"It's a public place, correct? Does everyone have the admittance fee? Fifteen gold, I believe. Not too steep." Zarine sounds supremely bored behind her veil, but the sharpness of her eyes belies her lackadaisical attitude.
"You've become very law-abiding," Savendir says wryly.
"Darling, I am quite law-abiding. There's no point breaking the law for no good reason. It uses up goodwill and bail money." She gives the elf a wink. "Perhaps we should surround the building and keep watch to see if anyone else enters. Or if anyone else is watching."
Scowling at Zarine flirting with Savendir, Nyxalia finds that she agrees with her reasoning at least.
"I think that sounds like a good idea," she says to Savendir.
The group keeps watch on the tower. Nothing out of the ordinary can be seen. As the sun begins to rise, people start to gather outside of the entrance of the library.
Just before the library opens, a group of about 20 people have gathered. They appear to come from all over Golarion. Some stand alone, while others stand in groups of 2 or 3. Promptly at 8 am the doors open and the visitors begin to enter the library.
Seeing nothing out of the ordinary, Savendir makes eye-contact with the others before heading for the entrance himself. "Let us see what there is to see."
Led by Savendir, the group makes their way up the stairs to the entrance. Two people are left in line when Savendir arrives. The daily entrance fee of 15 gold pieces per person is posted along with the hours. The library is open until dusk every day of the week.
An elderly looking woman sits behind a glass and passes an entrance ticket to each paying patron.
Savendir approaches the woman and produces the required fee. "I have not used the library before," he says honestly. "Should I require any assistance, to whom should I inquire?"
The woman takes Savendir's money and slides a ticket back to him. "You will find librarian's on every floor that can help you find any texts you are seeking. As you enter, you will see more information regarding how the collection is organized. Thank you for visiting our library."
Zarine wordlessly hands over her fee and accepts the ticket in return. She hesitates for a moment before the door, pretending to examine the architecture.
Nyxalia walks up and pays here money, waiting for the others to pay, then follows Savendir into the Library.
Savendir nods politely at the attendant as he heads in, pausing to make sure the others are following.
The rest of the group pays their entrance fees and follow into the library. Upon entering, you see a sign outlining the organization of the collection. Each floor seems roughly dedicated to a particular school of magic. A librarian is seated at an information desk.
The first floor has several shelves of books along with tables and chairs for studying and note taking. On this floor there is one person seated at a table with a book open, two others perusing books on the shelves and 2 more librarians walking around available to assist.
- 1st Floor - Abjuration/Conjuration
- 2nd Floor - Divination/Enchantment
- 3rd Floor - Evocation/Illusion
- 4th Floor - Necromancy/Transmutation
- 5th Floor - History/Geography/Nature
- 6th Floor - Rare Books
Savendir leans close to Zarine and says, "Let us work our way up. I believe that our friends would have found the volumes on the fourth floor most tempting." He heads for the stairs.
"Funny, I was thinking sixth. But perhaps you are correct." Zarine saunters along with Savendir towards the stairs.
Savendir and Zarine lead the group up the stairs to the 4th floor. The 4th floor is filled with book shelves. There are several tables and chairs tucked into corners to allow places to study. 3 librarians are working on this floor. There are 4 visitors looking through the shelves.
"Could be," Savendir says. "We can work our way up.
Savendir looks around for anyone or anything suspicious while he casually peruses the shelves.
A few more visitors enter the room. No suspicious activity can be seen on this floor. Near the stairs, the sound of several people can be heard climbing up the stairs.
Zarine also peruses the names of the volumes in the room. "Shame we have other business," she mutters absently, leaving through sheets of vellum bound in a strange, scaly leather, "I could spend a lifetime here."
"That volume looks unwholesome," Savendir remarks. "Perhaps we will find what we are looking for further up." He heads for the stairs.
Zarine guides the heavy volume back into its narrow slot, with a quick glance at the attendants to ensure she was not violating some arcane rule.
"To the rare books!" she chirps, clapping her hands in delight and setting her bracelets jingling, then trots to catch up with Savendir and take his arm. She leans in to whisper confidentially, "I wish that note had not burned so badly. I would be happy for a clue as to what we sought. Undead, Norgorber's forbidden worship, the corruption of Pharasma's servant... all bodes something far more ill than simple kidnappings."
