Library Rules

-=--=--=--=--=<* A14: Sage Orum's Plaza, University District *>-=--=--=--=--=-

         Named after one of Alexandria's most learned (and perhaps addled) minds, the new University District of the city contains a number of entertainment spots as well as areas of culture and learning. Though many structures and sculptures can be found here, two buildings dominate the plaza with an air of friendly animosity--the grand buildings of the Society for Progressive Arcanists and the Artificer's Guild.

         Poised on opposite sides of the central plaza, the two face one another like old misers, each uncertain as to what the other's up to, and pranks between students are a rule of thumb. A series of levies and fines exists should they get too far out of hand, though at times the results may be spectacular. Performers often make use of the great plaza by filling it with music, and rare is the visit without passing a performer's hat or three, five, or nine. Likewise, ramshackle shops selling every sort of magic bauble line the ways, all of varying (and often questionable) quality. A grand statue of Sage Orum overlooks it all, his expression slightly perplexed perhaps, at its mixture of grandeur, invention, glass-filled baubles, and chaos.

         At the far end of the area, is the city library. From public records to research into the history of the city and the region itself, there is much one can learn at the city library. Many stories tall, the building towers up over well-lit, tightly-packed cobblestone streets.

         In the distance, the Redridge Mountains rise overhead in all their glory. At their peaks, one can see the airships docking, landing, and flying off again under the banners of not only Alexandria but many great nations.

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The sky is bright, the sun is shining. Its a glorious day in the plaza and street venders hawk the latest in passing foodstuffs and performers play their trade between the two massive edifices of learning. Which is why it might be slighly odd for one figure to have his cloak pulled up and his eyes firmly on the ground ahead of him. It might seem less strange when the realization that said figure happens to be a shadow elf.

The sky is very big and the sun very bright. The latter of which hurts his eyes at times, and the former...well. The illogical notion that he might fly off into the sky with nothing above his head sometimes takes him. So its just best not to look.

Lorik is still getting used to his new home after all.

What does draw his attention though is the massive doors of the library that stand before him and he blinks in suprise as he stands there. "No guards." He murmurs to himself. "No line to get in. No one to bribe and beg. Maybe...you have to take a blood oath to check out books?" A pause. "No thats silly but....they can't let you just /look/ can they."

...yes. He sometimes talks to himself.

They are rare-- known, but rare. Perhaps not so much as the shadow elven, but at least Egalrin do not fear falling into the sky!

Nasirri plies her steps with a graceful joy, confidence and curiosity as she moves. Staff borne in one hand, and in the crook of her arm-- knowledge, learning. A book marked with careful, spiderweb-lettering runic lettering. The bright feathered strider is in no hurry to arrive at the library entry; the wind stirs golden feathers, and the quiet tune she murmurs is faint, dreaming.

"Forgive," she adds absently, stepping around a certain Mul'niessa standing near center path!

"Now I admit I'm not from around here," comes a somewhat lilting voice from off to the side. "But back home books are just kind of there. But then, I grew up in a monastery, so what do I know."

The source of the voice is a mostly-Xian woman, ambling along on sandaled feet with her hands draping off of a curved, sheathed sword resting across her shoulders. "But hey, at the very least I bet they'll let you keep your blood. I hear you kinda need that stuff."

Nasirri has reconnected.

"Ah pardon me!" Lorik says as he steps aside for Nasirri to pass. There is admiration as he glances at the beautiful leattering of the book and the fine golden shine of her feathers. But he shakes his head for a moment, glancing up at the sound of a new voice.

"Ah," And there is a moment he looks somewhat embarrassed. "I just arrived in the city last week and where I come from books were...a luxury to say the least. There were procedures you had to go to see them..." There is a bright bit of a smile, wry and amused before he adds. "So I've heard too. I got a very painful demonstration of that a few days ago but..."

His gaze shifts back towards Nasirri as she walks. "Ah, pardon me. I'm sorry to bother you but...how do you check books out here?"

t"Seems like it might be easier to just go in and see- people around here have been friendly ao far," muses the human woman, shrugging against the scabbard on her shoulders.

"Besides, it looks pretty open to me, and I've always found that the easiest thing to do is- well, not get caught, but if you must- ask forgiveness, not permission."

