Great Library of Greyhawk: Difference between revisions
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{{Building | {{Building | ||
| image = [[File:Great Library of | | image = [[File:Great Library of Greyhawk01.jpg|250px]] | ||
| caption = Adventurers seeking knowledge at the Great Library, as depicted in ''[[Living Greyhawk Journal]]'' #4 (2001). Art by Matthew Mitchell. | | caption = Adventurers seeking knowledge at the Great Library, as depicted in ''[[Living Greyhawk Journal]]'' #4 (2001). Art by Matthew Mitchell. | ||
| name = | | name = | ||
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| items = [[Greyhawk literature]] | | items = [[Greyhawk literature]] | ||
}} | }} | ||
The '''Great Library of Greyhawk''', located in [[Clerkburg|the Halls]] in the [[Free City of Greyhawk]], is one of the largest and most-celebrated libraries in the [[Flanaess]]. | |||
On maps with a key or legend, the Great Library is designated "C2".{{csb|TAB|95}}{{csb|CoG|68|Gem of the Flanaess}}{{csb|CoG||Poster map}}{{cite lgj|2|4|City of Greyhak Map Key}} | |||
== Description == | |||
{{quoted text|Sitting on the edge of the city, just inside the wall, is an old building with the aspect of an ancient fortress. Large stone columns support a heavy stone lintel over an entry flanked by weathered stone statues of scholars holding open books before them in praise. A grand stone staircase rises up from the street to the level of the statues.|{{cite dungeon|114|33|Mad God's Key}} }} | |||
The | {{quoted text|The granite façade of the Great Library, with its columns, stairs, and statues, is far grander than the rest of the building, which is not ornate. |{{csb|TAB|93}} }} The Great Library's collection is one of the finest and most complete in the Flanaess, rivaled only by two others: [[Celene (realm)|Celene]]'s [[Nethalion Archive]] in [[Enstad]], and [[Nyrond]]'s [[Royal Annals]] of [[Rel Mord]].{{cite lgj|4|7}} | ||
The Great Library | The Great Library of Greyhawk's façade is an impressive granite structure, featuring statuary and tall columns. Its massive double doors are reached via three wide stairs facing the [[Processional]]. | ||
=== Atmosphere === | |||
"Magical lights are hung throughout the building, remaining lit at all hours. Silence is expected of all users, and armor and weapons are strictly banned. No use of fire is permitted, and the building has no hearing system."{{csb|TAB|93}} | |||
== | === Interior === | ||
[[File:Johanna01.jpg|thumb|250px|[[Johanna]] of [[Almor]] doing research at the [[Great Library]],''[[Vecna Lives!]]'' (1990). by Ken Frank.]] | |||
However, this grandiose exterior "masks [...] a drafty, dusty, crumbling mess thanks to the inattention of several previous curators."{{cite lgj|4|7|}} | |||
The desk of the head librarian sits on a raised platform inside the entrance, where Iquander can usually be found during business hours. | |||
Flanking the entry hall, three on a side, stand the six wings of the Great Library, each entered through an open arch. The library's innumerable books, papers, and scrolls cover countless subjects, and are loosely organized in accordance with the building's six wings: '''Artistic Studies''', '''Geography''', '''History''', '''Poetry and Literature''', '''Science and Engineering''', and '''General''' (a catch-all for everything not covered by the other five categories). | Flanking the entry hall, three on a side, stand the six wings of the Great Library, each entered through an open arch. The library's innumerable books, papers, and scrolls cover countless subjects, and are loosely organized in accordance with the building's six wings: '''Artistic Studies''', '''Geography''', '''History''', '''Poetry and Literature''', '''Science and Engineering''', and '''General''' (a catch-all for everything not covered by the other five categories). | ||
| Line 41: | Line 44: | ||
A secret staircase behind the head librarian's desk leads to the library's vaults, containing items believed to be too dangerous for the wings. Protected by bound outsiders and a host of magical locks, access is only granted to library archivists, certain Contributing Members, and a handful of dignitaries from the [[Greyhawk Guild of Wizardry]] and sundry local universities. There are three vaults, each featuring iron doors and stone walls. | A secret staircase behind the head librarian's desk leads to the library's vaults, containing items believed to be too dangerous for the wings. Protected by bound outsiders and a host of magical locks, access is only granted to library archivists, certain Contributing Members, and a handful of dignitaries from the [[Greyhawk Guild of Wizardry]] and sundry local universities. There are three vaults, each featuring iron doors and stone walls. | ||
The first vault contains magical scrolls, manuals, tomes, and librams, with a special section set aside for the works of Zagig Yragerne. The second vault contains works of priceless art, and the third official city records, including admission rosters from the city gates. | The first vault contains magical scrolls, manuals, tomes, and librams, with a special section set aside for the works of [[Zagig Yragerne]]. The second vault contains works of priceless art, and the third official city records, including admission rosters from the city gates. | ||
==History== | |||
