Pandora Unchained - B1C54: Appraisal

At noon the next day, Sorin traveled to the Adventurers Guild for a meeting with his team. An employee hailed him as he entered the guild and escorted him to a conference room at the back, where a healthy spread of food had just been set out.

Stephan and Gareth were naturally already there, and Lawrence followed ten minutes later. An old man in mage's robes and a pointed hat arrived five minutes later alongside Daphne. He wore a monocle in one eye, and from it, Sorin could sense intense fluctuations of magic.

Stephan waited for Daphne to grab a sandwich and fried potatoes before kicking things off. "Everyone, this is Marik Wentworth, one of the best appraisers in the Mages Guild. I handed the goods off to him shortly after we arrived, and he has been working diligently on the case ever since."

"Indeed I have," said Marik in an aged but succinct voice. He retrieved a bag from his belt pouch, and from that small bag, he took out a few medium-sized bags, each one labeled and with its own attached piece of paper. "It took me all night to go over these things, as some of them are quite rare, but I was able to accomplish the deed in the allotted time."

The appraiser took out a few sheets of paper and began reading their contents. "Mundane goods are as follows:

"Mixed 1-star cores from Manabane Swamp and surrounding area. Estimated Value: 5,325 gold. Corresponding Bounty: 4,686 gold, to be paid out by the Adventurers Guild.

"Mixed 1- and 2-star cores from Dedalus's Labyrinth. Estimated Value: 9,267 gold. Due to the location of their acquisition, no bounty shall be paid.

"Miscellaneous 1-star medicinal ingredients, 4,130 gold according to Adventurers Guild list price.

"Jasmine Bone Fruit, 23 count, 500 gold apiece. As a representative of the Mage's Guild, I can offer you –"

"We won't be selling these fruits and will be storing them at the Adventurers Guild," Stephan cut in. "But if we have any extra bone-forging pills after everything is said and done, we will consider the Mages Guild."

The appraiser seemed to have expected this response and nodded. "Then I'll exclude this item from the list.

"Antique coins, valued at approximately 1,500 gold.

"Rubies, Magic-Grade, One-Star, 1400 gold. However, I see here that you've already exchanged 2500 gold worth of rubies from the Adventurers Guild.

"Sapphires, Magic-Grade, One-Star, 2200 gold.

"Topazes, Magic-Grade, One-Star, 1600 gold.

"These mundane items are liquid, and the adventurer's guild will surely provide you with compensation as per my appraisal. Just include a copy of my report."

"Thank you very much for your hard work," said Stephan.

"It's what you're paying me to do," said the appraiser. "Moreover, I still haven't completed appraisals on the equipment you took with you. If you'd all be so kind as to procure the magical items that you obtained on your journey?"

Stephan took out a small pile of items, including the boots, gauntlets, and helm he'd acquired. The others did the same with the things they'd looted – no, that they'd recovered. This included Sorin's dagger, ring, and magical string.

The appraiser spent a few minutes with each pile of items and took notes as he worked. Unlike Daphne, who required vast amounts of mana and time to perform appraisals, the man was systematic and stayed energized. Only one mana potion was required.

Finally, Marik sat down, took off his monocle, and began reading off the list he'd compiled.

"Boots of Strength, claimed by Stephan – 1500 gold. These boots will increase the physical strength of the wearer by 30% but to a maximum of 200 pounds total composite strength.

"Gauntlets of Shearing, claimed by Stephan – 1600 gold. The claws are adamantine-tipped and enchanted with a lesser shearing spell and will cut through 1-star bone and metal with no issues. Grip strength will improve up to 50% but will only be effective on one-star strength.

"Helm of Intimidation, claimed by Stephan – 1800 gold. Aside from the obvious benefit of additional protection, the helm will automatically project an aura that will weaken 1-star enemies by up to 6% in all attributes. This stacks with curses and poisons and other similar effects, but not with mood-altering spells and spell-like abilities."

He then moved on to Gareth's pile of two items.

"Bracers of Amplification, claimed by Gareth – 2200 gold. These bracers will enhance skills performed with arms and hands by 30%, adequate only for 1-star skills. They will not amplify regular attacks.

"Endless Quiver, 1-star, claimed by Gareth – 1800 gold. The quiver will endlessly produce arrows at the lesser 1-star grade with enchantments in random elements. Please note that the term endless is purely theoretical. The quiver holds up to 500 arrows, and once used, it will recharge at a rate of 1 arrow per minute.

