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

video

[takesyoubytheheart]

[The first rule was kinda interesting, but that last one...]

Uh, shouldn't we all decide on this sorta thing before you start makin' rules?

[knowitowl]

This is not up for debate. If you have a dispute it will be noted.

[takesyoubytheheart]

[... So is just in the nature of all birds he knows to be jerks, or...]

Sheesh. Someone sure thinks he's a know it owl!

[He thinks it's funny. And the mun is often reduced to stealing jokes.]

[knowitowl]

[Sorry Mickey, watch your joke fall flat.]

I am the spirit of knowledge. So I do not think it, I know it to be so.

[takesyoubytheheart]

[Dangit.]

But ain't knowledge better when it's shared with everyone? Like that last rule... it's not like we can go that far anyway!

[knowitowl]

To give you perspective of my position, in my world I constructed a vast archive to help humanity better itself. However, humans frequently used this knowledge to gain the upper hand and destroy one another. In fact, my knowledge nearly caused the destruction of an entire race on more than one occasion. Thus I banned humans from my library.

I do not trust them here any more than my own world, but I am allowing this library's continued use since this is a different world. But under careful supervision. It is for everyone's own good, and unless every person is proven to be trustworthy and these shifts are no longer a factor, these rules will remain.

[takesyoubytheheart]

[He sighs. This is actually more familiar than he'd care to admit. When certain villains had found out other worlds existed, they used that knowledge to hurt people. That was why Master Yensid had made that rule in the first place, that people shouldn't know other worlds exist.

And yet...]

I don't like bein' the one ta tell ya this, but there are always gunna be some bad people bent on destroyin' each other. Just because they can't take the books, doesn't mean they can't take out what they learned. But there's always the good folks who will use that same knowledge, and understand what the enemy's gunna do, in order ta stop it.

I doubt I'm gunna change yer mind there, but humans can be both bad and good, just the same as any owl can be bad or good, or any mouse can be bad or good. I just don't like the idea of distrustin' em all.

[knowitowl]

I am a spirit who has lived for centuries and studied human behavior since they first existed. I am well aware of this fact. However even the best intentions can cause harm. Restricting them will not stop their savage ways but it will limit them. I will not be held responsible for empowering destruction. Be it in the name of good or evil, it makes no difference.

[takesyoubytheheart]

Can't say I didn't try.

[And, all in all, he still comes out smiling cheerfully.]

Yer not gunna read over their shoulders ta make sure they ain't leavin' dog ears, are ya?

[Aaaand he's gone back to silly jokes.]

[knowitowl]

[...]

No.

[takesyoubytheheart]

Then in that case, ya can count on me stoppin' by! I got a ton of knowledge we can swap!

[knowitowl]

Is that so? Then I look forward to it.

[takesyoubytheheart]

Nice ta meetcha. The name's Mickey mouse!

[knowitowl]

Yes, I know.

[takesyoubytheheart]

[Wait.]

... Huh? How'd ya know?

[knowitowl]

I have read the entire log in the journal as well as material from your world. I know who you are King Mickey.

[takesyoubytheheart]

[but

that isn't

that shouldn't

Okay hold on you're gunna have to excuse him, as he's kinda mentally short-circuiting there. Uhhhh.]

... Guess we weren't keepin' that stuff a good a secret as we thought.

[knowitowl]

I would assume your secret is still safe in your world.

[takesyoubytheheart]

At least outside of the castle, it's supposed ta be. But...

[He can't help but smile again.]

... Ta be honest, it's kind of a relief.

[knowitowl]

Oh? And why is that?

[takesyoubytheheart]

I can understand why it's a secret... Sometimes knowledge does fall into bad hands. And it did. But at the same time... I met some real great friends in those other worlds, and if I didn't know those worlds existed, I wouldn't have been able ta help 'em out. I think in the long run of things, everyone should know about the other worlds. That way we can all help each other, and make really powerful bonds.

[knowitowl]

I see. However, my intent is not to forbid knowledge. I merely wish that is not used to harm others, and keeping it in the library would help assure that. There is a great deal of information here that can be used for destructive purposes. Allowing all to take freely poses a risk to everyone, or hoarding that knowledge as a means to their own end. Not regulating this would invite chaos.