Library system release (log)

Posted by Fleurs 2009/5/4

Here's a bit of the history behind the opening, for those interested...

Speaking to Alamras, you ask, "Shall we head to the guild, then?"

Alamras says, "Errr...yes, let's be off."

Alamras joins your group.


You say, "Here we go."

[...edited out traveling]

[Wizard Guild, Office]
A veritable sea of candles is arranged upon the crystalline ledges that line the walls, casting the area in a bright, steady glow of scarlet-streaked amber. A large desk edged in pale sapphire stands in the middle of the room, its surface polished to a mirror finish. The far northern wall is completely transparent, the sprawling cityscape below spreading out for miles and miles. You also see GuildMaster Setheve.
Obvious exits: out
Alamras and Doltan followed.

Your disk arrives, following you dutifully.

Setheve bows slightly to you. "GuildMaster Setheve," he says, "at your service. If you need anything of me, just ASK."

You point at GuildMaster Setheve!

You say, "There we go."


Alamras says, "Setheve, I cannot believe this state of affairs."


GuildMaster Setheve says, "Alamras, my old friend."

GuildMaster Setheve asks, "whatever is the matter?"

Alamras says, "These... er, associates of mine have informed me that there is virtually no access granted to the library here."

Alamras says, "And I believe the lady is a fellow GuildMaster."

GuildMaster Setheve says, "Yes, she is."

You frown.

GuildMaster Setheve says, "But you must understand the delicate condition of our collections here."

Doltan scratches his head.

GuildMaster Setheve says, "Amassed over centuries and centuries of careful preservation."

Alamras asks, "Never mind that. These are professionals, are they not?"

Doltan nods to Alamras.

GuildMaster Setheve says, "Of course."

Alamras says, "Members of your guild."

You nod.

Doltan says, "Aye."

You say, "Indeed we will be careful."

GuildMaster Setheve smiles.

Doltan says, "I can't even reach the top shelves for the good stuff anyways."

GuildMaster Setheve says, "Careful? Dear lady."

GuildMaster Setheve says, "I simply can't..."

GuildMaster Setheve says, "Open the shelves to..."

Alamras says, "You are impeding academic progress, Setheve."

GuildMaster Setheve says, "No, no no."

You give your eyebrow a little workout.

You ask, "No?"

You say, "I don't like to be told no."

You frown.

GuildMaster Setheve says, "Our trainers can teach you everything you need to know."

Doltan says, "Sir, what must we do."

You shake your head at GuildMaster Setheve.

Doltan says, "We'll do whatever you require of us."

You exclaim, "Unfortunately, they do not!"

Alamras grins.

You glance at Doltan.

GuildMaster Setheve says, "Well, there is simply not time to teach you everything."

GuildMaster Setheve says, "You must discover a few things for yourself, after all."

Speaking to Alamras, you ask, "Alamras, are you going to stand for this disobeyment of your request?"

You cough.

Alamras sighs.

Doltan asks, "Fleurs, how many hours have you spent learning 'a few things' for yourself?"

Speaking to GuildMaster Setheve, you say, "Not everything, no. Therefore we must be able to research it for ourselves."

Alamras says, "I have no authority, unfortunately."

You say, "I insist."

Doltan says, "Setheve, I believe we're owed justification."

Doltan says, "Other than a mere "no"."

Alamras says, "However, I do have a rather large collection of my own stored here."

You ask, "Oh?"

Doltan raises an eyebrow.

GuildMaster Setheve raises an eyebrow.

You ask, "Would you share some of those with me?"

Alamras says, "Perhaps it would serve better elsewhere."

Doltan nods to Alamras.

You say, "So I can pass them along to my fellow alchemists."

Speaking to you, Alamras says, "I would gladly."

You turn to Alamras and cheer!

GuildMaster Setheve says, "Now, wait just a minute."

Doltan scoffs.

Alamras turns to face GuildMaster Setheve.

Doltan glances at GuildMaster Setheve.

GuildMaster Setheve says, "I..."

GuildMaster Setheve says, "You..."

Alamras taps his foot impatiently.

