Between the Lines

Wednesdays 8PM - 10PM Central Time USAMateus - Shirogane - Ward 9 - Plot 46Teleport Anchors Available By Request

About

Sokhor, as most know him, serves as Qaelemont's Majordomo, managing the Elezen's estates and affairs with a quiet, authoritative presence whenever Qaelemont is otherwise occupied. This tall, enigmatic Xaela is the senior-most member of Qaelemont's staff, with all others deferring to his judgment in the absence of their master. His age is indeterminate, though he appears to be in his thirties, yet there is something unsettling about him—particularly his eerie, thousand-malm gaze that seems to pierce through the veil of the mortal realm and into something far beyond. His presence is most often felt during the night, when he oversees the household in the hours of darkness.

Naohiro

The second in command among Qaelemont's staff is Naohiro, a Raen whose near-silent efficiency rivals that of Sokhor. Though he occasionally engages in conversation, it is always with measured brevity, revealing only what is essential to address a question or convey important information. While Naohiro may not exude the same unsettling aura as Sokhor, there is an unmistakable peculiarity about him that can be disconcerting. His watch is typically during the daylight hours, ensuring the smooth operation of the household under the sun's gaze.

Deryk

A familiar face in the library, Deryk greets everyone with a warm smile and a cheerful wave. The ginger-haired Hyurzen, rarely seen far from Qaelemont's side, can occasionally be found tending to various parts of the estate when his master is away. In his early twenties, Deryk’s emerald eyes sparkle with youthful energy, and his smile could melt even the coldest heart. Always eager to assist, he takes pride in helping others find the perfect tome, though one should be careful what they wish for—Deryk is more than willing to escort anyone to Qaelemont for such requests.

Devin

Devin, a loyal servant and companion, is frequently seen bustling about the grounds, always eager to lend a hand. With a bright smile and an upbeat demeanor, he takes joy in assisting everyone, especially Qaelemont and Deryk. But don’t be deceived by his innocent appearance—Devin is well-versed in the arcane arts, and while he may blush easily, he’s a formidable protector of those he holds dear. A lover of romance novels, Devin enjoys spending time in the library, though his passion for helping often sees him taking on nearly every chore in the house.

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Tea and Tentacles

Welcome to our book club—yes, it’s that kind of book club.Between the Lines presents a one-of-a-kind experience: Tea and Tentacles, hosted by Scarlett Clover. Time to be announced!We showcase writers from all corners of Eorzea and beyond. Sip on Scarlett’s handpicked teas while enjoying an evening of poetry, short stories, skits, and more on our open stage. After the performances, there will be a brief Q&A session, followed by an informal "signing" of their works. (Tipping is encouraged but not required.)We can't wait to see you there!

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Floor Plan

Between the Lines utilizes the Sharlayan Decimal System for the organization of its collection. The Reference Page mammet is always glad to assist patrons in finding the perfect book if they're unable to navigate the card catalogue at the center of the library by themselves.

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Gallery

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Application

Interested in joining the Between the Lines team? We invite you to join our Discord server, where you can get to know our community, explore the atmosphere, and discover the various roleplay opportunities available. Within the server, you'll find a staff application link, and note that an in-character interview is required for all potential employees.Please be aware that Void Hunter-type characters are generally not considered for employment. Lawfully aligned characters may be accepted on a case-by-case basis. Between the Lines is managed by a villainous character and staffed by the same. It is an occult/dark/horror-themed RP community that maintains a facade of civility and normalcy. We expect all staff members to be at least 18 years old (preferably 21+) and to conduct themselves in a mature, respectful, and adult manner.

