, studying them. He detected no ill intent, not at the moment.

Sigrun Greenwood (http://groups.msn.com/_Secure/0UQD1AuIZOENQxOsvgNTVpnvTxcezGhQMSerkSefT54kkMxaWZQ*8yZ!p1Iw51GxpbBo2nvm9EsFnYlJEch6nXHlN3tXt6O37iQ1 o0GRl4VoOX0nXWjVDkj4Zg9IH!kBg/hal-hd_las.jpg)

"I've sought the market for something of the sort, and have found a similar, but not exact duplicate, nor as reliable as these are known to be. They wanted six point five million fangs for a single set. Will you match or beat that price? I will pay that, and include a personal gratuity for yourself of five hundred thousands fangs."

The magus looked at him quizzically, "Fangs, good sir?"

Sigrun waved his hand away, as if to swat a fly, "My apologies. Vampire fangs are the current monetary transaction in Tarlachia. One fang is roughly equivalent to one and half USD."

Sigrun looked down at the catalogue, placed it down on the counter next to him and stood squarely in front of the man, with his hands clasped lightly behind his back. "Also-" he leaned in closer, bringing his voice down to a whisper, "-surely you have some items in storage that you do not normally sell on the market. I am willing to pay you twice the market value for something that might interest me. Will you take me to see them?"

Sigrun straightened his posture, patiently awaiting the magus' response.

Lord Vetin peered... and peered... and thought... and smiled. "Done and done. Do you have any... more like this?"

Having handed over seventy thousand dollars (30,000 CTK(Canta-Terpsi Kroner)) he pocketed the jewel. "Perhaps a blue one, or a yellow?"

The book dealer smiled, pleased the deal had gone so peacefully. No need to kill any customers today, he thought to himself. Waiting a few moments to see if any more bids were offered, he turned back to Shinobi Shaw.

"Congratulations, Lord JWolf is now the proud owner of the Book of Amun Ra as well as some top quality mummies. The Sword of Osiris goes for twenty (million) the Gem of Anubis for fifteen. What do you say to that? A small price to have the power of god in the palm of your hand, no?"

He waves to a dozen large, thug-like humans in a back room. They come out pushing carts carrying Egyptian sarcophagi.

"Don't worry, your mummies will be delivered as requested. For forty million, you deserve special treatment. Let's just say that you won't be having any tax problems with the border guards."

The book dealer turns to the Slaytannican, shrugging slightly before withdrawing the ancient text from its case.

"Here is the book you requested. Sorry about the Book of Amun Ra, but one can't really argue with a gun."
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The magus quickly ran the numbers in his head, silently calculating just how much profit this deal would make him.

"I will sell you the transport ring for six million, we make a point of beating the average market price."

He also lowers his voice, continuing in a rather conspiratorial tone.

"There are indeed items not commonly available. Vaults that no mortal has entered for centuries, things too rare, too dangerous for public sale. That little personal gratuity has more than earned you a visit to the under levels of the Imperial Archive. For five hundred thousand, I would take you to hell and back."

The book dealer smiled, pleased the deal had gone so peacefully. No need to kill any customers today, he thought to himself. Waiting a few moments to see if any more bids were offered, he turned back to Shinobi Shaw.

"Congratulations, Lord JWolf is now the proud owner of the Book of Amun Ra as well as some top quality mummies. The Sword of Osiris goes for twenty (million) the Gem of Anubis for fifteen. What do you say to that? A small price to have the power of god in the palm of your hand, no?"

"There is 60 million in this case. Lord JWolf will be happy." said Shaw as he hand the case to the book dealer.

"Now, do you know the location of the Throne of Anubis?" asked Shaw.

He waves to a dozen large, thug-like humans in a back room. They come out pushing carts carrying Egyptian sarcophagi.

"Don't worry, your mummies will be delivered as requested. For forty million, you deserve special treatment. Let's just say that you won't be having any tax problems with the border guards."

"Thank you." said Shaw.

"My university would have happily doubled whatever that dickhead was offering" the Slaytaniccan muttered to the assistant, once he thought Shinobi and his goons were out of earshot.

Seeing the black-bound book with it's yellow sign removed from the case made him regain some of his previous demeanor, however. No, he promised himself. He'd only read the first act. At least for tonight, anyway..