Lorik's smile widens as mischief fills his gold eyes for a moment. "You know, I've always found the same to be true." He adds wryly. "Maybe that is why I'm here in the first place." He pauses a moment though as if remembering something. "My name is Lorik though. I mean it's not /really/ my name, but Lorik is much easier to pronounce than my full name." He adds with a flash of a grin as he reaches up to pull his hood away from his face.

Sunlight catches on the silver hoops in his ears as he glances towards the library. "Well nothing ventured right?" He asks of the lady before he steps up and pushes the door open, there is a slight tencing of his shoulders as if he's expecting a shout. Or arrows. or magic smiting...

...but when none of that happens he is more than relieved.

"No this place isn't anything like home at all."

"I'm Mio," she returns cheerfully, and drops her left hand from its resting place as if to offer it forth- but then the man is off.

"See? Told you. Not much like my home either- but still a nice place all the same. What brings you to a library, anyways? I'll admit I was more the sort to avoid my lessons as a child."

"Mio..." Lorik says the name slowly, as if trying to remember it. He would be mortified if he realised he made a mistake in greeting someone, at least he would if he wasn't distracted by all the books.

So many books.

Books upon books upon books.

Eyes wide for a moment he shakes his head slightly to clear it before glancing back towards his new friend to try to concentrate on her question. He flashes her a grin once more, sharp and amused. "I should have taken your word for it, but old habits of the past hundred years or so and hard to break. As for the why...well I went with a group to the Fellwood and were attacked by a...strange beast. I thought I might see if I can find information on it, just so I can be prepared for it the next time it happens."

A pause.

"I'm beginning to realize that many of the missions with the Guild involve beasts trying to eat you."

"Sounds more exciting than reading about it," notes Mio, waving it off with her left as she flips the sword back down to her side, holding it by the scabbard with her right.

Her head tilts and her eyebrows rise a little as she surveys the building, however. "Alright, but even I have to admit this is fairly impressive. Doubly since we had more scrolls than tomes at home."

"You're a swordswoman?" Asks the shadow elf curiously, his voice kept low as he steps into the libaray and glances around at the stacks of books. "Does that mean you'll be taking up employment at the Guild as well? It seems...very popular with travelers and newcommers alike."

A flash of a grin. "I suppose it is one way to keep food on the table." A pause though before he adds. "...I only got let into our family library once or twice and even then it wasn't a quarter of the size and I was supervised the whole time."

A blinnk as he realizes he didn't answer her question. "Oh! Well yes, it was exciting." A pause. "And painful, they were some kind of...giant larva? With sharp teath. And acidic drool. It took me quite a bit to get my armor fixed after that encounter."

A pause at his own question, and she looks down at the weapon her hand. A faintly amused smile appears on her face. "Figured that out, did you?"

On that note she shrugs, waving along further. "I only just arrived in the city last night or so- I really don't know if I plan to sign up with anything yet or just keep moving. Haven't stopped moving for ages now- I've basically walked here all the way from Tsang Lung, aside from the odd hitching on a wagon.

There is a flash of a grin. "I suppose it was a foolish question, but you mentioned growing up in a monastary. They taught you swordplay there?" The shadow elf is full of questions, as only someone who has been cooped up below ground can be.

"All the way here? Were you on some grand journey or just felt the need to wonder?" He asks easily though there is a pause. A shake of his head. "Ah forgive me, we only just met and I'm already asking everything about you."

"Luckily for you I'm a fascinating subject and not afraid to say so," Mio shoots back, halfway teasing. She chuckles, interspersed with the clicking of her hard sandals on the building floor. Probably not great library footwear.

"But no, just wandering. Monastery- taught swords and fists and spears but I only ever paid attenion to one of those- is defunct now and I've got a whole world to see- and eat. Really the variety of food is the important part here."

"It defiantly sounds like you are," Lorik's golden eyes dance with mirth before he nods slowly. "Well I am sorry its defunct, but I'm glad you seem to enjoy your traveling. The Guild does seem to be a good way to get enough money to try to eat one of everything you can find in this city."

A bright laugh escapes him at that. "And there are many things to find to eat here! Though...unless you like slugs I wouldn't recommend asking my cousin for any treats. She's very happy to share, but not everyone appreciates what you can get for snacks in the underground."

He understands though. He can't really wrap his mind around eating squid yet either.

Zelany has arrived.

