Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Valgard 05-02-07, 07:40 AM	In my last game, players defeated a nalfeshnee in Cormanthor that carried a maul of the titans, and they carried it inside a Heward's handy haversack. When they arrived to Harrowdale, they sold all items they got from the treasure except the maul, because they were discussing what to make with it, and finally they decided to make an auction and sell it to the best bidder. My first answer was "NO!" but they reclaimed "It would be funny for all of us to see how it'll go on" so then I said "I will think about it". I don't know how to handle this... because it will be extremely beneficial to the PCs. What would you make in this situation?
Faraer 05-02-07, 08:22 AM	Maybe 1 in 100,000 people knows what a maul of the titans is, wants one, and can afford to buy it. So either (a) only about one person will turn up to the auction, or (b), if the PCs make a big effort to publicize it, which is no trivial business, 20 people will show up, 10 of whom will try to seize it, of which half a dozen will spell-battle each other and destroy half the town and maybe the PCs, or (c) the PCs take lots of elaborate precautions and blinds against that, which will be no fun, and if they succeed they'll have recreated a one-time fantasy eBay. Likely far more trouble than it's worth, for you or them. And of course Harrowdale's rulers would never allow it. There's a reason magefairs are held in the middle of nowhere, with extremely careful preparation and security.
Tarus 05-02-07, 09:53 AM	Use your judgement and make an 'adventure' out of it. They can't just say "auction" and expect people to show up. Let them figure out how to get word out. Will people travel all this way to buy just one item? Perhaps they would expect more stuff to be auctioned. I am sure if the city becomes a gathering place for an auction they may want a cut. In the end, let them put time and effort into it and then base the final auction price off of what you think they deserve.
MalariaMoon 05-04-07, 04:42 PM	This does sound like quite a fun role playing situation, and could go in a number of different directions. Dependent on how well the PCs publicise their auction, their only buyers could be a crowd of curious but ignorant Dalesfolk. Even if they believe they are convinced by the PCs efforts to sell the Maul of Titans, they're only going to have enough capital to make laughably small bids. The PCs are either going to give up on the auction idea or sell the Maul for a bag of gold coins, a few turnips and a knackered old donkey. On the other hand, if they spend a little time spreading the word regarding their big find, then all kinds of nefarious parties might show up. Just imagine; the Zhent spy is outbid by the agent of the Cult of the Dragon, the knives and spells come out, a Harper tries to take both of them out and the PCs are suddenly stuck in the middle of battle, with lots of Dalesfolk running for cover!
wtf_thats_my_head 05-04-07, 07:39 PM	just have some thing steal it or make them use it =)