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OOC NOTE [click to expand]
ooc note
Exploration logs aren't events per se, nor are they mandatory. They're another type of prompt, not unlike the Notice Board's -- albeit (typically) a bit more fleshed out. And they serve multiple purposes! We use them to explore uncharted territories, specific establishments in Stygia or an NPC's motives, for instance. They do sometimes moderately correlate to the overarching plot, and will most of the time offer some kind of reward: artifacts, new transformations, clues, boons, etc. These prompts are generally available during less eventful months and for an undetermined amount of time. Just like the Notice Board's, they might create great opportunities for CR building. You're absolutely welcome to share your discoveries!
You are approached by the chief librarian
of the Academy, who explains that
several important books have vanished, and that
theft is suspected. Rather than admit that they
have been lax in their duties, the librarians ask
you to investigate the losses.
You enter the main hallway and are met with rows upon rows of colossal balconies, which stretch impossibly further than what the exterior of the building would suggest, housing seemingly endless rows of nearly identical bookcases. The shelves are filled with tomes both famous and obscure, innumerable in subject and author. All around, strange orbs of light seem to dance and glimmer about, as if sentient, through the bookcases and main hallway, as if to invite you forward. Books, both single and in small collections, levitate through the air, moving about as if to organize themselves back into their place - wherever that place may be. The scene is wondrous, chaotic, and oddly serene. The librarians lock the main doors behind you, and for a few hours, the library is quiet, allowing you to explore and search the place.
► STORAGE ROOM
Reams of parchment, blank vellum, quills, and ink are stored on shelves in this small area.
► CHIEF LIBRARIAN'S OFFICE
The head librarian’s chambers contain book-lined shelves, a desk, a small bed, a table, and chairs. It is homey and crowded, with decanters of fine liquor, jars of aromatic weed, and a collection of handcrafted pipes. The wall behind the desk looks a little odd, as if altered or repaired in the recent past.
► DOCUMENTS ROOM
The walls of this room are lined with shelves containing varied documents—old manuscripts, maps, records and the like—as well as several tables and chairs for study. Stairs go down to a basement that ends at a locked door. It contains various items including food and water, three tall statues, cleaning supplies... and skely-tons. One of them carries a rusty key in its mouth, which unfortunately doesn't unlock the door there.
► BOOKS YOU MIGHT COME ACROSS
If you go back to the Chief Librarian's chambers and investigate the wall, knock: it's hollow. There's a safe on the other side: unlock it with the key, and you'll find a diagram detailing three highlighted areas in front of three different statues. The basement. In truth, there are three pressure switches in front of each statue on there; when all three are pressed simultaneously, the locked door opens on a secret passage. However, if any weight is removed from the switches, the door is once again locked. Parties with 4 or more characters may make easy work of this predicament, but smaller parties may have to improvise and use books or furniture in lieu of other characters.
When all four switches are triggered, the hidden passage is revealed... and as you reach the end, you realize, too late, that it's a trap. The Chief Librarian stands before you, the glimmers of the library congregating around him; books begin to float, most likely the stolen tomes.
The door locks behind you, and the Chief Librarian lurches forward, transforming into a giant, monstrous beast. A werewolf, particularly weak against silver. If you're bitten or scratched, you'll experience your first transformation on the next full moon, which will also negate the alterations you may already be going through.
Once you've defeated the Chief Librarian, report to the Academy's Elders. They'll investigate the scene and reward you with a Slumberbook, which soothes and calms the listeners’ Shadows if read aloud. If you ask about the stolen tomes, now scattered across the ground among ripped robes, they'll hesitate and mention that 'the truth will rise when you gaze upon the cantilever stairs.' And with that, you're encouraged to leave, but not without an invitation to come back whenever you wish to browse the available collection of books.
“Can I count on your discretion? We have been losing books. Well, not exactly
losing … we think our books are being stolen. Naturally,
it would not do for the Academy Elders to learn that we
librarians have allowed important volumes to go missing.
