Published at 11th of July 2026 6:29 am

Chapter 162: Stupid Grin

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Greg is useless in securing magic full plate. He can find something cheap easily enough say five large gold but I dont want something cheap for Terry. Greg simply doesnt have the connections to knightly circles to find something better. I could have one of my clients just make one, but that would take too long and theres no guarantee that the quality would be good enough.

I make a rushed appointment for the item seller Allan took me to when I first arrived. They have several decent options in the ten large gold range, but I become extremely disheartened when I ask about resisting shots from the sort of heavy crossbow I purchased from them.

You must understand, lord Monhal, those crossbows were made specifically to counter these sort of armours, and very few can resist them at closer than say five hundred feet assuming a similarly enchanted gambeson underneath. The sells attendant is a different man than the one who took care of me on my previous visits, though he seems able enough. Eager to please a repeat customer who has spent so much at this shop at least. At close range say within fifty well, perhaps only the armour worn by Tanyth could survive. Although Now that I think about it, well, I cant say about point blank shots, but have you heard of the Ocean Stone set? He speaks conversationally, without a sense of purpose beyond seeming friendly to help secure future sells.

No, I havent. Ive only recently become interested in acquiring full plate, so I havent kept up with rumours.

Ah, well, its an interesting story. When we first heard of Tanyths legendary set nearly three years ago, the Empress set out a challenge to three famed magic crafters to create a set that surpassed the rebels armour. Unfortunately, this turned out to be impossible, given that her armour was already a high quality set better than anything we could sell you that was then put under a major boon from a major god.

Its the theory of limited invincibility, you see, which is a logical and magical principle of importance in our business. It posits that invincibility is a relational property, rather than inherent. The relation being between the object and every other object in existence. Therefore, there can only be one invincible object at a time. Thats the logical part. The magical part is that it cannot be accidentally or incidentally invincible, but must be specially denoted as such by a being of sufficient magical authority. By which I mean of authority surpassing that of the one who denoted the previous invincible object.

Now, this is just abstract theory, but if the theory is true (which every magic crafter I know operates on the assumption that it is), and Tanyths armour is indeed denoted as invincible as many believe, then no mortal crafter could ever surpass it as it is now. That didnt stop the three from trying of course. The first two gave up fairly quickly and settled for merely high-quality masterworks. Armour that any knight would be overjoyed to wear, but did not come close to fulfilling the remit. The third one kept at it, and came up with a staggeringly complex array of three dimensional symbols. He spent two years designing the array, and another year crafting the thing.

Then, once he was done, he promptly died. Some say the impossibility of the task drove him insane and he died by his own hand. Other that he was simply getting old and was only living to complete his masterwork. Regardless, it is presently considered the second best set of armour in the empire. His family of course presented it to the empress, but unfortunately by that time Tanyths plate had already been captured. As staggering as the Ocean Stone is, it was no comparison to the goal. Still, it was a remarkable attempt at a challenge that they didnt know was impossible when it was made, so she gave the family half the initially promised reward and returned the set to them with permission to sell it.

Why? I ask, not the first time I considered interrupting his winding tale. I mean, why return it instead of using it?

He shrugs. Opinions are divided. Some say she was just being kind to a family who had lost their main income source. Others said it was politically motivated. Since, the normal use of such a masterwork would be to give it to an up and coming knight to express favour. However, since the set was made in association with another set of armour which she also now has in her possession, any knight she gave it to might be denoted as second best. Something that could very well cause more complications than it was worth, and this way she gets to be benevolent. After all, its not like shes really losing it, since anyone who bought it would likely to serve Arkothia anyways.

I see, I say. Youre saying this set is being sold then? At least I hope hes saying that, for both our sakes after taking up so much time with the story.

He smiles, ready for praise. Yes, at an auction set for two weeks time.

I guess Ill have to attend then.

Ah that might be difficult, he says, chagrined, I forgot when I first started, but only titled Arkothans of a rank of Count or higher are to receive invitations. A restriction placed by her majesty to make it more likely that the armour remains with us. Though the counts are allowed to give their invitations to others, either to serve as their intermediary or just as a favour. Such invitations however are already highly coveted. Not just for the armour, but for many other rare items that are to be sold.

Rightsigh, okay. How much would you guess this armour is even going to sell for, anyways? Before I spend the effort to attend, I might as well see if I can afford it.

Ah, well, it is difficult to say. First is the story driving up interest; many might try to purchase it just as a prestige item. Conversely, the restrictions on invitations will make entry difficult for the Nouveau Riche who would be the most interested in acquiring prestige items (no offence to you or your cousin, of course).

None, taken, I smile reassuringly, too amused to be upset. He almost convinced me that he genuinely didnt realize that the most insulting part was in claiming no offence to us, since otherwise I wouldnt have realized he was including us in that set.