Daphne's loot was relatively easy to appraise, as it only consisted of one item.

"Pyromancer's Staff, claimed by Daphne – 3400 gold. Much more effective than a wand, this ruby-tipped staff will increase the area of effect of fire spells by 50% and reduce their cost by 30%. An excellent weapon for a talented mage.

Next up was Sorin's items.

"Dagger of Lesser Curse, claimed by Sorin – 2000 gold. The weakening curse will stack up to 15 times, and each instance will add a 1% weakening effect to the opponent's attributes that will wear off after 60 seconds.

"Ring of Poison Manipulation, claimed by Sorin – 1200 gold. I'll note that if the element was fire, frost, or lightning, the price would be closer to 2500 gold. In addition to increasing the efficiency of poison mana manipulation, the ring can be used as a focus for poison element spells. But unlike a wand or staff, it will not reduce their costs. The amplification effect is also less than that of a wand or staff. Still, in exchange for these detriments, the hand may be used to form spell seals or carry additional items.

"As for this piece of string… well, it's useless now. Non-magical outside the dungeon you were in. It retains traces of ancient divination magic, however, so I can offer you 500 gold for the object on behalf of the mage's guild.

"Done," said Stephan. "Unless you want to keep it?"

"I have no use for it," replied Sorin.

"Then next, we'll look at Lawrence's items." The way the appraiser said his name was odd. "You never thought we'd meet again, did you, you little runt? Did you enjoy what you saw six and a half weeks ago at 24 Durling Street?"

"This…" said Lawrence with a laugh. "It was just a tiny peek. Nothing was seen! Surely you wouldn't let such things interfere with your work?"

The man snorted. "Fortunately, I am a professional. Very much unlike you and that scoundrel you call father.

"Sword of Keen Edge, claimed by Lawrence – 1900 gold. The keen edge enchantment will cut through mana shields with excellent efficiency. Still, it will function like a standard enchanted weapon against physical items.

"Cloak of Obscurity, claimed by Lawrence – 1800 gold. Projects a small area of shadows around the wearer, increasing the ease of activating shadow techniques.

"Boots of Silent Passage, claimed by Lawrence – 1200 gold. Deafens footsteps. Reduces noise caused by movement in general.

Having finished the personal piles, the mage moved on to the last pile. "That only leaves these items obtained from the boss monster:

"Minotaur Leather, two-star, degraded. Salvageable quantity: unknown. Estimated value – 1500 gold. This is based purely on the results of my divination.

"Minotaur horns, two-star, intact – 1000 gold each. It can likely be worked into weapons or armor as a supplementary material.

"Core of Violence, two star – 2000 gold. It can be used to make an offering at the Temple of Hope with a specific wish in mind. Less variable than standard offerings, though it should be noted that the potency of the offering is only equal to 1500 gold worth of demon cores.

The appraiser then placed the sheet he'd been reading on the table and stamped it with his seal. The seal was a magical green color and gave off a unique mana signature. "If that's everything, I'll be on my way. The total appraisal amount is listed on the top page for your reference, as is the invoice for my services."

"Are you willing to take magic-grade gems as payment?" asked Stephan.

"Of course," said the appraiser. "In fact, that's my preferred payment method. May I choose them myself?"

"You can pick your choice of sapphires and topazes, as Daphne may want rubies for her spells," replied Stephan.

The mage nodded and picked a few dozen gems from two of the three gem bags and placed these into what Sorin now identified as a bag of holding. "Many thanks for the business. Do keep in touch."

"It was our pleasure," said Stephan. He waited until the mage was out of the room before sitting down and slumping in his seat. "These appraisers are basically robbers. It cost us 2,500 gold coins to identify everything."

"They've got the market cornered, unfortunately," said Daphne. "Pyromancers are great at torching things, but when it comes to appraising items, we can't even determine specific functions."

"It's an unavoidable expense," agreed Gareth. "And speaking of expenses…"

"Right," said Stephan. "The expenses. I've got a list here:

"Boat destruction – 2000 gold.

"Boat Rental, 500 gold."

"Are you serious?" said Lawrence. "They're dinging us for rental and damages?"

"Unfortunately, that's what we agreed to in the contract," said Stephan. "Moving on,

"Ruin map, 500 gold.

