Closed [The Slave Market] An Unlikely Trio (Discontinued)

[Calla Lily]

89th of Fall, 513
Twelfth Bell

After 90 days in Ravok and 13 slave auctions, Calla still found herself chained to a line of twenty other slaves along with the the slave master, who was inspecting the slaves.
This was probably why they hadn't been sold yet. Neither Calla nor Meli, her sister, were really that remarkable, and seemed somewhat human, except for the fact that Meli looked as if she would willingly bite off an appendage or two if you came near her.
Calla had tried that look once, it only made her look insane. Maybe she was insane.
Locked up for a season without sunlight or decent food, it did make you question reality a bit.
Shaking her head, Calla decided to look around, and realized that all of the slaves around her were the usual human, with the exception of Meli.
Thats because Humans and Kelvics are meant to be enslaved, they're weak, stupid creatures. The slave master's voice echoed in her head, filling her with a new sense of hatred. Calla subconsciously scratched at her thigh, the small metal object tied to it had begun to itch.
A sense of hope filled her. The Balisong she had hidden on her leg was the only piece of individuality she had left. It was pure luck the slave master hadn't found it yet.

Leaning forward and looking to the right, Calla tried to sneak a glance at her sister again, and was only rewarded with a swift kick to her side.
Gasping, Calla fell back.
"Stay back, animal!"
The slave master was standing above her, holding a satchel of parchments. Probably information on each piece of his 'Merchandise' Calla thought bitterly.
Rolling her shoulders and rubbing her now badly bruised side, Calla looked up as the slave master strode onto stage, introducing himself and signaling for the first group of slaves to come up onto stage.
The group consisted of about seven slaves, all human, from the looks of it. The first slave stepped up onto a podium, and immediately prices were shot out. The slave was a healthy, mid-aged man, so Calla wasn't surprised that he was so popular.
This went on for a while, slave after slave, and six out of seven of the first group sold for at least 50 Mizas. A young girl, though, stayed un-bidded on.

As the second group was called up, Calla realized she was first in line to be auctioned.
Here we go again, I'll stand up on that stupid podium, and there will be silence in the house. No one wanted a meek, stupid Kelvic girl with no special talents whatsoever. Then I'll wait another season, and it'll start all over again.
Sighing, she walked up to the podium and took her place as the slave master introduced her.
"Strong, young adult Kelvic girl." Calla sighed again, and the slave master pulled on the chain linked to her collar, forcing her head up.
"She could scout on your hunting trips, and easily escape predators. Starting bid at fifty Mizas!"
The slaver let her head drop, and Calla stood emotionless, staring out into the crowd. So you're all heartless people who like pushing around people below you, even of your same race. Calla scowled at the group of people, silently watching her. Eyes boring into her skull.
This is going to end up like all other auctions, all other days, even. I'm going back in that dusty cell thats never been cleaned, and Meli's going to come with me.
She sighed.
This is not how I want my life to be.

[Meli]

89th of Fall, 513
Twelfth Bell

Meli hated the slave master. She absolutely despised him.
Chaining her and her sister up like this. What gave him the right to do that?

Treating them like animals.. Though, technically they were animals, but that was beside the point. He was no better than them.
And the crowd... How could they bear that, enslaving fellow members, even members of their own race, for their own benefit?
She understood and accepted servants, because it was of their own free will, and they were getting paid for their work. But this... This was utterly abhorrent.
She glared at the slave master, imagining that she could burn him to death with the power of her stare. Sadly, it didn't work.

Calla
Thought of her twin sister suddenly sprang to Meli's mind. she must be feeling just as I am, probably even more depressed She suddenly wanted to see her and provide reassurance that they would get out of this, somehow,even though she herself had little hope.
She always had been the protector of the duo, and she felt that it was her sole duty to take care of her sister, even though they were the same age and Calla was capable of looking after herself.

Meli tried to twist around but was restrained by the cold, thick silver cuffs that chained her to the wall.
Damn slave master! Meli cursed to herself. The slave master had seemed to think they both needed extra security and chained their arms and legs and well as put a Kelvic collar around Meli specifically. The rest of the slaves were chained by the leg only. They didn't need more. They never tried to escape, instead laying there lifeless even though most of them were perfectly healthy.
"Ugh" she growled quietly. "This is pointless" She then resumed glaring at the crowd, trying to think of a plan and praying that if they did get sold, it was together.

"First group called to stage" A slave next to her whispered in halting common. Meli's head snapped up as she heard this. She hadn't even realized that the auction was beginning, and that the slave master was up on stage signaling for the first group. Meli herself was in the third group, but Calla was in the second.
The rest of the members in the groups looked human, and most of them appeared to be young, strong and healthy. They would sell quickly.
She watched the slaves walk in front of the stage, waiting to be called out.
Soon, it was time for Calla's group.
Meli couldn't see Calla's expression, but knew she wouldn't really be afraid, doubtful that she would even be bid on.