"Thank you so much! I'll have the funds transfered immediately. After that.. do you mind if I continue browsing for a while?" he asked.

"My university would have happily doubled whatever that dickhead was offering" the Slaytaniccan muttered to the assistant, once he though Shinobi and his goons were out of earshot.

Shinobi Shaw is a Pure Blood Vampire. He can everthing in the room.

"Did I hear you right? Did you call me a d***head or my leader a d***head?" said Shaw look over at the man show his fangs.

The Slaytaniccan paused, trying to ascertain whether he was experiencing a flashback. Certainly, until now he'd thought vampires a myth, just like most else in this shop. Still, he wasn't one to argue with two assault rifles..

"Sir, I'd certainly afford one of the esteemed Nosferatu more respect than that." he said, his tone low.

A rather unscrupulous dealer of curiosities finds the man from the North Star. A sucker born every day he thinks, walking up to the man.

"Greetings, I believe I could be of assistance. I am a purveyor of religious artifacts occult in origin."

He gestures to a small table overloaded with gilded statues of pagan gods. Most were harmless, lacking almost any real magical potential. Still, they are shiny and look quite valuable.
________________________________________________________________

The book dealer speaks quietly to Shinobi Shaw, looking around to see if anyone was listening.

"As I said, the Throne of Anubis is lost, officially at least. I have heard rumors from reliable sources that it is located within a temple buried beneath the sands of western Egypt. Fortunately for you, the Ministry of the Occult lacks the funds to go on expeditions of this magnitude."

As the book dealer was about to go into more detail, his customer began to shout something about an insult. Fearing the worst the dealer ducks behind the counter, grabbing a nasty looking multi-barreled handgun. Damn, I knew this would happen.
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The salesman speaking with Lord Vetin grinned, pointing to a shelf holding a few similar gems of varying color.

"A while back, the magi made a number of these things. They said something about integrating them into some monument to the Machine God, but nothing ever came of it. The price is less if you buy more than one."
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An assistant directs the Ratheian towards a merchant. The assistant whispers in the merchant's ear before walking away to see to another customer.

"So, you are looking for artifacts of the Crimson King? What sort of things were you in the market for?"

Sigrun released a warm smile, "Wonderful. I shall take both sets, if you don't mind."

His hand emerged from behind his back and was held palm-up. Reality spun about his hand, and moments later, a medium sized pouch appeared in his hand.

"Here's your money."

"Sir...this possibly can't--"

Sigrun held up his hand, smiling in response, "This bag is a magically enhanced bag. Much can be stored into it, and yet it will remain quite light-weight. In fact, keep it for yourself, I'm sure you'll find it useful for many things. Please, lead the way to this Imperial Archives you speak of."

Sigrun spun his fingers again, summoning another bag with the gratuity within it. He placed it into the magus' other hand, nodding slightly.

"Really? You see..." He leans confidentially closer to the merchant. "I'm collecting them. How many have you?"

The Slaytaniccan paused, trying to ascertain whether he was experiencing a flashback. Certainly, until now he'd thought vampires a myth, just like most else in this shop. Still, he wasn't one to argue with two assault rifles..

"Sir, I'd certainly afford one of the esteemed Nosferatu more respect than that." he said, his tone low.

"Whatever. Just don't piss me off." said Shaw.

The book dealer speaks quietly to Shinobi Shaw, looking around to see if anyone was listening.

"As I said, the Throne of Anubis is lost, officially at least. I have heard rumors from reliable sources that it is located within a temple buried beneath the sands of western Egypt. Fortunately for you, the Ministry of the Occult lacks the funds to go on expeditions of this magnitude."

As the book dealer was about to go into more detail, his customer began to shout something about an insult. Fearing the worst the dealer ducks behind the counter, grabbing a nasty looking multi-barreled handgun. Damn, I knew this would happen.

"Get me second. By the way, nice gun." said Shaw.

Using his cell phone, he called Lord JWolf.

"My Lord, you are proud owner of the Book of Amun Ra, 16 mummies, Gem of Anubis, and the Sword of Osiris." said Shaw.

"What about the Throne of Anubis?" asked Lord JWolf.