During his tenure as Lord Mayor, [[Zagig Yragerne]] "encouraged many local nobles to combine their private libraries and scroll collections into a single concentration of knowledge that would one day become the Great Library of Greyhawk."{{cite lgj|4|4}} An old [[Oeridian]] fort in the city was chosen to house the collection, where it is still housed to this day, though it has since been expanded and improved.{{cite lgj|4|7|}} | |||
==Facilities and holdings== | |||
==Services and policies== | ==Services and policies== | ||
[[File:Great Library of Greyhawk02.jpg|thumb|300px|"Parties of dventurers often frequent Greyhawk's Great Library." Illustration by Matthew Mitchell, ''[[Living Greyhawk Journal|LGJ]]'' #4 (2000).]] | |||
The Great Library of Greyhawk is open daily, from dawn to dusk. Admission is free, but only "Contributing Members" (those who donate at least 100 gp yearly) may borrow items, and then no more than three at a time for no longer than one week. Other patrons must perform their research on-site. | The Great Library of Greyhawk is open daily, from dawn to dusk. Admission is free, but only "Contributing Members" (those who donate at least 100 gp yearly) may borrow items, and then no more than three at a time for no longer than one week. Other patrons must perform their research on-site. | ||
The librarians enforce a strict code of silence, and weapons and armor are strictly forbidden. Those defacing library property are subject to a mandatory length of service in one of Greyhawk's more toilsome workgangs. | |||
== Geography == | |||
== People == | |||
=== Notable individuals === | |||
The dean of the library is [[Tomarkis Anchervar]]. | |||
The former head librarian, [[Gratius Saghast]], named Iquander as his successor before his death. | |||
The Great Library is managed in [[591 CY]] and later by a highly respected sage, [[Iquander]] (LN male human Wiz11), who is also the library's chief researcher. A former resident of [[Nellix]] in the [[Duchy of Urnst]], Iquander came to Greyhawk to do research in the years following the [[Greyhawk Wars]]. | |||
=== Others === | |||
* Geraal Wistroan (male human Exp5)—a "young scholar" (in [[594 CY]]) | |||
== Resources == | |||
== Defenses == | |||
== | == Rumors & Legends== | ||
==References== | ==References== | ||
| Line 62: | Line 84: | ||
*[[Moore, Roger E]]. ''[[The Adventure Begins]]''. Renton, WA: Wizards of the Coast, 1998. | *[[Moore, Roger E]]. ''[[The Adventure Begins]]''. Renton, WA: Wizards of the Coast, 1998. | ||
*[[Niles, Douglas]], and [[Carl Sargent]]. ''[[The City of Greyhawk]]''. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1989. | *[[Niles, Douglas]], and [[Carl Sargent]]. ''[[The City of Greyhawk]]''. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1989. | ||
*[[Tetreault, Denis]], and [[Erik Mona]]. "Gem of the Flanaess: City of | *[[Tetreault, Denis]], and [[Erik Mona]]. "Gem of the Flanaess: City of Greyhawk—Clerkburg." ''[[Living Greyhawk Journal]]'' #4. Renton, WA: Wizards of the Coast, 2001. | ||
{{index}} | {{index}} | ||
[[Category:Locations in the City of Greyhawk]] | [[Category:Locations in the City of Greyhawk]] | ||
Revision as of 10:16, 21 October 2024
| Great Library of Greyhawk | |
|---|---|
 Adventurers seeking knowledge at the Great Library, as depicted in Living Greyhawk Journal #4 (2001). Art by Matthew Mitchell. | |
| General information | |
| Alt. names: | The Great Library |
| Type: | Library |
| Location: | Free City of Greyhawk |
| Architecture: | Granite columns, stairs, and statues; interior not ornate |
| Demographics | |
| Staff: | Librarians, Porters |
| Organizations: | Union of Sages and Academics, |
| Miscellaneous | |
| Price: | 100gp membership |
| Items: | Greyhawk literature |
The Great Library of Greyhawk, located in the Halls in the Free City of Greyhawk, is one of the largest and most-celebrated libraries in the Flanaess. On maps with a key or legend, the Great Library is designated "C2".[1][2][3][4]
Description
"Sitting on the edge of the city, just inside the wall, is an old building with the aspect of an ancient fortress. Large stone columns support a heavy stone lintel over an entry flanked by weathered stone statues of scholars holding open books before them in praise. A grand stone staircase rises up from the street to the level of the statues."[5]
"The granite façade of the Great Library, with its columns, stairs, and statues, is far grander than the rest of the building, which is not ornate. "[6]
The Great Library's collection is one of the finest and most complete in the Flanaess, rivaled only by two others: Celene's Nethalion Archive in Enstad, and Nyrond's Royal Annals of Rel Mord.[7]
The Great Library of Greyhawk's façade is an impressive granite structure, featuring statuary and tall columns. Its massive double doors are reached via three wide stairs facing the Processional.
Atmosphere
"Magical lights are hung throughout the building, remaining lit at all hours. Silence is expected of all users, and armor and weapons are strictly banned. No use of fire is permitted, and the building has no hearing system."[6]
Interior
However, this grandiose exterior "masks [...] a drafty, dusty, crumbling mess thanks to the inattention of several previous curators."[7]
The desk of the head librarian sits on a raised platform inside the entrance, where Iquander can usually be found during business hours.
