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Post by Ellister Thorley on Jan 28, 2013 17:54:56 GMT -5
As you pass through the arched doorway into the moderately large room, your eyes are immediately drawn to the impressive collection of books lining the walls. From floor to ceiling the tomes of a staggering array of subjects are shelved, with the most valuable ones locked away behind glass doors. A heady aroma of parchment, old books and woodsmoke permeate the air. An inviting fire crackles in the stone fireplace, with leather armchairs flanking the hearth.
[[This thread is a place to post the contents of the books "discovered" by the members of the Mageroyal Society; this includes books found on our IC book hunts, story contests, and any sort of writing that is not directly pertaining to your character (ex./ journal articles, cultist writings, ancient Titan heiroglyphs, etc.). If you have any questions about what to post here, feel free to shoot a moderator a message!]]
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Post by vandrysse on Feb 2, 2013 10:00:57 GMT -5
Suggested Format
Title:
Author:
Location found:
Retrieved by:
Type [Tome, Scroll, etc.]:
Condition [Poor, Fair, Good, Excellent]:
Summary of Contents:
Excerpt:
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Post by vandrysse on Feb 2, 2013 10:09:39 GMT -5
Tags: Macabre
Title: Essential Nightmares
Author: F. Arzamastsev
Location found: The Scholomance
Retrieved by: Vandrysse Dyce
Type [Tome, Scroll, etc.]: Tome
Condition [Poor, Fair, Good, Excellent]: Good. The tome's cover appears to be made of black leather, which is in worn but good condition.
Summary of Contents: A collection of writings based on the studies of five patients forcefully made to endure nightmares through the use of alchemical substances, mind manipulation and environmental tampering.
Excerpt:
After the failing of Subject C, Subject D has been properly restrained and administered the sedative (p. 276). Once a regular sleep pattern was established, M. was brought in and allowed to enter the subject’s mind. The Subject cannot rouse out of sleep without the injection (p. 288).
Subjects were previously exposed to nightmares not of their own. We know that nothing is as potent as one’s own personal fear. Great precaution was taken to ensure that M. did not damage the Subject’s mind while accessing the necessary information.
Subject D has negative emotion attached to: cats, red apples, surgical instruments, needle and thread, decomposed birds, typical associations with undead, and various imagery of their father; M. describes the parent as “physically abusive.”
Stage A: M. has composed a series imagery based upon these references to be placed in the Subject's mind. Subject D shows signs of restlessness, light sweating and somniloquy.
[Recording of Subject’s vital statistics]
Stage B: Increased detail of imagery. Night sweats, increase in heart rate, rapid eye movement.
[Recording of Subject’s vital statistics]
Stage C: M. is exploring imagery associated with the father. Subject immediately entered into a fitful pattern, rapid increase in heart rate and irregular breathing.
[A large gap in writing, filled only by a few splatters of ink. The next notation is written shakily.
We have lost M.; operator has been taken over by the Shadow. Unable to break connection with Subject at this time. Subject has lost control of bowel and bladder movements, movements are convulsed, expressing blood through tear ducts.
[Another gap in writing.]
Subject expired. Suspect massive cardiac arrest as final cause of death. Right arm broken, still in restraint. Massive welts present on upper thigh, lower back, left shoulder, right side of neck.
M. has been removed and is to be placed in the Butcher’s Chamber.
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Post by Ellister Thorley on Feb 2, 2013 11:28:16 GMT -5
Title: Transformative Solutions: A How-to Guide
Author: Rodym Kalvaugh
Location found: The Scholomance
Retrieved by: Ellister Thorley, MD
Type [Tome, Scroll, etc.]: Textbook
Condition [Poor, Fair, Good, Excellent]: Fair. There is a dark brown stain along the back cover. There is evidence of water (or some other liquid) damaging at least ¼ of the pages, resulting in yellowed staining and brittle paper.
Summary of Contents: An advanced alchemical textbook containing discussions of transformation theory, essays on relevant hypotheses, and numerous experimental recipes.
