Private A Library for the Dead

[Matthew of Valendale]

Tags: Novac Lyrikal ​

Matthew had requested that Novac accompany him to an old site on Veridia, a place half-buried beneath history and stone.

The path there began where the gardens thinned, and walkways gave way to older steps that sank deep into the earth. The steps of the stone stairs, held centers that had been worn shallow by feet that had not crossed them in living memory. Above, the Veridian Jedi Temple's Academy rose up over the vista, new works having restored the ancient silhouette over the old shell of the Ashlanti Elysium

Below, roots as thick as pillars pressed through the walls in places along the entrance, accompanied by pale wisteria vines seeping through the cracks like the fingers of old hands folded in prayer. The temperature in the air dropped noticeably with every descending step further down, taking on the scent of minerals and water. Here and there, veins of crystal caught what little light their lanterns offered, turning it faintly in shimmering colors/

Matthew had chosen to dress practically for this little venture in the darkness below, carrying only a small lantern, and what they had expected to be an old access key. At the end of the darkened passage way stood two large doors to the archive.

It was clear this was not part of the modern Temple's records, nor bound to the safer libraries above, or even connected to any terminal that could be searched, copied, or cleansed from afar. The archive doors were carved from immense slabs of dark wood, their surfaces age-smoothed and banded in old metal. Remnants of Ashlanti monk markings had been cut deep into the frame, so deep that dust had settled within each groove like a thin veil of ash.

Matthew's gaze shifted over the sealed doors, lingering on the old markings and the worn alcoves along the stone walls. Then, at last, he glanced to @Novac Lyrika .

"This temple has stood dormant for centuries… possibly over a millennia," Matthew began, his voice low, as if he were reluctant to disturb the silence too greatly. "There are no traces of its former inhabitants. None that speak plainly, at least. And the nearby townsfolk seem to have little, if any, memory of this place at all."

His soft cerulean returned to the doors.

"Nothing within the buildings denotes any kind of struggle took place.... No desperate barricades, nor marks of conquest.... no real signs of panic left behind for us to read.... It is almost as if the whole society of people who once lived here simply… decided to disappear."

He let that thought hang briefly,

"We do not seem to know why any of this is. Nothing we have found has led us to such answers. And now, we discover there are parts of the temple still locked away from us."

Matthew's hand settled near the old access key, though he made no move to use it holding it up to show.

"If they left, and left some places open while sealing others shut… what possible reason could there have been? So I ask you plainly… do we venture inside? Or do we leave this old silence undisturbed? What do you think of all of this?"

 

[Novac Lyrikal]

The air had a sort of damp stone taste to it every time novac flicked his tongue out. It was a taste and smell he loved, reminded him of home back on the caves of butler's cove a little. The surrounding area reminded him of home as well, perhaps he'd stay here for a while after.

As he descended the stairs novac ran his left pair of hands along the walls and occasional root or patch of moss while he helf a lantern in his bottom right hand. This was the kind of place novac felt the most comfortable and calm. The forgotten history and architecture of places like this was fascinating to him. The explorer in him couldn't help but get more and more excited the closer they got to the doors.

The doors actually surprised novac a little. They where made of a beautiful wood that somehow stood the test of time. Though the metal of course helped with that.

Novac thought for a moment out loud after Matthew of Valendale spoke, "hm well if they've been gone for that long it'd make sense the townsfolk would forget about this place, probably not something many, if any, where allowed access to. No signs of a struggle is interesting to say the least, why abandon your home for seemingly no reason. Unless there was some other cause they knew they couldn't stop coming, though that seems more unlikely."

Novac stopped before turning to Matthew, "What really gets me is they left some places open. As if not caring if others came to explore of inhabit it. It either means they thought they might eventually return, or they knew they wouldn't and where ok with it. Although..was the access key hidden? If it wasn't that would raise more questions."

If they wanted this place hidden that sould make sense, could be knowledge they didn't want getting out or being used by the wrong hands. Then again there was no signs of someone attempting to get in so no one knew it was here, so if anyone knew about it, it most likely wasn't someone who wanted what was inside.

At Matthew's asking if they should open it or not novac stood there for a moment until speaking. "Personally I'd say to open it. Their could be a lot in there. Helpful knowledge, harmful knowledge, history of who once lived here, anything really. Theres a part of me that thinks back to the ssithers original home of jatee and how our history was lost. That part of me makes me want to find out if theres anything to learn of the previous inhabits. Though of course theres the potential of their being nothing about them inside."

 

[Matthew of Valendale]

Novac Lyrikal

Matthew considered what the younger one had said, turning the would-be key over in his hand before offering it to Novac.

“This brings to mind an old tale I was told as a young boy… It was the tale of a village that had inherited a silver reliquary from a dead king,” Matthew said quietly. “A small box, no larger than what one could carry in two hands, etched with symbols whose meaning had long been forgotten. Every generation was warned never to open it. Some believed it held a plague, whilst others swore it contained a great and powerful demon’s true name. And there was a child… a clever, though perhaps not wise child… who once asked the village elder why they kept something so dangerous beneath the chapel instead of casting it into the sea.