"I mean I'd try it. Anything's better than the eight thousandth meal of steamed vegetables and rice," remarks Mio with a laugh, shrugging sidelong with her left shoulder. "Anyways- where are we finding this book of yours? Kind of curious what exactly tried to eat you."

Lorik laughs lightly as he glances towards Mio. The pair strolling though the stacks of books lightly. "Shivani will be happy to share her stash with you. They might or might not make your teeth glow, depends on the person really."

The shadow elf pauses though at the next question, looking around the stacks and realizing something very important. That he has no real idea where to start.

"...I'm...not sure? Maybe something with the history of the Fellwood? They might have recorded something like that somewhere? I mean /I/ think its notable when strange larva things lure travelers into traps with odd glowing song cocoons."

A small skull slowly floats alone the stacks, seen hovering above a row of books. Then a white-haired Gnome steps around the corner, the skull actually fixed to her ornate staff. The woman is carrying a book that probably weighs half of her weight, and she's struggling a little. She slows upon seeing the two people there, and she moves to one side to give them lots of room to pass. The snippets of conversation do get her eyebrows to rise.

"Well that's one way to get that nice, sparkling smile, isn't it?" muses Mio, staring up the tall shelves curiously. She ambles along fairly aimlessly, content to wander.

"You might want to ask someone- presumably someone-... a lot of someones maintain this place. It does sound like a strange predicament, but if people have been living around here as long as I hear..."

You know its strange to think that a floating skull is one of the most normal, for Lorik, things that he's seen since he came topside. He stares curiously at it for a moment, wondering if someone's messenger got lost before it resolves itself into a gnome with a staff and a book.

He's still smiling though, he can't help it with Mio's comment, eyes dancing as he looks towards the swordswoman. His own weapon of choice isn't to be found but that isn't unusual for him. Its harder to justify carrying a crossbow around town. "It is! I'll tell Shiv that, she'll love it." A frown. "As for the rest I...yes. I'll have to ask someone..."

He really isn't sure how libraries work around here. But he'll figure it out...

But his attention is drawn back towards the Gnome and he pauses, struggling for a decision on weather to help or not since he isn't quite sure what is normal around here. Eventually though he goes with his heart.

"Er...Miss?" This towards the Gnome. "Do you need help with that book?" He asks finally. Maybe if he helps, then she can help them...that is how its done right?"

Zelany looks to the woman curiously, her eyes noting the sword scabbard. Then Lorik speaks and she glances to him. She opens her mouth slightly, as if to speak, and glances at the book. Her mouth closes and she makes an effort to pull the book more closely to herself. "Er, no, I can manage. Thank you though. Uhm. Were you speaking of Felwood just now? That's an exceedingly dangerous place to go to. Were you working for the guild?"

Morgan has connected.

Zelany has reconnected.

Mio glances down at her sword and waves off any possible concern with her free hand. "Don't worry about this, it's all tied and such and I just don't like letting it out of my sight- family keepsakes, and all that," she says to Zelany of the weapon.

"He was, yes! The felwood. Apparently they played musical cocoons and nearly ruined his armour for life, among other things."

"If you're sure, miss." Lorik actually sounds earnest, which means he's either an odd shadow elf or he's very good at convincing people of things. Perhaps both. Why not both really. "I was yes though! A merchant went missing and I went out with a group to find him, we found him all wrapped up in...it wasn't quite webbing. More like glue. To a tree, and there was some kind of coccoon what was playing a lure song of some kind."

He flashes a bring at Mio. "She sums it up better than I do. But yes, there was a group of beasts in the cocoon that I'd never seen before. I was hoping to find some more information on the Felwood here."

Morgan comes out of the libary takes a streach giving tiny poping sounds, giving the area a look she finds a nice place to sit. Once she is settled she gets a apple and a chunk of bread out of her non magical haversack.

Zelany peers at the Xian woman a moment and shakes her head lightly. "Oh, I wasn't worried about it at all. It's very elegant, and I was going to ask if you were a Xian person." Both of her eyebrows raise. "Musical cocoons? That is a new one on me. But the Felwood is full of demon activity, so strange creatures are a regular thing there." The little woman glances to Lorik then, and nods, looking at the book again and holding it more tightly. "I am alright, I do appreciate your offer, it is kind of you." The Gnomish woman tucks her staff under her arm, to free up her hand, gesturing at the library.

