The Archive

The Archive is the largest store of knowledge in the known world. Far more than a library, or indeed an archive, it is a full-fledged city. Built during the height of the Aionian Empire, the archive originally specialized in highly advanced and contained magic, such as the spells utilized in the creation of the Seven Great Creations of A'laur. The archive itself contains one of the seven, the Arcanaeum, at its core. Since its inception, it has expanded its collection to include information on almost any subject, and any information not present is likely unavailable in the safe regions of this world.

The city in which the Archive resides is constructed of white stone common in the region of A'laur in which it resides. Built on the shores of Lake Annecy, the city is linked to the rivers and trade networks of the lake, providing it with ample exterior connections. Operating as a semi-autonomous city within the nation of A'laur, the city is ruled by a joint council of representatives from the Archive and from the A'laurian government. Three U-shaped walls run from lakeside to lakeside and surround the central citadel, which houses stores of the Archive itself. The citadel towers over the rest of the city, itself dominated by a central white tower. Operating as a semi-autonomous city within the nation of A'laur, the city is ruled by a joint council of representatives from the Archive and from the A'laurian government.

Access to the Archive is quite restricted. Those who are employed there as full-fledged professors may bring a restricted number of visitors, and apprentices are of course allowed free access. Anyone else who wishes to enter must provide the Archive with something of value, either unique and useful writings or a substantial donation towards the operation of the Archive. Many rarer collections are restricted further still.