"They have heard rumors from reliable sources that it is located within a temple buried beneath the sands of western Egypt. But they don't have the money to get it, my Lord." said Shaw.

"Ok. Ask them how much money they will need?" said Lord JWolf.

"Will do, my Lord." said Shaw.

Shinobi Shaw turn back to the Book dealer and ask "How much money will need to get it?"

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An assistant directs the Ratheian towards a merchant. The assistant whispers in the merchant's ear before walking away to see to another customer.

"So, you are looking for artifacts of the Crimson King? What sort of things were you in the market for?"

He smiled at the man.

"The master wants several things. The Cloak of the King, though it is presumed lost, the staff of the Red King, and a little something we call Black Thirteen."

I need a price on the three works of Galalieo, the missing gospels, and the Spear of Longius...

OOC NOTE: If any prices seem too high, feel free to ask for a lower rate.

The salesman speaking with Lord Vetin looked pleased.

"We still have six of these glowing stones available. I will give you a discount of five thousand dollars on each stone if you buy more than one."
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The magus accepts the bags of money, briefly glancing inside to verify their contents. He smiles, pocketing the gratuity while placing the payment in a small safe.

"If you wish to see the Imperial Archives, timing is crucial. The entrance is located within this same Ministry compound, though it is a restricted area. When I go, follow at a discrete distance and the guards should suspect nothing."
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The book dealer speaking with Shinobi Shaw sighs, laying his gun on the counter.

"Thank you, this is an AIA Mk. IV assault pistol."

He looks around again to avoid being overheard.

"I am but a humble dealer of books. I simply don't have enough men to launch an expedition, whatever you would pay, and the Ministry has long since given up any effort to recover the Throne of Anubis. I could lead others, such as yourself, to the area. I would do this for four million (he would expect to negotiate this price down)."
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The merchant dealing with the Ratheian checks the catalogue before speaking.

"I can get you the Staff of the Red King, and if it is able to be found, The Cloak of the King as well. I need more information on Black Thirteen, as I can't reference it without a category."
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A magus steps back through the dimensional rift, the sounds of a shouting priest coming through the rift behind him. A short incantation seals the portal, preventing the return of the Vatican's goods. This time, the magus carries a stack of ancient manuscripts as well as the requested sacred relic.

"For the books, I will sell them for three million. The Spear of Longinus, however, is a different matter. It is a truly unique artifact, granting as I have heard, certain supernatural powers. Is this not the item that grants eternal life to its owner? If this is the same relic I have heard of, it will cost ten million."

"I will buy them all." Lord Vetin smiles coldly. "I thank you."

It should be noted that Vetin likes glowing things.

The book dealer speaking with Shinobi Shaw sighs, laying his gun on the counter.

"Thank you, this is an AIA Mk. IV assault pistol."

He looks around again to avoid being overheard.

"I am but a humble dealer of books. I simply don't have enough men to launch an expedition, whatever you would pay, and the Ministry has long since given up any effort to recover the Throne of Anubis. I could lead others, such as yourself, to the area. I would do this for four million (he would expect to negotiate this price down)."


"One second, please." said Shaw.

"My Lord, the book dealer said that he could take someone to the area for four million but he does not have enough men to launch an expedition." said Shaw in his cell phone.

"Ok. Four million sound good and tell him that we will supply the men and transports." said Lord JWolf.

"Yes, my Lord." said Shaw. Lord JWolf hung out the phone and Shaw did the same.

"Sir, Lord JWolf said that four million sounds good and that will supply the men and transports. We will pay you, went we are at the area." said Shaw to the book dealer.

OOC: Will not be on for the weekend. (I'm a hunter and I hunt on the weekend.)

Ilona Batory stepped into the sale. She was well known, in Callisdrun, for her part in the recent atomic weapons program, and for being quite possibly the strangest member of the faculty at the University of Callisdrun. For her part, she looked like what she was, a fairly young, eccentric college professor. That is, until she smiled. Damn, she thought. Only the second vampire in here. That guy will probably have known what to look for and taken everything by now. Hold on... what's this?. In her gloved hand (a precautionary measure), she held a small bluish stone that she had picked up from one of the shelves. Putting on her glasses, she saw instantly what it was. (OOC: Clive Barker reference). She put it in her little bag and moved on.