“The elder answered: because no one knew whether the box had been built to keep something terrible inside… or to keep something terrible from reaching what slept within.

“In the end, the child did open it. Although it was not because of greed, nor some aching desire to know what truly lay within. He opened it because war had come to the valley, and the chapel burned around him. Inside, he found only a small bell made of blackened gold, and a single scrap of parchment.

“The parchment read: Ring only when all other mercy has failed.”

Matthew’s gaze lowered to the archive doors.

“I always hated that story as a boy… It never told me whether the child was right,” he said, his voice thinning into a heavy sigh.

“It may be a warning,” Matthew said softly. “Or it may be something someone was too afraid to let fall into the wrong hands…

I think… what stayed with me was this: sometimes Duty gives you no clean answer. Knowledge, or power, may be necessary… but only in hands wise enough to fear using it.”

Matthew’s gaze rested on the archive doors.

“That said… we do not truly know what waits beyond these doors. And if we choose to open them, the responsibility for what happens after falls to us.”

 

[Novac Lyrikal]

As Matthew of Valendale told the story novac couldn't help but smile a little, "Don't think I've ever heard that one. Probably for the best since it doesn't say what happens next, I'd also hate it, would want to know what happens way to much."

Taking the key and rotating it in ih hand a bit novac thought for a few seconds, "But only in hands wise enough to fear using it. Wish that was in more peoples minds these day. Though a lot would probably ignore the message sadly, if not already doing so."

Going up to the door novac put one of his hands on it, feeling the cold metal and old wood as he thought. "Your right. If something bad where to happen, something getting out, be it biological or a object or knowledge. It would be solely on us," turning around and offering the key back to matthew, "But personally, I still think opening it has a high chance to yield something good."

"even if theres dangerous knowledge or objects that could still be good. Could put it someone even more secure for safe keeping. Or it might be something helpful or interesting. But to be fair, you are wiser then I am so I trust your final judgement." novac said wirh a small smile.

 

[Matthew of Valendale]

Tags: Novac Lyrikal ​

Matthew smiled at that.

"A phrase comes to mind… if it is not broken, do not fix it… though I am uncertain it applies here," he said truthfully. "We could perhaps try other means of discovering what lies within without entering. Though that may require specialized machines I do not currently have access to, so… the most prudent way may simply be to open the door and take a look."

He did not sound pleased by that answer.

"Though I think we should try to respect those of the past. Often, I find things are locked away for a reason, and perhaps should remain so."

Matthew offered the thought with a gentle sigh as he looked the key over, turning it slowly in his hand.

"I have made a great many regrets in my time, and I try to live each moment as best I can, so that when I look back, I may know I did what I could with the wisdom I had. It does not spare one from regret entirely… but it lessens the weight of it."

His gaze lingered on the key.

"I would say this is perhaps something we should not open or investigate until we have exhausted other alternatives to learn more. There is no rush presently, as far as we know."

 

[Novac Lyrikal]

Novac listened and thought for a moment, thinking out loud. "hm good point. I don't think I'd have anyway to figure out whats in there either. Could send a small probe droid in. Wait no that would mean we'd have to open it. Unless theres a small entrance like a crack or something, though droids can only be so small."

Leaning against the wall. "Not sure using the force would work, same with force sight. Also scanners may not work depending in the layout and if it goes further down or other factors. Though they could give a idea at the very least. Easiest way is to just go and walk in, though yeah it is not really the best thing to do first."

Matthew of Valendale

 

[Matthew of Valendale]

TAGS: Novac Lyrikal ​

"That is an interesting idea… There are nanobots, yes, though their capabilities remain somewhat limited," Matthew offered softly.

His attention shifted back toward the sealed way before them, studying it with a long measured patience. Whatever had been hidden here had not been locked away carelessly. Someone had meant for this place to remain undisturbed, and the silence that followed only made the absence of its keepers more troubling.

"It appears we are at an impasse if we do not enter here," he continued. "What do you think we should investigate next? If we are to understand what happened, or what led these people to lock this away before seemingly disappearing, then we may need to look for records, security logs, maintenance access, or some other sign of who last stood watch over this place."

 

[Novac Lyrikal]

Novac continued to think out loud at Matthew of Valendale "The weirdest part is the fact that whoever lived here left without seeming reason. No records, townsfolk don't know anything. Where there any items they left behind? I'm assuming nothing telling of course. No telling carvings. There's been plenty of races and societys who've disappeared but theres usually always at least some evidence of why.""

Taking a moment before continuing. "The townsfolk have no old storys of plagues or anything of the like do they?"

At his question novac replied "Finding any sort of record would probably be best, at least something to give us any kimd of idea."

 

[Matthew of Valendale]

Tags: Novac Lyrikal ​

"Oh, there are plenty of little things left around, and some places where small items were purposefully left as a sort of… memento… or even… maybe a minor sacrifice. But of material goods, not… anything of flesh or blood," Matthew offered. "I haven't really spoken to many of the folks here, but they say the people who lived out this way were secluded monks of an ascetic lifestyle. Not much contact came from here in the first place, so no one really took notice when it stopped."

