Penny hops off the desk to look over Roland's shoulder at the book the Dr. pushed aside. Her head comes up at the Dr's suggestion they all wait quietly in a little room for him to come back (nu-uh) and then watches Ormond as he asks what she wants to know but in a more polite way than she was planning to do.

Quote from Kweinir >>

Roland grabs the book Walton pushes away and opens it, flipping through the pages. "I want a treasure map.. please. I can sleep on the floor if you'd rather give me a treasure map. I can even give you an AUTOGRAPH FROM THUnder hippo.."  Roland catches himself mid-boast. 

 There are no pictures in this book! IT’S A DUMB BOOK.

Quote from Mingofaust >>

Penny hops off the desk to look over Roland's shoulder at the book the Dr. pushed aside. Her head comes up at the Dr's suggestion they all wait quietly in a little room for him to come back (nu-uh) and then watches Ormond as he asks what she wants to know but in a more polite way than she was planning to do.

 Flipping through the book, it seems to talk of myths, legends, possible stories that have never been confirmed. Not so much a map, but a collection of stories that may or may not hold water.

Quote from jr_el_leon >>

Ormond asks, "Dr. Walton what is your interest in the map Deshthi delivered? You also don't seemed overly concerned with the Militia - your museum has on display items that the powers that be would rather not have displayed. Do you have a relationship with the Militia and government?"

// Insight check 20 

 “Yes, actually. My late father was the head of the Militia’s research division. I never interacted much with them, but my father’s passion for knowledge was contagious. Out of respect to his legacy, the government has allowed me to maintain this haven of knowledge! I’m hoping that with this map, I can help the common people learn more of our history.” You can tell that Walton is being genuine.

"Well, the coppers had a special interest in this map on the way here. If we had not intervened, I'm not sure Deshi here would have been able to bring it to you." She draws a finger across her neck with a knowing look. "They may not be as friendly as you think they are, and your old man's protection, may he Rest In Peace, may not extend much further." She plucks the book from Roland's hands, and tucks it under her arm as she walks back across the office to the door. "We are going to need a way to the, uh, world below, sooner rather than later." She opens the door a crack to look out.

Perception: 23

Roland starts looking for books with pictures in them, stacking the books in a pile on his side after pulling them out of the shelf. "They say a picture says more than a thousand words, professor. So make sure to have plenty of paitings, drawings and picture in your books. If you look at the math you can fit a lot more into a book if each picture is worth a thousand words." He opens a book with particularly small writing and squints. "And the girl has a point, the militia are a boring flock of chickens with no sense of showmanship, adventure or a good time." If he can't find a book with pictures after about looking at 30 or so he'll stop. "So where were we on that autograph. What do you want me to sign?" 

Quote from Mingofaust >>

"Well, the coppers had a special interest in this map on the way here. If we had not intervened, I'm not sure Deshi here would have been able to bring it to you." She draws a finger across her neck with a knowing look. "They may not be as friendly as you think they are, and your old man's protection, may he Rest In Peace, may not extend much further." She plucks the book from Roland's hands, and tucks it under her arm as she walks back across the office to the door. "We are going to need a way to the, uh, world below, sooner rather than later." She opens the door a crack to look out.

Perception: 8

 “Now, please understand, I am aware that the Government has a ... distaste for the history of the old world. However, I am certain that such things are due to ignorance! They are trying to learn. This museum is small, but its a start. The world cannot move forward while we are unaware of our history.”

Quote from Kweinir >>

Roland starts looking for books with pictures in them, stacking the books in a pile on his side after pulling them out of the shelf. "They say a picture says more than a thousand words, professor. So make sure to have plenty of paitings, drawings and picture in your books. If you look at the math you can fit a lot more into a book if each picture is worth a thousand words." He opens a book with particularly small writing and squints. "And the girl has a point, the militia are a boring flock of chickens with no sense of showmanship, adventure or a good time." If he can't find a book with pictures after about looking at 30 or so he'll stop. "So where were we on that autograph. What do you want me to sign?" 

