"It's symptomatic, just not conspicuous. And we're exhausting my knowledge of vampire theology."

"Huh. Well, anyway, the people who managed to win the War probably enforced their religion on everyone and that's how it became so widespread," he shrugs.

"Makes sense as far as that goes, I suppose."

"History's not very well-documented, like I said. Which is funny if you think of how much tech they had, but the fact that there is a whole Guild for Historians might explain it—they could just have some widespread conspiracy to keep ancient history books from leaking or something."

"Why would historians want to do that?"

"I don't think the widespread conspiracy is at all likely, it's just that the majority of pre-War records having mysteriously vanished or not been produced at all sounds... about as likely."

"Were people literate back then?"

"Not less than they are now, I'd expect, given how advanced their magitech was."

"Some cultures get pretty far without writing."

"I suppose it's possible. I mean they'd invented it, we do have some records, just not many."

Nod.

And he's done eating.

"Anyway, I'm gonna go figure this spell out and do some more research, tell you about it later—by the way did you see the crystal I left at your room?"

"Yeah?"

"Okay so I'll call you there once I have this figured out."

"I don't have my crystals with me all the time, if I don't answer wait an angle and try again."

"Alright."

And soon he's done eating, so he says goodbye to Kaylo and returns to the library.

The library is still there and still has books.

Good! How about books on witchcraft?

There are some! Nothing instructional though.

Hmm, what are they about if not instructions? Is there anything on the theory? Anyone have a clue where the magic feeding the potions comes from?

Some speculation, some history, some studies on potion effects. Nothing definite or even very solid on his question.

Shame. Does the librarian know where he might get witchcraft instruction, and how much it might cost? And for that matter do they know where he might announce he has unique otherworldly magical doodads to sell?

From a witch. A lot of the shops have apprentices, though probably mostly younger than him. They exchange labor for tutoring; money doesn't typically change hands. He could take out an ad in the paper.

Oooh okay good to know. How does he do the ad thing?

He sends a letter to the paper marked attn: advertisements.