The Forbidden Library

Facility Event: The Accursed Archives

Episode 1

The Forbidden Library

Next Quest

What Lurks in the Darkness

Summary

A magic scholar named Heinwald and an inquisitor named Curran appear at the Halidom. The two have been pursuing an incident in which the residents of a village disappeared. If they can resurrect an ancient sealed library, they just might be able to solve the mystery.

Dialogue

Hmm...

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Oh ho!

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Yes, I see. Deeply fascinating.

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Looks like we've got company, Euden. Hmm. I don't think I know that man. Apologies for the sudden intrusion, but are you from around here? I'm looking for someone named Euden. That would be me. And who are you? Whoops! Sorry about that. My name's Curran, and I'm an inquisitor. An inquisitor! Is that a term I should know, Elly? ...Or perhaps be worried about? Inquisitors are members of the Ilian Church. They investigate if adherents hold misguided views, and guide them back to the path of righteousness if so. Given that I abandoned the Church, he may well be here for me. What?! Ah, so YOU are the Paladyn Elisanne! I actually remember seeing your name on the list of heretics. If you think to take me, you have another— Stay your hand, my lady. I'm not so simple as to believe those who hold different opinions from the Church are instantly guilty of heresy. That does not sound like something an inquisitor would say. Yeah, I get that a lot. I guess you could say that I'm a heretical heretic hunter. For just like beauty, heretics are also in the eye of the buttholder. (Er, did he just say...?) I'm fairly certain that's not the saying.) (Heh. ...Buttholder.) Dammit! I screwed that up! Perhaps you should stick to simple phrases and stop trying to sound impressive. H-Heinwald?! Where have you BEEN?! Merely attending to some minor business. I thought I told you we don't have time for any unnecessary side-trips. It wasn't unnecessary—it was essential. Or it was to me, at any rate. You're really something else. All right, what exactly is going on here? Who ARE you two? I am Heinwald, a seeker of truth. He researches magic and so forth—and occasionally lends a hand with my work. And why have an inquisitor and a magic scholar come to our castle? It's actually a teeeensy bit complicated. I was called to investigate a village called Hethiwood. As an inquisitor? Yep. Apparently the village was worshiping something other than Ilia. Now, if they just believed in another deity, that's not really my business. But we'd heard rumors that whatever they were worshiping was something...darker. Wait. You were investigating an entire VILLAGE for heresy? Yeah, it was a first for me, too. That's why I wanted to move cautiously. But when I got there, the village was...gone. Gone? Well, the village was still there. But the residents had vanished. Perhaps they were attacked by fiends. I considered that, but there were no tracks or signs of a struggle. It was like all 209 people simply popped out of existence. That's terrible! It was not the ENTIRE village, Curran. You really must learn to be more exacting in your speech. Ah, right. We actually did manage to find one person—so I guess that means only 208 people vanished. ...... It's this girl—whose name is Lathna, according to the village register. So far as we can tell, she's the only person left. Did you ask her what happened? Well...we tried. Aaah... Uuuuu... She seems to have lost the power of speech—perhaps from the shock of whatever happened to her village. Okay, that's SUPER scary. Like I said, it's a real unusual event. Thankfully, I've got a pal who knows just what to do in situations like this. Were I to name someone my "pal," I'd hope that they had a bit more of a discerning eye; a bit more thoughtfulness. Still, had I not decided to join you, I never would have seen the fabled Liber Grimortis with my own eyes. The...Liber Grimortis? It is a legendary book of sorcery that we found in the village. The entire book was thought lost long ago, with only copied fragments left. So for us to discover it in the village is a truly historic moment! Our current theory is that the people of Hethiwood may have been trying to use some of the magic in said book. But in order to investigate the truth of this situation, we must read and analyze the Liber Grimortis itself. However, we currently lack sufficient materials to decipher it, which is why we decided to awaken the Library Obscura. That sounds...ominous. Care to fill us in? Within the pages of the Liber Grimortis, there is a description of a library said to house materials on every taboo subject conceivable. This library was sealed away in ages past by some unknown actor. And you think it a good idea to RELEASE this seal?! Of course! Can you imagine the extent of the knowledge contained within its halls? I simply cannot wait! I fear your enthusiasm may be terribly misplaced, sir! Don't get the wrong idea—we aren't cracking the seal just to satisfy this guy's curiosity; we're doing it for the people of Hethiwood. Plus, if it's full of forbidden things, it's my duty as an inquisitor to check that out and see what's what. So why tell us all of this? As it turns out, the place where the library was sealed away is supposedly very near to here. We have been in this castle for quite some time and never heard of a magical library. It was likely sealed away long before this castle even came into existence. But that would be ages ago! Anyway, that's what we know right now. Figured it would be best to swing by and let you know the score before we started poking around your lands. That's quite the story. But if you're going to this Library Obscura, I'd like to come along. You sure? It's going to be dangerous. All the more reason I should come. I can't ignore a possible danger so close to our home. Well, far be it from me to turn down a guy who doesn't shirk his duties. It's like they say: you either lead, follow, or get out the bidet! (Er...did he mean "get out of the way?") (Goodness, he did it again.) (Aaaah ha ha! This guy is the BEST!) How long do you plan on standing there making a fool of yourself? The day grows late! That's enough out of you, Mr. "I Was Just Checking On A Small Matter!" Unthinkable. I would never waste time! And yet thanks to you, we've wasted time on numerous occasions up to this point! I could say the exact same thing back to you. Why, just the other day... Aaah... Urrr... ...I'm not certain any of those people are going to be all right. Still, they seem like okay sorts, all-in-all. I guess we'll find out, won't we? Come on, everyone.