Excerpt:
Chapter 14: Adverse Effects of Transformations
It is a generally accepted fact that forcing a change in one’s physical attributes carries inherent risk. Indeed, some individuals may utilize this fact to inflict pain and suffering upon other’s mental and physical well-being. While the author does not pass judgement upon the uses of transformative solutions, he does see the value of informing the alchemist of the dangers he is dabbling with while experimenting on the mutability of form.
Physical Distress
As with most unnatural processes, there is potential for a significant degree of agony that accompanies any shift in physical form. There are debates over how to prevent or amplify these effects, and if every category of shifting adheres to this general principle. Regardless, it is a characteristic an experimenter should be aware of.
Incomplete Transformation
Imagine, if you will, consuming your transformative draught expecting to become so much more than you are now…only to recover from the process caught in the middle of the change, a misshapen mass of twisted flesh. A thoroughly unpleasant experience, as the author can attest to. This complication often results from an error in potion creation or an incompatibility between the user and the desired shifting of form. It is good to have a contingency plan to reverse the shift, unless you are daring enough to be creating a permanent solution.
Mental Anguish (or, Irreparable Horror of the Body)
This particular effect is exquisite and insidious, and often the primary target of maliciously malforming your enemies. It is a madness for the astute practitioner of the transforming arts to be made aware of, lest you are caught up in the horror of the experience as well. The disconnect may be so crippling as to render the person a gibbering mess, if you’ve done a thorough job. The unnatural bending of limbs, growth of previously non-existent appendages, warping of the visage into a terrifying mask…all are excellent fodder for insanity.
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Post by vandrysse on Feb 11, 2013 13:53:12 GMT -5
Title: Elder Riversong
Author: Shalune
Type [Tome, Scroll, etc.]: Scroll
Condition [Poor, Fair, Good, Excellent]: Excellent
Summary of Contents: [Grand Prize Winner of the Lunar Festival Writing Contest sponsored by the Society]
Contents:
The sun shone down brilliantly on Astranaar, and a strong sentinel who stood watch over the lake's shore. Mere years ago a shaft of light here and there would be the only signs of day. Jaethe sighed at the thought as she stood guard. Though the sun's warmth was kept in line by the cool breeze of the season, that large gap in the forest canopy was a constant reminder of the orcs' presence.
'At least I'll have a quiet shift,' she thought to herself. True to their Common name, her people preferred the night. And anyone that spent much time in Ashenvale knew the orcs' misplaced sense of honor dissuaded them from striking the kaldorei unaware. On the rare exception to this, they were kind enough to provide their own alarm with their brazen warcries.
Jaethe wandered to the lakeside shrine, idly playing with a thick coin in one hand. The other she ran over the structure's ancient woodwork. A few sparse banners, and ribbons adorned it. Above hung a paper lantern, shifting with the wind and fighting against the sun to cast its dim blue light. On one pillar was an inscription, "Riversong." Below that, Jeathe knew, was a brief account of the elder's feats in battle. Now a parchment sign had been placed over it with a rough approximation of the same name in Common. Jaethe frowned, turning to watch the water, leaning on the shring with crossed arms.
"You seem upset," spoke a familiar woman's voice behind her.
"It's nothing."
"Don't you like the decorations?"
Jaethe grunted, "This is all the respect we have to pay our elders?"
"I appreciate the decorations' subtlety," the older woman admired. "And it is nice seeing people travel to visit."
"They're just tourists, mother." Jaethe turned to her just long enough to roll her eyes. Then the tired sentinel returned her gaze to the water shaking her head. "It's a novelty to them."
"You are in a bitter mood," sternly intoning her disapproval.
"And why shouldn't I be?" The strong woman turned with a gesture challenging her mother to answer. "They make light of what we fought to earn. But now we travel to the far corners of the earth at the beck and call of those children. They have us fight their wars, and die to their enemies!" The excited energy begins to leave Jaethe's voice, "I've watched my sisters fall to the living dead, orcs, even the plains tauren we called friends."
