Hemwane — which bid is paid? the one that stood when nobody was looking

What burns and is never seen?

The wick. A candle is lit for fourteen minutes. Somewhere in them, past the first minute, it goes out — on a second the chain seals in a block that only exists after the bell. Nobody, house included, can read it while a bid can still be placed.

What rises and never falls?

The bid. Every bid must stand a tenth above the one before it, in $HEMWANE, and is held by the candle until it settles. Bid as often as you can raise yourself.

What is paid once and never to the last?

The hem. The last bid placed at or before the flame died takes every bid beneath it, less 3% to the house. The bids beneath are gone. The bids above — every one placed after the flame — go home whole, whoever placed them.

What does a bid cost that nobody wins?

Nothing. A candle that died before its first bid pays nobody and refunds everybody. The house takes its cut only from a purse that is actually paid, and can do nothing but light candles and couple the coin once.

First bid 1,000 $HEMWANE · each bid a tenth over the last · the flame holds its first minute and may die on any later second, all equally likely · 3% of a paid purse to the house · contract-settled, anyone can snuff and read the seal.