I’m asking you as a favor to discreetly find out what’s
happening. We can’t offer much, but you would certainly
have our gratitude.”
You enter the main hallway and are met with rows upon rows of colossal balconies, which stretch impossibly further than what the exterior of the building would suggest, housing seemingly endless rows of nearly identical bookcases. The shelves are filled with tomes both famous and obscure, innumerable in subject and author. All around, strange orbs of light seem to dance and glimmer about, as if sentient, through the bookcases and main hallway, as if to invite you forward. Books, both single and in small collections, levitate through the air, moving about as if to organize themselves back into their place - wherever that place may be. The scene is wondrous, chaotic, and oddly serene. The librarians lock the main doors behind you, and for a few hours, the library is quiet, allowing you to explore and search the place.
► STORAGE ROOM
Reams of parchment, blank vellum, quills, and ink are stored on shelves in this small area.
► CHIEF LIBRARIAN'S OFFICE
The head librarian’s chambers contain book-lined shelves, a desk, a small bed, a table, and chairs. It is homey and crowded, with decanters of fine liquor, jars of aromatic weed, and a collection of handcrafted pipes. The wall behind the desk looks a little odd, as if altered or repaired in the recent past.
► DOCUMENTS ROOM
The walls of this room are lined with shelves containing varied documents—old manuscripts, maps, records and the like—as well as several tables and chairs for study. Stairs go down to a basement that ends at a locked door. It contains various items including food and water, three tall statues, cleaning supplies... and skely-tons. One of them carries a rusty key in its mouth, which unfortunately doesn't unlock the door there.
► BOOKS YOU MIGHT COME ACROSS
► Under The Silver Moon: This book contains information on lycanthropy and the effects that it may bestow upon you. The author of this book makes lycanthropy sound like a REALLY good idea.
► Cooking with Grandma: This seemingly pleasant sounding book goes into great detail explaining how the flesh and bones of older humans can be used to make delicious food.
► Call of the Void: A strange tome written in an unknown language. Attempting to read it causes headaches and dizziness.
► Mnemotical Magic: This tome has moving pictures of funny situations and animals. Which seems like a humorous pass-time soon reveals that the magically animated graphics are powered by a curse, probably. Directing an open page to a person will also make them repeat the depicted action; if the page shows a dog wagging its tail, for instance, the targeted person will feel the urge to mimic exactly that.
► Bargains of the Netherworld: A mysterious memoir recording the author's descent into madness before murdering his family.
► Incredible Creatures and How to Kill Them: Details weaknesses monsters are known to have.
► Claiming the Crown: An Experienced Guide to Assassinating Royals. How to brew a poison, how to create a disguise, tips on wielding daggers, and more!
► Half-Human, Half-Darkling, All Man: Porn. It's porn.
► Nightwalkers: A well used guidebook of general information on creatures that hunt humans such as Nightweavers, Werewolves, and Hags.
If you go back to the Chief Librarian's chambers and investigate the wall, knock: it's hollow. There's a safe on the other side: unlock it with the key, and you'll find a diagram detailing three highlighted areas in front of three different statues. The basement. In truth, there are three pressure switches in front of each statue on there; when all three are pressed simultaneously, the locked door opens on a secret passage. However, if any weight is removed from the switches, the door is once again locked. Parties with 4 or more characters may make easy work of this predicament, but smaller parties may have to improvise and use books or furniture in lieu of other characters.
When all four switches are triggered, the hidden passage is revealed... and as you reach the end, you realize, too late, that it's a trap. The Chief Librarian stands before you, the glimmers of the library congregating around him; books begin to float, most likely the stolen tomes.
“It was a joy watching you run in circles. It would have been much quicker to just lock you in, but I'm in dire need of entertainment. I've been under the scrutiny of the Elders for a while, you see. So many of these tomes are filled with lies... It is my sworn duty to revise and redraft, but they would rather follow in those damnable stingers' footsteps. Well, no matter. These books will disappear with you, and the truth will finally adorn the shelves. You've been a most excellent decoy. May you rot in peace now as I continue my work.”
