My HA is representing Chess. Her name is Chess Nut. She was invited by the Queen because of her intelligence and her willingness to run the chess gambit. She collects all things pertaining to chess, especially chess boards. She also likes books about chess so she can always be a step ahead with her next move.

From the mist appears a vision before you. Although alone you hear the soft rustle all around. The Lady is never truly alone, if you wish to test that then on your head be it.

by Hamda

Her name is cloaked in shadows. Those that dare talk of her do it only in whispers and even then not by name. She is only "The Lady" least you attract her attention.

For someone like that, receiving an invite to such a... common event was rather quaint.

It appealed to her as a well known collector, promised her finds beyond her imaginings.

Unlikely, for The Lady didn't not dabble in mere trinkets. She only desired that which had the power to shape the world, and at one time had indeed done so. The Lyre of Orpheus, Pan's flute and Excalibur to name a few were rumored to be in her possession and they weren't even among her highly valued pieces.

However, it intrigued her that someone was able to bypass her guards and reach her inner chambers, all to place this invite by her nightstand. If nothing else, this promised to be... entertaining.

by Knight

A Strange Gentleman arrives at the auction. His name... hardly matters. For some reason no one can remember it once he walks out of their sight. He is hardly an unknown element though. The Strange Gentleman is quite well known in certain circles for his vast collection of Whispers.

He keeps his Whispers neatly organized in small colorful glass bottles the line that shelves of his parlor. Each one is carefully labeled with a name, a date, and a secret. Once or twice a year he invites a small select group of people. At these exclusive gatherings he will uncork a bottle or two of his vintage Whispers for the delight or horror of those lucky enough to attend.

As of late he's considered expanding his collections to other esoteric interests.

Saving this spot!

A lady dressed all in black waltzes in with a dancer's grace. She was a well-known beauty once. But ever since that incident - it was only whispered well out of earshot - she has taken to collecting what she no longer had: faces.

From carnival masks to death masks; from porcelain doll heads to shrunken heads; she has them all. Some were common, many were odd, all were beautiful. It makes one wonder why she keeps such reminders of what many would consider painful.

Undoubtedly she is here to seek another curio to add to her collection. Do not stare. It is known that she does not take kindly to idle gazes.

Private Outfit Faelin collects esoteric oddities, specializing in chthonic artifacts. A shopkeeper and fortune teller of local legend, Faelin has very little interest in social gatherings and acquaintances outside of business ventures, so when she received an invitation for a strange gathering of like-minded collectors at an exclusive curio auction, she couldn't say no.

by Melody

A wildly popular songstress that quickly skyrocketed to fame and retired just as abruptly, surprisingly little is known about this eccentric former celebrity that now rarely leaves her vast estate on Atebus. She has largely faded into obscurity, not having spoken with anyone since her retirement, though she appears to be an avid collector of all manner of rare musical paraphernalia.

Rumour has it that she especially favours musical notations, the older the better . . . and should her interest be piqued by such an offering, it is said that she may even grace you with a song.

by lokidottir14

The room seems to dim ever so slightly as she enters, and her shadows seem to caress you as she approaches. You try to get a good look at her face, but it seems to shift constantly under her veil.

You can hear her shadows whispering, beckoning to you. They tell you to make a deal, get answers from The Secret Keeper. Her body is marked with each secret she collects, and only she knows what any of the markings mean, written in a language no one of this world speaks. She hopes to add more secrets to her collection, perhaps from the other guests.

by Minvana Madame Sharrsa is one of the remaining nagas who once inhabited Subeta. Her voice and soul became as dry as her scales after countless years of solitude. She made the Sacred Lands her residence and lives here in the lavish one-storey mansion at the outskirts of Souk. Hundreds of glimming golden trinkets and books about magic rites are stored on the shelves or occasionally lying on dusty marble floor. Madame Sharrsa believes that such noble and priced material as gold can preserve a piece of soul of the master crafter who transformed it into a jewel. The more intricate the work, the more life energy it has inside. And with certain amount of magic this power could become her own. As for the auction, she craves to take a glimpse on one of a kind masterpieces that could appear here.

by Quirky

This is Mz. Apocolit. Her house sits on stilts in a marsh outside of the village, living with faithful servant and friend, Chit. He is often seen around homes, collecting old toys, clothes, and furniture for his Mz. The people avoid him as he scurries away, clinging on to the treasures of trash collected. Harmless, he is still a startling sight. Looking half dead, and an animated gnome at that, is bizarre in itself to catch sight of. She is well known . Not for sightings or truths, but for rumors and gossip and many strange stories. They muse she is insane or cruel or perhaps even dead. Perhaps wicked, or lurking in shadows in the windows at night. None are true. In truth she is an artist. She likes to make beautiful, the old things that she finds. Finding intrigue in the most unusual of places. Colours light up her eyes. The home is filled with repainted dolls. Furniture half fixed and scraps of fabric always littered about. Though leaving very rarely. Mz. Apocolit's wardrobe is eclectic and would be of envy to many. Friendly but shy and quite down to earth for one so wealthy, making friends with strangers that are brave enough to say hello. Her invitation torn open with excitement and glee! Hoping to meet other people with a taste for unusual things and curious sights. She arrives wearing an outfit of a new design, ready to go with Chit at her side.

