The Detroit Institute of the Arts was a grand building of white marble which hosted one of the world's most viewed collections in the world, and the sixth largest collection within the United States, and yet for the evening of the Auction, it was closed to all but a select few. Men and women in all black suits stood outside the entrance to the Walter B. Ford Great Hall with subtle earpieces and much less subtle sidearms politely greeted those who arrived. Invitations were collected, coats and electronics were checked (the latter in magnetically sealed bags, along with any other "unmentionables"), and the doors to the museum were opened wide to welcome the patrons of the Auction inside...
The entire museum was open for guests to peruse, with extremely expensive furniture situated throughout, though it was the Great Hall which was the center of events for the evening. Table after table overflowed with delicacies, two full bars had been set up, and waiters circulated to take orders from all those present. Yet, most importantly, it was in the great hall were all 15 items being auctioned were on display in specially constructed plinths shrouded in protective glass.
Some items appeared to be nothing more than priceless relics or works of art that would attract your run of the mill art patron looking to launder their money, and yet other items appeared to be something far more...
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Lot 2: The Book of Dead Names
This tome is bound in worn black leather, and was once inlaid with silver and rubies. A relic of the 13th century, The Book of Dead Names was scribed by a heretical priest with the intention of recording the names of the dead so that they might be granted Salvation through Absolution at a later time. Such a project was eventually discarded, and yet the Book of Dead Names has survived, and has notably been found to be central to the Spiritualist movement of Europe and North America in the 19th century.
Lot 7: The Blueprints
These yellowed pages are the sole surviving copy of the blueprints for the Glass Mansion, the infamous construction which was reported to have been destroyed in a boiler explosion, though no evidence of such has been found to be credible. Hand copied by the architect himself, with personalized notes in the margins, these blueprints have been found to utilize an astounding understanding of advanced physics, as well as sacred numerological tenets, in a truly astounding work of architecture and engineering even by modern standards.
Lot 9: The Bronze Wheel
This bronze, circular object has often been referred to as a wheel, though its true purpose remains unknown. Beneath the exterior, a series of intricate gears resides in a complex, though seemingly purposeless pattern. Sumerian cuneiform writing has been carved into the bronze, though it is unclear if this writing was added later, or at the time of its creation. Additionally, attempts to carbon date the item have failed, often signifying an age somewhere between 30,000 to 50,000 years old, a truly impossible measurement.
Lot 10: The Chamforte Letters
This collection of over 109 letters from the 19th century consist of correspondence between one L. Chamforte, and one R. Hraefsborg, discusses seemingly irrelevant events, though several cryptologists suggest the contents of these letters is actually a cleverly coded discussion of early American political events that do not appear in even the most arcane history texts today. Past bidding on these seemingly inconsequential letters has risen as high as 22 million dollars.
Lot 13: Unknown Carving
This unique carving has been sealed for the protection of everyone present. Some theorize that a currently unknown toxic element has been used in this ancient carving, as severe neurological damage has effected every person exposed to the carving without proper safety procedures in place. Nevertheless, this carving is also comprised of Jadeite, blue diamonds, pink diamonds, emeralds, and alexandrite, whose raw worth is estimated at somewhere around 4.5 million dollars. Considering that this carving has also been successfully dated between 18,000 and 19,000 years old, this might well be the earliest evidence of human art every discovered.
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Fortunately, you are some of the first to arrive, allowing you to not only take note of the items up for auction, but also the other guests as they arrive...
For ease of play, we will say that you have all agreed to go as an impromptu Cell working together out of necessity and posing as Pennington's entourage to get you through the door. Feel free to discuss any concerns or questions
in the original plot call:
Otherwise, please post your entrance!
Wits+Larceny if you would like to bring in anything that is not a pen, paper, mechanical watch, jewelry, make-up, or health products.