"We used up all our mana and health potions, and we should really be keeping two each per team member. I'm allocating 2,000 gold to this expense total.

"There's also what we owe for the boots of strength and dagger of lesser curse. Unless you want to return it to the Adventurers Guild instead?"

"I'll keep it," said Sorin. "I like the weight."

"I've also taken a liking to these boots," said Stephan. "Next up is communal expenses, including reparations to families and other miscellaneous items. It all adds up to 2800 gold apiece. Don't argue; we'll never see that money if we want to retain our memberships. On the bright side, we're receiving 2100 gold for artifacts sold from the ruin's main floor.

"In all, our group has netted 50,408 gold in items, cores, and gems, excluding the jasmine bone fruit. Unless, of course, any of you want your cut now instead of later when we bargain with the Alchemists Guild to make us bone-forging pills."

None of their group members took up his offer, so Stephan tallied up individual loots. Aside from the three items he'd claimed, he expressed his desire for the minotaur horns, and no one fought him on it.

Gareth was also interested in the minotaur leather, so Sorin and Lawrence agreed to visit a leather worker to see if they could each get a suit of enchanted leather armor made. In this case, Sorin and Lawrence would get priority.

"That just leaves cores, gems, gold, and the core of violence," said Stephan. "Lawrence and I are tapped out, so we can't take priority. Daphne, you're least in debt, so you get the first pick."

"I'll take gems or cash; either is fine," said Daphne. "I mostly want to buy spell books. Everything else is irrelevant."

"I'm looking to purchase some skills," said Gareth. "I'll pass on the Temple of Hope, even if it's statistically the better option."

"Hm…" Sorin looked at the crimson core on the table that positively reeked of violence. "The appraiser was saying this could be used to make specific wishes?"

"Making specific wishes might be embellishing the matter," said Stephan. "At most, you can make a request, and Hope will decide how to meet this request. The request also can't be too specific."

"That sounds about right," said Sorin. A part of him was tempted to sell the thing for gold, which he desperately needed. Still, another part of him couldn't help but think about the golden seals blocking off his last extraordinary meridian. "I'll take the Core of Violence, then. Unless someone else wants it?"

"Are you sure?" asked Stephan. "We could always sell it."

"Positive," said Sorin. "There's something I want, and this is likely my best chance."

"Then that makes things simple," said Stephan. "Since no one wants demon cores, we'll just sell them for cash. We'll do the same for the collector's gold, the gems, the medicinal ingredients, etc. After everyone gets what they claimed, Daphne will get 6150 gold, Gareth will get 5550 gold, Sorin will get 3350 gold, Lawrence will get 4150 gold, and I will get 3650 gold. We'll make the exchange here at the Adventurers Guild and put the Jasmine Bone Fruits into guild storage."

The gold involved was numbing to Sorin. I've dealt with such amounts before, but only when dealing with an entire clinic. Is this why people become adventurers? But as soon as he thought of the rewards, he also thought of the costs. Many adventurers had died in the ruin, and there were also adventurers like Collin and Lise who'd suffered crippling injuries and would not be able to continue as adventurers.

With the appraiser's documentation, it was a simple matter to complete the exchange. Sorin received 6 cards worth 500 gold and 3 cards worth 100 gold, as well as two healing potions, two mana potions, and 50 gold in change.

He was about to leave when Lorimer suddenly squirmed in his pocket, and he remembered the matter of rations. Sorin promptly exchanged for 200 gold in miscellaneous 1-star cores.

"It's still pretty early in the afternoon," said Gareth when they walked out of the guild. "Do any of you have plans? If not, why don't we go over to the leather worker? I hear he's busy these days, but he might be able to make time for us, given the materials we're offering."

"I've got nothing planned for today," said Sorin. "How about you, Lawrence? Wait, are you shivering?"

"I think I've been cursed!" Lawrence whispered. "It must be the appraiser! I can't think of anyone else who'd do such a thing!"

Sorin rolled his eyes. "Serves your right, given your hobbies. Seriously, you should consider finding a new one."

Lawrence sighed. "Everyone misunderstands us explorers. If not for people like me, we'd always be stuck in the mundane and the routine, forever adhering to the boundaries set by society."

"Less talking and more walking," said Gareth. "I have an image to maintain."

"Same," said Sorin. He put his hands in his pockets and followed Gareth as he led the way to the east end of town.