[Crystal] Book quest

[kartereo]

FORM: Sending crystal
SENDER: Waver Velvet
RECIPIENT: Anyone with access
WHAT: Start of an assignment
WHEN: Right now
WHERE: Gallows
NOTES: Potential mention of blood magic in comments

If any of you were inclined or in need of hiding books within the Gallows itself, where would you end up storing them?

[Waver's voice and demeanor are straight forward and without artifice. There's a hint of irritation as he continues to speak.]

It seems that there are a number of missing books from the library removed at some point prior to the Inquisition's move-in, and finding them would be useful, even if they're never used again.

Comments

[wardeneructate]

Old chests or something. Probably some sodding fool borrowed them and then got the piss end of something before he could give them back.

[Yes, everyone. Oghren can be helpful sometimes!]

Or you could check where people take a piss.

[Okay but he's still gross.]

[kartereo]

You say the word piss a fair amount, huh?

[Waver just states it flatly. This is an observation, not snark.]

But chests, got it. Wouldn't be the first time I've had to get into one.

[wardeneructate]

I say sodding, tits, nipples, and ass a lot too. Got a whole array of colorful words for yeh.

[He laughs a bit.]

You could find yourself a rogue. They're good at that lockpicking thing. And getting into rooms they don't belong in.

[kartereo]

Twice in two sentences is rather impressive, that was all I was saying.

[But enough of that.]

Well, I'll look into hiring one after I exhaust myself. No point in it if this is a simple find. Or if I can get the thing to open with a pry bar.

[circleprodigy]

...the former Templar residences, perhaps? If they saw fit to remove tomes from the library, they might have thought them safest there.

[kartereo]

[Waver nods, and from off-screen there's the sound of pentip on paper.]

That seems like a good place to start.

[circleprodigy]

By all accounts, the Knight-Commander was quite paranoid towards her end. I could see her holding them in her own quarters or in those of her Tranquil assistants.

[kartereo]

[Even better. That's an exact location.]

Would paranoia extend to booby traps?

[justice_is_blond]

What sort of books are missing? I know of a few passageways that... aren't exactly on the map.

[kartereo]

Books on a specific type of magic where if I probably said it people would say that such things are better off lost and forgotten.

Becomes private

[justice_is_blond]

I see.

[He's quiet for some time, mentally debating, and then calls Waver Privately.]

This magic, by the sound of it, would be the sort that's often used to harm people. Can you assure me that it won't be used like that if I was to assist you?

[kartereo]

If I knew what the final fate of these things were, I'd be able to give that assurance. But genuinely, as far as I know, the only reason that I've been asked to look for them is because they were on the inventory, and now they're not.

[Which is a very long way of saying he refuses to give assurances that can't be guaranteed.]

What I can do is track the location after they're found and move on them if there's any sign that they're going to be used. If that's not enough, I understand.

[meds4sale]

Is it possible that the former residents found them so disagreeable that they were done away with?

[kartereo]

It is something I'm considering. Other suggestions have made it sound like that rather than done away with though they may have simply been shoved away.

[meds4sale]

I hope it is the former. Truly such things should not be left to decay.

Do these books have titles you know of that should I run across any, I can return them to you.

[kartereo]

Sure, but they're long. I'll copy them down for you and shove the paper in your direction the next time I see you.

[Actually...]

If I get a good lead, would you like to join me on a book hunt?

[aforethought]

They valuable? Someone might've risked this shithole to sell 'em.

[kartereo]

Probably to the right people, yes. But if that's the case then I can't say when the material would have left and how far it may have traveled since then.

[aforethought]

Well, that's life for you, ain't it? Not everything's got a neat answer tied up.

[ still. it'd be a weirdly-specific thing to take. there's all sorts of nice shit in circles, probably, and some with less chance of mold. ]

You here with the lot that cleared this place out? Notice nothing other than books gone?

[limier]

Have you tried the furnace?

[ she's mostly joking. mostly. ]

The documentation of their presence — how old is it?

[kartereo]

[Blood magic books going in the furnace is a logical train of thought though.]

It dates to prior the residents, so fairly recent.

[limier]

[ so probably not looters since, then ]

From what I am given to understand, tensions within the Gallows were a matter of gradual escalation.

[ most things are. just look at the bloody spire. ]

Given the — ah — conclusion of events herein, [ she's been listening to the rest of them chime in. books about certain subjects, huh. ] I would advise you not neglect the mage residences either.

Locks and bars have a way of reassuring prying eyes. One needn't look so closely, with matters in hand — or fist, as it were. I believe the senior enchanters were granted their own rooms; such a degree of privacy might allow one opportunity.

[universal_charm]

Well, you would want someplace that's dry for starters - otherwise the books would get to easily damaged from elements.

[kartereo]

Mmm, I've been realizing that the highest possible ground here is the most likely.

[universal_charm]

Probably, especially with the sea air. So... I'm going to say probably in a floor if it's a hidden space, rather than a wall or ceiling. To much chance of water or other damp getting in.