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Post by NPC Controller on Feb 23, 2009 21:04:07 GMT 8
The entrance to the Grand Library is marked with two revolving doors, plated gold and three metres high. Upon entry, a vast entrance lobby entirely carpeted in red can be seen, with a round information counter one hundred metres in. The library stretches on for another one hundred metres after that, and lengthwise continues on for one kilometre on each side. Shelves of books up to twenty metres high adorn the area, done up in the classical French style, with a high cylindrical ceiling made entirely out of glass and metal scaffolding. Several large crystal chandeliers adorn the otherwise sparse ceiling, with hundreds of small lights spaced out along the walls. Books travel along small metal tracks, the only technological advancement in an otherwise classical-style library.
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Post by schrodinger on Feb 28, 2009 20:04:56 GMT 8
"Grand" is not an understatement.
Venser had seen his share of architectural marvels before, but the building before him certainly was an eye-opener.
A gleaming monolith of glass, metal and marble, it struck an imposing figure against the skyline of Erutaretil, drawing one's attention to it the moment one stepped into the open. Venser whistled softly as he looked up at the Library's visage, wondering if its majestic exterior corresponded to an equally impressive interior (in terms of knowledge, that was).
Well, only one way to find out.
He walked through the revolving doors and up to the information counter.
"Excuse me, miss, could you tell me where I could find the main section on magic in this library?", he asked, addressing the young lady behind the counter.
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Post by NPC Controller on Feb 28, 2009 21:18:26 GMT 8
Librarian
The librarian at the counter cut a small figure. Her head barely reached six inches above the countertop as she sat, but her eyes betrayed a sense of clarity beyond her seeming age.
"The main magic section?"
She smiled, and gestured around her.
"Welcome to the largest repository of literary magic in the world. This wing you are standing in contains almost every book of magic ever written."
She leaned over, or, well, bent as much as she could wherein she could see over the countertop.
"Are you looking for any particular subject?"
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Post by schrodinger on Mar 4, 2009 19:08:15 GMT 8
"I'm looking for material on æthermancy. Do you have a section dedicated to the topic?"
The girl directed him to a long row of shelves, located on the far end of the library.
As he neared them, he could almost feel the power radiating off the books.
Within knowledge lies power. Yet knowledge as it is has no influence on the outside world - it needs a master, someone to use it to it sfullest potential. Much as a beautiful symphony is unremarkable if left as notes on a score, knowledge only shines when harnessed by an able mind.
I'm more than willing to oblige.
A quirk of most tomes published by magical sources was that each title had its own unique mana signature, a very useful feature for librarians and scholars. With his attuned magical vision, Venser had no problem picking out several interesting title from the myriad books lining the shelves around him.
Sitting down in a nearby armchair, he began perusing their contents in earnest, simultaneously going over what he'd learnt about the æther in the Academy in his mind.
I miss being in the Grid. Why was it that I stopped phasing in?
Oh, right. It wasn't safe to attempt accessing the Grid with this much energy sealed in my body. But I'm stronger now. I have more control over it. If I take the necessary precautions, it should be completely safe.
Several hours later, Venser had finished reading through the books he'd picked out, and was thinking of taking a break to look around the library a bit more. Replacing the books on their shelves, he got up and stretched, then wandered off into the rest of the building.
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Post by Mathus on Mar 7, 2009 21:44:01 GMT 8
'Grand indeed..'
Sol said to himself, the library was way bigger and luxurious than he had thought.
He noticed the reception desk and approached it.
"Umm, excuse me, may I know where I can find books on creation and psionic manipulation?"
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Post by NPC Controller on Mar 9, 2009 13:27:06 GMT 8
"Ah, creation and telekinesis..." The librarian pondered for a while, then turned and pointed in a general East-South direction, approximately 154 degrees in bearing.
"Walk down the hall for about seven hundred metres, then turn to your right and go down that hall for about two kilometres. The sections on creation and telekinesis occupy about five shelves."
The librarian did a little flick-swish with her finger, and a little fairy appeared, dressed in a similar style of uniform.
"Glazing Emerald here will guide you to the area. Please follow her closely."
The fairy gave a little nod, and flew off.
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Post by Mathus on Mar 9, 2009 22:08:41 GMT 8
Sol followed the fairy on the very, very long path to the sections he requested.
'Five shelves huh? Lots of reading to do...'
Upon arriving, he checked the shelves and took out some books that piqued his interest.
"Hmm..do you happen to know if there's any books on transformations?"
Sol asked the fairy before he started reading.
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Post by NPC Controller 2 on Mar 11, 2009 22:38:13 GMT 8
The fairy paused for a few moments, then pointed at a wall.
"If you could walk through walls, it'd be three kilometres in that direction. As it is... Well, you'd need pen and paper to get it right."
The fairy then turned to the bookshelves, picking out books apparently at random and placing them in their proper place.
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Post by Mathus on Mar 12, 2009 22:06:10 GMT 8
"Ok..nevermind, thanks for the assistance" Sol opened up the first book on his list, 'Advance Creation' and began reading, blocking out all the distraction that may or may not happen. (OoC: After he's done, Sol will get some new stuffs  |
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Post by NPC Controller 2 on Mar 16, 2009 17:01:27 GMT 8
The fairy flew off, humming a tune.
Time passes.
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Post by Mathus on Mar 17, 2009 19:22:43 GMT 8
Sol finishes his reading, place the books back onto the shelves and select more books.
'More reading won't hurt..would it?'
Sol sat back down and began to read again.
