LP Beach

Book 49: Endgame—Chapter 26: The end is never the end is never



It's time.

VIDEO
Music: None


There’s gotta be a horde of people watching for the chance to raid this place out there, but no one has broken in so far.

I find that peculiar as well.

At this exact moment we hear someone just walking right up like they own the place.



Or E.G.O, as you call it.

It’s the consequence of making a decision that only a human could make… One that couldn’t be further from what a resident of the City would choose.

…How long have you been here?

A visitor from the Head, huh… The Eye and the Claw, too…



Remember. Even you of all cityfolk can be ripped to shreds in your current state.

Damn…



That new color has permeated the City much too profoundly.

…So now the Head is gonna hold us accountable for the phenomenon, is that it?

No one could be held responsible for the Distortion at this point.

It breaks my heart to think that it might shift the ecology of the City we had cultivated with care.

If so, what brings an agent of the Head here? And why so late?



And to retrieve a certain… degraded colleague of ours.

You mean…



The Library has already become an Impurity of the City. We couldn’t stand by any longer.

Are you disturbed by its powers?

Not quite.



An entity that isn’t human entertained thoughts that only a human should have. You poor machine… No matter how much you contemplate and enrich your mind, you cannot become human if you aren’t born as one.

When I thought you might turn into a human at the end, you let go of all you had during that critical moment.

Had you fully become a human at the culmination of the ordeal, the City would have been more willing to accept you, alas.

I don’t care if I have to stay as a machine.

A machine with a heart has no place in this City. You cannot break free from your origin which defines you.



How contemptible that your line of thought is so dangerously close to what a human must aspire to reach.

You’re further demonstrating why we cannot let you be.

For someone who loves to preach humanity, you sure seemed fine with letting Distortions cause many a scene in your precious backyard, hm?

By all manner of means, Distortions are one of the many aspects of humanity. Their existence is not wholly wrongful from our point of view. It was simply time for them to emerge.

Are they not more bearable than a meager machine putting up the charade of being human?

…



And what if we made you kick the bucket here?

The expulsion will still take place as planned. It’s inevitable. This matter goes beyond you and the Library; L Corp. itself was a stain and a blemish to the Head.

No wonder it is. To trounce over L Corp’s Singularity and its end goal, you dispatched an Arbiter by the name of Binah… No, it was Garion, wasn’t it—regardless, it ended in utter failure, did it not?

Garion did such a sloppy job dealing with it. And now the chasm has grown too wide.

Angela… The machine with the mind of a human. The door mustn’t be closed because of something like you.

If I’m understanding this right, you wish to put me to death and kick the Library out into the Outskirts, is that correct?

You’ve guessed right.



And… You sure are verbose company, just like Binah. You always add needless comments as if you just can’t help it.

…Executioner.

…!



Before Baral can do… whatever they were about to do, we snap into a black screen.

I thought the Library ceased pretty much all of its functions?

As that Arbiter said, the Library is my E.G.O. In that case, I can perform such feats without breaking a sweat.

Although this is only a temporary retreat, similar to how guests are greeted.



It seems they are. I don’t have to stay in this Nest, anyway.

Good for us, saves the trouble of packing stuff up to move!

Next time, on Library of Ruina: I go for one last achievement.


Videos

The Head 1

First off, I just want to say... wow. I cannot express enough how wild of a ride this has been-- both the game story and the LP itself-- and how glad I am that I got to be there for (the latter part of) it. I'll probably save the proper gushing for when it's Totally And Actually Finally For Real Over, though

In the meantime, I think this is as good a moment as any to share my Paul doodles :> I had hoped to do so once he actually showed up in the comic, but with how close we are to the end I’m not sure that’ll be possible so I might as well do it now.
(for context: yeah umm, Paul is,, in my glorified opera fanfic, which at this point is only very tangentially related to lobcorp, but it makes sense I promise. He gets to have a gun)



He is having a great time <3 [<<<he is going to die horribly]

if I had a nickel for every time one of the nuggets from this let's play wound up inside of someone else's longform comic, I'd have two nickels.

...Which isn't a lot, but it's weird that it happened twice.

He looks spiffy!

Book 49: Endgame—Chapter 27: Book, Librarian, Star and City

Music: Head Eye Claw


Um… Hey. I appreciate you cleaning me off for the reception, but I don't exactly feel up to snuff.

It couldn't be helped. Without all the Light that I've strewn across the City, many of my functions are limited.



As a result, I could not heal your every injury after that rampage you went on earlier.

Right… So, do we know anything about the opponents?





Almost nothing. The enemy either lacks unique attributes, or they are being shielded from view. At best we can tell what types of attacks to use, and what their intentions are.

Great… Could this get any worse?

Just hang in there as best you can. We aren't completely out of options yet.

Right… Hang in there.



…No problem.

Serum W is the only attack we have to see this turn, but it is a doozy. Baral is very much just like the Claw we fought back in Lobotomy Corporation, but unfortunately for us we can't just pile thirty agents on him for a gang-style beatdown this time around.

We'll have to make due with a quarter-dead Roland. Not ideal.



We have confirmation: the Library can still read and intercept our intentions, using a form of dilated time.

So they can see the manner of their own demise. Ultimately, they cannot stop it.



Make it quick, so that we can retrieve Garion and get out of here.

…



W Serum only hits one target, so instead of it being the Claw warping around the facility and hitting a bunch of agents…



Baral hits one Librarian and warps them around the entire facility.







All of it.







All of it.





Honestly it's one of the coolest attacks in the game.





It also just took Roland from quarter- to half-dead.



Come on… I just got this cleaned up!

…

VIDEO


…

Executioner.

…I’ll finish them.

…Halt.

Music: GeburaBattle03


Gebura's appearance comes complete with swords clashing, implying she's just gotten in the way quite effectively.

I also hope you liked Head Eye Claw, as it is done playing for the entire rest of the game. We have stolen the theme music back from the Head.

…Have we met before?

So that’s why Angela asked me to hang in there… It was to wake you up, huh…

What, you ain’t pleased to see me coming to save your ass?

…I’m not complaining, ma’am.

Don’t worry about it. Just pull yourself together and get up. It’s too early to flop down, y’know…

Aight… Thanks for coming. I definitely was not gonna make it through this alone. It’s a relief to have you.

Can’t guarantee that I’ll power through this, either.

Well… We’ll have to try and stop them for as long as we can…



Nevertheless, your efforts certainly are a joy to witness. Truly and indeed… While I would not mind to spectate the situation from a distance…

We must see to it that this place is dealt with thoroughly, so it would be wise for me to participate.

…And this just got more troublesome.



Gebura, how are you feeling?

This still isn't exactly my prime, but it's feeling a little bit closer. I'll see what I can do, but the Head is never an easy opponent.



For this battle, Gebura gets access to Gebura's Prowess, which…

…It's Myo's Prowess, but for Gebura. Other than that her page is mostly the same.



Her deck has 2 of each of her unique pages aside Onrush, which is at 1. All of her green pages also start at 1 cost, letting her rampage a little more easily. This is good, because Zena is almost custom-designed to shut her right back down.



While Binah specialized in Pillars and Fairies, Zena uses Lines. Every one of her pages is ranged, and completely negate Power. They also stop any die they clash against from being reused, making it difficult to damage her (because we can't do damage in Melee vs Ranged page clashes, and we'll need single big dice to overcome her large opening strikes).

It's incredibly rude!



Baral largely deals in big hits as well, and some of their dice have special effects that prevent them from being destroyed. This means they're immune to Roland's Wheels Industry and Furioso effects, among others.

Thankfully, we don't have to win. Our objective is to survive. If we make it to the end of the 8th turn, we clear the fight. There's an additional achievement for getting there with everyone still standing… It'll be a little dicey, but I want that achievement.



The key for right now is to try and take good clashes on Baral with Gebura's infinity die, and to try and mitigate how much damage Zena throws out.



You truly are as resilient as they say.

Khh… s'what I get for expecting something like those Fairies, that's all.

Onrush blocks Thick Line (but can't be reused for a hit), as the regular version overpowers her Counter die. That's fine, she's got a lot more wiggle room than Roland does. If anyone goes down in this fight it's almost guaranteed to be him due to the fragile state his HP starts at.



He's wide open!


…

I've got it.

Baral is a much softer target here, being able to be overpowered by Gebura's Prowess on her infinity dice.



How unfortunate that there is still nothing you can do to us. Beholder.

I've seen through it all.



What in the-?



Ghh… Angela, how did..?

I'm not certain.

Reading intentions isn't something only your Library can do. That moment of separation… it was a weakness, and now your fighters can't move.

VIDEO


…

You still managed to hold out for a greater deal of time than we anticipated. ‘Tis a shame that it must end this way…

Now…

Music: BinahBattle03


Thankfully, we get a full SR heal here as someone interferes.



It's not a particularly big surprise. The Library only has three natural fighters.



…It is indeed true that verbosity leaves you vulnerable.



Garion…

That is a name I have not heard in a long while… Although, I suppose that name is not for me anymore.

Despite having received news of you… I didn’t expect you to come out and greet us this late.

…What took you so long?

I was simply watching you from afar for a moment.

Really now, until we got all battered up?

Look after yourselves before you blame me. This strife will have to resume soon enough.



However, I suppose we can call you to account later.

We will tear down your grave and extract you before long.

I can only pity you and your vain endeavor to seek an entity whose husk is all that remains.

…

Executioner. Be prepared. It will take place any minute now.



Now that we've got Binah, we can start fighting back in earnest. One thing to note is that some of Baral's attacks seem to have an unmarked passive ability that lets them deal damage through Ranged pages if they win the clash. We can't just Pillar and forget against their big attacks.



Anyways, here's Serum R. It's the Claw's dash attack, and it's a big die we don't have a good answer for aside GSV or Pillar. I don't want to waste either of those on this, so Roland will have to take a little bit more of a beating.



Zena also shows us Thin Line (As Line, but weaker and two of them) alongside Birdcage. Birdcage's second die can lock us out of one of our Speed Dice, but it doesn't nullify Power so it's where Gebura's infinity die goes.



Binah, your attacks seem… different.

It is as you noticed. I have finally finished properly stretching.

As for Binah, she no longer has 'Degraded' anything. All of her pages got some kind of slight buff, but since it's only active for the literal last fight in the game and nothing important really changes I won't go into details here.



Hmm.

You're wondering something, aren't you?

Indeed. There was one thing which was bothering me, ever since you mentioned it. Now that I recall everything, it's come to me once more.

Might be a little late, but what'cha g—



HEURRGH!!

It is quite bold of you to turn your eyes away from where they must be facing.



Then I shall place my focus upon you. I would like clarification on something.