 

[Novac Lyrikal]

"I see. Well that doesn't help much." novac said as he tapped the end of his tail on the ground.

"To be honest,- I'm starting to run out of ideas that aren't just go in and find out...I'd think they'd leave at least some kind of idea as to what in here. Either a warning some sort, though that could be a bad thing to do if theres someone seeking whatever the warning would be warning about. I feel like it's a little weird they left a key behind though.'

Matthew of Valendale

 

[Matthew of Valendale]

Tags: Novac Lyrikal ​

​

"I think this is more common when people know danger or disaster is coming. They leave before it reaches them…" Matthew offered softly. "But they never returned, and there are no signs of struggle or panic. Foul play may have been involved, though I can't determine that with any certainty."

His gaze settled upon the building ahead.

"We can go inside, if you believe that is our only path forward."

 

[Novac Lyrikal]

Novac's mind was going everywhere, the tip of his tail moving in small circles in the air a inch of the ground. Who where the people who lived here, what did they look like, what species, how did they act, their day to day life, how many? Why are they gone? out of free will, forced to. If forced why, other people, unseen forces. It was things like this novac loved. Old ruins, little remains, so much to speculate about.

The thing that reall got him is the fact they left a key. It of course could have just been forgetten, a very possible reason. But maybe they thought they would return, but why not take it with them then. Perhaps they wanted the next inhabitants to find it, but that could be a risk depending on who found it.

The entire time he'd been thinking he was looking down, finally looking up at Matthew of Valendale "I say we see what they left behind."

 

[Matthew of Valendale]

Tags: Novac Lyrikal ​

Matthew smiled at that, and after one last glance toward the sealed archive, he turned the old key over in his palm before offering it to Novac.

"Be my guest," he said softly, allowing Novac Lyrikal the honor of opening the door. He understood well how uncertainty could gnaw at the mind; curiosity was often a dreadful companion when one stood before a locked threshold, imagining every answer that might be waiting beyond it.

His cerulean gaze remained upon the immense doors, tracing the age-smoothed wood and old metal bands beneath the lantern's glow. Whatever had been preserved beyond them had endured centuries of silence.

 

[Novac Lyrikal]

Novac took the key and stared at it for a moment, hten looking up a t staring at the door for a few seconds. Finally he went up to the door and slowly unlocked, and opened it. The cool air flowing out, the smell of old wood adn stone filling his nose.

Holding up his lantern he could only see the old wood floor and stone walls next to him as well as the hallway going forward a unknow distance, the lantern not lighting up the end.

"Well, shall we" He said with a small smile.

 

[Matthew of Valendale]

Tags: Novac Lyrikal ​

Thankfully, the doors opened without any sudden dramatics; no alarms began to wail, nor did ancient droids descend upon them from hidden alcoves. Darkness waited beyond the threshold, though a faint breeze moved through the passage, carrying air that was surprisingly cool rather than stale.

"All right…" Matthew agreed, following after him. He drew out a compact flashlight fitted with a clip and fastened it to one of his pauldrons, casting a pale beam along the narrow path ahead.

The passage continued deep beneath the earth before finally opening into an immense underground antechamber. Shelves climbed from floor to ceiling, burdened beneath ancient tomes, sealed scrolls, stone tablets, and stranger vessels crafted to preserve knowledge long after their makers had vanished.

Matthew slowly raised his light, its beam passing across row upon row of forgotten records.

"Well…" he murmured, his voice softened by the enormity of the chamber. "This is certainly no burial ground nor crypt."

He stepped nearer to the first shelf, careful not to disturb the dust resting across its contents.

"Now we know... They didn't seal away the dead; Instead, they sealed away everything the dead once knew."

 

[Novac Lyrikal]

Novac just stood there for a moment taking it all in. How many tomes, tablets, and knowledge was here. He wanted to know everything that was tarpped in this old chamber.

He went to put a hand on one of the books before stopping himself.

"I always did believe the dead live on in memories, in a way. So in a way this may as well be a tomb. One where the dead can pass on their knowledge to the living."

Matthew of Valendale

 

[Matthew of Valendale]

Tags: Novac Lyrikal ​

"An interesting way to look at it… Books can preserve someone's thoughts, ideas, and words for as long as they endure; in a way, allowing them to live beyond their natural life, so long as the knowledge within them is preserved. It's a heartwarming thought. I think most creatures wish to be known, or at least to feel as though they mattered in the grand scheme of the universe."

 

[Novac Lyrikal]

Matthew of Valendale

Novac was looking at the old records, wanting to open them, see what was left behind, but out of fear for destroying it, didn't.

"Can't say I relate to that last part, I don't think being in the grand scheme of everything is to important. Never really felt like being know was that big of a need. I mean, most of my life i was just some random guy but now? Im wandering the galaxy, helping people, the founder of a settlement for droids. Never thought I'd be that important but hey, life's weird like that."

Novac realized he was starting to get a bit personal, if he could blush from embarrassment he probably would have.

quickly trying to change the subject, " So, what do you think could be in these old thing?"