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.
โCan I count on your discretion? We have been losing books. Well, not exactly
losing โฆ 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.
Iโm asking you as a favor to discreetly find out whatโs
happening. We canโt offer much, but you would certainly
have our gratitude.โ
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.
โบ STORAGE ROOM
Reams of parchment, blank vellum, quills, and ink are stored on shelves in this small area.
โบ CHIEF LIBRARIAN'S OFFICE
The head librarianโs 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.
โบ DOCUMENTS ROOM
The walls of this room are lined with shelves
containing varied documentsโold manuscripts, maps, records and the likeโas 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.
โบ BOOKS YOU MIGHT COME ACROSS
โบ 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.
โบ 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.
โบ Call of the Void: A strange tome written in an unknown language. Attempting to read it causes headaches and dizziness.
โบ 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.
โบ Bargains of the Netherworld: A mysterious memoir recording the author's descent into madness before murdering his family.
โบ Incredible Creatures and How to Kill Them: Details weaknesses monsters are known to have.
โบ 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!
โบ Half-Human, Half-Darkling, All Man: Porn. It's porn.
โบ 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.
โIt 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.โ
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 listenersโ 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:
โบ sharper canines, pointier ears, and claws
โบ longer hair, patches of fur anywhere on your body
โบ uncontrollable urge to turn into beast on full moons
โบ berserk-like behavior during transformations
โบ enhanced strength and agility, five senses heightened
โบ can turn others by scratching or biting them
โบ pack instinct
โบ memory loss and exhaustion after transformation
โบ transformations may be triggered by strong emotions
โบ may be cured by piercing the were's hands with silver nails
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