Open Slave Auction

[I'tram Bearguard]

58th of Spring, 513 AV

I'tram was sitting in a pen with the rest of the slaves he had known for the last year and a half. The majority of slaves used to be owned by I'tram's late master who had died suddenly and left no legitimate heir so all his possessions were being sold by public auction but there was some he didn't recognize. The majority of slaves were human but there was a few which were considered more "exotic" and would fetch a higher price, the ones I'tram thought would go for the most price were a blue skinned Akalak, a female Kelvic, a female Eypharian and what startled I'tram the most, a massive Jamoura being kept in all manners of chains, what use the Jamoura would be if he didn't obey I'tram couldn't fathom.


One by one the slaves were called out, some slaves were snapped up for high prices while others were barely sold. There was a frail old woman who had been a housekeeper for her previous master who nobody had bid for, I'tram dreaded to think what would happen to her now that her use was over. Suddenly his name was called, he said a quick farewell to the other slaves before being brought out before the bidders. At that moment he was thankful for being a male as he got to wear his loincloth, the females on the other hand wore nothing when they were being sold. He was shocked that there was so many bidders for an auction this early in the morning, there must have been 200 people at the auction all staring at him with intent. This was by far the largest auction I'tram had ever been sold at.


The auctioneer looked down at his notes for a few moments before begining to speak at a rapid pace. "Here we have a young human male named I'tram Bearguard. He is in prime physical condition with no serious ailments. His height is 5'7 and has a good muscle tone. Previous reports show no signs of misbehavior or disobedience. He has been trained in many aspects of combat, primarily is usage of the Gladius which he can dual wield but he can also use a shortbow. If you are unhappy about his choice of skills he is strong, so manual labor should come easy to him and slaves his age tend to learn things quickly. He speaks the common tongue fluently but nothing else. Also this slave has all his own equipment so you won't have to pay for any of his weapons or armour." Finally the auctioneer stopped speaking and gestured to the guards to bring him to the examining pen in front of the stage.


I'tram walked forward not needing to be pushed by the guards, his new master was in that crowd and he was going to try his best to get one that would treat him decently. They locked the gate behind I'tram as he walked into the pen. They stood back, but ready to jump in if the crowd got too rowdy.


The auctioneer gave the crowd the signal that potential buyers could now examine I'tram. The process of them examining I'tram seemed to take hours, he had to stand in the same position, tensing his muscles until instructed to change poses. Many hands grabbed and groped at his body. Eventually one the crowd had been satisfied I'tram was brought back up to the stage and the bidding began.

"The opening price for this prime slave is listed as 250 Gold Mizas, a bargain for such a specimen, do we have a bid?" Somebody raised their hand in the crowd "260 Gold Mizas to the bald man in red!" As soon as he said that another hand was raised "270 Gold Mizas from the Woman in blue!" It went on like this until the price reached 390 Gold Mizas then the bidding halted for the first time.

I'tram scoured the crowd for somebody to bid, he wasn't happy with the current bidder, he was a renowned slaver who treated his slaves brutally "Anybody but him" I'tram couldn't bare the thought of being treated as badly as his slaves. He looked at some individuals his eyes pleading for them to bid "Going once" the auctioneer said, searching the crowd for another bidder. "Come now, only 390 Gold Mizas for such a healthy young man, surely somebody must be willing to pay more!"

[Clyde Sullins]