Calla was the first in her group. The slave master introduced her quickly. "Strong, young adult Kelvic girl. She could scout on your hunting trips, and easily escape predators. Starting bid at 50 mizas!"
Meli looked away, disgusted. She couldn't watch. If she could she would've covered her ears.
How could people do this? Calla would be feeling the same way. No member of any race deserved to be enslaved. They weren't objects, to be bought and used. They were living beings. Besides, thought Meli. This would probably end like all other auctions, with them going back to being literally imprisoned, being trapped inside a cell. But, even if they had to go back to that repulsive place, at least they would still be together.
They would still have each other.

[Adam Michaels]

A man In a grey robe seemed to drift amongst the commotion, there was something about how he moved that made him appear clumsy or uncoordinated. His garb accentuated his silvery eyes while he carried himself befitting a man that had aged gracefully like a fine wine. He looked like a man in his thirties despite being just a young adult of twenty three, there was something about him that seemed frail or weak it was hard to spot or make out but it was certainly there. It was as if Dira stood beside him with her hand on his shoulder waiting for that moment to drag him to the ukalas.

In truth he wasn't looking for a slave persay, mayhaps test subjects to ply his arcane curiosities. However the ruins of Aleaha were out there and only the bold dated dread the wilderness that deep, he needed bodies to fill boots to carry him to the next level of power. Artifacts, weapons, books and magic beyond his wildest dreams. That is what he thought he'd find in that forsaken supulture the epicenter of everything that once was.

He raised his hand to bid on the kelvic girl, he was sure a scout would be great for detecting monsters, bandits and treasure hunters and whatever else he'd happen to stumble upon out there. No point risking his hide, hers would do nicely.

I raise the stakes, ill pay one hundred mizas for the kelvic.

The slave master was no more then an auctioneer to him, hawking his wares like some kind of snake oil salesmen.

Adam was different his views on the world were twisted and grim, the only real crime he saw was that they all were not in shackles and chains serving the mages. Sunberth had the right idea along time ago, a world order a mageocracy that governed the land with terrifying brute force that it what this world needed. He like his kind no matter the race were there betters and they should bend at the knee obediently to there masters whims. That is what he thought, what he felt as he perceived himself to be elevated above his lesser uneducated peers.

There was another woman in chaines, her eyes were filled with disgust. But she seemed to have a strong dislike of the head slaver, giving him the icey chill of the evil eye. Even Adam was surprised that a stare of that magnatude did not outright slay the man or even to a lesser extent phase him. But then that was the nature of the business he supposed, if there ever was or would be a thing as a Mage order he'd have to learn a thing or two from a man with nerves like that.

He'd made his purchase doubled the cost to take what he wanted when he wanted it, it seemed as if Adam was done as he turned from the other woman. Adam simply had no idea who she was, or what she could do for him.

If there was ever a chance to make her case, this would be the best time

[Meli]

An echoeing silence greeted the slave master's words. Meli could imagine the audience staring, waiting for the auction to go on.
So far in Ravok, no one had wanted her or her sister, much less both of them together.
That's how it was every auction they had been at recently. She closed her eyes and tilted her head upward in a somewhat defeated gesture, waiting for the slave master to end the auction after trying to persuade the bidders in vain, and then send Calla back.
Then it would be her turn to go up and get rejected, and the two of them would resume their miserable and empty lives in their cell until the next auction, where the same process would be repeated.

"I raise the stakes! I'll pay one hundred mizas for the kelvic. " A strong, male voice rung out, penetrating the silence. Meli was jolted out of her reverie, shocked. Her sister had been sold.

Meli twisted around, trying to get a better view of the audience and see who the bidder was. She couldn't quite tell who it was.
Her gaze hardened. Now she would make sure she would get sold to the same bidder. She stared ahead with a determined expression, silently promising her sister and herself that she would make sure she was sold to the same bidder.

The rest of the auctions went by in a blur for Meli. She was
too preoccupied with the thought of how she was going to get the bidder to buy her aswell.
I can do it. She told herself resolutely.
"Third group up!" The same slave next to her told her in an urgent tone. On stage the slave master was signaling them furiously. Meli stood up slowly, and strode to the stage. She would be the first of the group to be auctioned.
"Strong, young adult wolf Kelvic. Great as a guard for hunting trips, your home, or your personal needs. Bid starting at 50 gold-rimmed mizas!"
Meli stood on stage, glaring determinedly at the audience, her expression and stance full of pride. She tried to look as strong and fierce as possible while scouring the audience for the man who had bought her sister. Her expression projected an aura of boldness and said "Buy me if you want. If you don't, its your loss." But inside, she was mentally begging whoever the man was to bid on her and take her. She didn't want to... No, she couldn't, be separated from her sister, the only family she had left.