She then came across a statue that seemed a monument to pain. It had five figures in it, each facing outwards with a horrible expression of anguish. It was made of black marble, and bore several runic inscriptions. In the center was a female figure. She was not in anguish, and had fangs. Ilona grinned to find such a rare item. Ithtyr's Sirens had all been thought destroyed. This was quite a find, indeed.

Finally, she found what she had originally been looking for, a tome encased in iron, love and death, which was also refered to as The Book of Ithtyr. The other one she had been looking for, The Yggdrasilisk lay beside it. She opened the latter, as that was safer, and saw to her delight that it was an original, as it was entirely in runic.

Ilona picked these up and brought them to the desk, where a Magus waited. "I'd like to purchase these items. For the Siren of Ithtyr, I offer six million kroner, for the blue stone, a half a million. For the two books, twenty four million kroner." A stack of old yellowed papers caught her eye. They bore symbols she recogonized, pentagrams, various runes used only in the region, many that hadn't been used for thousands of years. "What are those papers, over there?"

Vetin left, barely containing his glee. Not many moments later, a short, dark-skinned man entered where Vetin had left, dressed in black. He glanced along the shelves, until his eyes lit on something rather interesting.

"Oh my."

He picked up the Almanik Timnoj ga Vrass, "Arcane Book of Shepherds." Gleefully he looked through it, finding that yes it was in the original Cantanori! He walked with it to the book-merchant.

"Deal," the Imitoran said, not pausing. He removed a money clip, and began flipping out bills. He pulled out a blank check, and wrote it out for 13million He handed the magus the check, and thanked him for the items.

Sigrun nodded, but then spoke, "I can do better than that. I need only to cast a cloaking spell and the guards shall never know I have gone past. I shall continue to browse the shop some more, and wait until you leave. Then you shall see only a small fraction of the power that lies within me."

With that, Sigrun turned away from the magus and continued to browse through the store, picking up the oddities, studying them, trying to ascertain their value to him.

With his back completely turned away from the magus, he simply tracked the man's movements by the sound of his breathing, his footsteps. Such was the gift of an elf's senses.

He appeared to be a sort of silent power in the room. Various sets of eyes turned to him as he passed, as if they couldn't help but feel the necessity to pay him the respect of a passing warrior. Yet, Sigrun was discreet enough to subvertely cause them to ignore him beyond the first several glances.

"If you have it, it will be in a rather shoddy looking box with 4 runes on it. Check to see. It should emit rather odd humming noises and may have killed someone in the past century or two."

He chuckled.

"Black Thirteen is not to be beheld, without proper protection."

Ilona heard noises as if someone was walking around behind her. She had a good sense of hearing. Very good. However, she paid them no attention, as it was probably only another customer behind a stack of items.

(OOC: I'll post my requests one at a time so as not to let my posts run too long.)

IC: From a cloud of pipe-smoke and a corner shrouded in inky shadow, he emerged, paler than the moon with ivory eyes and milk-white hair. An albino- a Lictorian albino, no less, which was very rare considering genetic engineering capabilities and a wish not to be reminded of the dark days of old, when the demon king ruled. Actually, the demon king was called a demon because he lacked superstition and respect for the elder rituals. But that is another tale. The albino, garbed in a many-pieced leather suit of all black with silver buckles and black straps running all along it, stepped closer to a merchant.
"Excuse me. There are some artifacts of ours we were hoping you may be able to get. There is a pot of bright yellow clay that we need. It dates back several millennia and you will find that it contains a cylinder of sheet-copper five inches by one point five inches. The edge of the copper cylinder should be soldered with a sixty inch by forty inch layer of lead-tin alloy. The bottom of the cylinder is capped with a crimped-in copper disk and sealed with bitumen or asphalt, we are not completely sure but our texts indicate this as the design. Another insulating layer of asphalt should seal the top and also hold in place an iron rod, suspended into the center of the cylinder. If the rod appears corroded with acid, then this is what we wish. It is one of our ancient inventions, you see- very, very, old indeed- an artifact battery. We have come to reclaim it from the humans that put it on display in museums before leaving it in their basements to gather dust. It is apart of our history and not theirs. We wish to possess it anew. What is your price?"