It was not often that Clyde visited the slave markets... It was not exactly his sort of place. Having grown up in Syliras, the entire idea was still a bit odd to him. And while he had embraced Ravok and especially Rhysol, as much as any other citizen, slavery was still one thing he found a bit odd... Of course, he had not yet ever owned a slave. But seeing as he now had a newly completed residence with room to spare... And it would not hurt to have someone to work for him... And the fact that he had a voucher for a slave burning in his pocket, given to him by the Stryfe, it would mean he would not have to pay out of pocket. So that was why on this morning, Clyde found himself in the Slave Market, looking at what else but slaves. There were quite a few going through, people being bought right and left, people leaving and coming, yelling and crying. It was quite a confused mess, especially when auctions went on and then the volume increased quite a bit. When a young boy was led out, for some odd reason he caught Clyde's eye. He certainly did not have an angry look on his face, as Clyde would if he were being sold. This if nothing else, told him he had been a slave for a long time. Which likely meant he was not opposed to it. He certainly would not want to have to deal with a slave that was ill mannered, and did not want to be one. As he had discussed with Kyra so long ago, for some people, it was better to be a slave. It meant safety, security, a roof over ones head, and food in their belly. Most were treated pretty well, and as long as owned by a citizen of Ravok, could expect things to go reasonably well over time. He was trained to fight, which was always good. He looked down at Rye sitting next to him, his guard dog. He was good and all, to alert him to danger, but a dog could only do so much. Having a slave at his side who knew how to fight, might not be so bad. Especially considering all of the stuff Clyde got into. He was always getting into fights, being attacked, taking on hordes of monsters. Well, the last one not to often, certainly less than a half dozen times. But often enough that it no longer surprised him. Clyde heard someone mutter in front of him, leaning over to the person sitting next to him and talking quietly. "Oh sure, you won't have to buy anything for him. Laughable. I've seen them say that before. All it means is, they expect you to buy the equipment along with the slave. Its like tacking on a hidden cost to the ingrate, along with what you bid for the slave. But sure! You won't have to go out and buy more. Pass. That stuff looks expensive." Indeed, it did look like it would cost a decent Miza for it all. Clyde could see some armor, which looked pretty expensive. It alone had to cost over a hundred miza. A chest plate of armor to cover the torso, along with some greaves for the lower legs, and a helmet, apparently all of a matching set. Along with some heap of leather, which he supposed was armor to, to cover the bits the metal did not. He could see this all laid out, over a bit, with all of the equipment said to "come" with him. Along with that, several swords, not cheap ones but some kind of ornate short swords, which looked quite deadly, and well crafted. Not full length blades, but shorter ones, good for both thrusting and slashing by the looks of them. Plus a bow, a smaller one, along with a quiver... It seemed they were trying to emphasize the point that this slave was skilled in many different ways of fighting. Which Clyde supposed was a good thing, better than only knowing how to fight in one way, and being useless without it. "The opening price for this prime slave is listed as 250 Gold Mizas, a bargain for such a specimen, do we have a bid?" 260 Gold Mizas to the bald man in red! 270 Gold Mizas from the Woman in blue!" Quickly several different people went through bids, starting at 250, and quickly ending up at 390 gm. Clyde did some quick math in his head... 390 gm... Round that up to 400 gm even... Plus his equipment looked to cost around that much... Which would total him at about 800 gm right now. Though the equipment was clearly all used, meaning it would not be worth nearly as much, maybe half... So maybe 600 gm total, all included, counting the slave and the used gear? Best to act now, if he would at all, before the total was worth more than his voucher... But should he or not? What did he have to lose? Besides the mizas... But then, he was not spending any Mizas, he was just trading in a voucher, given to him by the Stryfe... And if he waited to long, they might take offense at his not using it... Perhaps it was better to use it. "Going once! Come now, only 390 Gold Mizas for such a healthy young man, surely somebody must be willing to pay more!" "Going twice! And..." Reaching into his bag, Clyde took out the slave voucher, and held it up into the air, as he spoke. "I bid this voucher, backed by the Ebonstryfe, worth up to 1,000 gm, for the slave, his equipment, and whatever else he's got." For a moment, everyone around Clyde went silent, as he said this, and the auctioneer froze with his mouth open, in the middle of starting his next word.

[I'tram Bearguard]

I'tram was just about to accept his fate when suddenly a voice spoke out, bidding a voucher worth 1,000 Gold Mizas, I'tram could barely comprehend how somebody could have so much money to spend on a slave.


When I'tram's eyes fell on the bidder he gave a slight nod, enough for the bidder to see he was thankful but not enough for many others to notice. I'tram couldn't see much of the bidder as he was obscured by the crowd but I'tram gathered he was a human like figure with pale skin and rather messy brown hair.


After a few moments the auctioneer recovered from his shock and continued with his job "1,000 Gold Mizas from the man with the voucher! The Auctioneer didn't bother to pause, knowing well there wasn't going to be another bid Going once!......Going twice.... and SOLD for 1,000 Gold Mizas to the man with the voucher! Congratulations on your purchase!


