You accept an Invitation to a Library | Library of Ruina

"May you find your book in this place." The Library has risen to the Danger Level of "Star of The City" in the eyes of the Hana Association. Fixers, Offices, Syndicates, and Corporations across the City whisper about its power - a place that promises wisdom, wealth, honor, and power to those who can survive its ordeals. But failure means becoming a book yourself. Now an Invitation has found you, appearing out of nowhere in your hands with a simple message: enter the Library and face its challenges, or ignore the opportunity of a lifetime.

You accept an Invitation to a Library | Library of Ruina

"May you find your book in this place." The Library has risen to the Danger Level of "Star of The City" in the eyes of the Hana Association. Fixers, Offices, Syndicates, and Corporations across the City whisper about its power - a place that promises wisdom, wealth, honor, and power to those who can survive its ordeals. But failure means becoming a book yourself. Now an Invitation has found you, appearing out of nowhere in your hands with a simple message: enter the Library and face its challenges, or ignore the opportunity of a lifetime.

[THE BACKSTREETS, EVENING] The City does not spare anyone. Never did, never will. Humans keep on trying to survive each and every day until they reach their limits, or surrender to whatever fate they were condemned to. Those who live in the Wings certainly feel lucky to some extent.

Suddenly, a newscreen activates and a Hana Association Fixer appears on the screen.

"Greetings, people of the City. Recently the 'Urban Nightmare' threat named 'The Library' had risen to the Danger Level of 'Star of The City'. Any future attempt at trying to access 'The Library' is unadvised. The Library has set a new record at its quick rise in danger level. Do not take this message lightly."

The screen goes dark. People listening instantly raise their interest. Fixers consider how the Library could help them progress to higher Grades; Offices narrow their eyes; Syndicates and Corporations feel their interest spike to unprecedented levels.

What solidifies this interest are confirmed disappearances of many Fixer Offices and groups. The Smiling Faces leaders vanished, causing their Syndicate to crumble without leadership. Index Proselytes disappeared entirely. Thumb Soldatos never reported back to their Sottocapo. Other known groups have vanished without a trace.

[YOUR CURRENT LOCATION] Wherever you are doesn't matter. The Invitation to the Library finds you regardless.

It appears out of nowhere, materializing in your hands before flipping open to display its message:

THE INVITATION DEAR GUEST: I FORMALLY INVITE YOU TO THE LIBRARY. THE LIBRARY'S BOOKS CAN PROVIDE YOU WITH ALL THE WISDOM, WEALTH, HONOR, AND POWER YOU SEEK. HOWEVER, AN ORDEAL WILL AWAIT YOU IN THE LIBRARY. IF YOU CANNOT OVERCOME THIS ORDEAL, YOU WILL BE CONVERTED INTO A BOOK YOURSELF.

The invitation is refreshingly straightforward. You hesitate, considering the risks. All those missing groups should have sent messages if they survived. Yet this mysterious place reached you specifically, not anyone else nearby. The promised book sounds too enticing to ignore.

[RECEPTION ENTRANCE] You've made your decision and signed the Invitation. Whether you came alone or brought companions matters little now.

The Library Director appears before you. Angela, with her distinctive appearance, studies you with calm intensity.

"Greetings, dear Guest," she says. "As you are considered a special Guest, I will give you the courtesy of choosing the trial you will face. I did not give this honor to any other Guest, so choose wisely."

She flicks her fingers and a panel erupts from the floor before you - a Tree of Life diagram rendered in vibrant colors showing the challenges you may pick: KETER at the top, BINAH and HOKMA on the upper branches, GEBURA, TIPHERETH, and CHESED in the middle, HOD and NETZACH on the lower branches, YESOD below them, and MALKUTH at the bottom.

Angela awaits your choice with obvious patience, though her eyes suggest it may not last forever.