Yes, I am quite certain that you would.



How unfortunate, then, that I have no intention of providing any.

..!



We set up Bleed and Fairy on Baral, who brings Roland even closer to out.



Yeah, that's the Head for you. They won't spill a thing about anything, no matter how you ask them.

Your eyes fall to me, but I fear you too are looking for someone who has long since become a husk.



Just shut up and hit the enemy again, eh?

As you prefer.

Actually, if we're asking questions that are in the back of our minds, I have one too.

I'm quite certain you—

Not you. I don't have anything to say to you.

Hey, Binah? That shockwave earlier…

What of it?



Why did I see Sephiroth in the middle of it for a second?

Oh… that.

I required a body to create the effect I wished for.

Aha.

I will revive him later. Do not concern yourself too much with what transpired.



Baral is using Serum K this turn, which will restore 50 HP next turn. This is a hint to something very interesting: The enemies here do have HP and SR values. We can't see them, but their bars will deplete like normal.



For now, I ignore Zena as much as possible and focus on Baral. Binah once again lines up as many onesided attacks as she's able—it's okay if Gebura and Binah take some hits here, they've got plenty of gas in the tank.



Given that we dealt with Argalia and his ilk for you, I would think you'd be a little more forthcoming.

How presumptuous you are. We don't owe you anything for the actions you took.

If I am presumptuous, then you paid no attention. His goal would have remade the City in its entirety.



He would not have been able to effect any meaningful change. The only Impurity here is you and your Library. That man's plan was doomed from its start.

Because from the very moment that the Ensemble had entered the Library…

Even the way you puzzle it out is entirely too humanlike.



Alright. Let's see how claws do against getting slashed through the middle.





…

Hm..?



..!

That's a new one.

You hurt?

Nah, just wasn't expecting that.

Nullifier's been spent so we can hit Baral with the big stuff now, just as soon as I find some more big stuff to throw at them.



In the meanwhile we just want to keep them rolling as many dice as possible.



On the next turn another W Serum comes out, but it's a Slash attack targeting Binah so I completely ignore it. I also ignore Zena aside the one move targeting Roland, and set Binah up for more onesided attacks on Baral.



Executioner. Finish them by any means necessary.



Worried that things are taking a little long, eh?

Worry is not something which I feel. The fact that I am here means that you have already lost.



That's what it is to stand against the Head as an Impurity.



I would not be standing here were that the case, no?

That you have failed in your duties is an aberration. One we shall correct by removing your corpse from this place.



If that is what you say.



..!



You have reached as far as you were able…



Be careful that you do not extend your grasp so far that you lose control of your fingers.

…



If you're done, I'll step in and clean up.

The effort is appreciated.



It seems the fight has not yet left you.

Executioner.



Tri-serum Cocktail is the last of Baral's unique pages, and comes with a trio of dice with good rolls on them.



Anyways, Gebura has +3 Strength from Focus Spirit so her infinity die will completely crush it using Spear. I also have her intercept some of Zena's attacks and focus everything else on Baral again. Binah is still getting as many onesided attacks as possible.



Such tenacity… I can truly see why they called you a legend at one point.



Not yet you haven't. But it's coming, alright.

Rage against the heavens as you like. It will only make what comes next more satisfying.



Such surety in one's steps, and such certainty of one's position… the young are truly enviable.



I must wonder… was this what led to defeat by your hands, Gebura? No, Kali, the Red Mist?

If you want to find out, I'll gladly go another round with you later.



Just remember we can't beat these guys if we fall into infighting, right? …Right?

Of course. We must remain ever-focused on the issue at hand.

… ..!



Geh..!

This battle shall be decided by the first one to fall.

I could not possibly agree more. This battle shall be decided by who falls first.



So I shall have you kneel.



On the turn she reaches Emotion Level 4, Zena will use Shockwave. It's a Mass Summation with a max roll of 30 that will Feeble us if it hits. Roland has Crystal Atelier on tap to block it, so we shouldn't lose anyone here…



…But better safe than sorry. I always save Shockwave for this turn myself.



Angela, dear?

I am not loaning you any further Librarians.

…A pity.



I shall send a more appropriate welcome to them, then.



…Perhaps I was too loquacious for my words to have properly gotten through to a disgraced fixer, a dead legend, and a foolish traitor.



The Head has come to remove you, that which makes this City impure.



The most you can do is struggle and fail.



Because our power is overwhelming.



You ruined my floor.

I've only changed the decor to something befitting your kind.



..!

Be careful, then, that your Executioner does not become something befitting your leadership.

Such rot… fitting that it comes from the mouth of a corpse.



Dunno about all that, but this one's not looking so hot anymore.

Ma'am, they're clawing through you right now.

Eh, I'll walk it off.



They're about to have it much worse, believe me.



..!

Arbiter Zena, the Executioner is approaching their limit.

From only this much? It appears that there will be more work to do after we are done here…



Here we go. Just one last push..!

Leave it to me.



I've always wondered how hard it was to beat one of these things, you know? Guess now we know.

. . . . . .



While the objective is to survive for 8 turns, that's not the only way to end the fight against the Head. It can also be ended by draining the HP of either Baral or Zena, and by judiciously throwing around Fairy and Bleed it's entirely possible to defeat either one of them here and trigger the ending early. That red X beneath Baral means that we've done just that: units that would be killed during this fight are Immobilized instead, like during the Keter realization. We've guaranteed the survival of all three of our characters, and we get to go home on turn 7 instead of 8.

I swear I'm bad at this game.

Now this is truly unexpected… I suppose you've earned your place as an Impurity. Not that it will change a single thing, in the end.

Now that you stand alone, I would ask you again: Why was an Arbiter sent to wipe out such a small research facility in the Outskirts?

You do not deserve an answer, you mockery of a human.



Hold on a moment, Beholder.

Yes, Arbiter Zena.

That was the grand question you wished to have answered? And nothing else?

Indeed. I had forgotten about it before I returned to this form… but now that I can recall the conversation once again it bothers me still.

…Yeah, come to think of it, it didn't make sense when Hod told me the story…

Wait, you were listening then?!

Hmph. If such a trifling thing is all you wish to know… Shall we call it a reward, for your valor in standing against an unbreakable wave? Or perhaps I should simply express my own amazement at how unable you are to connect even the most obvious lines.

It was you, Impurity. You were the reason an Arbiter was sent.

Don't lie so brazenly. You said I belonged in the Outskirts.

And you do. However, your creation was supported by a number of the Wings themselves. I believe even you remember this much?

…

Such a treasonous sentiment required a message to be sent. And so it was.

Is that true, Binah?

I have no recollection of such things any longer.

No. Of course you wouldn't. …But I digress. Beholder?

It's time.

VIDEO


…Looks like they’re gonna press ahead with the plan.

…

Garion… As much as it is a shame that we’ve failed to retrieve your once crumbled body…

The end is nigh.

…

This place will be expelled as planned. Prepare to be sent to the Outskirts, a truly great distance from the City. Beget not fear. You are simply being relocated to where you belong…

I only ask that you do not return. The City cannot leave room for beings such as you.



So mark my words well, and stay where you rightfully belong.

…



The shaking intensifies, and with a final look…



The Head teleports themselves out.



And then, everything begins to crumble.

VIDEO
Music: None




The Outskirts look much more barren than I had imagined.

Music: Wind ambiance


I plan to live on. And I plan to change.

Change what?

Well, my vengeance… hasn’t ceased entirely. I’m still eager to see it through. I’ll continue to write books, and reopen the Library at some point.

It likely won’t resume immediately, though.

…Really?



From now on, I’ll properly face who I should direct my anger at. Tragedy and suffering not unlike what we went through would keep happening on a daily basis in the City.

Thus if that’s the case, I want to know why such pain is perpetuated.

I don’t think I’ll ever be able to part with my resentment and wrath otherwise.

Oh yeah, like the whole treadwheel thing you mentioned…

A word of advice as former cityfolk: It won’t be an easy road to take. You’d have no idea where to even start.

If you ask me, it’s as natural as water flowing… In a City full of humans—tragedy, violence, and loss follow as a matter of course.

I’m still going to give it a shot. Even though the journey will be quite long…

Perhaps this is one of the ways I can repent for what I’ve done.

Of course, the Library will be run in a different way from how it was up to now.



…Hmm, that is this… and this is that, huh.

What about your list then?

Since the circumstances have changed, I’ll have to rethink my wishes.

Sadly, I won’t be able to taste that “sick” meat stew with this body.

That’s a huge shame…



What do you mean?

The biggest surprise you’ve had here.

Oh, that… You somehow remembered it.

I can remember anything, you know.

Sigh… This one’s really personal.

We have all the time in the world. I can wait years for your answer.

Alright, fine!



About what I’d seen of the City, and its people.

Though I gave up ‘cause I had no talent in writing whatsoever… My writing was just too crude. I couldn’t show it to anyone.

I’d love to give it a read.

…Laugh at me if you want. A grown man like me, wanting to write books. I’d laugh at myself, too.

It’s not laughable at all. Though I do find it surprising…

…Recording the City and the lives of its people, huh?

Don’t tell the other librarians! This stays between you and me, alright? Keep it zipped!



It would be my honor, Miss Director.

Wrong, try again. You should know by now that’s not the right way to address me, don’t you?





The true Library of Ruina experience ends here.



The logo itself turns off to showcase this.



And we get… Prizes. There's a lot of interesting pages here to use, the Unity pages have a unique mechanic where they all add dice to each other and all of the Ensemble Key Pages got another special attack to add in as well.



We also get access to Keter's final set of Abnormality Pages…



…And the final set of E.G.O!



Unfortunately, the game is over. There's nothing to use any of this on unless we want to either go back and replay an old reception or else play some of the mods for the game. I will be doing neither of those things, so what the new stuff does doesn't really matter.

Next time, on Library of Ruina: Ad Meliora


Videos

Head Battle Talk 1
Head Battle Talk 2
Head Battle Talk 3
The Head 2
vs The Head (Unedited combat footage; may cause distortions. Watch at own risk.)

With the actual game over, it's time for me to make a checklist of everything what needs doing so I don't miss it all (list to be updated if I forget anything):

Main content
-Epilogue 1, including some cut content I think is neat.
-secret, cooler second epilogue
-ultra secret third epilogue hidden behind arbitrary bullshit

Bonus content:
-Keter Roundup
-Endings A & B
-The original stinger
-ONE FINAL FANART POST UPDATE i promise itll get done really i swear
-uploading a copy of the save file if anyone wants to play around with these nerds in the future (at the very least NM's goggles must be set free into the world)
-Resolution of ARG stuff, I'll probably cut that off once I've posted all of the thread-included epilogues
-updating the table of contents to read better on LPArchive
-generally tidying everything up to ensure as few typos and inaccuracies as possible for the same purpose

To help with that last one, I'm stealing a page from CKC's book:

I know for a fact I've gotten some stuff wrong or made typos. Feel free to point them out to me so I can fix them.