I'tram couldn't help but let a small smile of relief appear on his face but he quickly turned and gathered his equipment to hide it. After a few moments he had gathered all his equipment from the stage and quickly entered the pens to don his clothes and his weapons as he was doing this a horrible thought invaded his mind. What if his new master was cruel and treated him like an animal. I'tram dispelled this thought from his head, after all, who would spend 1,000 Gold Mizas on a slave just to mistreat and abuse them.


Before I'tram could ponder this any further an overweight guard walked into the pen, indicating for I'tram to follow him. He was pushed along roughly by the guard, even though I'tram was walking at a perfectly good pace, the guard was just pushing him for his own pleasure. Mistreatment at the hands of his owner was one matter but for a guard to do it for his own sadistic enjoyment was another thing. I'tram restrained himself from insulting the fat loaf or lashing out as I'tram knew well he would receive a beating, if not more.


Eventually I'tram arrived at another small holding pen. The guard bound his arms and legs before exiting, locking the door behind him. "Your to remain here until the auction is over or until your "master" comes and collects you" The guard spat the word master, as if to use it as an insult. Unaffected by his petty jibe I'tram sat in the corner of the pen and closed his eyes, waiting for his master to arrive.

[Clyde Sullins]

It took a moment, but soon enough everyone returned to what they were doing, which was being noisy. "1,000 Gold Mizas from the man with the voucher! Going once!......Going twice.... and SOLD for 1,000 Gold Mizas to the man with the voucher! Congratulations on your purchase!" Clyde got up, and was escorted up to another area, were he had to give the voucher to a man. It took him a full 2 chimes to do so, but once he was done a grin was over his face, and he slipt the voucher away. "Everything is in order here. Thank you for your patronage, sir." Clyde just nodded, and motioned to get on with it, as the man handed him the paperwork showing he owned the slave. He did not want to sit in the slave markets forever, that was for sure. He tapped his staff on the ground a few times impatiently, before a slave who worked for the market led him off to meet his new acquisition. He took him over to a secluded spot, and soon enough a pair of guards came in with his slave. Clyde turned to him, as the slave that had led him darted off. Shrugging, he looked back at the boy he had just bought. Rye at his side, he stood there staff in hand, inspecting the boy for a few moments... Tapping it once on the ground, he finally spoke. "I am Clyde. Clyde Sullins. And you are?" He waited a few moments, before going on. "Do you have all of your stuff? You wont be making trouble will you? We will get along fine enough, I assure you, but I don't suffer fools. Neither do I like people who do not listen, or who are rude and disrespectful. As long as you mind that, you will be fine." Clyde once more gave the boy some time to respond, as he would, before he turned on the spot, and began to walk off, motioning with his free hand for the boy to follow. "Come along, I suppose I will show you my residence, and were you will be sleeping. Were did you live last, before this? Did you have a room?" He asked this, expecting an answer as they walked along. It would be a short walk, from one part of the Docks section of Ravok were the Slave Market was, to another newer outer section, where Clyde lived.

[I'tram Bearguard]

I'tram didn't have to wait long before his new owner arrived, obviously not wanting to stay at the slave market a moment longer. Now that he was closer I'tram could get a better look at him, he was very tall, more than one and a half heads taller than I'tram. He seemed rather gangly with he had a long thin nose which contrasted with his rather big ears but what struck out most for I'tram were his scars which were circular in shape and scattered around his face. Beside him there was a guard dog by his side who was pitch black in colour with red eyes.


In response to Clyde's question I'tram just said simply "My name is I'tram Bearguard master. Something he learned straight away about his master was that he talked very fast, launching volleys of questions at a time. "I have all my possessions in my backpack and I can assure you I won't give you any problems.


I'tram realised he was talking rather freely and not formally enough but before he could make amends Clyde was walking, motioning for him to follow. Every step Clyde took, his staff hit off the floor with a thud, setting the pace for I'tram. It wasn't long before he was asking questions again "My previous residence was the Fandu residence, which I suppose has been sold off by now and yes, my former master granted me a small room of my own.

I'tram found the walk relaxing, he had always loves spending time outdoors, even if the stench of the Docks ruined the effect slightly. He had never been to this part of Ravok before and was intrigued. It was apparent that the buildings weren't in as good condition as the one's in the Noble district but the people here seemed to have greater spirit and a sense of life about them.