Most gracious. Now moving onto the material cost of the item. The base material is rather expensive, as its made of a unique ironless alchemical alloy concocted by the crafter. Supposedly its much lighter than steel and much stronger, but only at the level of other special materials which would have been cheaper. Of course, the main benefit of being a unique alchemical substance is immunity to phasing weapons which must be constructed separately for each material. Then again, even with unique substances, the majority of a full plates material cost is the enchanting reagents, and this one isnt significantly greater than a normal sets.

All that considered, if this were a normal auction that wasnt the centre of a major piece of gossip, then I would put the price at twenty large gold. For this auction though, I would guess a minimum of thirty large.

Thirty large? I repeat, enticed at the notion of spending so much on one item. Though he mistakes my emotion for shock.

Ah yes, Im sorry, I had assumed Baronet Linhal would be purchasing whatever armour you chose.

I raise my hand in a slowing gesture. Its a gift for someone else. I intend to use my own coin, which I do have enough. Barely. After all my gambling I have a little over thirty-one large gold saved up. I suppose Ill have to get Monroe to invite me to a big game sooner than I thought.

I see You must care about this person quite deeply if youre considering purchasing them the second best armour in the empire. His tone is quite reasonable, though its obvious that he thinks I just have more coin than sense a not so sbtle gesture towards their armours on sell, indicating that a reasonable person would simply buy one of them.

But no, Im going to get him that armour. Bart is simply too ruthless a foe to get him merely a high quality set. Though I will also have to get him an enchanted gambeson to go under it. I can do that after I get the main item though.

So, I nod in acknowledgement of his stated opinion. Yes, very. Just out of curiosity though, how do these auctions work? Do you have to pay immediately?

He shakes his head. Typically, you have to make a large down payment on the day of purchase, then you have a month to produce the rest. If you fail, then theyll offer it to the next highest bidder. Though that time might be extended if you pay them more. The item is handed over once the amount is paid in full.

Hmm, that should make it simpler. Even if it ends up being fifty large, I will probably get away with depositing twenty and coming up with the rest in the remaining time. Still, I would prefer being able to pay for it in full so I can get it to Terry sooner. Well, that aside, since I am here, I had another item in mind.

I describe the need for something to counter the cases of complete darkness Ive encountered recently (the orb that Similce said was an alchemical item they took from one of their victims, and the cave). It hasnt been a priority, but since Im here, I might as well get it. Besides, buying something means I dont have to pay their consulting fee.

He produces a pair of dark lenses attached with a thin wire nose peice. Its an interesting design which folds for keeping it in a pocket, and with the symbols being etched along the edge in a way that somehow manages to be unobtrusive. In addition to the desired features, it has enhanced durability (adding utility as eye protection) self repair and an auto adjusting shading feature to protect from light bursts.

The night vision feature is the most interesting. It doesnt aid vision if there is any light present, but creates the same red glow from the cave in total darkness. I ask about alchemically produced darkness, to which he claims that it will almost certainly handle it. Apparently, they have a stash of the same sort of items Similce used to be deployed in case of a breach, for which their security wears this exact same model to see in.

I ask about buying some orbs for myself, but unfortunately theyre not for sell. Ill have to ask John if he can make some.

So, I pay two medium for the darksight lenses and head on my way for my other business of the day, though my mind is preoccupied with getting into the auction. Allan could almost certainly get me in, but that might be complicated. Besides his recent debauched spiral making him somewhat unpredictable, hell disapprove of me spending so much coin on a gift. He may forbid me from going or, worse, try to buy it for me himself. Its a gift from me; I need to buy it myself.

First, I go to my noble client Toby to see if he can get me into the thing, since his father is a count. Unfortunately, his father intends to attend himself, and while he can take others with him, they wont be able to bid on anything. Well, anyways, I have plenty of time to figure it out. In the meantime, I have other things to handle.

John, unfortunately, not only cant make the darkness orbs, but also hasnt made any progress on his main goal. Still, I am still rather enamoured the knifes he made me, so I dont comment on it.

The Mudhares are doing fine, though they report a sudden increase in guard presence. Good thing we finished all the expansion already, or else that might be trouble. Unfortunately, they dont know what its all about, but at least Its nowhere as bad as during the Anar hunt. In general though, they seem happier with my patronage than theyve ever been. A few of them can even manage to read the missives I send via my birds now, and their numbers have doubled since I took over.

In contrast to their happiness, Similce scowls as I enter the cults lair, speaking with arms crossed. You were supposed to come by last night.

I shrug. Something came up.

Oh yeah? I suppose it might have something to do with that stupid grin you have on your face?

I suppose it does, I say, realizing that Ive been smiling all day without noticing. No doubt a result of the time spent with Terry and the thought of giving him a gift. I sent word.

Yeah, I got your bird. It doesnt matter. Your absence caused problems. Problems that youre going to have to fix right now.

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