I'm also gonna have to reread the. _{entire. thread.} as well, but hey if any of you guys were gonna' do another go-through then why not point out my myriad mistakes?

Music

KeterBattle01
KeterBattle02
KeterBattle03

Abnormality Pages

Level 1


Let me just get this out of the way: All of Keter's level 1 Pages are good. CurioLies are the most famous, with entire strategies built around them from the moment they were released, but the other four are also very strong options. Pulsation gives everyone 1-2 Power every turn (after the first), making it a great comeback option of we ever hit -2, Pale Hands is great in single-opponent fights for draining extra SR from opponents, Scars is a good defensive tool that can prevent a lot of damage (and doubly so from Slash pages), and even Urging gives us a nice boost to our total HP pool and gives a bit more Speed to help with Myo's Prowess or help with clashing.

Just pick whatever you've built for, these are all good generic pages that can work with almost any build.

Level 2


Level 2 has fewer outright good pages, but there's still some neat stuff here. Sword of Frost can help control an enemy's speed (and like Pale Hands is much better in single enemy fights), while Learning enables some ridiculous things since it lets us use the enemy's strongest pages against them. Blood would have been better on Hokma, however, as the downside makes our Defense bonus Librarian much less tanky… and while Fervent Beats can turn one Librarian into a hypothetical super-badass-murder-dood it also will absolutely kill them. It's not ideal.

Hammer and Nail can lead to some interesting builds chaining together Pierce and Blunt attacks, though, and Guilt can lead to an interesting dynamic where the opponent hitting us can lead to them Staggering themselves—though this would be best against mooks, as bosses tend to have a Lot of SR.

Level 3


As for Level 3 pages… A Kiss will most frequently generate free turns so for longer fights it's the go-to, but sometimes all we need is One Turn Right Now and Blizzard can deliver that. Leer is interesting on any sort of infinity die Librarian, since they won't be losing Clashes and thus can just double their own outgoing damage…

But honestly, an entire free turn is worth more than doubling the damage of one character.

E.G.O.



Wrist Cutter is interesting. It's not a POWERFUL Summation page, but it can instantly remove Strength, Endurance, and both forms of Protection from all enemies at once. In a vacuum this is pretty cool, but because it has to hit this means it'll frequently only be purging Endurance or Protection as Mass Attacks don't usually get onesided attacks.

Anyways it's good if the enemy is stacking a lot of those things and kind of eh otherwise.



Aspiration, meanwhile, is a much chunkier attack that will also give all our allies 1 Strength next turn.

…But it costs half of our HP, which is a bit much for 1 measly Strength. I can't think of many times I'd be willing to make that trade, even with the incredible recovery power of Elena and the Haulers. Keter is light on natural healing, so we'd like to keep our blood inside our body.



I'd gladly pay you Tuesday for a E.G.O move today.

Marionette is another interesting E.G.O. It's a 1-cost with a massive die attached to it that also deals 5 True Damage, but the downside is that the user's pages cost more next turn. I don't know if this is a debuff, but if it is then Purple Tear just gets to use it for free in Guard stance… and if it's not, well, sometimes you just absolutely need a massive die out of nowhere.

I wouldn't recommend playing it on its own, however: that die is nice, but 1 cost plus 1 more on every page next turn means it'll usually wind up costing 4 or 5 if we're playing our hand out. That's a bit too pricey for a single die on a melee page.



Frost Splinter…

…Yeah, it's good. Moving on.



Remorse… I feel like Remorse is a little bit too costly for what it does, which is a trio of pretty good Blunt attacks that each spread out a number of debuffs. These debuffs go into effect the same turn, meaning any rolls of Bind are worthless in almost all situations.

Honestly it's just kind of okay. None of the Keter E.G.O are really top-tier, but they're functional.

Final Thoughts

Keter is a decent floor once everything's put together, but because that doesn't happen until the end of the game it falls off hard in Urban Plague and outside of a couple niche situations like The Red Mist is only ever useful if you feel like a challenge run.

The most important ability is availability. Keter doesn't have it.



_{I have decided Angela also counts as a Patron Librarian, since she has a whole Realization here.}

For your original Lobotomy Corporation, I only read it after you finished it, so it is surreal that I followed the Library of Ruina let's play from start to finish.
I enjoyed it from start to finish, and loved what you with it. Am also looking forward to your future writing project you mentioned.

Now that we reached the end, I can finally post one of my favorite fan works from Ruina.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sk0outx0_go

"I'm sorry, and good job?" All that time, and that's all you can say?

Well what the hell ELSE am I going to say?! You saw the same… y'know… everything that I did!

We share the same base memories, so it'd probably be more accurate to say I lived it.

_{Didn't she just conclusively prove you weren't…} Not the point. Speeches and trying to soothe the shit you're responsible for may sound nice, but that's ultimately just easing your own conscience.

So I said the words she deserved to hear most.

Even after all that time, you're still terrible at talking to people, huh?

The vague comfort of subconsciously knowing people for thousands of years, and it still took me three days and a crisis to say more than a couple of sentences. I'm… not a words person.

Still, while I sure don't deserve to be… I want to be proud of Angela's choice.

You're only saying that because you never saw what Angela would become if she was allowed to embrace her whole self.

We've been over this. You're not going to convince me…

Even though you promised to carry on my work?

Whatever you became, yes.

This would be so much easier if we could just agree, you know? Come on, we should at least see what might have been. Aren't you curious?

My own curiosity barely matters. My newest friends have made it this far after so long. It'd be rude to let them leave without a show.

Your newest friends..? Oh. Those guys who wouldn't listen to a single word I said…

Maybe if you weren't so heavy-handed…

I was just trying to properly guide them to help Angela become a true human like she wanted!

And again I ask you… what is needed to truly be a human?

Hmm… should you really be quoting that now?

Should you be pointing out that it's a quote?

Well, setting that aside… We should show them what they want to see, right?

On that we agree. Let me just think of a good title… It's my first time, you know.

Yeah, I guess it would be.

Peering Into Possibilities: Endings A and B, brought to you by XC

Shouldn't it be "by CA" in that case?

I like the face that XC makes a little more than any other option. Anyone who's been with us this long will understand the intent in any case.

I don't disagree with what you said… so let's get this started! Behold, Angela living her very best life!

VIDEO


To see it, we just go back here, and select the top option.

Music: Ominous strings


Yup. We all just have to look at our own agonies and nothing else… Congrats, Angela.



Thank you so much. I’ll move onwards to the next stage of my life.

Hey, seeing you cry is a rare enough sight.

Music: None




With eyes that can shed tears, I shall laugh as I watch the city cry.

That book taught me many things:

The way to give Abnormalities physical form, to set them free. The way to liberate the Sephirot by bestowing wholly human bodies upon them. The way to restore the consciousness and flesh of all the employees of Lobotomy Corporation. The way to attain the strength I need to live on in the city…



You know better than anyone else that it’s pointless to oppose me in the Library, don’t you?

Malkuth… Netzach… Yesod… They’re all dead…

So this is your final choice, huh.

What a shameless person you are, Angela…

Maybe this is what I should have done sooner. It was silly of me to make a deal with you…

I wouldn’t have to feel this heartache, had I not made the offer that day and lived by myself.

You take the liberty of giving us life, only to bring death again… You’re truly unwise. Furthermore, you are regretting your own decisions…

You tried to interrupt me, so I did what I had to do. After all, you chose to stand against me with the flesh and freedom you’ve gained.



It is amusing that you should mention that.

You have earned a human body and the freedom for which you sought so earnestly, yet you will not take a single step onto the soil outside the Library.

…That’s how fickle the human mind can be. Wouldn’t you agree?

Indeed, you are right.

…Let us dance our last dance together. I want this to be your final and permanent slumber.



To stake everything means to devote all that I have.

Why did I yearn for a human body so strongly? It’s only a burden for my vengeance.

I am a librarian, one who watches the fall of the City from the ivory nest I erected. It will grow into a library that devours all the knowledge and life of the City.



No one could dare stop its violent growth. It ceaselessly killed people, enriching the spire of knowledge without falter.

It shines over the City, brighter than any other star.

For thirteen years, the Library enshrouded the City.



…Good work.

“A monster should behave as one…” I trusted and followed you, knowing nothing.

How many colleagues of yours… the so-called ‘Bookhunters’ have you killed?

I’ve lost count.

And countless more people will die in the future. I know humans. I learned the secrets of mankind that the City had been hiding from them.

I’m sure you do… And I know you. Thank you for all your hard work. Please die once and for all.



Music: Entrance


It will eventually be felled by man, just like any other star.

Music: None






So? You see? Thirteen years of dominion over a quarter of the City. That's what she'd get if she was actually true to herself.

And she only had to discard everything she actually wanted in order to get there, and kill off everyone she'd spent so long with to boot. Charming.

The true nature of humanity is ever-shifting, but it's most certainly selfish. You should hold to your own truth, and follow it until it reaches its end. That's the only way to know for sure you're living for yourself, right?

I suppose… but I'm not entirely sold on the true path for humanity being living only for yourself in the first place.

I thought you might say that. But you know, in the end everyone does just live for themselves, you know? Once you strip it all away, that's all anyone really wants. To be themselves. Why… even you still do selfish things, don't you?

Ahaha… you looked at your diary, huh?

Very hard not to notice that someone'd scribbled all over it, yes.

Aha… well…

Don't worry, I didn't dig into it. I'm just pleased to see that you're doing things for yourself, because you want to.

…Yeah, for myself. It's more degrees than anything else, ultimately. No man is an island, and all that.

Anyways, since we're looking at alternate timelines that didn't get shown… Most of them were Angela killing Roland, huh?

"Apocalypse Mizu" was an incredibly powerful pair of words. It couldn't lose unless something disrupted the very concept of polling.

Like being told about the future in that one remaining timeline…

Mmhm. Oh. While we're here, we should show them what happens there, too. It's only natural to want to finish seeing all of something when a story is so close to completion.

Right… when Angela forgives Roland, but then he can't get over his stuff.

You know, I can't help but notice that you really wanted to point people away from that path. Wasn't he doing what he wanted, too?

Not at all. I'd think you'd remember why, right?

Sorry, memory ain't what it used to be after… you know. Scrambling my own mind so much.

That's true, I suppose you wouldn't. Maybe you'll understand once you see it, too.

VIDEO


Here. I'll get us started.

