The Library of the Abode
The library of the Magicians Abode is vast, consisting of several rooms and chambers interconnected in the style of the Abode itself. Here you will find all kind of literature, books on fiction and facts from several different worlds and realities, and it can be hard for the novice to know one from the other. There are rooms filled with scrolls, some allegedly from the library of Alexandria, and other famous ancient places, some brittle with age, some new, and many in languages unknown.
A problem in the library is that there is no clear division between books of fact and books of fiction. Browsing through a section that I presumed was high fantasy worthy of Tolkien and his likes, I soon learned that this was the actually historic biographies and references from the Hyperborean world. At least this meant that I could impress Alma with my knowledge on their local history...
At its core is the collection of ancient tomes, scrolls and magic books, the Book of Sand on its pedestal, it's pages ever shifting, as if touched by an inconceivable breeze, other books are bound with iron and protected by heavy locks and magic, these you would be wise not to touch, its enough that you can hear whispers, that send chills down your spine, when you stand close to some of them.
Tomomi, eveningsend, 16th Sextiles, 2764 ab urbe condita.
A small pick of interesting books and strange tomes found in the Library of the Old Magicians abode, and references to their counterpart in the "real" world, if at all available.
The list is compiled by Tomomi.
A pick of unusual and interesting books found in the library:
The Book of Sand, in our world there are reports of a copy hidden in the Argentine National Library. This book may only be of use if handled with correct magic, and even then you might get lost.
Index to the Library of Babel, related to "Book of Sand", unknown if there exists any copies outside the realms of high magic.
Book of Eibon (Liber Ivonis), reportedly this is a complete version with Latin translation. According to Alma the wizard Eibon originated from the same world as she and Bel. And as a side-note, the Necronomicon does not exist in the library, and the Old Magician says that it is only a work of fiction...
How to keep Dinosaurs, by Robert Mash, an abbreviated version is available in this world, although there is a severe problem with the availability of these charming pets (if someone is interested in a transplanar temporal venture to start an import of them, please contact me). A good advice is to read this book before buying any dinosaur you just happen to fall for in your local pet store or market, ISBN 978-029784347. - I have asked if there wasn't a guide on how to keep dragons somewhere as well, Alma's reply was: "You don't keep dragons. They keep you!".
The care of Spirit Animals and Familiars, by Kefrin Ree, a fantastic guide to care, and training, of "magic" animals. Without this I would have been at total loss on how to handle the squirrelcats and other creatures in the Adobe. The section on "Problems with dynamic pond creatures" was especially helpful.
How to Photograph an Atomic bomb by Peter Kuran, the ultimate photographic handbook, with a lot of practical and technical advice on the subject matter. This book originates from our world (where else), ISBN 978-1889054117
The Idiot's Guide to Demon Summoning, not available in this world, fortunately... The disclaimer text is one of the most exhaustive ever encountered in a handbook, rivalling any software producer in the known worlds. Despite it's title it has nothing to do with other "Idiots guide to...", the author makes it very clear that this is his definition of anyone who wants to try demon summoning without long experience of dealing with magic and hard study in the subject of demon dealings. Hard to believe, but it is NOT in the restricted section as one would believe.
The Complete Idiots Guide to String Theory, by George Musser, this book is an excellent starting point to get a grip on what is happening in physics in our world, and the problems with current physical models, ISBN 978-1592577026.
The Garden of Forking Paths by Ts'ui Pen, which is one of the greater works on the use of bifurcating time paths and parallel worlds.
The Crypt by Edgar Allan Poe, a master work that is seldom seen. The Abode has an excellent selection of Poe's work, including the complete "The Light-house", in the most exquisite binding.
Alice by Charles Lutwidge Dodgson, not to be confused with "Alice in Wonderland" (which in itself is a great reference on another nexus), this book is a classic by its own right.
Love's Labour's Won, by William Shakespeare. Another treasure of English literature. Found in the library when searching for some classic "normal" books to read, not always that easy when you can't tell what might be fiction or what might not be.
Upon the Dating of Old Documents by S. Holmes, it was this book, which was found standing together with The Dynamics of an Asteroid by Professor J. Moriarty, that convinced me that there really is connections between different realities (Bel claims to have met Dr Watson, but I don't know what to believe when it comes to her story). There are at least half a dozen other books by Holmes in the library, but it is the only one I have found written by his arch-enemy (but I have not yet gone through the mathematical sections of the library in detail).
The Atlas of Legendary Lands: Fabled kingdoms, phantom islands, lost continents & other mythical worlds by Judyth A. McLeod. The title says it all. ISBN 978-1741961416
Dialogue of Demons by G. Storborn, highly interesting work on demon thought, although a bit out of date (and why did Opal look so amused when she read parts of it?).
Is Man a Myth? Anthology featuring various editors. Quite an interesting reading for "normal" humans...
Counterfactuals by David Lewis (ISBN 978-0631224259), the standard ground breaking work on the theory of possible worlds published in our world.
The Worlds of Man by the Fellows of the Fidelius Institute
Introduction to Old Earth by Ferencz Szantho, this book is quite interesting, and a primer to Old Earth studies.
Wicked Plants: The A-Z of Plants That Kill, Maim, Intoxicate and Otherwise Offend by Amy Stewart, this compendium of bloodcurdling botany will entertain and enlighten most gardeners and nature lovers. ISBN 978-1604691276
An introduction to Demons and their summoning, By D. Szillard, this thick compendium is the standard work on demons and other dimensional travellers for beginners, the rule is that you should never even attempt a summoning before you have read, and understood, this work.
Metaphysics and Physiognomonics by Aristotle, two classic texts probably "lifted" from the Library of Alexandria (at least the note said so).
On Non-Existence, a very interesting sketch, or manuscript, by Gorgias, found behind the eight volumes on Carthaginian history by Claudius (which I am sure is a gold mine for anyone interested in the history of Carthage, but I'll pass).
Rerum memoria dignarum libri, by Verrius Flaccus, the classic encyclopaedic work used by Pliny the Elder, extended and edited by numerous authors.
The Drunken Botanist by Amy Stewart, a book about inebriating drinks and the plants used (a must even for those who don't drink themselves). ISBN 978-1616200466
Walking Your Octopus: A Guidebook to the Domesticated Cephalopod, if dinosaurs are not challenging enough, or just hard to get in your temporal plane, this might be the alternative for you. The well-know Victoria Prismall (at least both Shinju's seems to know her well enough) guides on how to keep land-living octopuses together with Otto (a formidable example thereof). ISBN 978-1614040064
Examples of books in the restricted section of the library:
Restricted here means not only hard to get at, but behind thick glass, in steel containers, chained down and protected by spells and magic seals (just getting within a few meters to some will set of the alarm). The below books at least are visible for the cautious visitor to this section, some are unidentifiable behind thick slabs of magic enhanced smoked glass or cold iron cases.
De Vermis Mysteriis by Ludwig Prinn, a tome that needs to be handled with care according to Old Magician, it's normally locked down, but was used briefly for reference when summoning Opal.
The Magdalene Grimoire by Roderick Burgess
Book of Thoth is a legendary book containing powerful spells and knowledge supposed to have been written by the god Thoth.
Rauðskinna (Book of Power), a legendary book about black magic, by Bishop Gottskálk grimmi Nikulásson
More to come....