"This is generally a good place, though, there are many books. You could ask the Librarian for assistance." Zelany rubs one of her cheeks a moment. "I've not been here for too long, but I have heard of two people who might help you. Ga'Elian, an elven ranger, and Un'eth, a sith-makar... druid, I think? They both keep an eye on the Felwood, if the tales are right, and they might have answers to your questions also, with a bit more of a personal touch than a Librarian could manage.

The Gnome bows deeply, almost toppling over due to the book, but she recovers, a bemused look on her face. "My name is Zelany. A pleasure to make your acquaintance."

"Yep, that's me. Straight from Tsang Lun on two feet and a heartbeat- well, maybe less accurate on the direct path front," answers Mio with an energetic nod. "Oh- I met that Ga'Elian fellow the other day. Nice person, should be helpful. Mio, myself."

"Ah yes, Ga'Elian said he knew what they were, but not what they were doing there." Lorik replies with a smile and a nod. "But...demon activity? That would explain the acid and the magic I suppose. Something corrupted the local wildlife maybe?" He's thinking outloud but he does that often. "Un'eth I haven't met yet, but I'll see if I can ask around about him. The Felwood seem to live up to its name though. In the only excursion into it I've had at least."

As the poor gnome starts to topple Lorik reaches out to help but retracts his hand when she catches herself. "Lori'thalik Vel'skorinath," He says with a nod of greeting as she introduces herself. Then a grin at Mio. "I told you it was a mouthfull." Then a look back towards Zelany. "But please call me Lorik." He adds before Morgan strolls into view and he raises a hand to wave towards her. Having met her in passing at least once now.

Zelany smiles at Mio. "It is nice to meet someone from so far away. Perhaps I can pester you some time to teach me some of the basics of your language? I like learning new langauges, and I would be happy to pay you for your time. And yes, Ga'Elian is a nice person." Her eyes flick to Lorik then, and she grins to him. "That is a very neat name, sir. Lorik it is, then! And yes, the wildlife is facing constant pressure from the fissure above it. Corruption is exactly the word to use."

Morgan is not out side or eating she is reading a large book that must weigh about twenty pounds.

"I mean, tradespeech doesn't very -that- much, but I know a few local phrases and such I could pass on sometime," says Mio, shrugging a little. She stretches a moment, arms high above her head, as she considers. "Y'know at that point, if there's an occult section in here, we may want to start there."

"Its what came to mind," Lorik replies with a flash of a smile before he nods. "Ga'Elian has been very helpful and welcoming as I try to get settled in. He convinced the Temple guards that I wasn't there to steal secrets, so that is at least a bonus. I've had enough rocks thrown at me by random passerby to appreciate when it doesn't happen."

He frowns thoughtfully. "I suppose I'll be makinng more forays into the Felwood in the future, so the occult section might not be a bad place to start with at all." The shadow elf thinks for a moment as he looks slightly sheepishly towards Mio. "I should have thought of that." He admits as he peers around her to Morgan and the book she is reading that seems to be about as big as his new gnome friend.

Zelany nods to Mio, "I would appreciate that very much. So, you are a swordswoman then?" To Lorik, she nods. "Yes, I can see why you might receive a rough welcome. It isn't nice of people to do that, there's no excuse for it. I can understand it happening, but it should not." The Gnome nods in agreement with Mio and Lorik. "That might be a good place to start. Demonology, perhaps. Occult is another. I could help if you have questions about undead, but those things you describe don't sound like undead to me." Zelany offers Morgan a wave as she comes into view, the three kind of wandering the library a bit.

One would think this book was writen by a raving loon but with Morgans eyes glowing blue she is using magic to understand its wacky pages... that or she is trolling every one and is pretending to see a deeper meaning.

Another energetic nod from the young xian, giving the sheathed weapon a twirl between her fingers- deft enough to not risk hitting anything. "Grew up learning all that suchlike- well, when I paid it any mind."

As she speaks, her free hand sloooowly reaches over in front of Morgan, waving up and down behind the book, seeing if distraction is even possible here.

"Oh no, defintally not undead. I'm fairly familiar with undead. They were...very popular servants where I'm from. Everyone always argued over who made the best messangers and guards and such. I'm told that sort of thing isn't for polite conversation here though." Lorik pauses for a moment shakes his head. "Everything takes a bit of adjustment, right? Whenever you move."