 You find a picture book! It is titled, “Vistas of the Bon-Borean,” and is a collection of landscape paintings showing snow-blanketed mountains, wide valleys, and vast tundra.

Walton sighs, “Yes, while harsh, I can at least see your point. That’s exactly what I’m trying to change, however!”

"Has the government... focused... it's research on any particular areas? How would those interests relate to the map that Deshthi delivered on to you?" Ormond asks. 

Penny closes the door, having seen nothing, and thumbs through her new book absently while listening to the Dr's answer to Ormond's question.

Quote from jr_el_leon >>

"Has the government... focused... it's research on any particular areas? How would those interests relate to the map that Deshthi delivered on to you?" Ormond asks. 

 Walton considers for a moment, but shakes his head, “Unfortunately, as I said, I’m not actually affiliated with them. I don’t know what they might be looking into. My father was instrumental in furthering locomotion research however! He helped to create the single car locomotive, which, despite the name, is not just an engine. Regardless, as for what they might want the map for? Well... I suppose a case could be made for wanting information on the fault lines. But I fully intend to make that public information, and so they’d learn so enough anyway.”

Quote from Mingofaust >>

Penny closes the door, having seen nothing, and thumbs through her new book absently while listening to the Dr's answer to Ormond's question.

 Correct, nothing stood out. The book is a neat read though, if a bit absurd. One of the legends talks about a monster that hides in the earth with the features of an octopus that consumes minds.

Penny doesn't sleep much, so she intends to keep the amusing book for something to do.

"I really think you should reconsider how dangerous it might be to put this map out there. There're a lot of people interested in it. Bad people. Us, for one, but worse people, too. Like the government. And then even worse people. Maybe if you put a lot of copies out there, do you have something to do that with? Like a room full of scribes?" She looks around like she's going to find a hundred monks dutifully copying books.

“That would be silly. We would just use the Printing Pigeon.”

Deshi peruses the shelves, overcome with joy at the wealth of knowledge in this room. They look for something of interest (investigation: 6) but likely fail to find anything of note.

You find one hard cover book, and upon opening it, are greeted by an incredibly life-like picture of a tortle’s face.

...

No, wait, this is a pocket mirror.

(haha)

Deshi, having had a very trying adventure thus far, takes a seat and simply listens.

“Right, the Printing Pigeon.” Penny looks around for Tippy Tap’s cousin. “We should be the first ones to get a copy made! And then you can explain the map to us... or, probably to Deshi. Like, how do we know when one of these faults will open up?”

Roland throws the book on the desk, disregarding everything else that might be on it. "If you want we can even bring you a souvenir from down-under. If it helps convince you to give us some map info. If not.. I'll keep all the pretty things that aren't gold." 

Deshi cocks their head at Roland's last statement.

Penny also looks quizzically at Roland.

Quote from Mingofaust >>

“Right, the Printing Pigeon.” Penny looks around for Tippy Tap’s cousin. “We should be the first ones to get a copy made! And then you can explain the map to us... or, probably to Deshi. Like, how do we know when one of these faults will open up?”

 Walton nods, “Yes, I dare say that you all deserve the first print as a thank you for delivering such an important document to me. As for the map itself, you’ll note that it includes rough estimates of when such faults will crack open. With it, we could prevent people from being injured by such things. However, the measurements are still quite hypothetical. Take, for instance, this one a few miles outside of town. We believe that’s where it should open. However, it could easily be a few miles farther still. The timeframes are even looser, as you can see, there’s about a week or so for the range.”

Quote from Kweinir >>

Roland throws the book on the desk, disregarding everything else that might be on it. "If you want we can even bring you a souvenir from down-under. If it helps convince you to give us some map info. If not.. I'll keep all the pretty things that aren't gold." 

 “A bit of an odd specification, but certainly. If you’d like to provide perhaps some relics or antiques, I would be more than appreciative!”