"Those same 'children' rose to defend the World Tree with us."
"Ha! Should I thank them for removing the trouble they brought us?" Jaethe crossed her arms, again turning away. "They also brought us the orcs. The orcs that are burning down our forest; your forest. How am I supposed to feel about them?"
After a long pause, she answered with a defeated tone. "I don't know, Jaethe."
Having talked herself into a sullen mood, Jaethe sat hunched over, elbows resting on arched knees. She produced that old coin again and turned it in her hands. "I'm sorry mom, I-"
"No," interrupted her mother, shaking her head firmly," it's fine. Still, maybe you weren't so different yourself."
Jaethe scoffed at the notion. "Oh yeah? And how's that?"
"Oh, I seem to recall a certain young girl who loved this celebration more than anything in the world: the parties, the colorful decorations," she chuckles, "the floating lanterns. You loved chasing them around and around as they bobbed in the air out of your reach. And the look on your face if you caught one." She stepped from beneath the shrine to her daughter's side, resting one hand on her head.
"I was just a girl," Jaethe dismissed in her embarassment.
A smile of maternal warmth beamed down at Jaethe's hunched form. A hand pulled its way through her coarse, wild hair. "A part of you will always be my little girl."
The tired sentinel leaned, resting her head against her mother's thigh as the woman continued. "Seeing you running around back then, laughing like that, what could I do but watch and smile?"
Jaethe's voice was soft now. She fidgets with the old stone coin in her hands. "It was different then. I was young and ignorant, and you-" She pauses. "You were a great warrior."
"I still help in my own way."
"But how do forget about it? Everything you've been through: the war, Omen?"
"Oh, I remember Omen: the bad, and the good." Her smile never faded. "I prefer to remember the good. Don't you?"
"It's not that simple."
"No, I guess it's not." The thought sank in. "Sometimes I forget how much you've grown Jaethe." She reached to gently pull back a lock of hair that had fallen over Jaethe's face. "Though I see you still bring that old coin with you."
"It's always with me." Jaethe stopped playing with it. "I remember when you first gave it to me. That's when you told me all about the Lunar Festival."
Her mother nodded, "I didn't mean to spoil the holiday for you."
"No," Jaethe countered quickly, " you didn't. I just didn't know the the real meaning of it, and it's not like dad ever told me."
"Well now, your happiness is no less meaningful." Jaethe's mother chided. "I think he understood that better than I did."
"Mom-"
The woman ignored Jaethe's interruption. "How is your father anyway?"
"He hasn't been to visit?"
"No." Her mother simply shook her head. Noticing Jaethe's furrowed brow, she added, "Oh Jaethe, honey. Don't be upset with him. It's complicated."
"Right."
"Come now, all that matters is that he loves you very much." She watched her daughter, concern crossing her timeless features. "And of course you know I will always be here for you, no matter what." After a pause she gave Jaethe's chin a gentle tug upwards. "You know that right?"
The weathered sentinel could not help a soft smile at her mother. "Of course."
Still leaning against her mother, Jaethe held the hand resting gently on the side of her face. For a long time the two enjoyed each other's presence in silence, watching the waves on the lake.
"Mom."
"Yes?"
Jaethe stared into the thick, ancient coin. She felt over its rough, chipped surface with both hands.
"I miss you."
There was no reply. Jaethe stood alone, and looked over the empty shrine. The wind must have blown out the lantern. She took a minute to light it again, with all the care of a loving daughter, before returning to solemnly watch the shore.
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Lecia
New Member
Posts: 29
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Post by Lecia on Feb 16, 2013 0:07:12 GMT -5
Title: Untitled
Author: James Baker
Location found: Shadowfang Keep
Retrieved by: Lecia Spirometer
Type [Tome, Scroll, etc.]: Book
Condition [Poor, Fair, Good, Excellent]: Poor condition. There is damage to the spine with the back cover and last 20-30 pages shredded by what appears to be claw marks.
