"Airavata's Ivory Horn" (CR9N3/IVO4R/ARV7A)

rating: +13+x
CR9N3/IVO4R/ARV7A
Status Obtainable
Demand Low
Value 9,000 - 13,000 $US according to the size
Availability Established Production Line Current Inventory 2, Estimated 158 Around The World
Identifier "Airavata's Ivory Horn"
Description White Elephant Ivory Olifant. Grants an individual blowing inside of it limited control of the direction of the surrounding winds. The range depends on the tusk's size, whereas the control's sharpness depends on the sound's frequency.
Marshall, Carter & Dark, LLP

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CR9N3/IVO4R/ARV7A


Initial Report
Author James Underbrooke Date 22 April 1947
Interest High Identifier Wind Horn
With the crown seemingly bending in the face of these anti-British protests, I'm sorting out my last affairs and preparing to leave India to return to London. However, I was able to acquire an extremely interesting object before cutting off all contact with my clients here.

It's an ivory horn, or more precisely, an olifant. It seems quite old, judging by its burnished and damaged appearance. I haven't had time to date it yet, but I would give it two good centuries. Beyond the characteristic value of elephant ivory, this tusk possesses supernatural properties permitting its owner to control the speed and the direction of the wind. There's no doubt that such an object would have made our fortune during the time of the great crossings.

We could already get a good price as a previously unseen artifact, but the individual from whom I acquired it assured me that this specimen is not unique and that several great Indian families have possessed similar objects throughout history, using them in times of drought to ward off storm clouds. I managed to trace it back to a small piece of uncut ivory, which actually caused a small breeze when it was banged against metal.

If we find artisans capable of working with the raw material, I don't doubt that we would be able to reproduce this olifant, maybe even create different models inspired by other similar wind instruments. I'm going to use the days I have left in this country to try to find the source of this ivory. With a little luck, we have our next flagship article.
File Opened Under: CR9N3/IVO4R/ARV7A
Marshall, Carter & Darke, Ltd.

Memo 01
CR9N3/IVO4R/ARV7A
Sender Percival Darke Receiver James Underbrooke
I heard from Rupert that you have returned to London. Nice to know you're back home. Regarding the horn you sent to headquarters, I think you are somewhat overestimating its sales potential. As you said yourself, the era of the great crossings is long over, and our teams' analyses seem to indicate that precise usage of the product requires extensive training from the consumer. This risks putting off most of our target customers. Additionally, the usage of its supernatural properties seems to deteriorate the quality of the ivory, and we fear that this impact on the product's shelf life will greatly reduce its value.

However, if, like you said the other day, you think you have discovered the source of this ivory, we could try to artificially inflate the demand around these horns by maintaining the greed of our usual clients. A demonstration of its effects under the control of our best auctioneers in front of a carefully selected public could allow us to easily sell a large number of items at once, and, with a regularly accessible source, it will be possible to slowly sell stocks over several decades.
Marshall, Carter & Darke, Ltd.
Memo 02
CR9N3/IVO4R/ARV7A
Sender James Underbrooke Receiver Percival Darke
Unfortunately, I'm afraid that we will have to settle for the example that I have supplied you with. I have indeed succeeded in finding the origin of this oliphant, but exploiting this resource would probably cost us more than we are to gain from it. Like any piece of ivory, these tusks come from an elephant, but this elephant isn't a simple fantasy animal, but a local deity named Ariavata.

I didn't dare approach closer than my guide recommended, but even at a good distance, I noted that the creature was at least fifty feet tall. The trumpets of its many trunks were deafening, and I witnessed firsthand its ability to spray anything that came a little too close with one of its snouts, when the local hunters that I commissioned found themselves scattered to the four winds. It would seem that, not content with transforming rivers into clouds, this infernal beast does the same with its enemies.

I could propose the use of heavy weaponry to take down the creature, but since we are after its ivory, that seems, to me, counter-productive. And, even if, like Hindu beliefs claim, the beast perpetually regenerates as long as one of its heads lives, and could therefore offer us an unlimited stock, I fear that none of our collectors are able to regularly attack such a creature.
Marshall, Carter & Darke, Ltd.
Memo 03
CR9N3/IVO4R/ARV7A
Sender Percival Darke Receiver James Underbrooke
If manpower is your only concern, I am sure that you can find an arrangement with some of our best associates.