The sixth floor is laid out in a similar fashion as the first and fourth floors. It is full of book cases. To the north is a room with glass walls where new volumes that enter the collection are inspected, catalogued, and prepared to be put into circulation.
There is more activity on this floor then the others. About a dozen patrons are perusing the shelves. 2 librarians are circulating assisting customers, while a third sits at a table in the office studying a large book in front of her.
"This place is absolutely enormous! And filled with rare books... think what these volumes must be worth!" Zarine appears overcome for a moment and stops to fan herself as she looks around, then gathers her senses.
"We should probably split up to reconnoiter, perhaps one to each corridor through the stacks. I'll go..." "that way," she volunteers pointing to the northernmost wall, "Meet you all on the west side. Don't try to handle anything yourself until we meet up. Somebody could also stay around here to guard the stairs."
She saunters quietly along the northern wall, looking and listening for anything odd.
Savendir heads around the other direction and peruses the shelves, trying to pick up any suspicious figures or conversation.
Zarine and Savendir notice that a shimmering emerald barrier radiates through out the room.
Zarine makes her way to the Northern wall. She passes a man (12) looking at an information pamphlet on the library as she approaches the glass office. Another patron (2) is casually studying some books on the shelf.
Savendir circles back to the stairs to try to rendezvous with the others. He gives them a knowing and alert look, since he is expecting trouble.
Nyxalia follows Savendir, scowling as Zarine takes his arm, and shadows his movements from a short distance away. She's not sneaking, but acting as if she were there to look for books while keeping an eye on both Savendir and the other patrons.
Zarine stops a moment to whisper with the man looking at the pamphlet (Mr. 12). "Oh, how stunningly useful. I wish I had picked one up. What is it you're looking for? I'll keep an eye open while I seek my own volume. Does that booklet have a layout of this floor?" She tries to take a peek at the little brochure while watching patrons 1 and 2 and keeping an eye on her friends.
The man looks up from the pamphlet. "I picked one up from the lobby downstairs. You didn't see them under the information sign? I'm just getting a feel for the library. It's my first time here," He answers. Continuing, he says, "I'm finished with it now, You may have it. I'm always willing to help beautiful women such as yourself." He hands Zarine the pamphlet and moves toward one of the book shelves.
"Thank you, sir, it's so kind of you," Zarine smiles, "It's my first time here as well. I would be lost without you."
The shimmering field that casts a green hue over the room begins to fade.
The rest of the group does not hear or see anything unusual. The other library patrons continue to peruse the stacks of books. The green hue fades even further.
Curious about the light, Zarine frowns and decides to ask the librarian what it is.
Zarine moves to the office at the north end of the library. She is stopped at the door by a closed door with a sign hanging on it.
Please do not disturb. Rare book examination in progress.
Savendir strolls up to where Zarine is standing. "That most be one hell of an important book. Something is off here..."
Zarine leans in to Savendir and speaks very softly, hoping that only his keen elven ears will pick up her words. "Can you tell what that green light is? It is fading. I was going to ask, but..." She points at the unwelcoming sign. "I could simply knock, but did not want to cause a disturbance. A couple of people here do not look much like bibliophiles. I am reluctant to draw attention. What do you think?"
Savendir regards his surroundings, looking for magic auras.
Detect magic
Savendir detects that there are about 28 magical auras in the room. Also, several of the patrons emit magical auras as well. The 28 auras associated with the green hue are centered about 5 feet off the ground and seem spaced in regular intervals.
Savendir quietly whispers what he has found to his companions.
Savendir quietly whispers what he has found to his companions.
Owen has also been studying the magical aurus and attempts to identify the school. Unfortunately, the magic is more powerful than he can identify.
"Perhaps we should find someplace to observe less in the open. Unless a class of students has arrived, I cannot fathom why such a crowd would be ascending the stairs." Savendir makes his way toward one of the aisles among the stacks.
"Um, yes. That is a large herd of bibliophiles. Perhaps you are right, Savendir." Zarine backs away from the stairs, holding the map in her hand, and turns in to the aisle where #2 is standing. She remains next to the person, examining the books with great interest and muttering to herself in Vudrani.
Savendir peruses the shelves flanking the aisle where #11 is standing. He looks at the spines absentmindedly.
Zarine turns to the person next to her. "Pardon me, but have you seen Lagu saka Bethara naga? It may also be titled 'Songs of the Serpent God' if translated. I'm not certain if the original will be on the shelves, or only the translation."