GuildMaster Setheve sighs.

GuildMaster Setheve asks, "May I speak with you, Alamras?"

Alamras nods.

Alamras takes a few steps toward GuildMaster Setheve.

You ponder.

You squint at Alamras.

You squint at GuildMaster Setheve.

Alamras shakes his head.

Speaking to Alamras, you ask, "Is there a problem?"

GuildMaster Setheve rolls his eyes.

You raise your hand.

Doltan asks, "What else must a guildmaster prove?"

Doltan sighs.

Speaking to GuildMaster Setheve, you exclaim, "I, as a fellow GuildMaster of the Wizard Guild, am trustworthy with whatever secrets you're whispering!"

Speaking to GuildMaster Setheve, you say, "GuildMaster Keplar said so."

Speaking to GuildMaster Setheve, Alamras says, "You had better ask them."

GuildMaster Setheve says, "All right."

Speaking to GuildMaster Setheve, you say, "He promoted me himself."

Alamras says, "Keplar would listen to my counsel."

GuildMaster Setheve says, "It is customary practice to allow a certain amount of access to specialized -- specialized! -- research libraries for a nominal fee."

Doltan nods.

Doltan says, "Now we're talking."

GuildMaster Setheve says, "I will allow you and your fellows privileged access to our library for... 100 thousand silver pieces an hour."

You gawk at GuildMaster Setheve.

You exclaim, "That is extortion!"

Alamras grins wryly.

You say, "After all the silvers I have spent on alchemy already, that is outright robbery."

Alamras says, "I can have my man start moving my books tonight."

You stare at GuildMaster Setheve.

Doltan nods to Alamras.

Doltan says, "Aye."

GuildMaster Setheve exclaims, "All right, all right!"

Doltan says, "To pay for knowledge."

Doltan shakes his head.

GuildMaster Setheve says, "20 thousand per hour."

Doltan rubs his chin thoughtfully.

You say, "That is far more reasonable, thank you."

Doltan nods to you.

Alamras says, "No, it's not."

GuildMaster Setheve gawks at Alamras.

Alamras says, "I wouldn't stand for that."

GuildMaster Setheve exclaims, "But the Lady Fleurs just accepted it!"

GuildMaster Setheve says, "10 thousand."

You exclaim, "I said it is a step in the right direction!"

Alamras shakes his head.

GuildMaster Setheve asks, "Five thousand?"

Alamras glances at you.

You rub your chin thoughtfully.

Alamras asks, "What do you think?"

Speaking to Alamras, you say, "I think that is acceptable."

Doltan says, "If it gets the job done..."

You nod to Alamras.

Alamras rubs his chin thoughtfully.

Alamras says, "I don't know..."

GuildMaster Setheve 's eyes bulge.

You grin.

GuildMaster Setheve says, "TWO thousand! I will not do with any less. And you can take your worthless books if that's not good enough."

Alamras grins.

Alamras asks, "2,000 for just an hour?"

Alamras glances at Doltan.

Doltan shrugs.

GuildMaster Setheve is turning red.

Doltan says, "I believe knowledge should be free."

Speaking to GuildMaster Setheve, you say, "All right, calm down."

Speaking to GuildMaster Setheve, you say, "You are simply delaying the inevitable."

GuildMaster Setheve says, "Get out of my office."

Doltan says, "Wait, please."

Alamras smirks.

Doltan glances at GuildMaster Setheve.

Doltan says, "That's not necessary."

Alamras says, "All right, all right. Two thousand an hour, I think they can live with that."

Doltan nods to Alamras.

GuildMaster Setheve gives a sigh of relief.

You adopt an agreeable expression.

Alamras asks, "How long will it take to put this into effect?"

Doltan smiles hopefully

You snap your fingers at GuildMaster Setheve.

You exclaim, "You're a GuildMaster, it should be instant!"

GuildMaster Setheve says, "Let me...let me sign some papers, and it will be ready shortly."

Doltan bows.

You look at GuildMaster Setheve and clap your hands.

GuildMaster Setheve sighs.

Speaking to GuildMaster Setheve, you say, "You are doing the right thing."