Music: Ominous strings


It’s not something you could decide on your own like this!!!

Music: None


…Well, let’s call it a last bit of consideration for you—as my friend. Alright? It’s all over… Angelica…

Music: Ominous strings


A solitary man stands in the middle of the City. Next to him was a machine soaked in red. The Library vanished, as if it were an illusion all along.

And the man disappeared into the City once again.

Music: Pub ambiance




I thought he quietly wound up six feet under or something.



So? How’s he doing these days? Maybe I’ll go pay him a visit for old times’ sake.

Heard he spends each day drowned in drugs and alcohol. Taking filthy jobs like he’s possessed or something.

That fool’s changed too much. He’s not worth seeing. I bet he’ll disappear again soon enough.

Few people can go on without changing. I mean, just look at us.

Music: Flowing water ambiance


Numerous weapons dig into the man’s back. A club that belonged to a stranger.

A limb that belonged to a nemesis.

A dagger that belonged to a colleague.

A lance that belonged to a friend.

These countless instruments of harm are the karma he bore.



You will be there, lying in my sheets, O sorrow,

So that you might once again attempt to enter my heart.

Music: None


I warned you that if you relish murdering so much… you’ll lose yourself…







You totally get it now, right?

Ohhh… yeah, I think I do. He just went right back out and returned to the cycle of the City.

Which is what we are trying to stop, because that just feeds more into the disease of the mind. Worse, he also killed someone trying to break it on the way out.

And then he died in a gutter, without actually achieving anything.

A worst case scenario, wouldn't you say? It wasn't worth the risk.

You say that… But the ending that we received—

Was the best possible outcome for you. Right? Angela did just what you wanted her to do.

Pfft—she absolutely didn't do that. But she did make her own choice, in the end, and I can't say I'm upset with how it went.

She did a good job. …For a million years and change, really.

And you only had to risk everything to get there.

I don't think it's wrong to put faith in others. That's all.

Anyways, that's just about everything outside of the old, broken-off branch, right?

Pretty much. But I've got a bus to catch… I can leave the rest to you, right?

Always looking ahead, huh..?

I want to see how the trees grow in. That's all.

Ahh… I kinda want to watch, too. Let's just leave it to that guy?

Why not? He's done just about everything else around here.

<sub>You know, sometimes I almost feel bad about it…

Why? Ultimately he's doing whatever he thinks is best, too. Like a human should.

Ehh… I guess… He'll have an easier time getting to the thing anyways.</sub>

Then it's settled. Have fun putting the rest of things together, Writer-nim! We're going to watch the plants grow for a while.




…don't just dump things in my inbox and wander off, dammit.

Whatever, it'll do.

Videos

Ending A
Ending B

Appendix 41: The Library will endure

WARNING: What follows is now considered NONCANON by Project Moon and its associated writing staff.

"Epilogue—The Library will endure" is the scenario title of the post-credits scene of the first version of Library of Ruina's ending. I do not have any self-taken video of it (or the original credits scene), so I will link to this random YouTube video which has both of them in full.

The scene in question is completely unvoiced, and has a conversation between the Hana Association's General Manager, and the West, East, North, and South Branch Managers, none of whom have sprites.

Playing the part of the General Manager today will be Mirinae. In order, the remaining Managers are played by:

West: Nemo
East: Pete
North: Nikolai
South: Pierre

Also there's a President, let's make that… Yujin.

All clear? Cool.

Music: None
Location: Hana Association Headquarters

Even though the Star we called the Library has fallen, the phenomenon of the Distortion is still ongoing.

It’s time we established a new Association, as someone pointed out.

You mean an Association to take charge of Distortions exclusively, as countless suggestions have asked for?

The Purple Tear has been submitting a mount of documents as if she’s been waiting for this moment.

She was the one said to be capable of walking between multiple dimensions due to the influence of a Singularity.

Perhaps she’s walked into the borders of the beyond. It seems she’s still seeing further ahead than anyone else, yet she won’t look back at herself.

An Association of Fixers specifically dealing with Distortions, is it…

Knock-knock~ There’s plenty of demand, y’know? No need to scratch your heads weighing the gains. Some Wings have already begun to make a move.

Offices focusing on Distortions are a moneymaker on the rise. Better be the first to take grip of the market. Besides, the Distortion phenomenon is starting to take a new turn ever since the Library case.

You guys have heard about the tower that’s magically shown itself in the Outskirts, right?

You’re still as rude as ever! Don’t you know how to knock properly?

Sheesh, it’s not like I didn’t~

You are correct. We did receive reports about the towerlike structure which has appeared in the Outskirts. But it apparently would disappear like a mirage once they tried to approach it.

Yeah, that. That’s probably the new Library.

Though, it looks like it’s operating in a different way now.

Pressuring us won’t allow you to skip the standard procedures, Purple Tear. You even have the audacity to suggest that you’ll be in charge of organizing the Association alone.

To deal with Abnormalities born out of the twists and distorting of humans, you’ll want specialized gear; the distinct equipment L Corp. had dubbed ‘E.G.O’ is the most appropriate for the job. The thing about E.G.O, though, is that not any person can handle it. We need those who meet the qualifications.

You mean the so-called… ‘E.G.O.I.S.Ts’, according to your documents.

Yeppers. You know I’ve got a sharp eye for people… It wouldn’t hurt to let me take charge. We should take the initiative in shaping the system our way.

Right now, the public’s ideas are all over the place—as is evident with terms like “Distortions”, “Abnormalities”, and even plain “creatures” being thrown around.

The first to define the concepts and terms will gain the upper hand in the game of control. You know that better than anyone.

…We’ll consider your proposal with an open mind.

Alright then! I’ll be expecting good news from you, okay?

——END OF FILE——

Book 50: Epilogue



It would be my honor, Miss Director.

Wrong, try again. You should know by now that’s not the right way to address me, don’t you?

Sounds good to me, Angela.

Music: Theme02


…Aha… uh… Well.

How… How long were you standing there?



I have captured the totality of this moment in my eyes, of course.

We've still got a mess to clean up, you know. You all done being sappy?

Aww, come on. Don't be like that! They were just having a nice moment.

Indeed. I'm quite pleased to see you finally making some friends.

I might even call it 'heartwarming~'

Heartwarming, is it…? Yes, now that everything's over… I suppose that I do feel somewhat lighter.

The only question left to us for now is where we'll go from here.

Just don't get too complacent. There's some crazy shit in the Outskirts.

Before we get to doing any more work… can we have a day or two? I'm still exhausted.

You didn't even have to do anything all week!

Some time off would be acceptable. I don't believe we're likely to be in any danger here.

Alright then, someone grab me a drink!



Music: MalkuthStory


Thanks for offering to help us clean up down here. There were a lot of books that got tossed around during the last stages of the move.

Always glad to help. Just remember to pay us back by assisting with the labyrinth, alright~?

No worries. I'll make sure everyone gets right to it!

That doesn't include me, right..?

Why're you looking so hesitant? Your job means you get to sit down, doesn't it?

Yeah, but checking out every book that fell off the shelves still isn't light work…

One more for your pile, Chesed.

Just tossing it on top with barely a warning… Am I being bullied~?

If that is what you say.



Phew… all done.

Hey. How come you kept that outfit? I thought we gave all of that up.

I doodled it into the margins of my own book, of course~

Brilliant! Did you save any other ones?

Of course, of course~ Now that the fighting is all done, we can have a nice fashion show!

If you want, I suppose it's fine. Just make sure you're ready to defend everyone if anything from the Outskirts finds its way in here.

You think that could happen?

It's a possibility… and as the first real floor, we're the first line of defense!

SSDD. We'll get through it somehow.

Speaking of… Hey, Malkuth. Do you have a second?

Not right now, I have to head up to Netzach's floor. Something about a teamwork exercise…

Ah… That's fine. It can wait.

Then I'll see you guys later!

…Ooohohohoho! Even after facing down terrors the likes of which you've never seen, looks like Bishop is still Bishop!

Ahh, shove it. There's no rush.

True… I suppose now that I've singlehandedly defeated an Arbiter, a Beholder, and a Claw there's nothing else that can stop us.

Is that how it went…?

It totally is.

I'm… gonna' go see if I can figure out the lay of the area.

Music: YesodStory


Where's the boss? I thought he'd be here.

Oh, the ol' mummy is upstairs checking in on something. It's not a big deal, really.

We suppose he has earned his time off…

Speaking of things earned, do you think you'll be fixing your whole… thing?

We're not sure what you mean?

Most humans aren't two humans.

Oh… that. We thought about it, but decided against it. The only floor with any room is Binah's, and we'd have to walk entirely too far to hang out. Besides, we've figured out a system.

I'll bet you have. :mmmhmm:

Haven't seen Kaori today, either… She isn't a book again, right?

No, no, she's been hiding behind me all day. Apparently, she really liked that outfit.

It made me look so coool..! I don't wanna go back to the sweater veest..!

Now that you mention it… we don't think we've ever seen her without it on.

Everyone has a favorite something. Like those goggles of yours.

Mmm… maybe you could sew a new one?

…

I don't know how to seew..! Alien buddyy… teeach mee..!

Sewing… isn't a normal human activity… I never… Please, not so tight!

Ooh… sorryy…

I… ahem. I never needed to learn!

Then you can both learn from someone else. Big library. Someone has to know how to sew. Heck… I'll come too.

Music: NetzachStory


Come on, Netzach… are you finished already? You can usually keep up with me!

I'm just… I'm just… I'm just… m'fine.

Right. So we'll have another drink in celebration!

As expected, this does nothing to me…

Sho what, you want me to take careovit?

I'm not sure you haven't had a few too many yourself~

Ahh, come off it! M'fine!

Come on guys, no fighting. I'll drink the leftovers.

Enjoy it.

Oh right! Malkuth! I'm sorry about saying all that stuff before, you know?

Don't worry about it. Just give me first dibs at that book and it's even.

Of course, of course…



Hey. That reminds me. That employee of yours with the crush. How's that going?

Oh, are we talking about love lives now? I'll admit, I've wondered if you and Angela…

Not interested.

Without any hesitation at all…

Should you even be talking with how your rapport with Gebura is?

Say that again.

No thank you, ma'am.

So am I excused from answering, then?

Not a chance. You have to have noticed, right?

Of course I did. But he's been trying hard to keep pretending nothing's going on, so it's my duty to respond to that professionalism by not ruining the mood.

Which I've done perfectly, as always.

So what about if he does finally say something?

Oh no… I seem to need another drink.

Hey now, you saw all of my dirtiest secrets. Don't think you're escaping with your dignity intact!



HAAAHAHAHAHAHA!! Seems like you've made a mess of yourself, boss!

