Discussion thread! We will use this all the time!
I was told there would be undead?
EXPLOSIONS.
Healbots!
Ohai look NEW FACE!
Also, the fearless GM is a f*!+ing terrible soothsayer.
RESEARCH MECHANICS!
Love 'em or hate 'em, here's how this is gonna happen.
Every section of the library (and there is more than one, which Sebti mentioned during her briefing) has a Complexity Rating, a Knowledge Bonus Maximum, Knowledge Points, and Research Checks.
Complexity Rating: The Complexity Rating sets the DC for any skill checks. For example a Complexity of 20 means all the skill checks against that library are DC 20.
Research Checks: This is the list of skills you can roll in a given library. They're usually Knowledge skills, but certain libraries might have unusual skills that can be rolled (for example, a library on wild animals and fauna might allow Survival for Research Checks).
Knowledge Bonus Maximum: Each day you can roll one skill check against the library's Complexity Rating. For each successful check, subsequent checks get a cumulative +1 bonus, to a maximum of the library's Knowledge Bonus.
Knowledge Points: Think of these like the library's "hit points." When you roll a successful check, you deal "damage" to the library's KP. At certain KP thresholds, you make progress in your research and gain new knowledge! How much damage you deal depends on your class and Intelligence modifier. Bards deal the most damage at 1d12 + Int mod. Scholastic characters like alchemists, wizards, and the like, deal 1d8 + Int mod. All others deal 1d4 + Int mod. In this way, it's best to put your most intelligent character on the job and have the others aid them. Up to two other characters can aid the rolling character's check. For every 5 by which the PC exceeds the library's Complexity Rating, they deal an additional 1 point of "damage" to its KP.
That's the gist of it! I will give you the information for a library when it comes up. The Outer Sanctum's information is as follows:
Complexity 15
Research Checks Knowledge (local, history, or nobility)
Knowledge Bonus Max +2
I will keep its max Knowledge Points to myself, however.