New Fantasy Setting Seeds.

[jason taylor]

In the Vatican secret library there is a book. It is written by many hands in strange tongues. It was saved from the Fall of Constantinople by a faithful valet.

Brother so-and-so is busy examining the book. All of the sudden in a side note, written in Latin is "Behold, evil comes on this date. Go to such and such a place at such and such a time and it may yet be fended off."

[SilvercatMoonpaw]

Originally Posted by jason taylor

In the Vatican secret library....

I feel like "Vatican secret" is a little played out. Are there any other really old libraries this could be in? Maybe even make the note from a culture that usually doesn't get this role, like Ethiopia.

[johndallman]

Originally Posted by SilvercatMoonpaw

I feel like "Vatican secret" is a little played out. Are there any other really old libraries this could be in?

The Vatican library is one of the oldest in existence. Wikipedia has a list of ancient institutions of higher learning.

[SilvercatMoonpaw]

Originally Posted by johndallman

The Vatican library is one of the oldest in existence.

Yes. But it's not the only place still existing you could find a very old book. I like variety.

Originally Posted by johndallman

Wikipedia has a list of ancient institutions of higher learning.

Thanks.

[RyanW]

Originally Posted by SilvercatMoonpaw

I feel like "Vatican secret" is a little played out. Are there any other really old libraries this could be in? Maybe even make the note from a culture that usually doesn't get this role, like Ethiopia.

It doesn't have to be a library. A scroll found in a cave (with a box of scraps?) would do the trick just as well. Especially if it also had on it some reference to the date it would be found.

[dcarson]

Originally Posted by RyanW

It doesn't have to be a library. A scroll found in a cave (with a box of scraps?) would do the trick just as well. Especially if it also had on it some reference to the date it would be found.

Banca Monte dei Paschi di Siena
The oldest bank still in existence is Banca Monte dei Paschi di Siena, headquartered in Siena, Italy, which has been operating continuously since 1472.

So what is tucked away in safe deposit boxes there. Are any of the original accounts still open.

[johndallman]

The oldest law firm in existence dates from 1570. Not terribly old, but they might have something interesting.

[LoneWolf23k]

Originally Posted by johndallman

The oldest law firm in existence dates from 1570. Not terribly old, but they might have something interesting.

Imagine how many time travellers might be using it for dead drops. So many letters marked "deliver to X address on July 11, 1997, at 3:05 pm" and the like.

[Prince Charon]

Originally Posted by LoneWolf23k

Imagine how many time travellers might be using it for dead drops. So many letters marked "deliver to X address on July 11, 1997, at 3:05 pm" and the like.

Imagine getting a letter like that, which was in storage since the late 16th century, when you didn't know that time travel existed.

[SilvercatMoonpaw]

Originally Posted by Prince Charon

Imagine getting a letter like that, which was in storage since the late 16th century, when you didn't know that time travel existed.

I'm sure at least one time travel story starts that way.