The door locks behind you, and the Chief Librarian lurches forward, transforming into a giant, monstrous beast. A werewolf, particularly weak against silver. If you're bitten or scratched, you'll experience your first transformation on the next full moon, which will also negate the alterations you may already be going through.
Once you've defeated the Chief Librarian, report to the Academy's Elders. They'll investigate the scene and reward you with a Slumberbook, which soothes and calms the listeners’ Shadows if read aloud. If you ask about the stolen tomes, now scattered across the ground among ripped robes, they'll hesitate and mention that 'the truth will rise when you gaze upon the cantilever stairs.' And with that, you're encouraged to leave, but not without an invitation to come back whenever you wish to browse the available collection of books.
being a were doesn't limit you to lycanthropy. you may choose to turn into any beast you like. available changes include:
► sharper canines, pointier ears, and claws
► longer hair, patches of fur anywhere on your body
► uncontrollable urge to turn into beast on full moons
► berserk-like behavior during transformations
► enhanced strength and agility, five senses heightened
► can turn others by scratching or biting them
► pack instinct
► memory loss and exhaustion after transformation
► transformations may be triggered by strong emotions
► may be cured by piercing the were's hands with silver nails
Cedrik Reede | Final Fantasy XIV
[ Cedrik's not sure if he's the ideal choice for this task, but that won't stop him from giving his best effort. His help was asked for directly, after all, including a need for discretion. Hopefully the chief librarian won't mind if Cedrik recruits some help. Getting the books back is the most important thing, right?
For lack of a better place to start, Cedrik begins with the shelves. The place brings to mind certain other vast libraries he's visited, though the self-organizing books are a new touch. Not for the first time, he finds himself thinking back to friends of his who would love exploring such a place...
One of the floating orbs of light drifts along, falling in 'step' with him as if sensing his gaze and illuminating the various titles for his benefit. Cedrik lets himself be diverted away from those melancholy thoughts, plucking a particular title down that catches his eye. Flipping through the pages brings a wry grin to his face. ]
'Incredible Creatures and How to Kill Them'...interesting. It never hurts to brush up.
b) Investigating
[ Distractions behind him, Cedrik gets to work, starting with the basement. Perhaps their thief has a secret passage in and out of the library? It's just a hunch, but since those tend to work out in his favor, he'll follow up on it.
Below the documents room, the dark basement seems to be a different kind of storage. Cupboards and cabinets lined with foodstuffs which, if what he knows about scholars still holds true, is probably meant for the librarians or other researches to sustain themselves without having to leave their work. It's also remarkably clean...though nothing seems out of the ordinary.
At least not until he finds the three ominous statues. ]
...well these have to mean something. Can they be moved...?
[ As he goes poking around, giving each statue a testing push, a scuttling noise starts up from back the way they came. And it's getting closer. ]
c) Discovery
[ All that work, only to be betrayed. It's a maddeningly familiar feeling.
Cedrik grits his teeth, one hand already on the hilt of his sword as the chief librarian gloats. Instinct has him moving to stand between their foe and the other Restless he's been working with. Who knows what sort of magic they're up against, though he expects a mage of some sort...no choice but to bodily block whatever spells come their way and endure it--
The librarian transforming into a hulking, half-wolf beast is not what he expected. ]
Oh.
[ Cedrik adjusts quickly, drawing his greatsword just in time to get it between him and the werewolf's jaws. ]
Bloody hells!
d) Wildcard
(OOC: Give me your starter or, if you'd like to plot out something, you can reach me at
A.
I hope you're not planning on stabbing me in the back any time soon.
[He jests while flipping through the pages of a leather-back tome he found earlier. It looked like a journal of some sort, that is until Augustine turned the pages to find nothing but gratuitous porn. It's a little disappointing to say the least, especially because he was hoping to find something regarding the peculiar magic of this realm. Nevertheless, he can't help but keep reading once the titular character starts making out with his next door neighbor.]
…Oh my.
