Shop 'till you make a profit (Calleigh)

[Yuthirin]

Calleigh eyeballs the mercane. "I need a time frame for when you'll be back."

[Anastasia]

"Three hours," he says right away, "That should be enough time."

[Yuthirin]

Calleigh considers, then nods. "Alright, I'll trust you. I can tell that you're interested. Trust but verify, right? 1,000 gold deposit, and I'll give you three hours. Go ahead and get your expert, I'll be here."

With abruptness, she brightens considerably. "Ohhh, yeah! Bring your friends! The silks are the latest fashion, and they're phase spider silk besides! Very luxurious!"

[Anastasia]

1,000 gold is promptly handed over and the mercane hurries off.

Track the gold here and not in loot, we'll has it all out when it's done. Keep it in a spoiler block like your statblock.

He comes back an hour later, rubbing his hands together, "I think we can talk," he says, "I'm willing to make an offer on it."

[Yuthirin]

Ain't nobody got time for this. I'm assuming Read Thoughts is showing this is not the same guy and some subterfuge?

"I thought you were bringing an expert!"

[Anastasia]

Read thoughts shows it is still the same mercane. He seems excited and eager.

"I consulted with one," he says, "The signs were good."

[Yuthirin]

Calleigh gives the mercane a skeptical look before shrugging. "So you're ready to make an offer then?"

Spoiler: ShowHide

+10000 Baleruk
-0 Surraruthru's Silk
-5000 Ravages
-150 gold clover
-2000 misc goods from Lifasans
-2000 for the stall
+1000gp down payment

Total: 1850

[Anastasia]

"Yes," he says, "While the provenance of the statue is established, I feel your initial offer simply isn't realistic. This statue will require magic to prevent it from melting and is one burst of fire away from being a puddle. While this may be an interesting statement on the mutability and passing nature of all things, it is a liability. I'm willing to generously offer 18,000 gold."

[Yuthirin]

"It's already made of ice that doesn't melt, as evidenced by the fact that it hasn't melted in the time you were gone. Do you really think Afina would craft something like this and then just let it melt?" Calleigh helpfully points out. "And most art is fragile. That's a feature, not a liability. Paintings can burn, glass can break. While this won't melt unless you live in a furnace, and even then I'm not sure, if you knock it over it'll probably shatter. Just like any other sculpture. So, I respectfully disagree with your statement. Protecting your investment is a cost of owning art, not one I can accept you offloading on me. 65,000."

[Anastasia]

"65,000?" The mercane shakes his head, pausing as a rather large human bustles by, carrying heavy sacks bulging with coins. "Well, pardon ME," the mercane mutters and sends a glare at the human's back, before turning back to you, "That number is ruinous. No one could survive paying that much, it's folly. I could see perhaps...25,000?" he offers after some consideration, rubbing his chin. "Yes, there would be money in it for both of us then."

[Anastasia]

Yuth, if you'd go check and reply in Neph's thread real quick, I'd be grateful. My most current post in there is something about Muirfinn that I can't answer. Thanks.

[Yuthirin]

Calleigh gives the human a look as he passes, "I don't think you're looking at this the right way. This is a work by Afina Devilsbane. She's a general of one of the largest multiplanar movements in an age, since the time of Medi. She is in fact one of the chosen scions of Medi, now in charge of Medicant. She is a warrior, and a societal mover and shaker. Not just an artist. She's a name that will be remembered for her skill and prowess in war and its crafts. To have something like this, which has no application in war, shows that she devoted special time and energy to it.  It's more special than some street artist or stuffy gallery squatter. It's one of a kind, and she very well may never make another object for the sole purpose of art ever again.  I'm not embellishing, that's the truth. Any time she spends crafting things in some way benefits the Crusade. This is unique in more ways than one. It's less about profit and more about value." Calleigh smirks, "Besides that, it's something a silver dragon would drool over. And having a dragon's envy is a value all of its own."

[Anastasia]

Gonna need another Bluff check to measure the bullshittery, +3 bonus.

[Yuthirin]

Requesting Bluff roll at +36

[Ebiris]

[20:01] <@Ebiris> roll 1d20+36 Calleigh bluff
[20:01] <Serith> Ebiris roll for Serith < 40 > [d20=4]