Not so loud… my head is pounding.

That'll happen when you drink too much.

You guys had a massive party, didn't you? Something must have gone well.

Oh yeah… something about a draft? Any excuse to have a good time, though.

We know not what tomorrow will bring. It is best to enjoy the now of life.

Yeah, you get it.

Well… they say that beer does stop a hangover.

Then let the afterparty commence! Smile, everyone—I'll do the cooking!

Animal meat, right?

HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!

…right?

If you don't know… it doesn't count.

Music: HodStory


Hey… A thought. Angela, you gave up all our books when the light left us, right?

That's correct, Netzach.

Then… how is it we're still having a book club in Hod's place?

Why's that a problem? Are the books not to your liking?

I'm still honestly surprised he can read at all.

That's a little cold, isn't it..?

Getting back to the point, even in absence of the books others brought to us… my E.G.O is still a Library, ultimately.

Books that I can conceive of… books that I have written… perhaps even books which are connected to the source of E.G.O itself could be found here.

Setting aside the ones with worthwhile information from those which contain only random letters is itself our new task, it seems.

Yeah, yeah… well, the snacks are good so I won't complain about it. Yesod, why don't you have some?

I'd prefer to keep any foodstuffs away from books that I'm reading, for the purpose of safety.

That's very forward-thinking of you… oh, what are you doing there?

Annotating. It seems Angela and Roland have finished their first draft of their book.

Already? Miss Angela, why didn't you say anything?

We had a party to celebrate a couple days ago. It got a little wild.

You were busy with counseling, so I didn't ask if you wished to come.

I see… Let me read through it next and we'll call it even.



Uugh… Scheduling is getting to be a nightmare.

You're telling me! I miss shooting videos back in the old days. I used to get out of counseling work.

Counseling wasn't really a priority back then… but now, we need to make sure you employees are taking well to the transition.

Everyone's fine. I think figuring out the fauna is the more important problem right now.

Is it, though..? I mean, we still probably can't die so we can experiment with them as long as we like.

We don't know that for sure, Medea. Nobody's died yet.

Right. Any volunteers?

Holy homicide! Don't just look at me when you say that!

I thought you'd be an old pro at it.

I am! _{That doesn't mean I want to just do it on a whim.}

It's not on a whim at all! Pain plus observation, like you always say!

Then I wanna observe for once!

How about none of us dies?

That's the ideal plan, but it's never a bad idea to have a backup just in case things happen to go south…

I'm banning any plans that involve the death of a Librarian. We've all done enough dying for one lifetime.

Yes ma'am…

Maybe we should add something to the counseling to make sure people return to a healthy relationship with dying?

Now that sounds like a great idea. Shall we discuss it?

Maybe we could make a video of it? I've been wanting to use "capricious corpsepiles," Miss Hod…

Music: TipherethStory


Wait a minute… you're hyped because of WHAT?

Now that we've had a minute, we've taken a look through the stories that got left behind here, and it seems like there's an entirely new genre to catalogue. They're called 'villainess stories.'

Okay, so they're stories about the villainess?

You'd think so, but actually the villainesses are the protagonists. Frequently there are some circumstances that caused their downfall, and they're working hard to overcome them.



And these stories are… a thing, then? Popular?

Totally popular, among all sorts of people in the City. I have a few recommendations if you want, there's all sorts of tales about women who were left in a situation that was impossible to deal with and pulled themselves up with hard work and cunning to become something more than they were supposed to.

That feels really familiar. A villainess who managed to overcome the odds to make a better place for herself..?

You don't think Angela inspired all of those works, did you?

No, no, not a chance of that. Apparently these things were coming out for half a decade or so now. The genre's probably just starting to fall off… but that means we can definitely find the peak if we look for it hard enough.

Or if we just make our own peak! Maybe we should write something, too!

…Why not? It's not like I have anything else to do.

Ahh, what the hell. Hand me one of the good ones, then.

Boss! You're interested?

That magical girl stuff wound up being really useful, in the end. Maybe knowing about how villainesses work will help down the line, too.

Come to think of it, what are the Abnormalities doing now, anyways?

Resting, last I heard. I'm sure Angela wants to do something with them… but we're still trying to figure out how to run the place now.

Music: GeburaStory


And then, once they're down, you can twist the arm around like this—!

I give I give IgiveIgiveIgive!

And with your hand on their spine, you can just push and you'll dislocate the arm. If you need a weapon, you can even rip it clean off most of the time. That depends on how much they've spent on their joints, though…

I see, I see..! What if their joints are hardened?

Well, then you do THIS…

Help… me…

You're the one who offered to practice fighting against her… I'd say this is just the expected result.

Yes, I'm quite certain that you can deal with more than this.

Harsh… I don't have a single friend around here.

Well then, how about this?!

Oh, handy. If they manage to wriggle free, they'll frequently leap up just like this. So you put your hand right here on the solar plexus, and…

WHAM! Right back to the ground. Then you can step right on their neck.

Gh… ghhkk…

I see! That's very informative. You really are the best.

Former best, but I still know a hook from a jab.



Camera's all set up. You guys do your thing!

Ready and… go!

Oh, you guys seem fired up too. Hope I didn't make too much noise.

Not at all, ma'am. We're just testing the limits of Tenebrais's new toy.

Oh right, that ring thing. What even is it, anyways?

How the hell should I know?!

Well, it is your power.

Hits like a truck. Interesting thing.

Whatever. I can call it out basically anytime I need to nowadays, and it's got a hell of a kick to it.

And it works with E.G.O?

…Working on that. It ain't exactly easy to clear your mind the right way while fighting against the stuff. Right now it's strictly either-or for me.

Well, no power's perfect. Just sharpen it and it'll definitely come in handy sooner or later.

When will we be grazing a new field?

Well… I heard Angela's considering trying to explore the area just around here, but there's no word back on if we even can leave right now.

…Damn.

Well, until we hear back… HYAH!



Sis… did you have to destroy the entire wall?

I'm sending a message: Don't underestimate my tiara.

Tiara?

Well, it needs some kind of name… and since I invented it, it's a tiara now.

Can you even put it on your head, though?

…Maybe if I try to headbutt someone. Hey, boss!

Yeah, aight. I got another round left in the tank.

Music: ChesedStory


Alright… for my next experiment, I've got a mix of a complex dark roast and a slightly fruitier light roast in a 70:30 mixture.

I'm sure it'll be good. You're like some kind of coffee wizard, Chesed.

I do my best~ I just wish Miss Angela could have some as well.

Simply absorbing the atmosphere is enough for me. I did always want to try eating, but…

Well, I cannot do what I cannot do. It's fine.

I think it means enough that you've done everything you can do. Even now, you've made sure this place continues to work while we think about how to reopen to guests, right?

I have grown accustomed to the hustle and bustle of you lot. I would rather not return everything to zero. That's all.

Is that so..?

What do you mean "she reminds you of someone?" Do you need to get your eyes checked, old man?

It's a woman, scorned by everyone, who has managed to nevertheless find the goodness inside herself and take a step forward. Perhaps it is sentimental of me…

But how could I not be reminded of a certain someone?

Read it again, Hokma. Seriously, this part right here? Angela would never do anything like that.

I think she'd actually be quite a good farmer, if she put her mind to it. She was made to be incredible, after all.

Then again, it would be nice if I could tune things out again.

I can understand that~



Sweet Pea. You have entered the door to the north. You are now by yourself standing in a dark room, the pungent stench of mildew emanates off the wet dungeon walls.

Okay, I've got dark magic sooo…. I'll shove the dark away to see what's in here.

What? No, you can't… that's not how it works, you can't shove the dark out of a thing to make light.

Why not? You let Seyser get away with the opposite.

Light is a particle, so it makes sense, but darkness is just the absence of it, so…

Then if you shove the absence hard enough it makes something. Like making sparks from rubbing two sticks together. Easy-peasy.

That is not how any of that works.

Are you sure? I mean, consider: There's mildew… and any mill around here high up enough to allow dew to form—

Ugh, nevermind. I'll allow it.

Muhuhuhuhahaha!!

I'm not in the room, right?

Which room?

The one she's casting all those spells in.

Well, she's not really casting a lot of spells…

Yet. I gotta' see what's in here first.

Fine, fine, you shove the darkness away and now it's light. You see an elf in front of you.

Oh that's me, right?

He's got a blue tunic and grey eyes.

And skin that sparkles in the sunlight!

Yes, but they wouldn't know that, you're inside.

Just making sure!

Okay, you can talk now.

Greetings. I am Swepey, the mage of darkness!

Then how'd you manage to make light?

Versatility.

To be absolutely sure, I'm not able to hear this, right?

Right, because you decided to turn that abandoned building into a coffee house.

Ah yes… how are the sales?

Uh… they're okay? You're running out of beans.

Then I'll search the grounds.

Aha! I see what you've done there.

Anyways, what now you two?

Isn't it obvious? This place is the start of my base. I'm going to clean it up and maybe get a nice ogreskin chair to go alongside a table made out of their bones.

Hold on, we're here to fight ogres?

I assume so, that's what the briefing said.

Oh… someone did read the briefing.

I read it too. That's why I have a knife that's +9 against ogres~

Yeah, but you're not there, you're at the cafe looking for beans.

And when I find some, I want to brew them.

Music: BinahStory


…

…

…

…Sooo… Good tea.

As is natural. I shall not let something like a relocation to this place lower my standards.

I don't believe I ever expressed my gratitude for your decision to side with us.

It isn't a thing that requires gratitude. I have long since been captivated by watching your struggles. It is only natural that I would wish to see them to their end.

All the same…

From the sound of it, they intended to reclaim your corpse to ensure no further secrets escaped. I can't say I would go quietly in such an instance, either.

I'm guessing you have no idea what their plan was.

Quite. All memories regarding that time have long since left me. Now, all I wish to do is enjoy this tea and observe what unfolds around me.

Surely you must have some aspiration of your own.

…If that is what you say.



Siiiigh! Sigh! I am sighing. Dramatically.

Sighing isn't going to make the Abnormalities come out and play, you know.

I do know! So I thought, maybe I'd try and play with them? But it turns out that that's off-limits too. Miss Angela really got on me when I tried shoving my head into Melting Love's book…

Wait, she was around here?

A-doi. But it turns out that with all the light going pshew all over the place we don't have enough energy to let them out of their books to play, AND we can't let me in there to play with them!

And the very worstest of all: THERE WAS A CLAW HERE AND I MISSED IT!

I really don't get why you like those things so much…

They're the smoothest of the smooth! The sharpest of the sharp! I've always wanted to have a slashy arm that could go KASHAK and then punish baddies, you know? And Miss Binah went to see them and didn't even get me an autograph!