Summary of Contents: A journal penned by one of the cooks. The first 183 pages appear to be nothing more than recipes and idle happenings around the keep, however towards the end of the book there is a detailed record of the final days of the servants.
Excerpt:
Entry 97
Dark shadows and guttural howls in the night keep me from my sleep yet again. Even now, I write these words by a single candle as not to draw attention to my chambers. The other servants whisper of the horrors that lurk in the woods, however I have yet to see any of these 'creatures.' Perhaps that is for the best. The days seem quiet enough, but these wretched noises in the darkness of the night chill one to the bone.
The Archmage has employed my services for the fourth night. What could possibly require so much raw meat each night? More importantly, what will happen if we should be unable to supply the proper amount? I shudder to think of the answer.
We have been ordered not to leave the keep after a sunset. Arianna remains missing for the sixth day. The flower she plucked not two days before she went missing remains on the hearth of the fireplace. No one dares to touch it. I feel as though if we were to remove it, it would be as if we are giving up hope that she yet lives. I cannot help but feel responsible. She was beyond the wall collecting herbs for the evening meal. Such a beautiful girl. Perhaps in another life I had hoped [several words are scratched out rendering the remainder of the sentence illegible]. But I digress.
Several of us have discussed leaving this place, however the only opportunity to slip from the watchful eye of the guardsmen would be in the cover of night. Who is to say that it will be safer on the other side of the wall? I truly believe that it is best to remain for the time being. A decision I may eventually learn to regret, but for now I will continue to tend to my duties. Perhaps there will be an end to this fear in the coming days. Perhaps.
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Post by vandrysse on Feb 18, 2013 18:10:28 GMT -5
Artifact: Silverlaine Family Seal
Location found: Shadowfang Keep
Retrieved by: Alaanas Ballard
Type [Tome, Scroll, etc.]: Ring
Condition [Poor, Fair, Good, Excellent]: Fair
Summary of Contents: Ring bearing family seal
Description: Silverlaine ring, retrieved by Alaanas Ballard and placed under the care of Vandrysse Dyce during Book Club event.
The ring bears the standard family seal (see illustration) although it appears to be made of poorer quality and may have been distributed amongst trusted housekeep.
Curiously, the ring is ingrained with markings suggesting an enchantment of some type. While most of the markings have been worn away by weather and age, it is suspected the ring may have been used to keep track of its respective owner(s). It is verified that the enchantment is no longer working.
This item has been placed in Display Case #2 of the Library, item #SKR215A.
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Post by Ellister Thorley on Feb 22, 2013 19:24:00 GMT -5
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Post by vandrysse on Mar 5, 2013 14:49:06 GMT -5
Artifact: Black Runic Stone Fragment
Location found: Temple of Ahn’Qiraj
Retrieved by: Vandrysse Dyce
Type [Tome, Scroll, etc.]: Tablet
Condition [Poor, Fair, Good, Excellent]: Poor
Summary of Contents: Fragment bearing faded markings and glyphs
Description: Tablet fragment retrieved by Vandrysse Dyce during Book Club event. It appears to be from obsidian stone similar to that of the Anubisaths. The fragment roughly measures five inches wide and 6 inches long; the runic carvings are faded around the broken edges and some of the glyphs have been scratched out. Paint flecks reveal this may have once been inlaid with gold, suggesting it might have belonged to the oracles.
Caution is advised before attempting to read this fragment! The text appears to be written in Qiraji, which is problematic for humans because of an acute psychic phenomenon. Several glyphs have been scratched or carved out; claw or fingernail marks mar the backside of the tablet, along with “words” of unknown origin and suspected to be gibberish. A very weak aura is present inside the stone, but this may be a quality of the obsidian and its unique “living” ability that powers the statues still roaming the temple grounds.
This item has been placed in Display Case #3 of the Library, item #AQ31A.
