Chapter One - The Library Dictator [Video]

[knowitowl]

[Now that things seem to have gone back to relative normalcy here in the land of Luceti, Wan Shi Tong decides that it is time to introduce himself to the community. Thus there will be a video feed of a very tall owl as he stands over his journal.]

Greetings citizens of Luceti, I am Wan Shi Tong, he who knows ten thousand things.

Due to my abduction from my own world and library, I have commandeered the one within this village. I will be the sole authority of the collection from this point on, and as such, there are a few new rules.

First of all, anyone who wishes to use the library must first offer new knowledge to add to the collection.

Secondly, none of the material within can be used for malicious intent. There is no exception to this. I do not care how noble your cause may be, whether it is against each other or our captors here.

Finally, I will no longer allow any materials to be removed from the building.

If these rules are not followed, there will be consequences.

Also, in regards to the last rule, all outstanding books and media must be returned for inventory. If you do not comply, I will send my assistants to retrieve them.

That is all.

[And with that the feed will end.]

Comments

[aerialassault]

[He'll gladly hoard it.]

Great!

[He's beaming, and it's evident in his voice.]

It's been a pleasure doing business with you, and I'll keep you updated if I find anything cool.

[knowitowl]

[He already knew this. Duh. Though this does earn a curious tilt of his head.]

What would an all knowing spirit need with... finesse?

[halfnhalf]

You probably read the guide already, so I've got a situation for you. Not hypothetical, since it happened a lot here.

Someone who doesn't know a thing about fighting gets drafted into a war. They're forced to go, and they can't just find places to hide. They're pushed out to fight, even if they don't even know how to throw a punch.

The library's a crowded place, so they can't just look at one of the self-defense books and practice there. They'd have to go to some place like the barracks. Would that person not be able to take that book there?

[knowitowl]

...

I understand your point.

[But he is conflicted.]

This may take further consideration.

[At least he's willing to think about it.]

[forelocked]

[Farlan's sure the magical bird knows all about it, if he goes around acting this way all the time.]

You want people to get along and not hurt each other, right? Finesse is the way to do it. If you finesse them, you'll calm them down, and things'll go more smoothly. People'll want to help out, they'll pass it along to others....

I'm sure a bird like you can rule with an iron claw, but it'd be less of a hassle, right?

[halfnhalf]

Thank you for that.

[...]

I can't promise there isn't going to be any retaliation or anything. The library is free knowledge for a lot of people, and to have it restricted is going to make them mad. You understand that, right?

[He says it calmly; he's not here to start a fight or cause a fuss. He just knows that there are definitely some people he sees on here who will rise up against this, one way or another.]

[magicalesbian]

Don't you think that if there was any books in there that could be used for something dangerous, the Malnossies wouldn't have given them to us? I mean come on, they're not that stupid.

[...well okay, that might be debatable, actually.]

[medicalpunch]

So you're too high and mighty to even talk to the people you've abruptly decided you get to order around, huh? In that case, I don't see how I should bother myself about your so-called rules.

[knowitowl]

I am open to reasonable discussion. However, your tone suggests you wish to argue and I have already argued with several as I have already pointed out. I find it unlikely I would have anything new to say to you than I have to anyone else. I see no reason to repeat myself when the journal log is available for your reference.

[rashness]

I do but... it's also kinda annoyin' to have to read in here. Like I guess it's okay sometimes, but sometimes I like to read stuff when I'm goin' to bed...

[knowitowl]

Rule is not the term I would use. I find it difficult to see how finesse would work in this situation.

[knowitowl]

I am prepared for retaliation. I don't expect the people here to be any different from those in my world.

[knowitowl]

I have read the entire contents of the library and I assure you that there is information that can be misused.

[knowitowl]

Unfortunately I am more concerned about the misuse of information than convenience. It is regrettable but necessary.

[medicalpunch]

I've got a hint for you. Reasonable discussion doesn't kick off with sudden authoritarian declarations.

You've got a village full of people who have been imprisoned -- some of us for years -- and the last thing we need is someone taking away even more of our self-determination and autonomy.

And don't think I didn't miss that bit about not using the information against our captors. Why are you surprised that people are pissed off, when you've basically declared that you're siding with them against us?

[knowitowl]

I have spent centuries providing humanity with information to better themselves only to have it misused. Forgive me for not sympathizing with beings that continue to show their untrustworthiness.

As stated I have no further desire to argue. Good day.

[medicalpunch]

Seeking freedom is misusing it, hm? Oh wonderful, we've got a slaver running our library now.

We'll just see how that works out!

[And on that note, she slams the journal shut.]

[rashness]

[ He itches the side of his head. Uh... ]

Huh... You know I've been here a while, and I don't think it's caused problems yet...

[action]

[unfringed]

[He throws his hands up and then goes over to his stack of books already taken from the library days before the owl appeared. Picking them up, he goes to a metal safe he has stored behind a couch.]

If he allows you to leave with the copies. Have you asked him that?

[action]

[quantumtangled]

He does not need to. Memory will be enough.

[Because he doesn't forget a thing.]

[action]

[unfringed]

I still don't like having to barter for what should be free.

[action]

[quantumtangled]

Your kind do it consistently.

[knowitowl]

Until it is proven that everyone here is trustworthy I do not intend to change the rules.

[endgames]

[Wow what a pick.]

I take it the two of you are from the same worlds, then.

[knowitowl]

This is correct. He is the Avatar, the bridge between man and the spirits.

[It's kinda his job.]