Timeless Library Tutorial

[[Start]] [[Options]] [[Settings]] [[Load]]

(Prelap) You hear the scrawling of a quill across paper. A MAN tuts quietly at himself. (Fade from black) You see the man at a desk. You're in a library--scratch that--you're in an IMMENSE library. The stacks stretch as far as your eyes can see. The man at the desk looks up. MAN Ah! There you are. Did a wonderful job keeping me waiting, didn't you? [[I'm sorry, you are?]] [[My apologies, I didn't mean to keep you from doodling in diaries, Mr...]]

This is a mock up of the Tutorial. What are you clicking "Options" for? Go back to the [[Timeless Library Opening Menu]]

This is a mock up of the Tutorial. What are you clicking "Settings" for? Go back to the [[Timeless Library Opening Menu]]

This is a mock up of the Tutorial. What are you clicking "Load" for? The whole point is that you're starting a new game! Go back to the [[Timeless Library Opening Menu]]

The man pauses a second, takes a breath. THE LIBRARIAN I'm the Librarian. And you are our newest Inkster, correct? [[I suppose so...]]

A faint of a smirk crosses his lips before disappearing. THE LIBRARIAN I can already tell the Magister is going to love you. I'm the Librarian, and you are our newest Inkster, yes? [[I suppose so...]]

The Librarian sizes you up with their gaze before--quite dramatically--shutting the book they had just been working on. THE LIBRARIAN I'll have you know I'm doing this as a favor for the Magister, so I'd appreciate it if you could make this as painless as possible. Now, quickly, grab that book over there. The Librarian snaps at a large tome at the corner of his desk. [[What is this?]]

THE LIBRARIAN You really are new, aren't you? That right there is our "Great Heathen Army" tome. [[And I need it why?]]

The Librarian rolls thier eyes at you. You get the idea that they just want you to pick up the book, but eventually he relents. THE LIBRARIAN You are an Inkster. You possess an incredibly unique skill--One that I could show you if you would just pick up the book. Based on the fact that you could almost see The Librarian bite off those last few words, you feel that it'd just be best to pick up the book. [[Pick up "The Great Heathen Army"]]

THE LIBRARIAN *Thank you.* Now, let's start you off on something simple. Turn to the Battle of York. The book flips to a page -- ***The Battle of York*** -- You see several grayed out UI functions boxes yet to be filled. THE LIBRARIAN As I'm sure you'll quickly discover, even an event like this has many different interpretations. I'm actually somewhat surprised Vølve hasn't somehow *devined* that we're working on this and shown up to tell us how it *really* happned. Anyway, click on... [[You follow the Librarian's instructions and fill out a basic interpretation of the Battle of York.]]

THE LIBRARIAN This is your primary function as an Inkster--one that only you can do--and it's an important one. For as much as the rest of us do in cataloguing, understanding, and ensuring that History perserveres, it is you Inksters that help settle these conflicts. As the Librarian speaks, the page begins to transform into the game board. THE LIBRARIAN Just because it's work doesn't mean it can't be fun, though. [[The Librarian continues to instruct you through the beginning stages of a typical match.]]

The player sees the choices (railroaded, of course, "Eventually you'll talk with the Contemporaries to determine what the most likely course of action was taken, but for the sake of education and expediency, just choose "A") they made in the first screen begin to play out in the match. THE LIBRARIAN Yes, I think you're getting it. Is that the slightest hint of paternal pride in his voice you hear? Is the originally gruff and impolite man you just met turning into... A Mentor?? Suddenly, the AI oppenent's side of the board burbles and gurgles. An inky black *something* boils at the edges of the board. THE LIBRARIAN Hm... I wonder what that is... [[Wait, it's never done that before?]]

THE LIBRARIAN Most certainly not. I haven't a clue... The AI plays a card -- ***SEAL Team Six*** -- and all of your cards on the board die. [[That can't be right...]]

The Librarian's voice gets noticeably worried, almost panicked. THE LIBRARIAN It most certainly *isn't!* This shouldn't be possible, what's happening? The board becomes strained as SEAL Team Six advances before everything appears to collapse in on itself. The Black ichor mixing in with the normal colors that had been present on the board. The Book ***SLAMS*** shut. THE LIBRARIAN No no no no no. This isn't good. Come with me. [[Where?]]

THE LIBRARIAN You'll see. You end up in the MAGISTER'S OFFICE. Lady M stands near a bookcase, preoccuppied with something. She sees the two of you enter and immediately smiles. LADY M Ah! And how is our newest Inkster? I take it they're exceeding your- THE LIBRARIAN There isn't the time. Look at this. The Librarian presents "The Great Heathen Army" to Lady M and explains the events of the Tutorial. THE LIBRARIAN Whatever it is, it's intelligent. It realized breaking the History as much as it did when it brought in a 21st Century Unit made things too unstable. The Librarian flips through pages of the book. THE LIBRARIAN It's fallen back to simply scrambling established history now. Little things here and there at the moment, but as things are changed, it'll be able to affect more and more... LADY M And who knows where it might lead. Right. [[Lady M looks at you with BURNING, INTENSE EYES]]

LADY M You picked a great day to start. Have I got a job for you...