It wasn't long before I'tram grew curious, his master had so far not told him what he would be expected to do. I'tram knew he shouldn't speak out of turn but he was curious. Master, if you don't mind me asking, what will my new duties consist of?

[Clyde Sullins]

Clyde simply nodded, as he told him his name. I'tram Bearguard. He had heard odder ones. Though he supposed this one was still kind of odd... It sounded like someone had jammed some normal words together, and ended up with his last name... Though he was not quite sure how he felt about being called master... That was certainly new... He would have to decide how he felt about that. He simply nodded again, as he said he had all of his stuff, and would not be trouble. Well, it would be his misfortune if he was trouble, not Clyde's. He would learn soon enough that he was a mage. And soon after, that it was not a good idea to anger a mage, especially one as powerful as Clyde, his new master. They were nearing his new home, on the very outer ring of Ravok, were all of the newest additions were, when I'tram asked him a question. Clyde answered it without even turning to look at him, instead continuing to walk along head forward. "Your duties? It will vary. If I need you, you will come, and help me in whatever way I need. They said you were a decent hand with a weapon did they not? When I don't need you, you will either be training to increase your skills and make yourself more useful, or working. I expect you to find some kind of employment, to make yourself useful and earn your keep, when you are not directly working for me. Perhaps something using the same skills you already have and will be working on." Thinking back, he did recall hearing several things of slaves before... Including that there was many things they could not do, without permission. So he had just given him permission to do several things, in the time he was not in need of him. "I will make you a note that you can keep, to show any prospective employer that I do own you, and that I as your owner give you permission to work. That should clear up any issues that might come up." Finishing, Clyde looked up, to see they had arrived at the Sullin's Residence. It was a new building, just finished earlier this season. It had but the one door, and one window, and seemed simple enough, yet well built and sturdy. Clyde opened the front door, and walked into the common area.

[I'tram Bearguard]

I'tram couldn't help but be a little surprised when Clyde told him he would be getting a job other than helping him when required. Already I'tram was brainstorming which jobs he could take. Maybe he could take a few fights in the Pit and give Clyde his victory money? No that wouldn't do, if he died his master would have wasted 1,000 Gold Mizas. He could always take up manual labour, it would build his muscles up for fighting as well.


Before he could continue this train of thought any further he was interrupted when Clyde stopped, he realised with a start that he had arrived at his new home. While it wasn't as large as his old home it was bigger than many of the common houses nearby. It had one window and one door. It seemed to be newer than the buildings around it even though this area of the docks had only seen expansion recently.


As I'tram walked into the Common Area his eyes began eagerly lapping up the new sights. It was a fairly simple affair, there was a few benches spaced around the room. At the moment the only source of light for the room was the natural lighting flooding in the only window of the house but there was brackets where torches could be lit. The Common Room was decorated with a few average quality paintings of various scenes, the one that caught I'tram's attention the most depicted a woodland area with a small grassy clearing in the center. There was four doors in the room, including the entrance, one was secured with a lock which made I'tram curious. "I wonder what's in there?" he thought.


After a few moments of looking around another thought entered his mind "Excuse me master, where can I leave my possessions?" I'tram wouldn't mind if there wasn't a spare room for him, he was perfectly content to sleep in his bedroll.

[Clyde Sullins]