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Post by vandrysse on Mar 18, 2013 8:39:42 GMT -5
Record: Stone tablet rubbings
Location found: The Temple of Zin-Malor located in the Ruins of Eldarath, Azshara
Retrieved by: Vandrysse Dyce
Type [Tome, Scroll, etc.]: Paper
Condition [Poor, Fair, Good, Excellent]: Excellent
Summary of Contents: Charcoal on paper rubbings of arcane design.
Description: These rubbings were taken inside the Temple of Zin-Malor during the Book Club event. Several upright tablets were discovered bearing unique patterns; the designs and runes glowed with different light.
The first design is circular and appears to be a spiral, partly weathered away. This had a green glow.
The second is pictography of Naga origin; this had a red glow.
It should be noted that the Spitelash tribe of Naga have taken over the ruins of the ancient kaldorei city and are currently engaged in war with the Bilgewater Cartel goblins.
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Post by vandrysse on Apr 13, 2013 10:00:49 GMT -5
Title: The Dragon in the Cave
Author: D. Mylius
Location found: Karazhan
Retrieved by: Vandrysse Dyce
Type [Tome, Scroll, etc.]: Tome
Condition [Poor, Fair, Good, Excellent]: Good
Summary of Contents: A philosophical perspective on Alchemy and the Shadow, and personal transformation.
Excerpt: “In alchemy, the Dragon corresponds greatly to the Shadow. The Shadow in this sense is understood to be conscious impulses that we deny, yet see in other people. These impulses include greed, lust, indifference, egotism, and covetousness. The Shadow is the thing inside of us that does not adhere to society’s rules and our image of the “ideal” personality. It embraces the things we are ashamed of.
The dragon resides in a cave, in the underworld, and when he leaves his cave, he seeks to devour virgins. Virgins, in this case, being our pure consciousness, and he appears in our conscious acts through anger, hate, jealousy and so on, never satisfied.
If we strive to save the pure consciousness, then the dragon must be destroyed and reformed. In some tales, the dragon is “slain” by a lance with an iron point, Iron being a special metal that has an active, destructive force. The lance represents the alchemical “secret fire” penetrating physical matter (the dragon).
Once dead, the dragon undergoes a transmutation. This is not the end, but the beginning. From its corpse, vapors and volatile substances arise …”
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Post by Ellister Thorley on Apr 14, 2013 16:14:37 GMT -5
Title: The Collected Works of Jezebell Morganti
Author: Jezebell Morganti, edited by Ignacio Lessard
Location found: Karazhan, Deadwind Pass – in the upper seating of the Opera House
Retrieved by: Ellister Thorley, MD, FGCS
Type [Tome, Scroll, etc.]: Tome – specifically a collection of scripts of plays
Condition [Poor, Fair, Good, Excellent]: Good – Some yellowing of page margins.
Summary of Contents: Fifteen plays are included in their entirety within this collection. An introduction is written by the editor. There are also editor’s notes peppering the original author’s content, with end notes summarized for each play.
Excerpt: From “The Trapping of Sin”, Act 2, Scene III
[The scene is dark, with minimal light, just enough to make out the figures of two people huddled on the floor together. They are within a very small room with no windows and one door.]
VIRGINIA: I’ve lost track of the days. How long since we were taken?
MARCUS: At least a week. But that’s just a guess.
[Silence passes between them for a few moments.]
VIRGINIA: Have you figured out why they chose you?
[Marcus turns away from Virginia. Cue violin section of orchestra.]
MARCUS: What does it matter? They’ve got us, trapped and at their mercy.
VIRGINIA: [with growing distress] If we figure out why we are here, maybe we can give them what they want! They might let us go then!
MARCUS: [spoken with derision] They are madmen, Virginia. There is no reasoning with them, so why even try?
VIRGINIA: They took Angela away, they could have let her go!
MARCUS: You honestly believe that? Nay, she’s likely hung and quartered by now.