The book dealer nods to Shinobi Shaw, turning next to the small man from Cantano-Terpsichor.

"Do you desire to purchase this arcane text? If so, it carries the price of two and one half million dollars."
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A magus notices Ilona approach, carrying a number of items.

"You have good tastes in antiquities, and a good offer as well. These things are now yours. As for the papers, the ones with the pentagrams, I imagine they are a portion of the Al Azif version of the Necronomicon. It's getting harder and harder to come by any of the original text, with the Spanish Inquisition having burned so much of it."
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The magus speaking with Sigrun smiled.

"That is excellent, I would hate to see what would happen if the guards discovered our little plot."

He busied himself with filing the payment he had received, watching the guards for the perfect time to make his move.
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The merchant dealing with the Ratheian examines the inventory again.

"Hmm. Rune covered box, deadly. Ah ha, here it is. The inventory says it was placed in storage after it killed Magus Ivan almost one hundred years ago. It should be easy to acquire."
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A dealer of artifacts looked up as the Lictorian arrived.

"I know exactly what you mean. We have such an item. Fortunately, the Ministry has little interest in this ancient battery. Its price is a mere $US 250,000."

"Hmmmm..." Ilona picked up a few of the papers. Some contained detailed diagrams. "I will purchase these as well. I've been looking for an edition of the Necronomicon for quite some time now. The one in the archives is in such bad shape that only a few pages can be read. These look similar to the most deteriorated part in ours. How much for the work of the mad Arab?"

"Many thanks to you, sir. The money is yours. The second artifact we require is a crystalline skull. It is made from a single block of clear quartz, five inches high, seven inches long and five inches wide. It is about the size of a human cranium, with near perfect detail. In the event that you have many items like this, this one has a slightly more peculiar feature, and that is that it was carved with disregard to the natural crystal axis, one of our own special processes in traditional crystallography. If you look closely you will find that no metal tools were used and that there are no scratch marks."

A simple but deranged man dressed in black saunters up to the counter and asks if they have the Necronomicon or possibly even a frozen shoggoth or two. "We have been searching all over. They are impossible to find. My leader would be greatly appreciative and he is willing to pay any price."

"My leader also seeks the Black Stone of R'leyh. This is a very powerful, and might possibly be the most rare of all becuase it is not of human hands. Ad meiorum Cthulhi Gloriam!"

"Of course!" He lapsed for a moment into Cantanori. "Sieff-en-kor, sieff-en-kor... Ya! Hui ganst." He blinked. "Erm... yes. I have." He set a neat stack of bills on the table, and pranced away with the book.

Later that year, the sheep started getting weird in Cantano...

"I'll take it. I"ll take them all."

He smiled.

"Price is no matter."

The book dealer nods to Shinobi Shaw

"I will take the Book of Amun Ra & the Sword of Osiris & the Gem of Anubis & the mummies back to Wolf America. See you in two days." said Shaw.

Shaw and his two guards, with cases in their hands, head to front and to their trucks.

The ten trucks take off and head for a clear area forty miles away from the store, where two Highwind Transports (Airships) are at.

After 45 mins, the trucks roll into the Highwind Transports and the two airship take off back to Wolf America. ETA is in 18 hours.

Sigrun continued to browse the store patiently, waiting for the moment that he would steal away after the magus to the forbidden items...

(Just an IC bump/post)

The magus speaking with Ilona considers the price for a moment.

"Well, given that this Necronomicon is unbound, I will sell it for six million."
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The artifact dealer searches his inventory, looking for the Lictorian's requested item.

"Hmm, so many different skulls. Here it is, a humanoid crystal skull. This one's a little more expensive than the battery, $750,000 please."
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The book dealer speaks to the Volonian.

"We have the Necronomicon here, but our only original copy just sold. The ones still here are sufficiently ancient to remain unchanged, though. The Black Stone is hardly the strangest thing here. I guarantee you. Humanity is not a trait too common amongst these artifacts. What would you be willing to pay for the two of them?"
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The merchant speaking with the Ratheian smiled.