GuildMaster Setheve mutters.

Speaking to GuildMaster Setheve, you say, "It is for the good of the guild community."

Speaking to GuildMaster Setheve, you ask, "Don't you want more minions to follow you?"

Alamras asks, "Shall we wander down to the library?"

Doltan nods to Alamras.

You nod.

[...edited out extensive travelling]


[Wizard Guild, Library] 
The long rows of bookshelves that line the adjacent halls meet here at the corner of the library. A few cushioned armchairs are scattered about the area, each paired with a small table. A pair of deep niches are set into each wall, the tomes and scrolls heaped within them streaked with wan beams of colored light from the arched stained glass windows. In the corner, a narrow archway leads into a small alcove, while a pair of gilded columns marks an entrance to the central atrium to the northeast. You also see the violet Fleurs disk. 
Also here: Lord Doltan, Alamras
Obvious exits: south, southwest, west

Speaking to Alamras, you ask, "What next?"

Alamras says, "The paperwork must be taking him longer to sign than we thought."

You ponder.

Alamras says, "This is only a sitting area, however."

Alamras nods to you.

search
In such a library as this, there are many wonderful treasures to be found. To get started in your area of interest, SEARCH ALCHEMY, SEARCH POTIONS, or SEARCH TRINKETS. You may discover other vital things to search for as well. 
If at any time you wish to start over, simply SEARCH NEW to abandon your progress and begin a new avenue of research.

You don't find anything of interest here. 
Roundtime: 3 sec.

Doltan says, "I see, I see."

You rub your chin thoughtfully.

Alamras says, "Oh, I think it's around here somewhere..."

You glance at Alamras.

Alamras surveys the area.

Doltan snaps his fingers.

Doltan says, "Don't have enough silver on me."

You whistle tunelessly to yourself, remembering days past.

Doltan chuckles.

Doltan asks, "Alamras, is this the only library now open?"

Speaking to Alamras, you ask, "Also, how will we be sure we aren't researching recipes we already know?"

You peer quizzically at Alamras.

search alchemy
"Ahem." Before you can lay your hands on anything useful, an assistant librarian arrives to inform you that guild fees do not cover access to these precious volumes. He then inquires if you would like to PAY for usage rights.

Alamras says, "I think I can convince all of the libraries in or at least near the City to do something similar to this."

pay
After a brief discussion with an assistant librarian, you learn that the hourly fee for access to the guild's special archives is 2000 silvers per hour, and that you may also elect to pay for up to 6 hours in advance. Local currencies will be honored.

You smile.

Doltan nods to Alamras.

You say, "That would be wonderful."

Alamras says, "I'll have to do some walking around, though."

Doltan nods to Alamras.

Alamras says, "Certainly it could be done tonight."

Doltan asks, "Do you plan to get as far as Wehnimer's Landing?"

Speaking to Doltan, Alamras says, "That's a long journey..."

Doltan nods to Alamras.

Doltan says, "But it would help so many."

Doltan searches around for a moment.

Alamras asks, "Neither of you brought any silver, eh?"

Speaking to Alamras, you ask, "Do we run a risk of researching the same recipe more than once?"

Doltan says, "No."

Doltan sighs.

You have 10 coins with you.

You shake your head.

Doltan rummages around in his pockets.

Alamras rubs his chin thoughtfully.

Speaking to Alamras, you ask, "And what about recipes we know, or have in our tomes?"

Doltan grins at Alamras.

Doltan exclaims, "Thanks!"

2000 silvers have been subtracted from your Ta'Illistim bank account. New balance: -2000.


Speaking to Alamras, you say, "It would be a shame to waste hundreds of hours to learn the same recipe."

You have 10 coins with you.

Doltan searches around for a moment.


You have been awarded 2000 silvers.


You let out a cheer!

search
In such a library as this, there are many wonderful treasures to be found. To get started in your area of interest, SEARCH ALCHEMY, SEARCH POTIONS, or SEARCH TRINKETS. You may discover other vital things to search for as well.
If at any time you wish to start over, simply SEARCH NEW to abandon your progress and begin a new avenue of research.