There is a flash of a smile. "But I like it here much better." He assures those around him before he slowly nods. "Demonology...I haven't read much on that. I should pick up a few more pointers then...which way to those stacks?" He asks Zelany. "Sorry I don't mean to impose!"

He takes a cautious step back from Mio when the woman starts twirling then blinks. "Er...sorry. I don't mean to insult your skill. Just automatic responce. I'm pretty sure twirling scimitars like that is now my cousin keeps her hair short." Her says with a flash of a grin as the xian woman starts to see if Morgan is /too/ engrossed with her book.

Morgan gives a hello wave to her gnomish friend "in the back they have two book cases on Demons and such."

Zelany nods to Mio and grins at the display she provides, clapping at the end. "Nicely done. I should love to see another show like that, but perhaps in a bigger area where you can really go all out." She grins at Morgan and nods at her response, "They are that way." The Gnomish woman looks back to Lorik then. "Actually, I would not mind picking your brain about that part of your past. If you would be willing, at some point?"

"Maybe sometime, sure," says Mio, gently prodding a corner of Morgan's book now. Just gotta keep pushing the matter, apparently. "And in fairness, I have it firmly in its Saya, not gonna be cutting anyone at all today."

"The back you say?" Lorik says towards Morgan and Zelany with a bright look in his eyes. Information is good. He does love information. "I should go look, but yes. I'd be happy to sit and chat about that sort of thing, Zelany! Though I warn you it isn't always pleasant." There is a wry smile at that. "But if your specality is undead, well. You already know that!" Again a flash of a smile before he starts to turn away. "Mio, it was nice meeting you too though! II hope to be able to see your talent sometime! And perhaps if you take missions at the Guild we'll find ourselves on one together!"

He calls as he starts to depart, happy to be surrounded by books, and by people who don't want to throw things at him.

Morgan eyes stop glowing blue and she shakes that off as her eyes refocus on the area around here. She closes the book and says "But if you dont want to read about them Ga;elian could tell you want you want to know."

Zelany offers Lorik a wave. "Take care, Lorik. It was nice to meet you. I hope you find the information you were looking for." She looks to Mio then and offers her another bow. "It was good to meet you as well. But I am afraid I must get back to my study to, er, study." She smiles brightly, and offers Morgan another wave. "See you around, Morgan! Keep your nose in the books!" The little woman turns and begins making her way to the front, to hopefully take out the book she wants.

Morgan gives Zelany a wave "you two sweety have a good day."

Mio nods and waves as people make their way off. "Well, a nice evening to you all," she offers, before refocusing on Morgan. "Shall I take it you'll be back to the books yourself, my glowy-eyes friend?"

Morgan shakes her head "No its good to take a break as the read magic spell can be a strain on your eyes after a." she looks up to the window "Wow three hours."

Mio's brows rise, all but vanishing under her heavy bangs. "Three hours? When I was in 'school' people had a hard time getting me to read for three -minutes-." She laughs, at that, shrugging it off and shaking her head. "Mio, by the by. Not really inside this place by intent so much as incidence."

Morgan smiles and says "I am Morgan, and I bet you spend hours practing and working on your sword."

"Full disclosure, I spend most of my days walking from place to place- haven't been settled in one spot in likely over a year now," Mio says in a theatrical sort of stage whisper. "Nice to meet you though, Morgan- what is it you're reading behind all the magical nonsense?"

Morgan says as opens the book to the first page "See this here looks like a ranting mad mans view on the road system from here and Rune. It goes on for 400 pages, but if you use a simple cantrip you will see something totaly different." she makes a motion as if she can let Mio see what is hiden.

"I mean, that I gathered- but I'm no wizard and don't ever intend to be? So I was more asking about what it's about once you're seeing what's actually there," Mio notes with a wry smile.

Morgan smiles and says "It was talking about different runes for a bit then he talked about the higher planes and its beauty."

Mio nods slightly, then glances past Morgan a moment. "I see! Well on that note I should keep rambling on, as I hear they say. Pleasant to meet you though, and hopefully that eye strain doesn't become too bad."

Morgan nods "Thats why I take breaks from using the spell to read and it was pleasent meeting you."

"On that note, have a good evening, Morgan," Mio says- chirps, really, before sauntering back for the door.