"If you want the artifacts of the Crimson King as well as the Black Thirteen, it will cost thirteen million. A fitting price don't you think?"
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The Magus dealing with Sigrun timed his exit carefully as the guards were patrolling elsewhere. He motions to Sigrun to follow him. Moving into a side hall, the noise of the sale was muffled by the obsidian walls, replaced with a tomb-like silence. At the end of the hall lies an armored door. Beyond that door, another hall six hundred and sixty-six feet long ends in yet another door, this one covered in runic inscriptions and warnings. Beyond this door lies the vast expanse of the Imperial Archive, the last resting-place of the Imperium's foulest creations and most horrific discoveries.

Sigrun didn't immediately take off after the magus, knowing that it would look suspicious. He casually browsed his way to where the magus had last been seen. Glancing around quickly, he ensured none were looking his way. With a small flick of his hand, his cloak swept upward and covered his head, and a few words of an ancient language was barely audible as he cast the invisiblity spell.

With great skill, he slipped silently past all the guards and was soon right behind the magus. His voice echoed telepathically in the magus's own head, startling him slightly, Now what items do you hide in the folds of your shadows? Speak with your thoughts, I can read them. This will ensure that we are not heard by anyone undesirable.

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The merchant speaking with the Ratheian smiled.

"If you want the artifacts of the Crimson King as well as the Black Thirteen, it will cost thirteen million. A fitting price don't you think?"
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"More than fitting. However, my good friend, there are other purchases that I shall add to my "cart".

He points to a set of floating orbs in the far corner of the room.

"What are those? I like the colors. Any powers?"

The magus speaking with Ilona considers the price for a moment.

"Well, given that this Necronomicon is unbound, I will sell it for six million."


"Thank you." Ilona wrote two checks, one for the items that were going in the University Library, and one for the items that were headed to her private collection. She then handed them to the Magus and picked up her purchases.

<<Bump>>

OOC: Sorry for the delay. Mid-term exams have left little time to post.

IC:
The magus lead Sigrun through the armored gates of the Imperial Archive. Stretching out before them, the archive expanded out of sight, gothic arches and columns supporting a ceiling hundreds of feet above. The room was well lit in places, dark as night in others. The Imperial Archive was poorly named, being created by an empire tens of thousands of years before the rise of the Imperium. The ancient sublevels were perilous places, inhabited by the creatures of darkness, and indeed the very secrets contained there were dangerous on their own.

The specific item the magus sought to sell was close at hand, less than a quarter mile in. It was a massive machine built around a series of rune inscribed rings. While presently inactive, the rings obviously fit together to form a portal of sorts, their surface hellishly warped and blackened by unseen energies.

The magus transmitted his thoughts back to Sigrun.

"This is the great Hell Gate, the most horrific device the Ministry created in the past millennium. It is stored here for our protection. This is the machine that unleashed a horde of demons so foul that they reduced the Imperial capital to smoking ruins and ended the lives of millions of our people."

do you have the black materia

The Chronosian Imperium, borne of Chaos, shall peruse your wares and will pay any price for anything of the Dark Gods, or ancient Old Ones....

To which dark gods do you refer? The Ministry of the Occult is familliar with many beings of supreme evil.

Interesting. Very interesting that you should possess an Inchion Gate, a Hell Gate, as you have referred to it. I know of some individuals back home that might be able to put this to good use. Oh, and if you are worrying about the possibility of our being overrun by the demons, you are mistaken. I know of one individual in particular who resides in Tarlachia who is more than capable of holding down the forces of darkness, and has allies of his own that are only a call away should he need them.

The magus looked at Sigrun quzzically. Really? Who, if you don't mind me asking?

Sigrun smiled, Liam Celadrin is his name. He has revealed his true presence to few, so powerful he is. He is from the heavens, a seraphim at that. His power is so pure that even I have a hard time looking at him. Does that satisfy you? Or, would you like a demonstration of what he is capable of?

Chronosia is interested in acquiring items relating to the Gods of Chaos, as well as the Elder Gods.

Bump (-_-)

Sorry for the delay, I thought this thread had died long ago.
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The Magus considered Sigrun's words, an odd sort of smile on his face.

"A seraphim, eh. That is very good. Still, the gate will be yours regardless of its future owner. Contrary to the rumors, the Ministry of the Occult is not a friendly organization. There are some amongst the Magi who would give a discount if the demons were unleashed elsewhere, just to study the chaos."

He paused a moment, the smile fading slightly.

