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Neither Larisa nor Mikołaj have any trouble paying a visit to the premises of Karev & Sons, one of the more well-known auction houses specialising in the everyday needs of a thriving economy. While outrageously expensive art does change ownership under auspices of Juliana Karev and her family every now and then, the usual merchandise is less grand. Often more sizeable though. The Karevs handle everything from the contents of cargo holds to entire clippers, from more mundane art to entire private libraries, and from local production to colonial imports.

The most extravagant feature is a large conservatory. Originally built to house exotic plants imported from the colonies, this annex to the building is now also used as a verdant backdrop for the auctions. And as a quiet show of wealth, because even in the deepest winters the conservatory maintains its small, tropical ecosystem. Now, in early autumn, the rain often drums heavily against the glass panels, forcing everyone to speak a little louder to be heard.

Larisa mingles easily with the guests on two evenings, allowing her to get a good understanding of how the Karevs handle their business. All auctions are conducted by a length of candle, meaning that the bidding ends the moment the auction candle's flame is extinguished. There is no great showmanship involved, but the auctions always happen in the evenings or even late at night to ensure that the flame can easily be seen against the background of a dark window. Some people seem to enjoy this kind of auction as a visitor sport of sorts. They only rarely bid themselves and clearly come to see and be seen while partaking in the refreshments offered between auctions. This is not high society, but it is comfortably part of the upper middle class.

The store rooms and offices in the main building are off limits to visitors and Larisa has no low-risk opportunity to sneak up the stairs from the entrance hall that takes up the entirety of the ground floor. Downstairs seems to be at least a small kitchen and upstairs are clearly offices used by the Karevs and their clerks. Storerooms for smaller auction pieces are also maintained while larger pieces and lots covering entire cargoes and ships are kept at other sites.

Mikołaj's intelligence gathering is somewhat less successful. While he manages to get information that confirms Larisa's observations, his dedicated studies of the notice boards draw the attention of the Karevs' resident insurance against magic meddling: the magebreaker they keep on retainer has pegged him as a sorcerer and will keep an eye on him should he see him again. There are no accusations voiced or threats made, but Mikołaj clearly falls within his remit and he will remember the face.

The lot that needs to be acquired is listed as the estate of a certain Vakaris Dabulis, recently deceased on his way back from a visit to the colonies. It entails various pieces of furniture, wardrobe, and private possessions, including his correspondence, lepidoptera collection, and sketches of various statues, women, and ships. Your superiors in the house unfortunately could not narrow their request down to a specific item, so you will have to ensure that the entire lot comes into your possession.

Neither Larisa nor Mikołaj have any trouble paying a visit to the premises of Karev & Sons, one of the more well-known auction houses specialising in the everyday needs of a thriving economy. While outrageously expensive art does change ownership under auspices of Juliana Karev and her family every now and then, the usual merchandise is less grand. Often more sizeable though. The Karevs handle everything from the contents of cargo holds to entire clippers, from more mundane art to entire private libraries, and from local production to colonial imports.

The most extravagant feature is a large conservatory. Originally built to house exotic plants imported from the colonies, this annex to the building is now also used as a verdant backdrop for the auctions. And as a quiet show of wealth, because even in the deepest winters the conservatory maintains its small, tropical ecosystem. Now, in early autumn, the rain often drums heavily against the glass panels, forcing everyone to speak a little louder to be heard.

Larisa mingles easily with the guests on two evenings, allowing her to get a good understanding of how the Karevs handle their business. All auctions are conducted by a length of candle, meaning that the bidding ends the moment the auction candle's flame is extinguished. There is no great showmanship involved, but the auctions always happen in the evenings or even late at night to ensure that the flame can easily be seen against the background of a dark window. Some people seem to enjoy this kind of auction as a visitor sport of sorts. They only rarely bid themselves and clearly come to see and be seen while partaking in the refreshments offered between auctions. This is not high society, but it is comfortably part of the upper middle class.

The store rooms and offices in the main building are off limits to visitors and Larisa has no low-risk opportunity to sneak up the stairs from the entrance hall that takes up the entirety of the ground floor. Downstairs seems to be at least a small kitchen and upstairs are clearly offices used by the Karevs and their clerks. Storerooms for smaller auction pieces are also maintained while larger pieces and lots covering entire cargoes and ships are kept at other sites.

Mikołaj's intelligence gathering is somewhat less successful. While he manages to get information that confirms Larisa's observations, his dedicated studies of the notice boards draws the attention of the Karevs' resident insurance against magic meddling: the magebreaker they keep on retainer has pegged him as a sorcerer and will keep an eye on him should he see him again. There are no accusations voiced or threats made, but Mikołaj clearly falls within his remit and he will remember the face.

The lot that needs to be acquired is listed as the estate of a certain Vakaris Dabulis, recently deceased on his way back from a visit to the colonies. It entails various pieces of furniture, wardrobe, and private possessions, including his correspondence, lepidoptera collection, and sketches of various statues, women, and ships. Your superiors in the house unfortunately could not narrow their request down to a specific item, so you will have to ensure that the entire lot comes into your possession.

Neither Larisa nor Mikołaj have any trouble paying a visit to the premises of Karev & Sons, one of the more well-known auction houses specialising in the everyday needs of a thriving economy. While outrageously expensive art does change ownership under auspices of Juliana Karev and her family every now and then, the usual merchandise is less grand. Often more sizeable though. The Karevs handle everything from the contents of cargo holds to entire clippers, from more mundane art to entire private libraries, and from local production to colonial imports.

The most extravagant feature is a large conservatory. Originally built to house exotic plants imported from the colonies, this annex to the building is now also used as a verdant backdrop for the auctions. And as a quiet show of wealth, because even in the deepest winters the conservatory maintains its small, tropical ecosystem. Now, in early autumn, the rain often drums heavily against the glass panels, forcing everyone to speak a little louder to be heard.

Larisa mingles easily with the guests on two evenings, allowing her to get a good understanding of how the Karevs handle their business. All auctions are conducted by a length of candle, meaning that the bidding ends the moment the auction candle's flame is extinguished. There is not great showmanship involved, but the auctions always happen in the evenings or even late at night to ensure that the flame can easily be seen against the background of a dark window. Some people seem to enjoy this kind of auction as a visitor sport of sorts. They only rarely bid themselves and clearly come to see and be seen while partaking in the refreshments offered between auctions. This is not high society, but it is comfortably part of the upper middle class.

The store rooms and offices in the main building are off limits to visitors and Larisa has no low-risk opportunity to sneak up the stairs from the entrance hall that takes up the entirety of the ground floor. Downstairs seems to be at least a small kitchen and upstairs are clearly offices used by the Karevs and their clerks. Storerooms for smaller auction pieces are also maintained while larger pieces and lots covering entire cargoes and ships are kept at other sites.

Mikołaj's intelligence gathering is somewhat less successful. While he manages to get information that confirms Larisa's observations, his dedicated studies of the notice boards draws the attention of the Karevs' resident insurance against magic meddling: the magebreaker they keep on retainer has pegged him as a sorcerer and will keep an eye on him should he see him again. There are no accusations voiced or threats made, but Mikołaj clearly falls within his remit and he will remember the face.

The lot that needs to be acquired is listed as the estate of a certain Vakaris Dabulis, recently deceased on his way back from a visit to the colonies. It entails various pieces of furniture, wardrobe, and private possessions, including his correspondence, lepidoptera collection, and sketches of various statues, women, and ships. Your superiors in the house unfortunately could not narrow their request down to a specific item, so you will have to ensure that the entire lot comes into your possession.