You don't find anything of interest here. 
Roundtime: 3 sec.

search alchemy
"Ahem." Before you can lay your hands on anything useful, an assistant librarian arrives to inform you that guild fees do not cover access to these precious volumes. He then inquires if you would like to PAY for usage rights. 

pay
After a brief discussion with an assistant librarian, you learn that the hourly fee for access to the guild's special archives is 2000 silvers per hour, and that you may also elect to pay for up to 6 hours in advance. Local currencies will be honored.

Alamras says, "If you find that you're researching something you already know, you can move on to something else."

Doltan beams!

pay 2000
You quietly negotiate with an assistant librarian for access to the guild's special archives, offering 2000 silvers in fees. 
The librarian accepts your silvers. 
"Thank you," he says. "We are pleased to have you peruse our collections for the next hour. We hope your research proves fruitful."

You nod.

search alchemy
Determined to add to your knowledge of alchemy, you begin searching for manuscripts that look as if they will lead to enlightenment...

Finding a sizable selection of material, you return to a reading station, ready to begin. You should now READ what you have found, and occasionally PONDER the implications. 
Roundtime: 9 sec.

Doltan says, "I'm afraid these are beyond my skill level."

Doltan says, "I can't wait to read them, though."

read
You begin to read the texts you've collected.

You've read only some of this selection and you have a rudimentary understanding of it.

Doltan asks, "Learn anything?"

Doltan glances at you.

You say, "Still reading."

Doltan nods to you.

Doltan carefully opens an ancient elven-crafted volume scarred by mysterious black runes.

Doltan quietly peruses the pages in his elven-crafted volume with a contemplative look upon his face.

ponder
You ponder about what you've read to better comprehend it.

You've read only some of this selection and you have a fairly decent understanding of it.

read
You read more of the texts you've collected.

You've read a fair amount of this selection and you have a fairly decent understanding of it.

ponder
You ponder about what you've read to better comprehend it.

You've read a fair amount of this selection and you have a broad understanding of it.

read
You read more of the texts you've collected.

"...To be supposed that this principle, greatest of secrets, was that upon which the others rested..."

ponder
You haven't finished reading yet.

You've read a great deal of this selection and you have a broad understanding of it.

ponder
You ponder about what you've read to better comprehend it.

You've read a great deal of this selection and you have a thorough understanding of it.

read
You read more of the texts you've collected.

You've read most of this selection and you have a thorough understanding of it.

ponder
You ponder about what you've read to better comprehend it.

You've read most of this selection and you have a thorough understanding of it.

Speaking to Alamras, you ask, "Now that I have a thorough understanding, now what?"

[Wizard Guild, Library] 
This long stretch of hall bears little more than three rows of towering bookshelves. A number of staggered breaks in the expanse of book-laden shelves allows one the opportunity to move between rows, and occasionally a half-height bookshelf provides a potential place to rest some tomes. Small globes of pale golden light hang from the
ceiling at regular intervals, casting a soft but even glow throughout the hall. You also see the violet Fleurs disk. 
Also here: Lord Doltan, Alamras
Obvious exits: east, west

You work your fingers under your silver tiara and scratch your head.

Alamras says, "Read some more."

readYou read more of the texts you've collected.

Alamras says, "Or ponder it a bit."

While studying the text, you come upon a crucial piece of information!

There is a lot of mention in this reading about identifying abstract equations with real phenomena. Would you rather SEARCH for books on astrology, physics, or mathematics?

search math
You try to find some new sources based on promising leads in your initial reading.

Visiting the shelves, you find some texts that further expound on those ideas. 
Roundtime: 9 sec.

Doltan searches around for a moment.

read
You begin to read the texts you've collected.

You've read only some of this selection and you have a rudimentary understanding of it.

ponder
You ponder about what you've read to better comprehend it.

You've read only some of this selection and you have a limited understanding of it.

...And so on. Many thanks to Alamras for negotiating with Setheve and opening the Ta'illistim wizard guild and also for his infinite patience in book-binding!

-Fleurs