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Rules

1. You must be 18 years of age or older to participate in this venue. While business hours are Safe For Work, there may be Mature IC themes (occult, horror, etc.) discussed during library hours pertinent to in game subjects.2. Be polite and respectful. No attacking allowed. If you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all. Disagreements are allowed, but keep them civil or take them to private channels (party, tells, etc.). While intellectual debate is allowed and encouraged, hostilities are not permitted on the premisis.3. No politics, no religion, and no conspiracy theories about real life subjects. Want to theorycraft and discuss in game politics, religion and conspiracies? Have at it. But leave real life issues at the door.4. No hate speech. This is a sex, kink, and equality positive space. Between the Lines is not an ERP venue, but we acknowledge that people are allowed, within reason, to be free to express themselves. Please no nudity or any sexual behavior which might offend non-consenting parties.5. No trolls allowed.6. Nothing underaged allowed in an NSFW form. This is to include loli and shota images/writings. Anything under 18 years old is considered underaged. The caveats to this rule are historical and factual artistic and literary references to such art and literature may be discussed (but NOT in detail) and that ageplay can be discussed as long as it is abundantly clear that the participants are consenting adults. Characters which appear to be minors are also not allowed. Lalafells are welcome to participate in the venue, but may not interact in an NSFW manner.7. No harassment will be tolerated. Treat the staff and fellow patrons with respect.8. Do NOT request money, subscription time, in game gil, items, etc. from other people here. We are all adults and should be financially responsible for ourselves in and out of game. All transactions are strictly IC RP only. Nobody will ever ask you for money or items, either in game or real life. If this occurs, please report it to a member of the staff.9. Consent is still vital, even in role play. While noncon RP scenes may take place, please be certain OOC that such a scene is welcome among all participants. Understand that no means no and if someone does not want to participate in a role play with you, respect their no and move along.10. Please treat everyone with kindness and respect. This is a safe place for roleplay and for people to have fun. IC sassiness and villainy are fine, but expect IC consequences for your character's IC actions. "It's just RP" is not an excuse to trample on people's consent, and if it is brought up in OOC that it isn't really welcome, we ask you to please respect that. This venue is a place for FUN RP. If you wish to engage in conflict RP here, you MUST seek OOC consent of the staff and all participants before doing so and, again, expect IC reactions to disruptive behavior.For any questions or concerns, please reach out to any staff member.

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Kugane Night Market

03 Apr 2025 - 7:00pm CDT - Coeurl - Kugane, Rakuza District

Rumors have reached you... it's a rare opportunity. Beyond the watchful eyes of the law, a renowned dealer of rare books and antiquities is preparing to offer an exclusive selection of items for discerning collectors...

Books

If you're looking for the more mundane literature to be found at Between the Lines, you might be sadly disappointed. Only select esoteric volumes have been brought for sale for this night. One might find what they seek, be it fame, fortune, power, or glory, but there is always a price to pay...