VIRGINIA: [hysterical] Don’t say things like that! We’re going to get out of here, we just have to tell them what they want!
MARCUS: [voice is dangerously low] You want to hear why I think they brought me here?
[Virginia falls silent, watching Marcus.]
MARCUS: I’m not going to tell you. It would frighten you. You’d be trapped in here, with a man you would fear and revile. Until they ask me, I’m not going to reveal my sin to anyone.
[They look at one another, Virginia in shocked silence and Marcus with a hardened expression. Virginia then leans up against Marcus, their backs facing one another.]
VIRGINIA: And you suppose I’m in here as an innocent?
[End of Scene III.]
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Post by Teryani on Apr 18, 2013 10:34:21 GMT -5
Title: The Little Murloc That Could
Author: Uncredited
Location found: (Originally) under the bar at the Lion's Pride Inn in Goldshire
Retrieved by: Teryani
Type [Tome, Scroll, etc.]: Tome
Condition [Poor, Fair, Good, Excellent]: Fair. It's had some drinks spilled on it, but it's the text is still legible. It has some recent damage to it's binding, the result of being used as a projectile
Summary of Contents: A very short story that is apparently not meant for children. Who knew? The artwork inside is surprisingly good.
Excerpt:
"Once upon a time a little murloc lived in the marshes near Stone Cairn Lake. Every day adventurers would come by looking for murloc fins to make their soup with. When they saw the little murloc they would laugh at him and say, ‘Your fins are much too small for our soup’. ‘mrglmrglmrglmrgl’ he'd respond, but still they would laugh."
"One morning he was waiting for the next adventurers to come by when he spotted a lone human. He crept up behind the human and then he realized *Gasp!* this human was wearing a lot of armor and had a huge sword. The little murloc thought to himself "I can't; this human is too much a pull for me," but all that came out of his mouth was 'mrglmrglmrglmrgl'"
"Strangely the human didn't respond. Not even to laugh at the little murloc. Maybe his huge helmet blocked his hearing. Curious at why the human had not responded, the murloc crept closer and again said, 'mrglmrglmrglmrgl'. "
"Again, the human didn't respond. So the little murloc again said, 'mrglmrglmrglmrgl' and bit him."
"Suddenly the human, who's helmet had blocked him from hearing the murloc, swung his huuuuuuge sword at the little murloc, ending his life. The human realized that the little murloc's fin was big enough to be used in soup and made soup from it. The end."
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Post by Teryani on Apr 18, 2013 10:44:12 GMT -5
Title: A Study In Form And Technique: The Kaldorei Masters
Author: Keina Staghorn
Location found: Karazhan
[b/]Retrieved by:[/b] Teryani
Type [Tome, Scroll, etc.]: Tome
Condition [Poor, Fair, Good, Excellent]: Good, the pages show signs of age but otherwise the book is in good condition.
Summary of Contents: Contains descriptions, sketches and, for some pieces, artist information of various types of night elven artwork. The focus seems to be on statuary but a smattering of other works are included.
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Post by vandrysse on Apr 20, 2013 14:17:23 GMT -5
Title: Cupellation, A Process
Author: P. Craddock
Location found: Karazhan, Deadwind Pass
Retrieved by: Vandrysse Dyce
Type [Tome, Scroll, etc.]: Tome
Condition [Poor, Fair, Good, Excellent]: Fair. The cover has been mildly damaged by liquid substances, some of the pages have been singed around the edges.
Summary of Contents: A treatise on cupellation.
Excerpt: “ ... a refining process in which ores and metal alloys are treated with high temperatures to separate noble metals from base metals. It is based on the principle that precious metals do not chemically react, unlike base metals; the heating process forms slag and other compounds.
It is commonly used to obtain silver from lead. It may also be used to assay minerals and determine the purity of fresh metals for jewelry and coin making.
The primary tool for cupellation is the cupel, a small vessel made from bone ash. The best source for ash comes from deer horn, although fish spines work just as well. The cupel mould itself is made from brass.
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