I could give you my autograph, if you would like.

But you were an Arbiter, they're way less cool.

I suppose they do differ in terms of presentation.

Music: HokmaStory


Once more. The thickness on your Q is uneven, it's important to be purposeful when going from thin to bold lines.

I do not even see why I am learning this. My writing is already legible.

Be that as it may, there's also something to be said for the presentation of a thing. Surely by now you've noticed as much yourself.

…I am aware of that, yes.

Then we'll give it another go. Once you've learned it, you should be able to do it perfectly every time.

Indeed. I was created to be able to do such things easily, after all.

And Tiphreth, have you found the answers you sought?

Hardly. All I can gather from this is that Tiphereth might have become a tree or another person this go around. Then again, knowing him… he may have achieved that 'Nirvana' thing, too.

If you believe in that stuff, anyways.

And you don't, I assume?

Iunno… But it does feel nice to think that he's moved on to something new. I just… hope he found a meaning this time around.

So this is… the counseling schedule for Disciplinary, then?

That's right. Your librarians have been putting it off, but they should speak with someone about everything that's happened.

I ain't got anyone that weak around.

But it's not like we have anything else to do, so… Sure, I'm in.

I'm glad to hear it. Um… Do you have any questions about when things are scheduled, or..?

Nah, I'm sure I got it. Probably. It's just…

Hold it the other way around.

Huh. Yeah, that makes much more sense.



It's so nice to have a break and relax around here…

Yeah, Hokma was always hands-off back in the day, but now we haven't had to do a single thing at all.

Maybe 'cuz he knows how hard we worked?

Or maybe because he's trying to ask the other old-timer to a bridge game and it feels awkward.

I never learned how to play bridge.

Well that's a lie. All old people know how to play bridge.

I'm telling you, I…

Goddammit.

Alternate timeline again?

Or something like that. Damned color… what the hell did she even do?

Well, whatever it is it's not like we don't have time to figure it out.

Speak for yourself. I've had enough drama for one lifetime. I'm probably going to try getting into coffee. Or maybe tea..? The smells from those lower floors are divine either way.

Honestly, I don't even know where to start either. I can't even begin to imagine what it's like to randomly wind up remembering branching timelines I'd never seen before. I'd probably lose track of where 'I' was in the entire thing…

Hmph. Such a thing is a mere trifle in the grand scheme of things.

You think so?

Of course. I am who I choose to be. My past… the desires of others… none of them have mattered from the start. That is what it is to be yourself.

It's a thousand years too early for me to be getting life advice from you. But thanks.

It's a thousand years too early for you to be disregarding my advice. But you're welcome.

Music: Lobby


Aaaaah…

Having a nap there?

I was promised an undisclosed amount of vacation time, and I am savoring all of it.

I haven't seen you move in a couple of weeks.

We're high up, so I can photosynthesize just fine up here.

Hold on… how long have you been able to do that?

Mmmh… Too noisy. Either take a load off or stop being one for me.

Yeah… alright, why not.

Honestly, Steve, sir, I'm still kind of amazed that you kept that look.

Well… this isn't the same as the book I used to wear. Don't tell anyone?

Never, sir.

When everything was breaking down… and I realized I couldn't use the Oboe anymore… I heard it. That thing from those visions everyone saw.

So then that Oboe is..?

Mm-hmm. Probably the first one to manifest here outside of Gebura's own. Which is why I'm making sure to keep practicing every single day. The part of me that this thing brings forth… well, it's a real perfectionist.

That's incredible! What was it like? I mean… what did it say? You have to disagree, right?

It's a little more complicated than that. She told me that the skills I'd honed so much were never mine, and that it was so sorrowful that I had to give them all up… and that wasn't incorrect. But ultimately, I still would keep playing the oboe. Even if the notes didn't ever line up into the grand songs I used to play, I wanted to do it just the same.

I wonder why it looks exactly like the key page, though..?

Because this is where I feel my most comfortable, I guess. Though, now that I think of it… I guess the original Alloc is back out there in the City now, huh?

Yeah. Alloc, and all the rest of them are all back out there waking up somewhere, just as they were before all this started.

Yeah… … Huh.

Huh?

Well, it's just… the Library only saved them as they were when they entered it, right? So wouldn't that mean for some of them…

Meanwhile… wrote: Music: From a Place of Love


This isn't right… Where's our home?! Mommy?! Daddy?! We were really good! It hurts..! Mommy! Daddy! Where are you?!

It's probably fine.

Right, sir. Should be just fine.



So the spotlight's finally about to move on. You know, I'll almost miss it. Dancing around its edges, making sure everyone inside is able to get through it all…

Well, I'm sure someday it'll work its way back over here. Until then, good luck to whoever it's shining on right now…

…You'll need it.

Mods, etc.

The Library of Ruina LP had exactly one custom appearance mod in it, plus one more that made The Purple Tear teleport to Hokma's floor instead of any other for the purposes of narrative convenience. If you really want that second one for some reason let me know and I should be able to get it to you no problem, but since NullBlack and MetaMeme put so much effort into making the n_m goggles I felt like they should be made available somewhere.

Then, because I can't just do anything halfway, I also backed up my entire savefile and shoved that in as well. It's an easy way to view winquotes and saves me having to write down everyone's lines. Nothing inside here is considered a secret so if you want to about it go right on ahead.

The savefile and mod are here. MetaMeme was kind enough to put installation instructions on the mod's zip folder, and the blank eyes is there because it's required too (it goes in the Eyes folder I'm pretty sure? Iunno I did this like three years ago).

As for the savefile, on PC your Library of Ruina save file is usually kept in C:\Users\[Your User]\AppData\LocalLow\Project Moon

If you put the savefile over that it'll delete everything and replace it with the LP file, so be sure to back yours up first if you care at all. The hair and eyes and stuff might be a little off at first due to differences in the number of appearance mods installed, so some fiddling may be necessary to make everything look right.

Oh, right. Appearance mods. I've also linked all the important ones that I used in this thread below, they'll take you right to the relevant workshop pages:

https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/ ... 2610953856
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/ ... 2610949842
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/ ... 2466272489
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/ ... 2611865732
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/ ... 2610964077
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/ ... 2610958758
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/ ... 2373793319
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/ ... 2374325879
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/ ... 2373796477
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/ ... 2373797876
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/ ... 2326467517
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/ ... 2320681916
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/ ... 2125179386
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/ ... 2181103939
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/ ... 2181343441
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/ ... 2183382231
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/ ... 2372570898


That's all. Have fun!

related: the light will be open until 8/8.

if you don't know what that means, don't worry about it. or do.

Fanart post updated. We've got new stuff from here, the Beach, and Kofi of all places, so there's definitely some stuff there that hasn't been seen elsewhere.

If there's more stuff before I'm done with the read-through and proofreading I'll probably append it too, so if you were making something don't feel like you have to stop. Honestly I do really like all the stuff that people made or continue to make 'cuz of these threads, you guys are incredibly talented.

(@ the epilogue) I love,, seeing, the friendship OvO <3 [incoherent sounds]

Also btw if anyone didn't do/finish the ARG I would highly recommend trying that again. Just saying

ok I wanted to do one final art that was Really Cool and befitting of the finale but unfortunately I had zero ideas for what exactly to do in that regard aaand I'm running out of time so I'll just commemorate one of my favourite moments in this Ruina LP

It was very funny

I guess it's Totally And Actually Finally For Real Over, huh... that means I have to Gush before it's too late
pardon while I get Sappy and Dramatic 00; I Have A Lot Of Feelings and especially about endings
also this may turn out to be a bit redundant... I don't remember. Maybe I already said this. Maybe I'll be saying again. Oh well. Proof of sincerity, I guess? :P
This series means a whole lot to me, more than I can properly express, and I cannot overstate how glad I am to have found it. I originally came just to get a rundown of the plot of Lobcorp, and I did find that, but I also found so much more than that. Right off the bat, it's chock-full of creativity and passion that I can't imagine any other LP even comes close to achieving. Because of that, it's irreplicable, it's unique, it is an experience that is entirely its own. And it found me. And I think, of all things, that's what inspired me the most, is the knowledge that no matter how silly or small or low-budget a project may seem, if you put your heart into it, it can reach people you might never even have dreamed of reaching, and touch them in ways you never even knew. No matter how small, you are an irreplaceable part of this world, and of all the people whose hearts your voice echoes in. And that goes not just for TQ, I'm talking to all of you, you, me, everyone. That's right! You matter! Your feelings matter! Your voice matters! We're all in this together-- so go ahead and follow your silly little dreams and make it count. Because I promise you, it will count. If even one person hears what you have to say, then you have created something, a feeling, an experience, that is bigger than yourself. And that's wonderful.
I'm an amateur storyteller myself, and while I'm far from great at it, and my audience is remarkably small, I know that it's touching someone. I'll never truly be able to understand the depth of the ripples I create-- but remembering how deep the ripples of what at first seems to be just a simple LP resonated in me, I know that it must be worthwhile. If any of you who are reading this have stories of your own to tell, I once again encourage you, with this in mind, to tell them. They don't have to be profound. They don't have to be serious. They just have to be you.
But I digress.
TQ, thank you so much for bringing us this masterpiece, and for never giving up. Everyone else who also helped make this project into what it is-- I know most of not all of you are on SA but I'll say it anyway-- thank you, too. And to everyone, anyone at all: Never give up on yourself.
Good luck out there.

The light is now closed.

quantumpapaya you are gonna make me go "aaaaaa" in a wistful and sad manner oh lord. I want to create things that make people want to create things, and I'm glad it resonated the right way.

I'm gonna... I'm gonna... go do the last post now. Yeah. That's the plan.

Right after maple dailies.

and limbus dailies.

and maybe making sure i'm stocked on tissues.

shut up im not crying youre crying.

Even when the stars die out…

After the Binah Realization, a mini-ARG slipped into the Let's Play for people to solve if they wanted. The solution led to a page offering a chance to make an indelible mark on the Let's Play itself, and this is that (and that is this).

The story is over, you guys are free to talk about it now if you want to. As for what was said… Well, that's coming now. Before we get started, a moment of obligatory self-promotion. I plan to use my kofi and bluesky to announce when I start my next project, and there's also Maplestory v251, which will soon be moving forward again.

Now for the important part. All posts are copy-pasted directly, and I've checked any links to ensure that none of them are malicious.

Evil Kit wrote:"Ah, you made it finally. Welcome to out little resting spot here in the light, it's been quite boring without anyone to mess with aside from Ayin. No real way to inconvenience someone in his position you see, at least not to a point that it eclipses the inconvenience of simply getting here in the first place! Alas, it affords me a certain amount of peace for a while before the need to intercede strikes again, such a troubling curse this is. But once the others finally arrive, well. Muahahahahaha.... I can inflict the greatest inconvenience of all on them.