1. SOLD - The Lament of Mhach - SOLDAppearance: A thick tome bound in black leather, its surface ridged like stretched and dried flesh. Arcane symbols, seemingly burned into the cover, pulse faintly in low light, shifting when viewed from the corner of one’s eye. The spine is reinforced with strips of bone—whose, none can say. The pages are the color of dried blood, giving off the faint scent of iron and salt.Description: A collection of funeral dirges supposedly sung by the doomed Mhachi in their final hours, this tome contains invocations to commune with spirits lost to the Void. Scholars claim that the verses, if sung correctly, allow one to hear the voices of the ancient dead. However, some who attempt the rites vanish without a trace, as though plucked from existence by unseen hands.2. The Azure Rite of Feo UlAppearance: A fragile book bound in bark so thin it is nearly translucent, shimmering with an iridescent sheen under moonlight. The pages are pressed from silvered leaves that refuse to decay, their veins pulsing faintly as though alive. The ink is everchanging, shifting from deep violet to a butterflywing blue depending on the reader’s emotions.Description: This text, stolen from a secret glade of Il Mheg, is said to contain the rites by which mortals might entreat the fey for eternal youth. Yet the cost of the ritual is written in verses that reveal themselves only under moonlight—and those who have read them never speak of what they saw. Some claim the book itself is a trick, that those who read too deeply become part of the bargain.3. SOLD - Star-Eater’s Testament - SOLDAppearance: A heavy codex wrapped in tattered, barnacleencrusted cloth that always smells of sea brine, no matter how far from the ocean it is taken. The book’s cover is made of smooth, greyblue leather, eerily similar to the hide of an ancient sea beast. The pages are strangely damp to the touch, their ink fading and reappearing like ripples across still water.Description: A record of whispers transcribed by a mad astrologian who sought communion with a lost voidtainted star, this tome details forbidden constellations—maps of the heavens that lead not to knowledge, but to things best left unseen. Those who read too far find themselves dreaming of creatures with too many eyes, staring from between the stars, waiting for a name to be spoken aloud.4. The Twelve Who Were NotAppearance: A modest, vellumbound tome that, at first glance, appears utterly unremarkable. Yet, the title on the cover shifts unpredictably, sometimes bearing names in unknown scripts, other times appearing completely blank. The pages are brittle, yet warm to the touch, as though recently held.Description: This book dares to claim that Eorzea’s Twelve were once more—that their lost kin were erased from history. Each chapter reveals the name and aspect of one such forgotten deity, but the ink bleeds across the parchment as soon as it is read, rendering it illegible soon after. Scholars who attempt to transcribe its contents find their ink runs dry, their memories fogged, and their dreams haunted by unseen watchers.5. A Tally of the DeepsAppearance: A set of ancient driftwood tablets, their surfaces worn smooth by centuries beneath the waves. The words are carved in a spiraling script that resists translation, some of the glyphs etched so deeply they seem to sink into the wood itself. The bindings are strands of seaweed, still damp to the touch. The entire collection reeks of salt and decay.Description: A transcript of the confessions of a sahagin priest who claimed to have spoken with the Tidefather before being executed by their own kin. The text describes a realm beneath the sea where drowned things whisper the fate of the Echotouched. No sahagin will touch this book, and those who linger too long on its words claim to hear the tide roaring in their ears, even miles from shore. Some wake with seawater in their lungs.6. SOLD - The Warden’s Grimoire - SOLDAppearance: A heavy, ironclad tome with a reinforced spine, its covers covered in deep gouges, as though something once struggled to escape from within. A rusted lock seals it shut, but under moonlight, the mechanism shifts, unlocking of its own accord. The pages are thick and parchmentlike, bearing the scent of old incense and dried blood.Description: A relic of the lost Bozjan magi, penned by a sorcerer who sought to imprison entities from beyond the veil within ink and paper. Each incantation within, if spoken aloud, summons shadows that do not move with the caster. Some pages are missing—perhaps torn away by something that was released. The final chapter is written in a language no one living can read.7. SOLD - The Broken Oath - SOLDAppearance: A book bound in deep crimson velvet, its gold-threaded title worn away by time. When touched, the fabric pulses faintly, as though something within still beats. The spine is reinforced with tarnished silver, and a heavy clasp binds it shut—though the lock crumbles to dust when an oathbreaker lays hands upon it. The pages within are brittle, yet exude a warmth akin to fresh parchment.Description: A record of the lost Blood Pacts of Mhach, this tome details the ancient contracts between mortal mages and their voidsent masters—agreements so binding that even death could not break them. Each page is an unfinished contract, its final words missing. Those who attempt to decipher them hear whispers promising power in return for one final signature. No known buyer has dared complete the text.8. SOLD - The Silent Canticle - SOLDAppearance: A slim, unadorned book wrapped in funereal cloth. When touched, the fabric shudders faintly, as though something beneath it still breathes. The pages are blank, save for an ink blot on the first leaf that slowly spreads when no one is watching.Description: A fragment of lost Amaurotine history, this tome contains a hymn said to be the final song sung before the Final Days. Those who learn its melody hear it echoed in empty chambers, whispered in a language they do not know. It is said that if sung in full, something longforgotten will answer.9. SOLD - The Weaver’s Tears - SOLDAppearance: A thin book wrapped in layers of pale silk, the strands shifting as though moved by an unseen breeze. The cover is carved from polished teak, its title inked in shimmering violet script that seems to breathe. The pages, woven from fine spidersilk, catch the light in mesmerizing patterns, depicting constellations unknown to modern star-charts.Description: This tome is said to be the last work of a Sharlayan scholar who studied the very threads of fate itself, seeking to unravel the cosmic pattern of life and death. The pages contain diagrams of intertwining fates, revealing the hidden connections between those who should never have met. Readers have claimed to find their own destinies marked within, and those who attempt to alter what is written soon vanish from history entirely.10. The Smiling God’s GospelAppearance: A seemingly mundane leather-bound journal, its pages dog-eared and covered in frantic, uneven handwriting. The ink is a deep rust-red, and some pages appear smudged with sweat. The edges are worn as though frequently handled, yet no owner has ever been known to keep it for long. The title is burned into the cover, though its lettering seems to shift between different tongues each time it is read.Description: A disturbing collection of sermons and prophecies attributed to an unknown figure called The Smiling God, a being never recognized by any official religious sect. The text speaks of joy beyond reason, ecstasy beyond flesh, and the day when all will see the grin upon the world. Some say that reading the book too closely changes the reader, that smiles linger too long upon their faces, and that laughter follows them where there should be none. The last page is blank—waiting for a final verse to be written.