Are you familiar with the Heathermoor Clan?
Marshall, Carter & Darke, Ltd.

Sales Record
CR9N3/IVO4R/ARV7A
Recording of: May 1951 to March 2019
Month Sold Comments
From May 1951
To June 1951
5 The America's Cup happens at a good time.
From August 1951
To November 1951
4 Out of stock, the Heathermoors were contacted.
From January 1952
To April 1952
4 Disappointing demand compared to estimates.
From May 1952
To September 1952
3 End of the waiting list, demand down.
From October 1952
To November 1952
1 Decline in interest from regular clients. Massive stock demand; difficult to sell.
December 1952 28 Mass demand caused by the Great Smog of London. Out of stock. The Heathermoors want to review the contract.
From January 1953
To March 1953
2 Difficulties in securing supplies. Alternatives are to be found.
From April 1953
To January 1955
15 Initial contact with the Northwood Family, more collaborative than the Heathermoor Clan.
From February 1955
To June 1956
9 Further decline in demand.
From July 1956
To April 1957
4 Stock sold out, the product is now available to order.
From May 1957
To May 1959
1 Contrary to expectations, clients mainly use it for decorative purposes. The product's lifespan is working against us. Too late to consider causing an artificial scarcity to increase its value?
From April 1959
To April, 1972
4 Demand plummeted. Changing the supplier. A long-term contract was established with the Aberdeen Pack.
From May 1972
To August 1989
19 Massive procurement because of a new boat race.
November 1989 13 Each of the Vendée Globe competitors.
From December 1989
To November 1992
17 Plant death caused by using the product works against us.
From December 1992
To February 2005
23 A major part of purchases made by former consumers to replace their expired items.
From March 2005
To September 2007
18 Transat B to B1
From October 2008
To February 2012
12 Demand has fallen drastically in recent years.
From March 2012
To June 2019
6 Last delivery, the Pack announces the end of the contract because of an accident during recovery. Only 2 copies left in stock.
Marshall, Carter & Dark, LLP

Inventory Information
CR9N3/IVO4R/ARV7A
Owner Quantity Commentary
Marshall, Carter & Dark LLP 2 Available from the Supplier upon request
Indefinite breakdown of the supply chain.
Procurement of the remaining items from the Supplier is under negotiation.
The Foundation 76 Massive usage for an unknown reason
Regular demand for new stock.
Mr. De Mornas 1 Original item, probably kept for collection purposes.
The Technothaumaturges 19 Usage unknown. Supposedly scientific.
The Pack 26 Supplier
Unable to continue the contract.
Private collecters 34 Kept for various purposes.
󿀋 The Artist (Formerly Known As Prince) 1 Largest known model.
Marshall, Carter & Dark, LLP

Memo 04
CR9N3/IVO4R/ARV7A
Sender Adam Underbrooke Receiver Stephen Vercross
I received a message from Jacob Northwood. He apologised for its sudden nature but confirmed the end of the contract. According to him, the source is simply no longer exploitable.

I tried to get him to say more, but our agreement with them gives them the right to keep their methods secret, and we still don't know if it was human error or something else. In reality, we unfortunately have very few details on what happened, but given the timing between the Pack's breaking of the contract and the strange interest that the Foundation suddenly has in Airvata's ivory, it seems clear to me that they have yet again meddled in what doesn't concern them..

On top of that, it seems that we had an information leak regarding the distribution of the remaining copies because they quickly sent several of their MTFs to retrieve many copies from various individuals. For some reason, they are apparently trying to establish a monopoly.

Keep trying to find out what happened during recovery. We need to recover the Pack's stocks, and it would be easier to negotiate if they caused the accident. If the Northwoods refuse to tell us more, try approaching the Dīng Shāo. As for the Foundation, if they contact us again, do not share any information about our remaining stock and our supply capacities. If they want these ivory pieces so badly, they're gonna have to shell out for them.
Marshall, Carter & Dark, LLP
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