In Clyde's mind, it was quite clear why he said what he did. However, Clyde by nature of being a magic, tended to keep his cards close to the vest. So while his orders might seem a bit odd or random, if asked Clyde would have a well thought out and detailed explanation for why he had done the things he had done. Not that he always took his time to think things out. Instead he knew what action he wanted to take, and when looking back, could explain the reasons behind him making that choice more or less by instinct. It was not usually until asked though, that he himself knew why he did as he did. As they entered the sparsely filled room, it was clear Clyde was not one for frivolities like aesthetics. He wanted things that had a purpose, he did not buy things just to look at them. In fact, the few items that were in this room, had been included when he had the house built. Clyde took a moment to see I'trams reaction to the room, which was plain as he knew. He also noted his eyes stop for a moment, to ponder upon the only door with a lock. His Lab. Clyde coughed to pull the attention of the boy, before pointing at the locked door on the right. "Just to be clear, that is my Magic Lab. It is locked for a reason. You are not to go in it, unless asked to. For your own safety, as much as that you have no business in there." Clyde had not yet gotten around to booby trapping the doorway or the way into his lab, not yet, but soon enough he would, and anyone who attempted to enter without permission would be left to an unpleasant if not deadly reaction. Looking I'tram in the eyes, he paused for a moment. "I am a Mage, a quite powerful one at that. I doubt you know much on magic, not that you need to. You don't have a problem with me being a mage do you?" Clyde continued to glare at the boy until he answered, and would finally turn away from him, to look about the room. His attention was brought back to him as he asked were he could keep his stuff. Clyde shrugged, and then looked at the back wall, his eyes passing from the door on the left, to the door on the right. After a few ticks, Clyde pointed at the one on the right. "The right, you will be staying in that one. You can keep your stuff in it, and sleep in there." Inside, I'tram would find a simple bedroom. Not huge, but enough room to move around in comfortably, and to store his gear. It would have a door leading into the shared privy with the room to the left of it, and was more or less sparsely filled. It had a chest of drawers, a simple mirror, a simple wooden bench, and a bedside table with a candle on it, all of average quality. However, unlike the rest of the common items, the bed was actually nice. It being the only functional item that was useful in Clyde's mind, he had spent a bit of extra mizas to make sure they were nice, even if the rest of the furnishings were not. The good quality bed was not just a wooden frame with straw stuffed mattress, and a course blanket, as most people slept on. It had a real mattress, made of cotton batting, with nice cotton sheets to sleep under. He had paid to have one in all four of the bedrooms.

[I'tram Bearguard]

I'tram couldn't help but feel his face warming when Clyde had coughed to attract I'tram's attention, he had been so easily caught out and was slightly ashamed about it. He raised his eyes up to meet Clyde's and held them there as he explained that it was his "Magic Lab"


I'tram could only imagine what dangerous potions or creatures may be lurking in there. Monsters summoned from other dimensions or some magic trap, if triggered would turn him into an animal. A chilling thought went through I'tram's mind. What if Clyde's dog used to be a slave like him but tried to access the Lab without permission and was turned into the beast he was now. I'tram already knew he wasn't going to try and access it without accompaniment.


Then Clyde's tone changed and he explained he was a mage, a powerful one. I'tram could only imagine what terrifying spells he could cast. Maybe he could shoot fireballs from his bare hands or summon demons to serve him with a bat of his hand. Maybe..... Clyde could even read his mind. I'tram had heard that mage's needed blood and bones to perform some of their spells, maybe that's why he was bought, to supply blood for some of Clyde's spells. The thought of being with somebody so powerful and dangerous frightened I'tram slightly.


Clyde's glare intensified as he uttered the words "You don't have a problem with me being a mage do you?" I'tram couldn't bare to hold the glare any longer and looked down towards Clyde's feet answering with a simple "No master"


After what seemed like an age Clyde broke his gaze and looked around the room. A few moments later he reached a decision and indicated a room to the right and told I'tram he would be staying there. I'tram was truly grateful he would be getting his own room.


"Thank you for your generosity Master, may I have permission to be dismissed? I'tram spoke with a formal tone as he had been taught many years ago but couldn't help but let a very slight waver of fear slip into his voice nearing the end of the sentence

[Clyde Sullins]

Of course, most of I'trams thoughts on magic were to be expected. The average Mizaharian knew little of what they really did. Part of Wizardry was keeping secrets, and over the ages Mages had done much to keep people in the dark as to there exact abilities, and as to keep people wary of their might. And while Clyde could in fact do some of what the boy suspected, such as shooting fireballs, he could not summon monsters from other worlds, or change him into a beast. And most of the magic Clyde did in the Lab was of his World magics, mainly Magecrafting and Glyphing, which certainly did not require a blood payment. Clearly though his attempt at intimidating his new slave had worked, as he quietly averted his eyes, and said he did not have issue with his magic... Not like he could really have answered any other way. As he asked if he could go, Clyde waved him off, and nodded. He did not need him for anything today, so he would give him the day to settle in to his new quarters. In the meantime, Clyde would get out some ink and quill, and write on some parchment a short note, which he would give to I'tram. I, Clyde Sullin's, owner of I'tram Bearguard, give him permission to seek employment and work in and about Ravok. That done, Clyde would go into his lab, locking the door behind him, leaving I'tram to do as he would. -Exit-