The Library Ticket

The Librarian

The The Library of Learning & Culture was created as part of the new build of the City of Churiss. Contained within its network of buildings and vaults are books, documents, artefacts, and more, ranging from the mundane to the unique and valuable.
It is owned and managed by Seth Hedron, Head Librarian. He is a curious character, with not much known of his time before his current position. A man that has done so much for the advancement of learning and education, he can at the same time be a sour person whose overriding manner is one of cutting sarcasm. There is no doubting his high intelligence, but because of his manner, he is not all that well-liked. But again, by contrast, he is one of the most respected people in the whole of Churiss.
As a Learning Centre, one of the institution's aims is to encourage and teach literacy to all ages. Seth is particularly passionate that all children should receive an education and he has expended a lot of his energies in relation to this goal. It is also the case that renowned academics and mages travel long distances to view documents and artefacts and discuss them with Seth.
Although the Library contains ample facilities, for the reader and researcher, on occasion visitors wish to borrow the item. Seth frowns upon this in general, not being wholly trustful of all who visit him.

A Binding Contract

The Terms

Before obtaining permission to borrow any item, a lendee must agree to certain terms and conditions. The main commitments relate to returning the item within the agreed time period and in its 'as loaned' condition. In the case of books, or other documents, no duplication is allowed, and in the case of objects, no-one else is allowed to handle them.
This policy applies to everyone, be they a small child borrowing its first book, or the most powerful mage. And borrowers should beware - this is a binding contract, and is not to be entered into lightly.

A Special Ticket

The terms and conditions are written onto a ticket for the borrower to take when they state their acceptance of them. When the ticket is taken the contract is made and is final.
When borrowing rare or valuable documents and artefacts, as the ticket is taken, the printed record of the contract slowly drains from its surface and, as slowly, seeps into the flesh of the borrower; now visible on the underside of their wrist. As if a reminder of the seriousness of the contract, the recipient will feel a small, but sharp, pain to the wrist and a feeling of dizziness as they hear the terms stated aloud in their own mind.
Upon casual inspection of the wrist, the inscription is simply a smudge. But if focused on, somehow the full document can be read as though it were in large print.
The magic used in this process is not known to exist beyond the Library - borrowers who recognise this will suddenly regard the ordinary-looking Librarian in a very different light. This has likely stopped many would-be thieves from daring to break this, now obviously, magically binding contract. The usual final and knowing look from Seth has a similar effect on those who have not the magical knowledge to recognise his power.
Consequently, penalty actions are rarely needed on these contracts.

Type

Contract, Private

Location

The Library of Learning & Culture

Penalties

The penalties for breaching the terms of the loan vary immensely according to the item borrowed.
Many parents have heard their young child's laughter as an overdue book begins to recite a rhyme about its displeasure of not being returned to its friends.
Or the rolling eyes and reluctant giggling of their adolescent whose ticket makes a poor attempt at singing a warning notice in the style of the latest popular music.
Although these 'penalties' generally result in a higher number of overdue items, Seth is satisfied that these pranks tend to bring the offenders back to the Library for more - and this is only a good thing for their learning.
However, the rare occasions of a breach to a magically binding contract can result in a severe penalty. Firstly, in all such cases, the items are immediately teleported back to the Library. The borrower then suddenly finds themself on the inside a holding cell, to await the ire of the Head Librarian.
Specific penalties meted out are not generally known as the recipients do not talk of them. But they are rumoured to range from intimidation that puts the fear of their god into them, through to physical punishment. The truth of the latter is debatable, but it does serve to enhance the perceived sour personality of Seth.


This same marking is found on all tickets - its meaning is unknown

Cover art by: lennart jonsson https://unsplash.com/@lenjons