""First."" "

Talow wrote:Mostly fixed points in time must suck, huh. Don't lose hope is the only advice I can think to give, personally.

roors99 wrote:Always believe that a better path exists and is possible to take. Nothing is truly impossible in this world.

CommunityEdition wrote:Thank you for this beautiful embellishment.

Rogue AI Goddess wrote:Angela is a good girl who did nothing wrong.

Gilliam wrote:my brain hurty. Well, if I've gotta say something, I may as well shill a game I love: Void Stranger is incredible and you should all play it. Especially if you love puzzles enough to get this far in this little ARG.

Tenebrais wrote:Thanks for letting me be part of this, I guess. Wouldn't have got this far by myself.

IcePhyonix wrote:Thank you, TeeQueue, for a wonderful Let’s Play. And for those who may read this after everything is done, know that kindness is and empathy are the most powerful things in the world.

Eve wrote:I hope to see this all through to the end with you all

Arcanuse wrote:Que Sera, Sera.
A shame it took what it did to get the answer sought. Not to do, then, but see it play out.

The Will of the City wrote:"Prescript: The LP shall demonstrate the Golden Ending and the post-credits scene. No deadline."

Vodron wrote:It's been a long ride, but certainly a good one. Thanks for your play, TQ - it's well written, and fun, and it's nice to see this bastard of a game trounced by someone better at it than I ever was.

I guess the only thing left to say is... Hokma Balls.

Materant wrote:Thank you so much for all you've done, and good luck on your webcomic! But first, more magical girls.

Paulinus wrote:Maybe we should all just close our eyes and dream.

Stick wrote:Go to Hokma before it's too late.

Henry wrote:Do not close the curtain.
We must forge onwards. Continue down the starstruck path that the fallen led us to.
I believe in you. All of you. Please carry on everything that remains.
Choose your path.
I love you.
~ Henry, Former LVL IV Agent

Ben wrote:Thank you for sharing this moment with us.

The Winter Garden System, Anna and Rose wrote:This story, and it's myriad retellings, found us at a pivotal moment in our life, and as such has influenced us on an unknowable level. Though it may often be a bleak tale, the lessons it has taught us have helped us push through the darkest hours of our life, and we hope those hearing our voice can find hope in this story as well.
And also, if our voice can reach them... say hi to Null_Mia for us. Though our circumstances may be different, it is always nice to see others like us, as many minds in one body.
-&#129419;&#127801;

cryptologicalMystic wrote:dixitque lux:
(and the light said:)
"fiam E.G.O."
("let there be me.")
et facta est lux.
(and there was Light.)

Call me &#9608;&#9608;&#9608;&#9608;&#9608;&#9608;&#9608;. wrote:the sailors have a superstition:

killing an albatross

(A white bird with a pallid beak, that flies without rest.)

is folly
will bring you death.
certainly it did so unto me.

a petty vengeance, conducted against an animal, that ends with ignominious death.

(For there is no folly of the beasts of the earth - )

but the mistake that killed me was not the sin i was punished for.

(I never got to finish my sentence.)

i was consigned to the depths, forgotten, for the harsh crime of my name.

(I wonder what would have happened had some other died on that day, and had I lived to tell the tale. How the discrepancy would have been resolved.)

i could grow my hair out, maybe; the color is close enough. forget l corp entirely, by some contrivance. the timeline of events permits it, if one squints and makes generous allowances. i could go on a sea voyage, lose myself, lose everything to vengeance.

(A white whale with a pallid heart, that devours without care.)

it is unlikely. but -

pretend it happened.

( - that is not infinitely outdone by the madness of men.)

let me continue, in that dream.

metameme wrote:nothing. game sucks

Mizu wrote:SON. IF YOU ARE READING THIS, IT MEANS YOU HAVE FINALLY FINISHED YOUR STORY. YOU READ EVERY BOOK AND BEFRIENDED EVERY CUTIE ALONG THE WAY. YOU HAVE TRULY BECOME A GAMER. AT LAST YOU CAN END YOUR JOURNEY WITH SATISFACTION AND HONOR. I AM SO, SO PROUD OF YOU.

Red wrote:A road like this is best walked with friends, and I'm proud to call all of you among mine. Whether you participated in this play as an actor, watched from the audience like me, or are looking back in the future, there's just something special about sharing moments like these together.

As this story ends, many more shall begin, and I hope someday we'll meet again among them.

Fly wrote:I wouldn't have gotten here without helping hands to guide me forward, but the view from the summit is beautiful!

GiantRockFromSpace wrote:Carmen's efforts are meaningless. We will see all ways it will end, because this is a videogame LP and the author is a completitionist. Specifically one who put a lot of love and effort into a work that is not cringy and is widely appreciated for giving us a smile in this cruel world. And thus the final curtain shall be drawn.

that said fuck you X/Ayin next time give a clue that we could use paint cause everyone has paint dipshit it comes free with your windows

Lumisau wrote:A flicker of light caught my eye once upon a time, and awoke in me a feeling I thought long-gone. I can't thank you enough for being a part of that.

Humans aren't a solitary species. There's something magical when you let other people into your periphery, and let them be alongside you. I think that's why many of us, who already know how this story could play out, are watching this particular telling together with breath as bated as the first time. So I hope those two are able to let each other into their world, as painful as it will be.

Khaykeh wrote:I have never been able to acquire an SA account, and have had to manually check and recheck your threads for updates for what must be years now. I just want to thank you for all you've done in crafting this narrative, and for creating a story and sharing it with the world. It's been a consistent source of joy in my life. Thank you.

microfolk wrote:To everyone that was here and made this possible, thank you

nullBlack wrote:I was.

speaker of truth!!!!!!!!!!!1 wrote:i have it on good authority that adam day 49 is CRINGE!!!!!!!!!!!1

Hime wrote:I bet you're having a tough time right now. Despite that, if you don't do it, who will?

volcarona3 wrote:Thank you so much foR taking us mere lurkers with no forum aCcOunts on thIs incredible journey, TQ. I thinK I can speak on behalF of all of My peoPle when I say that it'S been an eXceptionally wild ride.

A Piece of Socks wrote:No matter what, be sure to have fun! (I swear Sword of Volition is a fun card)

Ace wrote:I have been an observer of the observers up to this point, so I'm so happy that I was able to participate, however indirectly, in the events like this. It has been an incredibly fun journey reexperiencing one of my favourite stories of my favourite characters, and thank you for committing it to text in this way. Thanks for your hard work, both in writing and drawing for the LP!!

GOI wrote:To enjoy yourself no matter what

Nanimani wrote:Well, I have to put something here, but I don't have anything funny or insightful to say. Thank you for doing all this. It's been fun to read, even if I haven't really been active or participating much. Genuinely a great LP.

BraveLittleToaster wrote:This story was worth experiencing. I'm glad that Steve made it through alright, and that he ended up manifesting his own special EGO. Shine on, Oboe boy. You went from weird-looking normal guy, to a powerful, personable musician, I'm proud. I'm glad all the Librarians will be alright too, they all deserve to be alright. I really like all of them, they've got great personalities! And I'm glad that Angela and Roland will be okay-ish. They deserve that much. It was fun following this to the end.

BassMug wrote:Please, believe things can get better. You are not alone anymore.

Ariamaki wrote:Balance, in all things.

lucifer's box wrote:the library is not yet complete.

vector_to wrote:Thank you, for the telling of this story, and the spin within the weave you chose.

I'll join the rest of the audience in what I can only assume to be the massive fanclub for Mizu and MetaMeme. Good luck with the finale!

Regallion wrote:Did you know that the critically acclaimed MMORPG Final Fantasy XIV has a free trial, and includes the entirety of A Realm Reborn AND the award-winning expansions Heavensward and Stormblood up to level 70 with no restrictions on playtime? Sign up, and enjoy Eorzea today!

lolnice wrote:ooh i hope there wasn't a poll before this that would be EMBARASSING
I really love this game and I also love the original LP of Lobotomy Corporation so this has been amazing to follow through so far. Can't wait to see what happens in the end, but I'm sure it'll be amazing.

LeGaosaure wrote:Stories have power. Thank you for allowing us to witness this one.

Deveritas wrote:Good luck, and thank you for everything.

Nameless, for who are those who observe but those without a role? wrote:To be human is a complex thing, full of challenges. Those who strive for it should fully explore all their facets-their wants, their desires, their sins, their past, and their future. Blind faith can lead one astray, after all. I won't waste time giving an order. Instead, some musings.

What do you think "humanity" is? Is it found in one person? Can you consider yourself complete if you turn a blind eye to what might be painful?

It has been a pleasure being in the audience. May you find your happy ending.

Qrr wrote:Imagine Yujin at full power

Nathan wrote:Feet on the ground; embracing the present.

starofthecity wrote:No message could've been any clearer
If you wanna make the world a better place
Take a look at yourself and then make a change

U wrote:Alright, gonna be honest, I got nothin'

Rudy wrote:I'm not sure where or when you will hear this but, thank you everyone for the tale that have been told.

Jakeun Kangajii wrote:You are loved, Angela!

Jericho wrote:I am not something soft or sweet, but I hope there can be something almost like absolution for all of us wretched beasts.

Prose wrote:Thanks for deciding to go on this journey, and thanks for taking me and everyone else along. I liked seeing the assistant librarians, their endearing eccentricities, and the way they enriched a story that was already great on its own. I also don't think I would have discovered the world of the City nor its stories if I never found this. I didn't get to be here for the beginning of this tale, so I'm glad I get to be here for the end.
And once again, thank you. It's been a fun ride. :]

Cloudycap, merely a lurker wrote:If L Corp was the story of individual growth, the play unfolding captures the interactions and growth of people as a group. Thank you for the Empathy to Move Forward.

Nahere wrote:This has been a hell of a ride, and I'll looking forward to seeing its ending (or perhaps endings), but at the same time it's weird knowing it's nearly over.

Sacchi wrote:No cycle is unbreakable, not even the City's. A better future, however unlikely, is possible.

D.G. wrote:Are you really satisfied?

Elswyyr wrote:Thank you.

A Mere Lurker wrote:F&#299;at i&#363;stitia ruat cælum.

WDinATX wrote:The Will to Stand up Straight. The Rationality to Maintain Discretion. The Hope to be a Better Person. The Fearlessness to keep on Living. Each of the Sephirot learned one of these back in LobCorp but here in the Library Angela has learned all this and more. Because, despite being a million years old, she’s never had time to do so.

