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Interiors and exteriors are both illuminated by magical lighting, and a variety of common maintenance tasks are performed using animated objects. | Interiors and exteriors are both illuminated by magical lighting, and a variety of common maintenance tasks are performed using animated objects. | ||
The Curator is highly protective of certain realms of information, and collected materials that address these topics are kept in highly restricted wings of the Library. These wings are themselves each a demiplane, with a variety of countermeasures applied to ensure they are kept inaccessible to the broader world. The full contents of the restricted wings have not been revealed to outsiders, but are known to contain information on the | The Curator is highly protective of certain realms of information, and collected materials that address these topics are kept in highly restricted wings of the Library. These wings are themselves each a demiplane, with a variety of countermeasures applied to ensure they are kept inaccessible to the broader world. The full contents of the restricted wings have not been revealed to outsiders, but are known to contain information on the [[Anchor Sites]] and other remnants of the distant past. | ||
Visitors to the Library are allowed, though they are closely watched and must declare exactly what knowledge they seek. Information that would require access to the restricted wings is categorically denied. | Visitors to the Library are allowed, though they are closely watched and must declare exactly what knowledge they seek. Information that would require access to the restricted wings is categorically denied. | ||
Revision as of 08:22, 7 January 2024
The Curator is an enigmatic individual, never appearing in public directly and instead directing the activities of her servants, referred to as Archivists. While her long-term motives are not understood, the Curator appears to be interested in accumulating knowledge about all manner of topics, which is then stored in her Library.
Location
All of the information the Curator collects is transcribed, recorded, or preserved in some other manner, then stored in the Library. Located in a remote and inhospitable part of the Sangora Desolation, the Library rises abruptly from the desert sands, a collection of tall, stepped buildings painted gold and blue. Canals and waterworks run between the buildings, fed by water pumped from deep underground. Trees and other plants grow both at the bases of the structures of the Library and on the multiple levels of the buildings themselves.
Inside, the buildings of the Library house countless books, scrolls, recorded materials, and other items intended to store information. Rows upon rows of shelves stretching up to the ceiling contain data on every known subject. A complex archiving system ensures all these works remain sorted and searchable.
Interiors and exteriors are both illuminated by magical lighting, and a variety of common maintenance tasks are performed using animated objects.
The Curator is highly protective of certain realms of information, and collected materials that address these topics are kept in highly restricted wings of the Library. These wings are themselves each a demiplane, with a variety of countermeasures applied to ensure they are kept inaccessible to the broader world. The full contents of the restricted wings have not been revealed to outsiders, but are known to contain information on the Anchor Sites and other remnants of the distant past.
Visitors to the Library are allowed, though they are closely watched and must declare exactly what knowledge they seek. Information that would require access to the restricted wings is categorically denied.
History
The ages of the Curator and the Library are unknown. References and depictions of both can be found in ancient Khapeshan relics dating back to the First Dynastic Period, but even during this time it seems like the Curator was well-established as a presence in the world.
Interests and activities
The Curator appears to be interested in collecting as much information as possible about the world, on all subjects as varied as history, biology, astronomy, magic, and metaphysics. This data is then organized, sorted, and securely stored in the Library.
The intended purpose of the Library has not been disclosed, either by the Curator or her Archivists (if they even know). Some conjecture the information is being assembled for some future goal, while others believe the Curator considers building the contents of the Library to be an end goal in itself. While foreigners unassociated with the Library are allowed to access certain parts of the collection, with permission, it appears that their presence in the facility is an afterthought, not the primary goal of the Curator.
The Curator is impassive about the broader world, never getting involved in the affairs of foreign states.
Notable individuals
Very little is known about the Curator herself. The accessible records of the Library indicate the Curator has never been replaced - it is unknown whether this means she is extremely long lived or if the information has simply been intentionally omitted from the collection. Some believe the Curator to be a rotating title held by the senior-most Archivist, but little concrete proof supports this theory. Other theories hold that the Curator is undead, or perhaps a construct - none can support these conjectures either. The Curator is never seen by any outside of a circle of trusted Archivists, and apparently restricts her movements to within the Library’s demiplanes.
The Archivists are the Curator’s trusted servants, scouring the world for information that she seeks. Archivists are individuals of all races, backgrounds, appearances, and personal histories - the Curator does not discriminate, as long as one is able to perform their tasks competently. Unlike the Curator, Archivists are not anonymous. The only way for one to become an Archivist is to be hand-picked by the Curator, an honor she occasionally bestows on adventurers who have served her well. Archivists not only seek out information but frequently are tasked with compiling it themselves, which often involves writing their own books and materials in order to have high quality materials for the Library.
There are seemingly too few Archivists to accomplish everything the Curator desires, as she regularly hires adventuring parties as well. These adventurers either receive their communication from the Curator by messenger, or otherwise through a designated Archivist.
Most if not all of the Archivists are trained not only in intellectual matters but also in various forms of combat, as they are called upon to defend the Library on the rare occasion in which it is attacked.
Relations
The Curator maintains no formal relations with any state or organization. While the Archivists and adventurers hired by the Curator may work with others at times, in particular the Order of the Ever-Wandering, any such events are matters of convenience only. The Curator has always kept a policy of strict neutrality in all matters. As a result, even the most restrictive and tyrannical rulers usually do not hinder those who can prove they are there on behalf of the Curator.