The Auction House is the beating heart of the action at The Pirate Market. Day and night a crowd of bidders cluster around the low stone pavilion as lot after lot is placed on auction. Mighty Galleons taken in acts of piracy, cargo from the far ends of the world, gold, gems, rare spices, entire harvests of grain, or herds of cattle, even magical items, whatever you can imagine is sold here. The constant organized hum of commerce fills the air, as thousands of gold pieces change hands based on the slightest gesture of interest from a bidder.
Currently a lot of jewelry is on sale, some of which, if your eyes don't deceive you, is still encrusted with the blood of the original owners.
Lum himself presides over this particular auction, something of a rarity given he doesn't directly administer each lot, only the most important or valuable. However, the crack of his silver topped cane on the stone floor of the pavilion and the barked words "sold" encapsulate the spirit of the market more than any other single event. A fact that has been noticed and capitalized on by one of the fools from the Circus of Pepin and Breschard.
Staying carefully out of the view of Lum, the belled fool stands on the stairs leading up to the pavilion in full view of the crowd. With a large block of wood in his hand, he expertly pantomimes every motion and expression Lum makes, punctuating the successful conclusion of an auction by vigorously cracking himself on the head with his wooden block, staggering around dazed for a few moments afterward. The crowd never fails to giggle at that particular antic, while Lum seems to be either blissfully unaware or intentionally ignoring him.
Next to the stone pavilion you notice a noticeboard covered with flyers announcing the upcoming auctions and events. Lum runs a tight ship, a large stone sundial measures the time, all auctions begin precisely on schedule, no minor feat considering the amount of goods exchanging hands. A fully functional guillotine rests next to the pavillion. The rumor is that it's used in the case of failure to settle accounts.
While Lum keeps the area immediately in front of the pavilion clear to accommodate the crowd of bidders, several shops line the perimeter of that imaginary line, capitalizing on the constant flow of bidders. One, presided over by a tall and charismatic tiefling proudly proclaims itself "Hero's Horde", and seems to sell live animals including what looks like a miniature dragon, in addition to the more common fair of armor, helmets, shields and weapons. Next door, is a stall that specializes in musical instruments of all varieties.At the edge of the market, near the restricted entrance, a shop proclaims itself "Weedan's Wares" and seems to sell a completely random selection of odds and ends. Across from the auction pavilion a large stall constructed entirely of wine barrels is manned by what appears to be an order of nuns. In addition to the common fruit and fish mongers a dwarf butcher is selling "meat, live, dead or cooked on the spot to your satisfaction", and is doing a brisk business selling hot sausages to the crowd.
It appears possible to gain direct access to this area through a street off Cathedral Square, however a sign proclaims "This entrance reserved for vehicle traffic only". The sign is enforced by several bad tempered guards with pikes.