*edited for spelling error

by Cheshire Jeweler by day, purveyor of enchanted oddities by night. With a penchant for anything that sparkles, Glitzen has been in the curio business a long, long time. Rings, swords, keepsake boxes, doublets, if it shimmers and it's magical they've got ten of them. Being a very private individual they are not exactly well known by anyone, but known well enough to garner the respect of the community and apparently an invitation to this exclusive auction. Such an opportunity too tantalizing to pass up.

Not entirely unapproachable, their complexion and demeanor come off a bit chilly in contrast to the cheerful expression permanently etched onto their visage. Though it would be folly to assume curious new faces are happily met. When mingling among so many old souls it is better to keep to oneself, lest a piece of you wander off with them. Hopefully this event won't drag on forever, and they can soon return to the north where the cold climate helps to keep the incessant hunger at bay.

Outfit Not Found

When a mysterious and exotic woman steps from her home, even the rivers flow away from her. The birds go strangely silent. Min Yoon Qui. A collector of fine teas and the eldest daughter of the most wealthy family in Shengui Guo. Any type one could desire- Black, Green, Jasmine, or would one really know or care what tea you were being served if you looked into her eyes?
There are rumors around Subeta alluding to a well hidden fact that she may help those who have a need for a relative be it husband, father, brother, ex-lover to, even business partner, shall we say, disappear discreetly? So an invitation to visit a supreme collector? A chance for her to acquire a new blend of tea that has been hidden for 100's of years? Or could her invitation have a deeper, more lucrative, secret meaning for the owner of this curio auction....

by Lovely Natalia was said to have once survived the bite of a thousand black widows. Unharmed, she studied their beauty and began collecting and caring for them. She began collecting anything she could get her hands on that might unlock the mysteries of her survival. It wasn't long till word had spread of the miraculous Natalia, the spider lady. Many tried to coerce Natalia into performing for them so that they may profit from her fame. One day, a traveling man even captured and caged Natalia for his roadshow of oddities. Before the man could leave town the next day, he was found dead in his trailer, bitten by black widows. Though it was unable to be proven, many speculate that the black widows attacked her captor by Natalia's command.

Sorry for the edit. I just fixed one line I messed up. >.<

In nearly every room of the Birdkeeper's mansion is an aviary, and in every aviary there are birds. She collects them, you see, and for all you might wonder at the logistics of this, you can be assured that they are happy. Every room is carefully climate controlled, with just the right flora, just the right food, and just the right companions. On a rotating schedule they are freed to roam the garden, which is thoroughly examined to ensure their safety. She has employees, but the bulk of their care is done by the Birdkeeper herself—and how she cares! They trill when she approaches, chirping and pining for her attention. She always grants it. She rarely leaves the mansion; she sleeps in her shed.

Say what you like about the Birdkeeper: that she is rude, that she is stupid, that she is insane. But for all the whispers that flit about her, there is one thing that you could never say—that she is alone.

(I hope it's okay, but I made some slight edits to the HA!)

Witchy of the house of Nyota, (some say the Queen of Wind and Woe, Dreamer of Worlds, Master of Cauldrons), but no one calls her anything but Witchy (at least to her face)

Witchy travels through time and space. She used to have a house that did that for her, but she had a small accident with a cauldron (which is what happens when there are to many cooks in the kitchen) and since then, she's had quite a few changes.

She no longer needs her house, to travel, her pet cat can change into other creatures (mostly bunnies and chickens) but the biggest change to her, was when that dark matter exploded in her cauldron, it filled HER up. Her blues eyes are now purple. Her redhair is mostly white (even though, if she doesn't drain the excess dark matter out of her system, her hair Will turn purple) and she seems to be forgetful. Not quite remembering if this day, is today, yesterday, or tomorrow.

But that hasn't stopped Witchy from cooking. Oh no. But now she collects herbs. She has herbs from all over the world. Acapulco, Maui, Panama, Saggi 13, Messer 32, Andromeda.

Please, don't ask about the stars circling her head. They were gifted to her and keep her hair in perfect order. So please, don't be rude and ask about them (even though her closes friends think that between the cauldron accident and the stars, it's no wonder Witchy never knows what day it is)

Receiving and invitation out of the blue, has her curiosity pricked. "Ohhhhh, I love to dress up! I'll have to write this down so I remember to go to this wonderful party, maybe the auction will have some interesting people to meet, and some useful herbs I can partake of buy. Now where is my appointment book..."