Items

1. The Silver ThreadAppearance: A spool of impossibly thin silver wire, its gleam shifting like moonlight on water. When unwound, the thread resists being cut, bending around blades and edges like a living thing. The spool itself is carved from white jade, its surface etched with tiny, intricate runes that pulse when touched. A faint scent of ozone and moonlight lingers around it, and those who hold it too long find their fingers tingling, as if brushing against something unseen.Description: Said to be harvested from the Weave of Aether itself, this thread can stitch together the fabric of spells, mending broken enchantments and reforging wards long shattered. The Sharlayans once sought its source, but those who followed the trail vanished, leaving only their journals—filled with notes written in a language they had never known before.2. SOLD - The Dreamkeeper’s Lantern - SOLDAppearance: A small, hexagonal lantern of blackened brass, its frame delicate yet unnaturally sturdy. The polished crystal panels shimmer with an inner glow even when unlit, reflecting faint images of distant, half-forgotten dreams. A fine chain, cold as winter steel, loops through the top, allowing it to be carried or hung. The base is carved with symbols of unknown origin, their meaning lost to time. When the lantern is shaken, distant echoes of laughter—or sobs—can sometimes be heard.Description: This lantern was once carried by an Othardian mystic who claimed it could trap wandering dreams. When held near a sleeping person, it draws their nightmares into its glass, where they flicker and twist like living phantoms. Some have used it to steal the dreams of others; others have used it to set trapped nightmares free.3. The Orphan’s EchoAppearance: A small silver locket, plain and unmarked, its surface worn smooth by time and countless hands. There is no hinge or clasp, no seam to suggest it can be opened. When held to the ear, faint whispers rise from within, like a child’s voice calling from far away. The locket grows heavier when near ruins, battlefields, or places steeped in sorrow. In dim light, fleeting reflections of a child’s face can sometimes be seen in its surface—though none can describe the features clearly.Description: This artifact is said to house the echoes of a soul that never had a name, forever seeking someone who will claim it. The voice inside knows things it should not—secrets lost to time, forgotten memories, and the final words of those who died alone. If worn too long, the bearer sometimes speaks in a voice that is not their own.4. The Widow’s EngineAppearance: A small, palm-sized clockwork device resembling an ornate pocket watch, its casing etched with intricate, swirling patterns of vines and flowers. The gears within are spun from black adamantite, and despite its clockwork nature, its ticking is eerily silent. The glass face has no numbers—only a single golden hand that moves in erratic, unpredictable patterns. When wound, the hand flickers between past, present, and moments yet to come, though it never lingers long enough to be understood.Description: A relic of a Garlean machinist who sought to wind back time itself, this device does not tell time—it steals it. When turned, the bearer will find themselves skipping heartbeats, blinking away lost moments, and watching wounds vanish as though they never were. But for every moment regained, another must be taken—from somewhere, or someone, unseen.5. The Ashen CoinAppearance: A tarnished gil coin, warped and blackened as though it had been plucked from a dying fire. One side bears the crest of an empire that never existed, its design unfamiliar yet eerily familiar. The other side is blank, smooth as glass, and unnervingly cold. Despite its small size, it is impossibly heavy, as though burdened by something unseen. When dropped, it does not land—it hovers for a fraction of a second before hitting the ground.Description: A gambler’s last bet, a merchant’s final trade—this coin has passed through hands that should never have touched it. To spend it is to alter fate itself, tipping the balance of luck toward the bearer in a single moment of desperate need. But once used, its cost is collected in ways one cannot predict.6. The Wailing StringAppearance: A single, taut strand of gut-string, stretched between two silver pins shaped like open-mouthed masks. The string vibrates faintly, as though eternally plucked by unseen fingers. The pins are cold, their expressions twisted in eternal grief. When touched, the string emits no sound, yet the air around it ripples as if carrying echoes of a distant lament.Description: This is the last string of a legendary bard’s harp, severed when they played a song so sorrowful that even the gods wept. The sound it produces carries the weight of unspoken grief, forcing those who hear it to relive their worst regrets. Some musicians claim they can master its song. None have played it twice.7. SOLD - The Iron-Hearted Flower - SOLDAppearance: A metallic bloom resembling a lotus, its petals forged from gleaming metal of an unknown nature. When held, the petals shift ever so slightly, as if caught in an unseen breeze. It is strangely warm to the touch, pulsing faintly, almost like a heartbeat. The stem is slender and sharp, its thorns etched with ancient script. The flower never wilts, never tarnishes—but true flowers placed near it wither and die within hours.Description: Said to be the final creation of a Hingan artificer who wished to craft life itself, this magick flower is indestructible. It does not wither, burn, or rust. But those who possess it find that true flowers around them die faster, as if their beauty is being stolen away... and their own life no longer withers and fades...8. SOLD - The Candle of Unmaking - SOLDAppearance: A jet black candle with a wick of pale silver. The wax does not melt, nor does the flame flicker in the wind. The wax drips upward, defying gravity, vanishing into the air as though consumed by the void itself. The candle’s base is etched with the sigil of an unknown deity—one whose name was long forgotten, and whose worshippers no longer exist.Description: This candle was once used in forbidden Ishgardian rites to erase sins too great to be confessed. When lit, it unravels reality around it, erasing mistakes, regrets, even memories. But one must be careful—for once the candle has devoured something, not even the gods will remember it was ever there.9. The Whispering GauntletAppearance: A single, rusted gauntlet of Allagan make, its surface inlaid with faded circuitry that flares to life when worn. The fingertips are sharp, clawlike, and pulse faintly with residual energy. The inside is lined with soft black leather, though it is forever stained dark. Inscribed along the knuckles are glyphs that seem to shift when viewed directly. When worn, the gauntlet tightens, as if unwilling to let go.Description: Once worn by an Allagan enforcer, this gauntlet was designed to extract information through means most unpleasant. When placed upon the hand, it tightens, binding itself to the flesh. Its wearer hears the voices of those it once interrogated—muttering, sobbing, screaming. It is said that, in times of silence, it whispers the secrets it was never allowed to tell.10. SOLD - The Star-Touched Compass - SOLDAppearance: A brass compass, polished yet well worn, its glass face reflecting not the sky above, but an endless sea of stars. The needle does not point north, but instead toward something unseen—always shifting, always moving. When opened, a faint hum vibrates through the air, as if aligning itself to unseen forces.Description: A relic of a forgotten navigator who sought a land that does not exist, this compass leads its bearer not where they wish to go, but where they need to be. Some have followed it to their greatest triumphs. Others have followed it into oblivion. None who have ignored its guidance have lived to regret it.