[Yep, he found something quite interesting over there. That's why he's snickering like a madman.]
I can tell grammar isn't this author's strong point.
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It's 'Incredible Creatures', Augustine, not 'Incredibly Dapper Gentlemen'. You've naught to fear.
[ Or 'Gentle Dead Men'...now there's a question. Are vampires ashkin, or are they voidsent? He's never been clear on the distinction...they're creatures of myth on his star, after all. The sort of monsters that only ever crop up around All Saints' Wake as costumes. Like werewolves. Though the fact that they are as real as dragons and the like on other worlds was interesting to learn...
Maybe he'll ask Augustine about that sometime. It would make them even for that 'faery' question. ]
Mn?
[ But the more immediate question is 'what's got Augustine so amused?' Cedrik closes his own book and tucks it close, sliding over to try and see what his friend is reading. And what he glimpses... ]
Oh...the author's awfully fond of the word 'throbbing', aren't they?
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Good to know that you recognize the difference between a fantastic beast and a dapper gentleman.
[He teases while still flipping through this ridiculous romance novel. Honestly, who can stomach such mindless drivel? Augustine can’t help but chuckle every time certain words are used to describe that long throbbing—well, you know. It’s all so silly in his opinion, but he reads on out of morbid curiosity.
That is until that pesky Viera slides on over to snoop. Maybe he’d become a bit too relaxed around Cedrik but he didn’t even sense him getting that close. He typically has a sixth sense for that kind of thing but he tends to lower his guard a bit around Cedrik.]
You’ve read this nonsense before?
[He questions with an arched brow.]
Don’t tell me you’re an avid fan.
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This? I've never seen it before in my life nor after it. Not until today.
[ If Augustine is trying to fluster him... Cedrik grins, meeting that pointed look without an onze of shame. Viera only look young and he's far from naive. ]
Why? Are you looking for a recommendation? That may be difficult as I've not yet seen any titles I recognize...but I can certainly help you search for something.
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Second off, Augustine was just exploring the library in search of anything noteworthy to undo this horrid curse. One of the reasons he even bothered to invite Cedrik here was so he could begin with his research. It has absolutely nothing to do with the fairly obvious fact that Augustine enjoys spending time with Cedrik.
Of course not! Who wants to dilly-dally with this silly looking rabbit faery? Not Augustine! Heavens, no.]
Spare me! I don't require such assistance from you.
[He scoffs before glancing down at this book again. After flipping through a few pages, Augustine decides to pocket the naughty book for safe keeping. It might prove entertaining for later.]
Nevertheless, did you forget that I'm seeking an complete archive regarding the last six harvests?
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At least he has the decency to let it be when Augustine changes the subject. ]
I remember...you're not alone in seeking answers, after all.
[ Though Cedrik's asking different questions at the moment, there's no reason they can't help one another. ]
Records like that are likely to be kept further in, right?
[ And it's not like what Augustine is after would be restricted or anything like that. ]
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They must be since we stumbled across such gratuitous pornography.
[Is it customary for such books to be found at a local library? Probably not but then again, this is the Netherworld. Whatever taboos existed in life surely don't exist after death. Nevertheless, Augustine isn't entirely too interested in exploring such a topic. He just want to find the records regarding last year's harvest.]
Come, walk with me.
[He all but commands as he hooks his arm around Cedrik's pulling towards the long corridor nearby. It's not like him to be this handsy but he's having trouble walking. Vertigo isn't uncommon for those affected by this awful blight. While Augustine puts on a brave face, he's having trouble maintaining his balance.]
no subject
[ Cedrik laughs as he lets Augustine grab hold and pull him along. The noise gets a few pointed frowns from other Restless... Yet even as he jokes, Cedrik quietly moves in step with Augustine, bending his arm to strengthen it and serve as a better anchor for his friend. In his case the curse has only ever been a tickle in his throat with the occasional coughed up daisy...he knows he's lucky where others are not...
