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

[forelocked]

Sure, I want to survive, if that's what you mean by selfish, but I just want a normal, peaceful life.

[A lot of people are like that, he's not arguing.]

I don't see how not letting people read books is helping at all.

How am I supposed to learn which plants I can eat if I can't bring the books with plant pictures outside? If somebody gets poisoned, it'll be your fault.

[The only thing Farlan ever talks about on the journals is food production and distribution--somehow it always comes back to that.]

What's this "new thing" we're supposed to add, anyway? What are you going to say is good enough? Do we have to have a new new thing every time?

[knowitowl]

If you truly need that information outside the library then you may take notes.

I am not an unreasonable spirit. The purpose for the third rule is to share knowledge not already in the library. You may share once or every time. I will keep note.

[forelocked]

But they've got photographs, and I can't draw. Sometimes plants look really similar, but one tastes good and one can kill you.

I mean, I can see how managing the library is a good idea, but I think you're going too far. If you can send out assistants to get books back anyway, why can't you let people take them out for a little while? Since you're a magic bird--or something.

[Farlan doesn't even know what this thing is, or why he's attempting to reason with it.]

You're really going to accept things that I know?

[knowitowl]

This is where studying and experience comes in. If you are that unsure then you should likely not eat it until you are.

Of course. Knowledge is knowledge.

[forelocked]

That's not how it works. With field guides, you take them out into the field, and they're your guide. That's the whole point. We hardly even have plants where I grew up, I need to use them. I'm trying to help with food production. I'm not actually going to eat it if I don't know what it is.

[Sigh.]

Okay, how about this--back home, there's this guy named Andersen, who's missing a leg. It's all puckered, and when he does this thing with his muscles, it kind of makes a whistling noise, and we call him Whistling Andersen.

[knowitowl]

I know how field guides work. If I make an exception for one I will have to allow it for all.

However, I will consider this for non essential material.

...

That is a... most unusual talent.

[forelocked]

Yeah, you're not being a very good librarian if you're making it so some of the books can't even be used like they're supposed to.

[He's just guessing here. He never went to the library in his world. But it sounds right.]

The point of exceptions is that they're exceptions. Can't you have a special section for books we can take out? I mean, what if a little kid wanted a book for a bedtime story? You've got to read that in the bedroom.

Right, it's pretty cool. He's a popular guy. So, does that count as my knowledge? Can I go in now?

[Farlan's going to test the limits of these rules.]

[knowitowl]

Very well I will consider this. For now I ask you respect my rules. If you are sincere and give me no trouble I may revise this rule.

I suppose that will do. Enjoy the library.

[forelocked]

Really? Thanks.

[That's it? It's true knowledge, but he hadn't thought it would be accepted.]

You know, it looks like a lot of people are angry at you over this, but you're not such a bad guy--bird--thing. You're all right.

[Most figures of authority he's familiar with are not so reasonable. Or reasonable at all.]

Where I'm from, they destroy "dangerous" books so nobody can have them--and they'd never let a poor person in their library.

[knowitowl]

I have no wish to do such a thing. Many are failing to realize that I could have done just that if I truly wanted to keep knowledge from everyone. It pleases me to know that you understand this.

However, if it is proven that many in this village are not trustworthy, I will not be inclined to be lenient.

[forelocked]

Right. Most people don't know how good they've got it. I get it.

Are you gonna do that thing where because a few people cause problems, you're gonna take it out on everyone? I hope not.

Look, I just think maybe people got the wrong idea. I talked to you and asked you some questions, and I can see you're a reasonable guy. [Wait, is it a guy?] Bird. I don't think they realize you're just trying to keep things in order.

[knowitowl]

I see no reason to at this time.

You may be correct, however, it is difficult to reason with those who are unwilling to reason themselves. I have managed to come to an understanding with a few, but most see it fit to throw insults and accusations.

[forelocked]

See, you're definitely reasonable.

Well, most people object to someone they don't know suddenly coming in and stating a bunch of rules, changing things up. It rubs them the wrong way. I mean, don't get me wrong, but you were kind of blunt. You might need to use a little finesse.

[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?

[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?

[knowitowl]

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

[forelocked]

Okay--manage? Supervise? Whatever word you want to use is great. I meant I'm sure you can do it.

Yeah, I think the fact that you don't see how it would work is part of the problem... It would make people less mad, and you wouldn't have to deal with their complaining and rebelling.

It's all in how you phrase things! And your attitude. You know, you can be a bit more friendly, phrase things so it seems like what you're doing is helping them out. Because you are, right?

[knowitowl]

Hm. Perhaps.

There is a book I read that was saying something similar.

[forelocked]

See, I know what I'm talking about.

Maybe you could appoint a representative or something, if the whole finesse thing doesn't work for you personally. [This bird-guy is almost as bad as Levi. Wait, what's the word for that kind of representative? Coming from a world in which diplomacy is a lost art, even if it's one he practices, Farlan has to think for a second.] An ambassador. You said you had assistants, maybe they could do it?

[knowitowl]

I have already appointed two such individuals.

[forelocked]

Well, there you go, then it--might be fine.

[He was about to say it should be fine, but he has no idea who these people are, or what the extent of the problem is. As long as he gets to use the library, he's not too worried about it, but he hopes this doesn't go horribly wrong somehow.]

So--you know a lot of things, you said. Would you mind if I asked you a question?

[knowitowl]

I am the spirit of knowledge. Answering questions is what I do best.

[forelocked]

Okay, great.

[Spirit of knowledge sounds promising.]

Well, I really don't want to go back home, so I'm looking for some way I can either stay here or go back to another world instead. Would you know anything about that?

[knowitowl]

I am not aware of any method at this time. However, if you wish to discuss this further, I encourage you to visit the library.

[It might be better to discuss this in person.]

[forelocked]

Sure, I'll swing by.

[Right, these journal things can't be trusted. He probably shouldn't have talked on it so much, but he'd wanted to get this library question out of the way.]

[[ooc: did you want to thread this out? if so, we could do it here or elsewhere; whatever is most convenient for you?]]