(OoC: More time needed >_>)
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Post by NPC Controller on Mar 22, 2009 0:27:28 GMT 8
Another fairy flew past, a tower of books three metres high tottering far above it and seemingly way too heavy for its carrier.
More time passes.
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Post by Mathus on Mar 27, 2009 23:44:36 GMT 8
Sol shut his book and proceed to place them all back on the shelves.
'Should be enough for now..time to head to where the rest are going..'
He readied him to walk the long journey back to the station.
Abilities gained:
5 Bonus in Creation
Scavenger Mode
Mp Crystal
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Post by Mathus on Feb 6, 2010 19:25:39 GMT 8
[OoC: Can't be bothered to post in the stations >_>]
'Something tells me that my real memory had been sealed by someone, and it's best if I retrieved them before I do anything else.
Sol approached the reception desk immediately after he entered.
"May I know if there are any books on memory seal removal?"
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Post by NPC Controller on Feb 6, 2010 21:54:27 GMT 8
"Well, memory seal removal, let me see..."
The lady at the counter had changed. Now, it was a taller, more well-endowed woman, her red hair hanging down smoothly over her smart pantsuit. She browsed rapidly through the archives.
"...Ah. Yes, down in Section 0703E, memory seal removal, memory removal and permanent memory transfer."
At that, she turned back to the person.
"I'm afraid, though, that if you are looking for removing seals on your own memory... that's not possible. Magic cast on a person has to be countered by other people. A computer that has gained a virus can only depend on a third-party antivirus for a cure."
She flashed a swift, shy smile at Sol.
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Post by Mathus on Feb 7, 2010 23:28:33 GMT 8
'Guess removing it by myself is out of the question'
"Does the library provide assistance for that? If not I'll just have find someone else. Oh and, I'll be needing a guide to Section 0703E."
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Post by NPC Controller on Feb 8, 2010 23:02:53 GMT 8
"I'm sorry, we don't do that kind of thing here. Perhaps you might want to try a magic shop?" The librarian smiled sadly. "With regards to your second request, however, Sapphire-Lily here will assist you."
The fairy, recently floated in, bowed to Sol, then flew off in a southwestern direction.
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Post by Mathus on Feb 9, 2010 10:04:47 GMT 8
"Thanks"
Sol quickly followed after the fairy.
'So, I can't remove it by myself huh? Atleast some browsing won't hurt.'
"Say, how big is Section 0703E?"
Sol asked the fairy, midway to Section 0703E.
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Post by Carillus on Mar 2, 2010 21:27:08 GMT 8
"Section 0703E is well, kinda big."
The fairy stopped and turned.
"This is section 0703E, shelves 1 through to 500 over there." The fairy motioned somewhere in the distance, where the morning fog was starting to obscure his vision.
"Please remember to replace books after browsing. If you wish to borrow any, please obtain a membership card from the main counter."
The fairy bowed, and flew off.
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Post by Mathus on Mar 2, 2010 21:54:47 GMT 8
Unable to decide which to pick, Sol proceed to randomly pick 4 small books and a gigantic tome from the shelves with his telekinesis.
'Let's see what do I have here..'
He glanced at the covers of the small books: "How to Delete Memories, For Dummies", "Sealing Memories", "Transfer of Memories", "Fabrication of Memories".
But written on the tome cover is: "Types of Memory Seals & How to Remove Them"
'I doubt they'll let me borrow this, but I should give it a try atleast'
After replacing the books, Sol walked back to the main counter with the giant tome levitating behind him.
"Can I borrow this?"
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Post by Carillus on Mar 3, 2010 12:44:52 GMT 8
"Uh, no. If you wish to borrow that book, you need to pay RT$5,000,120,450 in book insurance. It's reference only. If you wish to read it here it's ok, but i'm afraid it's in archaic Babylonian. Quite irrelevant to modern day magic but useful for research."
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Post by Mathus on Mar 3, 2010 20:13:10 GMT 8
"I see.."
"Since I can't borrow this, can I ask you to store this here as I'll be needing it for future references or do I have to return this back to it's shelf?"
'Hopefully I don't have to, I don't remember where I took it from..'
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Post by Carillus on Mar 3, 2010 20:48:29 GMT 8
"Yes, you can store it here. Please write your particulars here for registration as a member of this library."
The librarian placed a form on the counter, prompting him to fill it out with a pen nearby.
"In other news..."
The librarian looked at him quizzically.
"Are you a researcher? Because no one uses the techniques in these books since they involve an awful lot of stuff you can't find in the world anymore - and that's before the really huge language barrier. The magic involved uses stuff like unicorn skin and pure gold as disposable catalysts as well - at that time, magic was only for nobility and royalty to practise."
She shrugged nonchalantly.
"The magic they did in the past - really powerful, but I don't think anyone could afford it these days."
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Post by Mathus on Mar 3, 2010 22:30:17 GMT 8
"I'm afraid I can't answer that question, I don't even know that myself. And if the materials no longer exist, you just have to create them."
Sol replied as he filled in the form.
"There, done. I hope everything is satisfactory, though I can't say if they're all correct though."
He then handed it to the librarian.
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Post by Carillus on Apr 17, 2010 22:46:51 GMT 8
"Thank you."
The librarian typed a few things into a computer nearby, and the faint whirring of a printer could be heard. Within a few moments, the librarian turned back to Sol and handed him a card.
"Here's your membership card. I'm the assistant head librarian in this place - you can call me Koakuma. It's not my real name, but it's simple enough. I hope you enjoy your visits to our Grand Central Library."
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