"This brings us to the price. There is no set cost for the Hell Gate, as it is both unique and priceless. What can you give in return for this rare piece of artifice?"
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To Chronosia:
The Spear of Khaine and the Book of Nurgle are available for sale.

Sigrun nodded in understanding, I expected you to say such a thing, magus. Thus I am prepared to offer a unique item of my kind...

The magus watched as Sigrun wove his fingers into intricate patterns in the air between them. Soon, green, blue and white streams of arcanic energy wove into a rose and then shone with a soft glow. Sigrun touched the points of the rose petals, watching as they flowered open. He delved his hand forward and into the spell, watching as his hand disappeared momentarily. It returned carrying a silver item that possessed three different stones of different colors. It hung from a slender mithril chain. He held it up to the magus and explained,

What I hold and offer to you is one of a kind and unique. Few have ever seen it, few have ever beheld its amazing power. It possesses the user the ability to communicate with every beast of the world, as well as the supernatural. It was used once before, long ago when the elves began to enchant the world and make the dead come to life. Trees, flowers, plants, and many more came to have voices through the encounter of this item."

He held the item out to the magus, "I offer this in payment. Take my word that this is indeed a worthy item. Keep it for yourself if you wish, you may find it entertaining to explore its abilities."

The Imperium wishes to know both the price and abilities of these items before it commits itself to any investment on the part of a purchase...

Bump

The magus studied the object, considering its usefulness.

"This should suffice as payment for the Hell Gate. It has been a pleasure doing business with you."
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The Spear of Khaine is an ancient weapon possessed by an obscure god of war. It moves with a life of its own, effectively rendering the wielder unstoppable in hand to hand combat. The blade appears to be able to penetrate any material. This weapon is unique in the universe and thus costs five million dollars.

The Book of Nurgle is a dark magic text of the chaos god of disease. It contains information regarding rituals for summoning unholy creatures of decay as well as various incantations and arcane runes associated with Nurgle. It is being sold for one million.

Very well then. It is settled. I am pleased to have completed business with you, magus. Remember that should you ever visit the Realm of Tarlachia, you are an honored and welcome guest of mine. Simply state you are there with my blessing, and it shall be confirmed. Now, if you'll just stand over there a bit, so I may move this Gate to my Realm.

The magus nodded and stepped aside several feet. Sigrun continued to talk to him telepathically, I shall call the assistance of my cousin, Arleni Greenwood, who will help me with the transport of the Gate.

With that, Sigrun closed his eyes and turned instinctively to the East. He spoke in a cryptic language, the language of the Tarlachian Elves, similar to Sindarin, but it had its differences. Within a few minutes after doing so, a green swirl spun out of seemingly nothing as a portal opened next to Sigrun. Arleni was the arrival, and thus the portal closed.

Arleni, silence is necessary in this place. Please meet the one who has sold us the gate behind you.

Arleni turned to view the gate, her eyes widening as she recognized it. Sigrun, is that what I think it is?

Sigrun confirmed her suspicions, Yes, I brought you here to assist me in transporting it back to the Realm.

Arleni nodded, smiled kindly at the magus and immediately began to do what was necessary to secure and stablize the portal between both nations, literally over thousands of miles. Sigrun did his share as well Soon, magical ropes had intertwined themselves around the gate and fastened tightly. Sigrun opened the portal and watched the green swirls of the portal swirl to its center and fade in the distance.

Sigrun turned back to the magus and extended a hand, Once again, you are most welcome in Tarlachia, should you ever visit.

Sigrun glanced over at Arleni and nodded, watching as she leapt through the portal and disappeared. The Gate began to groan and slide as it was pulled through the portal. Suddenly it screeched loudly as it was ripped through the fabrics of reality as reality folded in on itself and shortened the distance between both places. Such was the effect of the portal, such was the power of the elves.

Sigrun nodded once more to the magus and disappeared into the portal. Moments after that, it closed; an effective sealing of the transaction, and leaving the magus a very happy man. He was rich, and he had perhaps completed the best sales of the day. He even had one of the rarest items of elven craft, and a highly valuable one as well. Whether he chose to relinquish the item to his superiors was his own choice, it mattered no more to the elves that had come and gone like the breeze of the morning wind...