If Augustine wants to soldier on and act as if he's fine while subtly leaning on him? Cedrik will oblige. ]
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You're terrible, you know that?
[He teases as they make their way deeper into the archives. There's a bit of a limp in his walk, an injury he suffered while trying to plant his black tulips the other day. Business isn't exactly booming for his little boutique but he's planning on changing all that with a wintry sale.]
Nevertheless, I wonder what else we could find here within this grand library. Surely there's some lore regarding Stygia itself.
[Augustine pauses in mid step once the spine of a leather bound book upon a nearby shelf catches his eye. He gently tugs Cedrik towards the direction of the shelf.]
Is that...is that a journal of some sort?
no subject
Hm...that's my hope. Though I suspect the origins of soulsteel won't be as easy to look up as the harvest records, one must start somewhere.
[ He trails off as Augustine stops, tilting his head curiously and following his gaze. With a curious hum he reaches up and pulls the book down. The cover is softened leather, exactly the sort one would bind a journal with, and there's no title embossed on the front or even the spine. ]
It looks to be...
[ Balancing it with one hand as the other is busy helping Augustine stay on his feet, Cedrik lets the book fall open before the pair, allowing them both to see. It's even hand written, each line getting more and more crooked as they go down the pages. Whomever wrote this was more concerned with getting their thoughts down than whether it would be legible. ]
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Nevertheless, Augustine could barely take his eyes off the journal once Cedrik opened it. He leans heavily against the adventurer as he attempts to read the sloppy scrawls. It's a little difficult to make out the words but once he sees something mentioning an illness, Augustine cannot help but look surprised.]
…They were sick. [He mutters while reading the notes.] Sick with the same illness Stygia faces now.
[A look of dread lingers on Augustine's face once he notices the brown little splotches on the brittle pages.]
Whoever they were, they...probably didn't make it.
no subject
They wrote down the treatments they tried.
[ Even if none of them turned out to be a true cure... ]
We'd best look over this. Perhaps we can find something to ease the symptoms...at the very least, it will tell us what to rule out.
[ As Cedrik starts to close the journal and offer it to Augustine, something falls from between the final pages. A flash of white fluttering to the ground...
A lily. Pressed flat over the years. ]
...
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the "curse your sudden but inevitable betrayal" option
☑ Trap the "heroes" in an ""impossible to escape situation""
☑ Explain why what he's doing has to be done (blah blah insert evil machinations here)
☑ Describe how he intends to make them suffer
Basically, he's going line-by-line in your typical, mustache-twirling evil mastermind playbook, and Hibiki for one is just Really Tired. This is stupid, and unnecessary, and she prepares to declare that for all to hear until the librarian transforms in front of them. Well, that's slightly unexpected. Also kind of bad. All she has is a pair of brass knuckles and a couple small stilettos. ]
Well, guess I'm marking this one off the bingo ca--aaahr hey what the hell?!!
[ As Cedrik deflects the bite, the small blonde attempts to get in a winding punch to the werewolf's solar plexus. Back off!! ]
...man, now I miss Firefly again.
Clawed hands swipe the air between, barely missing Hibiki as she ducks in close to strike back. The werewolf's jaws are stuck, unable to close over the steel blade and unable to withdraw for another attempt. It doesn't seem to want a strategic fight, driven only to tear apart the nearest living things as quickly and as brutally as possible. ]
Away from the front!
[ Since the beast isn't retreating, Cedrik takes the step back instead, pulling the monster further into the chamber rather than the locked entrance so Hibiki
can get her positionalshas room to maneuver. ]ovo✨
[ Hey, she's a good DPS, she's going to listen to her tank. Backing of, Hibiki shifts with Cedrik, realizing what he's doing as he forces the were-librarian into the room proper. Yes, good, she can work with that; and with a quick pivot on her heel, the small blonde shifts and sidesteps toward the beast's flank.
Taking a sharp breath, she digs deep, trying to pull what power she can to the fore. A faint wind swirls around her fist, a pale comparison to what she can normally do, but it's enough. She aims a windy uppercut at his ribs, intent on cracking at least a few--but still cushioning the blow slightly. There's nothing too vital there, but she's going for a knockout, not a kill. ]
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Eyes on me, you bastard!