[Calla Lily]

89th of Fall, 513
Twelfth Bell

"I raise the stakes, I'll pay one hundred mizas for the Kelvic."
Calla couldn't hide the shocked expression on her face as the slave master shouted out a triumphant cry of "Sold!"
She locked gazes with the man who was now her master. He had just singlehandedly severed her connection with the only family she had left.
Calla was filled with a new-found hatred for the man. If he didn't buy Meli as well, Calla swore, she would personally poison his drink.

This wasn't how the day was supposed to go. Calla was supposed to be rejected, not sold! How could that man do that? Take her away from her twin?
Because you're a slave. You are beneath him. He can do as he please with you.
Tears welled up in her eyes. It was true, to society, she was an item, not a person. Society did not care if she stayed with her sister or not. Society did not care about her needs.
Meli
Calla swiveled her head to find Meli, and saw that her sister had a stony expression on her face, her stance brimming with determination. If Meli wasn't sold to the same bidder, this could very well be the last time she saw her sister.
The slave master yanked harshly on her chain. No need to worry about bruising the merchandise now, she was already sold.
Calla was pushed offstage and into a small room that was filled with the other slaves who had been sold. She looked around and saw all of the hopeless, raggedy, pained people around her, and simply couldn't hold herself back anymore.
Calla broke down on the floor and began to cry.

[Adam Michaels]

There was that word again; kelvic. Adam himself was unfamiliar with the word, and what it meant. To him the word kelvic could have been anything, he had been under the impression that the word meant a tribe of some sort his purchase of Calla, had more to do with her being bartered off as a scout a useful piece for wilderness travel.

It seemed for a moment that Adam was happy with his purchase, and was slowly skulking away the best a leecher could. Meli stood on the podium trying to look strong and healthy, Adam didn't display much interested, why buy a slave that looked tough when for the same coin he could hire a mercenary for a time. Meli's saving grace in the matter was the auctioneer that she despised so much. Wolf and Kelvic were thrown into the same sentence and it caused Adam to pause.

He'd become a miserable wretch since he toyled with the personal magic of leeching, he was convinced that somehow through morphing he could create himself a body to withstand the toxic Djed, perhaps even thrive upon it. Was Meli a morpher? Could she help him understand the basic principals of the magic? His mind was instantly swayed.

Adam turned around and bid as he raised his hand for 50 mizas, his in experience in bartering caused him to bid higher then he should. A mix of first time at an auction and a little bit from excitement, this time he would play a smarter hand.

He also was trying to figure out where he needed to go to pick up his merchandise,As Calla was brought into another room, but as he did this he needed to figure a way to get them to go to the wilderness and not run away or turn on him instantly. What happened a few weeks ago was a mess, he couldn't push himself like that anymore.

[Abstract]

Woow... guys, there's a few problems in this thread that need to be addressed.

Let's go to the first problem: your pricing. It's obvious you haven't looked through the Slave Market location: here... it's located at the Docks (in Ravok). Stated quite simply at the beginning of the price list: the lowest price for a human is THREE HUNDRED gold mizas. Now... that's skills under 20, male. A human female, with a skill above 20, and female... that comes to 550gm. Starting bid. Now, for Kelvics... things get even higher. For Calla, 550gm would make sense. For a wolf Kelvic however... I've seen a logical selling thread where a wolf Kelvic sold for eight hundred gm. Male, low skills. Mila would be bluntly unaffordable.

Now, Adam, if you really wanted, you could buy Calla... but certainly not Mila. It would break your bank anyways, for something so random. I also found a problem or two with your CS, which I'll be dealing with promptly.

Just a note on the captivity, for you two slaves. I get Mila being in her human form, as that sorta makes sense... though generally, small Kelvics are kept in that form... since Kelvic collars keep large animals from going from human -> animal, and vice versa for smaller animals. So logically, Calla would be wearing some kind of tiny collar or hood in her ferret form, whilst Mila would be stuck as a human so she wouldn't bite anyone.

That comes to your weaponry as well: something that needs to be fixed. IF and only IF Calla was in her human form would I understand the knife. It's kind of understandable... but what if one of the slavers decided to strip her, to show a potential buyer all of what they were getting? She'd be completely petched. Also, since I'd already mentioned she'd be in animal form... items are non-existent.

For Mila, there's a weaponry problem as well. Have you ever seen a chakram? They're bladed circles a foot across. Those are IMPOSSIBLE to hide. So... no slave-with-chakram either. Anyways, how did you 'steal' it with no Larceny skill? And never be found... o.O Just... no. Basically, it's near impossible for either of you to have weapons with your slave situation, UNLESS Mila wanted a very, very small knife... but even that's risky. Please fix that up with the thread and your CSs.

Though at first the problems with this thread are relatively minor, I realized that the whole thread was based on the pricing, and Adam buying the two Kelvics... but that's basically impossible now. Once you guys figure out some kind of solution... maybe an NPC buying the two slaves, and Adam (attempting) to barter against them? Anyways, once you figure out the problems, please PM me and I'll lift the intervention. Until then, no posting in this thread.

Sorry for the inconvenience!

~Abstract