Antiquities

These are the most extraordinary items offered at tonight's Night Market. Rare and powerful, they cannot be obtained easily. Mastering them will demand strength, determination, and dedication. Suggested quests for role-play flavor are included.

The Tear of the Hollow Moon

Description:A luminescent teardrop-shaped gem, cool to the touch and shimmering with the soft silver glow of moonlight. When held, its depths reveal fleeting images of lovers separated by fate—ghostly figures reaching for one another, their hands never quite meeting. The Tear pulses gently when it senses yearning, as though resonating with the unspoken emotions of its bearer.Features & Powers:- Echoes of the Heart: The Tear allows its bearer to hear the whispers of a lost love—words left unsaid, promises unfulfilled, or regrets buried in time.- Guiding Light: If carried with true intent, the Tear glows brighter in the presence of one's fated love, leading them together across time, distance, or even lifetimes.- The Last Embrace: In the hands of the brokenhearted, the Tear grants a fleeting vision of their beloved, offering a final moment to say what was never said, before fading into silver mist.- Bound by Love: If exchanged between lovers on Valentione’s Day, the Tear splits into two, each half glowing softly when the other is near—an eternal reminder that their souls are linked.Origin & History:The Tear is said to have formed from the sorrow of Menphina, the Lover, when she wept for two mortals whose love was torn asunder by war. Moved by their devotion, she captured a single tear in her hands and cast it into the heavens, where it fell to Eorzea as a crystal imbued with love’s undying promise. Those who find it are often souls searching for reunion, redemption, or the courage to love again.Limitations & Dangers:- Cannot Rewrite Fate: The Tear only reveals love’s path—it cannot force two hearts together if they are truly meant to part.- A Lover’s Lament: If used selfishly, the Tear darkens and cracks, burdened by the weight of falsehoods or manipulations.- The Hollow Curse: Those who hoard the Tear, refusing to let love go or move forward, may find their own heart growing cold and hollow, unable to love again.Suggested Quest: "The Moon’s Lament"To obtain the Tear of the Hollow Moon, one must complete the Trial of the Moonlit Promise at the lost shrine of Elpis Noctis. The seeker must navigate a mist-laden labyrinth of illusions, face memories of love lost or unspoken, and confess a truth of the heart before the Tear. Finally, they must offer a cherished token of love—something willingly sacrificed—to prove their understanding of love’s joy and sorrow. If their heart is true, the Tear will glow in acceptance. If they waver or deceive, the artifact remains dormant, and they must leave, burdened with the weight of their unspoken truths.

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Featured Collection

To Be Announced

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