[ A low strike across the werewolf's front legs causes it to stumble, just enough to stun it while Cedrik calls on some of his own magic. Darkness seeps from his body, giving him an eerie, unlit glow that catches the monster's eye and cements him as the greater threat.
It should be simple, though he never had to concentrate to maintain it before...it will be enough for the pair of them to bring the monster down, that's all that matters. Even if Cedrik ends up a bit bloodied before the end. ]
I think I dreamed I tagged this or something...
Moving behind the werewolf, the small blonde takes a deep breath before bringing her arm back. A small tempest still swirling around it, it coils down until she grips it in her hand, cracking the wind spell like a whip between the monster's shoulder blades.
She starts moving again almost immediately, dancing toward the beast's side. ]
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Seeing this, Cedrik's mouth draws into a wide, grim smile. ]
Take him down, Hibiki!
[ A fierce jab from Cedrik pierces the monster's shoulder, bodily lifting him partway up from the ground--and keeping him nice and still for his partner. ]
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Wind coursing between her fingers, looping and swirling as she rakes her hand through thin air before closing it into a fist, Hibiki plants a foot down firmly. Drawing her arm back, her hair blowing in the magical wind, she punches the werewolf's spine twice in rapid succession. Clearly holding back, a keen understanding of how much force she needs to put behind it, there's a distinct crack when she hits.
He probably won't die from a broken spine, but he's not walking away from this. Quite literally. ]
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Something of the old human can be seen in the creature's eyes, pain blowing them wide enough to show the whites as he takes in deep, ragged gulps of air. Cedrik looks down at the creature, slowly catching his own breath, before carefully moving to sheathe his weapon.
The beast is of no more threat. ]
Well struck--ngh.
[ Ah. He's also bleeding.
Long claws caught the front of his leathers, ripping them open and tearing into the skin beneath. One more scar to add to the lot. Grimacing, Cedrik presses a hand to the injury. It's ugly but far from as severe as what the werewolf was given. He looks back up at Hibiki. ]
You're unharmed?
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The blonde rushes to his side, clapping a hand over his as she tries to help apply pressure. Her wheels in her mind immediately start spinning as she holds her hand there as one thought overpowers them all.
I̸t̷'̴s̵ ̴b̸e̶c̶a̶u̸s̸e̶ ̷y̷o̴u̵ ̶h̷e̵l̵d̸ ̷b̸a̶c̶k̷.̶ ̸I̸t̶'̵s̴ ̸a̵l̴l̶ ̵y̴o̶u̸r̸ ̶f̶a̵u̶l̸t̷.̴
Hibiki forces her expression to remain unchanged as he looks at her, concern flooding her features. ]
I'm fine. [ Said terse. End of discussion. Turn this back on her and she'll cut you off, Cedrik. ]
Try not to move. We don't know how deep it is.
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Not deep enough to be fearful of, I can tell that much.
[ He does his best, putting on a brave face--though he does let Hibiki come close, pressing her hand over his to help slow the bleeding. If his magic were stronger, if he had proper armor...excuses. He could have run the beast through at the start--part of him wonders if it's really a mercy to leave him like he is.
The healers can do something for him, perhaps. Speaking of which... ]
Though it does sting. Whoreson's claws were filthy, no doubt. Sakura's going to tear my ears off...
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Raked by the claws of a beast.
Of a werewolf. ]
Just stings? And I thought I had a high pain tolerance.
[ Force of habit. In tense situations like this, she always looks for ways to ease the tension. ]
I think we need to call her. This isn't really something I've got experience with.
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I've taken far worse hits than this and walked them off. I'll be fine, Hibiki.
[ Of course, he's not that foolhardy. ]
More so once she's patched me up. Come on, now... [ He reaches a clean hand and puts it on Hibiki's shoulder. ] ...keep your spirits up.