Treated with nothing but distain since birth. Forced to sit and watch as people die in gruesome ways. Forced to make several people have mental breakdowns over and over. Forced to kill the only person that cared about her over and over. This was Angela’s life for a million years and she wasn’t permitted to forget a second. It’s enough to drive everyone mad. To beg for the meaning that we all deserve. But what did she get when it ended? Nothing. The script didn’t mention her at all in the epilogue. In fact, it treated her more like a prop than an actual character. So she changed it.

No matter how noble Ayin’s goal may be I fully endorse Angela ruining his plan and would do the same. Nobody should have to go through what Angela did and if the Seed of Light sprouted Ayin wouldn’t just have gone unpunished by this… he would’ve been *rewarded* for being the worst father I’ve ever seen. So even if such a thing isn’t uncommon in that *damned* city. Even if it lets things like the Pianist free. Even if I somehow knew for a fact that it wouldn’t be a good idea… I’d do what she did. It’s the correct response. Because Angela needed to leave her mark on the script. Not as a prop, but as a person. She took to the stage as the main heroine of this second act and now it’s time for the grand finale.

So now that Ayin has been proven wrong about all this I have one question for you, whoever you are. What kind of person is Angela? Will she die and/or lose control of the script at the last moment like her predecessor? Will she descend into villainy? Become some kind of hero like her mother supposedly was? Perhaps she’ll fade into obscurity as she lives the life of a normal girl? She finally gets to make her own choices and I’ve only listed a few of the infinite endings awaiting her. I don’t know how this story ends but I have faith that Angela will find herself on a path she can wholeheartedly accept. Living the life that she was once denied. A wise man once said that all human wisdom is within the words “wait and hope” so that’s what I’ll do. Wait until the grand finale and hope our heroine leaves the stage with a smile.

Energy wrote:Loved this, and the letsplay. It took me far too long to figure out what the number was for at the very end though, LMAO.

Dimi wrote:Oh gosh, do I answer something long or short? You can't just put me on the spot like that! Uhh... Okay, I guess I can leave a funny story?

So, I tuned in when lobcorp was still ongoing, and I didn't realize just how deep the rabbit hole went. Me and a friend both got super into the lobcorp LP, and we pitched the game to a mutual friend. The first friend never really got into library because of how hopeless the setting was, but in a really funny coincidence our mutual friend ended up playing library themselves off a recommendation not realizing that it was the sequel to the game we were trying to get them to play. Library ended up being one of their favorite games ever, and it's really funny how despite me egging them on to play Lobcorp, they ended up egging me on to play Ruina instead (which I've only played like one reception of so far).

I don't regret keeping up with the LP! An honor to have been here reading this; one could say it was the very bestest ride. Cheers!

Crepuscule Adepte wrote:You helped test it and got the solution, so you belong here. Rest in peace, old friend.

gunjag wrote:To Angela: You still have questions that need answering, do you not? It would be a shame if you let the opportunity to find out pass by. Talk to Hokma, before the chance is lost.
To TeeQueue: Thank you for two wonderful LPs.

Den wrote:Thank you for showing us this play.

Lee quantumpapaya wrote:There's so much to say, I don't think I could ever do it all justice. I'll try to keep it brief.
I cannot express how much this story means to me, both the game itself and what the LP's brought to it, and how much it means to me to be here for it and to be able to see it through and to leave my mark in this small way just as it has left its mark on me. Because no matter how small, a mark is a mark, and when you touch someone's imagination like that it is so much bigger than you may ever know. The world is big and we all are small but we are all a part of it all the same. And it wouldn't be the same without any one of us, because we leave marks everywhere we go.
Never stop telling stories, yall. It's beautiful, and it's powerful, and the ripples you leave behind will never truly die.
(I am very emotional about this QwQ)
Face the fear, build the future. Good luck out there, everyone.

JH wrote:I hope Angela finds her peace.

I haven't provided, why should I be known? wrote:The storyteller has shown the ability to take what's set in stone, the chaotic influence of the audience and the world and to make something coherent and enjoyable. There have been moments where the stage performing a familiar play split out from underneath and showed something that could do things that the stage couldn't, for a moment seeming unshackled similar to books and breathing more life into the story. This certainly made me curios about other stories like this, though I gotta admit, I doubt most will be nearly as good. And that's not just because the playwright was working with prime material.

jade413 wrote:Though many modern horror writers forget, the word “liminal” was originally used to refer to places where people would not linger, such as pools, airports, and train stations. It refers to the intermediate state, or, in other words, the mid-metamorphosis. Though that building on the cross of Succoth and Ash Tree Lane is a a place of residence, by merit of its own virtues, it finds itself incapable of the state of “heimlichkeit” [1] , or actively resists it entirely.

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[1] “Heimlichkeit” used in this passage refers to homeliness in German. [2]

[2] While this is somewhat true in light of the most literal translations, I have reason to believe Harley has forsaken accuracy in favor of a handy uncited reference to Zampanò’s work, House of Leaves. In truth, homeliness more accurately translates to “einfachheit” and “heimlichkeit” translates instead to “stealth”.
Or maybe Harley found stealth to be that intended meaning, that genuine meaning. Perhaps she even expected it to be overlooked in favor of “homeliness”. This passage I think even betrays the true nature of the rest of Harley’s work, a winding labyrinthine blockade (or snake? perhaps even “indulged emesis” is a better way to put it.) of words that preveal themselves to be much more imitation than substance until the inevitable discovery must be made that imitation cannot be considered anything other than substance itself. [3]
It is late at night and I am not yet equipped to deal with the various amplifications [4] that this duel [5] meaning entails.
Work in the morning.

[3] You know, now that it’s a proper time to be reading through and editing an old lady (of unknown current state)’s unpublished semi-complete (I think) surprisingly well-maintained and despite that expectably disoriented manuscript I noticed something. She internally dates this passage to 1997, but previous passages and those that come after (I’ve handily forgotten the word for that, not sorry) are dated to around 1998-2001. Either this is the first part of this manuscript that Harley decided to write or not even her own words can be trusted. Which leaves us the question: Is any of this real?
I doubt it.

[4] Typo: should be “implications” - Ed.
[5] Typo: should be “dual” - Ed.

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Id est, homines ibi morari non possunt [6].

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[6] In other words, people cannot linger there. [7]



[7] Oh, and one last thing... https://imgur.com/a/17EETfj

WeAreTheMeta wrote:Face the Fear. Build the Future!

Meta_Mia wrote:I have a lot of conflicting opinions about this game. It's jank, kind of bullshit, kind of easy, and way grindier than it has any right being. I basically played it straight through early access and felt the catharsis of finally seeing the ending crumble like dust a few weeks later when it was revealed that limbus was a gacha. we were robbed of a really good dungeon crawler, I swear. What was with that slimy "oh we just said it was mobile not that it was gacha" thing anyway? I still remember Jihoon you slimy basta-

Anyway, digressions aside, I feel similar mixed opinions with this LP. The thread is an archive of my shame (old art), but the excuse of making art as a joke helped me grow a lot faster as an artist than I would have otherwise. On the other hand though, Limbus's release and subsequent unjust firing of Vellmori really soured my impressions on the company- which alongside getting busier caused me to basically stop posting in the thread in the back half (half of SotC+ lmao) of the LP. I really did make a lot of art- the edit folder is sitting at 3.3 Gigs even after the image optimizations to fit on LPix. Nobody else had my throughput! Often imitated, never replicated! Not that it's anything to be proud of...

I usually wear a veneer of irony, but the idea of something that took up 3 (or will it be 4?) years of my life finishing up is getting to me so I'm gonna be a bit mushy: super big thanks to TQ for writing this. It was really good, even if LOR as a game had a format that didn't work as well for the story that you wanted to tell. Big thanks for letting me and NB sneak a nugget in! One of the few things I can be thankful to Limbus for? Similarly, Null_Black: mucho gracias on helping me draft Nu11_Mu14! Many thanks for letting me load them up with my chuuni-ass ideas on their visor. Godbless. Similarly, Fen: crazy good art.

I'm glad to have been a part of this experience, however small. Let's All Love Angela (& Binah)!

May we meet again someday!

Aly wrote:Thank you for telling your tale to all to will hear; every word shared is a light against the darkness, every story told a warmth in the cold. For those listening, tell your stories to the world, and they can be a beacon to others, in this harsh City we live in.
Despite all of the world burning around you, may you shine brighter than those book-burning fires.

Scout! wrote:Ach Gott!! Ich hab auch keine Ahnung was ich hier sagen soll!!
Anyway, um, thank you for letting us follow along for the past, um, three and a half years, and even moreso personally for posting some wise words at the most coincidentally rightest times!! This was a great story!! I'm glad to have witnessed the Extended Cut of it!!

Estelle wrote:Even when it looks like there's no hope, I promise the one who said this is right: there are still happy answers left for your discovery. Hang in there.

Kamani Arbus wrote:I've only been spectating this story as it were, but I wanted to thank you for two excellent stories, and, should anyone else see this, to thank the thread for further making them something special.

I look forward to seeing how the end of this story plays out in these final chapters.

,. wrote:,.

ginkgo wrote:Nea's my favourite of the assistant librarians, despite her entire schtick being that she doesn't want to be noticed. Maybe it's because I relate to her staying off to the side as a lurker who, despite having a forum account for ages, choose not to participate in the threads—until now, that is. I wonder how many who gazed in the light are the same. Thanks again for crafting such a tale, Mr. TQ!

Roland Jones wrote:Despite having found this early on, I wasn't really sure what to say. I feel I should say SOMETHING before it's over, though, so here I am getting this under the wire. Nice work. This was a heck of a ride, and sticking with things for so long is quite an accomplishment. I've enjoyed following along this whole time.

Gray Lo-Fi wrote:It's funny, to have started this play, unable but wanting to draw fanart for it. Learn and practice over two years, end up drawing fanart for it, and that fanart ends up nudging the chapter title -- that creates this, this begets that. It truly was The Part Where He Killed You.

A wonder to have been here. I do believe I have found my book, in this place.

Zafaron Uriuc wrote:Thank you for sharing the light with us. There is someone who I wish could also share in the light but they no longer can. May their memories be as a book, to be reread and considered and placed upon a shelf. And so to I wish that those who see this message can do the same. May we remember the 10 steps of growth these games taught us and the lessons this particular version brought us all, so we can bring it to others as well.

Quackles wrote:TeeQueue-san can't communicate.

...Our memories make their light endless.

Okay I've finished my reread. I know a couple of people told me they were workin' on stuff so I'll wait another week, do one last fanart update, and then submit the thread to be archived.

I'm taking that week off. Vacation time, babyyyy~

Fanart post updated. Archive request sent.