Flanking the entry hall, three on a side, stand the six wings of the Great Library, each entered through an open arch. The library's innumerable books, papers, and scrolls cover countless subjects, and are loosely organized in accordance with the building's six wings: Artistic Studies, Geography, History, Poetry and Literature, Science and Engineering, and General (a catch-all for everything not covered by the other five categories).
Each wing of the Great Library consists of little more than one massive room containing thousands of monographs arranged on shelves stretching from floor to ceiling. The higher shelves are reached via rickety ladders. Tables and chairs are located at each wing's center, with one or more assistant librarians nearby to aid in deciphering the library's notoriously puzzling catalogue system. When not helping (or shushing) patrons, the librarians research and produce works of their own, copies of which enter the library's collection on completion.
A secret staircase behind the head librarian's desk leads to the library's vaults, containing items believed to be too dangerous for the wings. Protected by bound outsiders and a host of magical locks, access is only granted to library archivists, certain Contributing Members, and a handful of dignitaries from the Greyhawk Guild of Wizardry and sundry local universities. There are three vaults, each featuring iron doors and stone walls.
The first vault contains magical scrolls, manuals, tomes, and librams, with a special section set aside for the works of Zagig Yragerne. The second vault contains works of priceless art, and the third official city records, including admission rosters from the city gates.
History
During his tenure as Lord Mayor, Zagig Yragerne "encouraged many local nobles to combine their private libraries and scroll collections into a single concentration of knowledge that would one day become the Great Library of Greyhawk."[8] An old Oeridian fort in the city was chosen to house the collection, where it is still housed to this day, though it has since been expanded and improved.[7]
Facilities and holdings
Services and policies
The Great Library of Greyhawk is open daily, from dawn to dusk. Admission is free, but only "Contributing Members" (those who donate at least 100 gp yearly) may borrow items, and then no more than three at a time for no longer than one week. Other patrons must perform their research on-site.
The librarians enforce a strict code of silence, and weapons and armor are strictly forbidden. Those defacing library property are subject to a mandatory length of service in one of Greyhawk's more toilsome workgangs.
Geography
People
Notable individuals
The dean of the library is Tomarkis Anchervar.
The former head librarian, Gratius Saghast, named Iquander as his successor before his death.
The Great Library is managed in 591 CY and later by a highly respected sage, Iquander (LN male human Wiz11), who is also the library's chief researcher. A former resident of Nellix in the Duchy of Urnst, Iquander came to Greyhawk to do research in the years following the Greyhawk Wars.
Others
- Geraal Wistroan (male human Exp5)—a "young scholar" (in 594 CY)
Resources
Defenses
Rumors & Legends
References
Citations
- ↑ The Adventure Begins (1998), p.95.
- ↑ The City of Greyhawk (1989), p.68, Gem of the Flanaess.
- ↑ The City of Greyhawk (1989), Poster map.
- ↑ "City of Greyhak Map Key". Living Greyhawk Journal #2 (Nov 2000), p.4.
- ↑ "Mad God's Key". Dungeon #114 (Sep 2004), p.33
- ↑ a b The Adventure Begins (1998), p.93.
- ↑ a b c Living Greyhawk Journal #4 (May 2001), p.7.
- ↑ Living Greyhawk Journal #4 (May 2001), p.4.
Bibliography
- Brown, Richard W. and Anne Brown. Falconmaster. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1990.
- Cook, David. Vecna Lives!. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1990.
- Moore, Roger E. The Adventure Begins. Renton, WA: Wizards of the Coast, 1998.
- Niles, Douglas, and Carl Sargent. The City of Greyhawk. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1989.
- Tetreault, Denis, and Erik Mona. "Gem of the Flanaess: City of Greyhawk—Clerkburg." Living Greyhawk Journal #4. Renton, WA: Wizards of the Coast, 2001.
Encyclopedia Greyhawkania Index
The Encyclopedia Greyhawkania Index (EGI) is based on previous work of Jason Zavoda through '08, continued by numerous other fans. The EGI article has a list of sources, product names, abbreviations, and a link to the full, downloadable index.
| Topic | Type | Description | Product | Page/Card/Image
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Great Library of Greyhawk (City of Greyhawk) | Building | Library, | The City of Greyhawk: Gem of the Flanaess | 44, 67, 70, 94 |
| Great Library of Greyhawk (City of Greyhawk) | Building | Library, | Dungeon magazine #114 | 20, 24, 33, 38 |
| Great Library of Greyhawk (City of Greyhawk) | Building | Library, | Living Greyhawk Gazetteer | 64 |
| Great Library of Greyhawk (City of Greyhawk) | Building | Library, | Living Greyhawk Journal #2 | 4 |
| Great Library of Greyhawk (City of Greyhawk) | Building | Library, | Living Greyhawk Journal #4 | 4, 6, 7, 8, 9 |
| Great Library of Greyhawk (City of Greyhawk) | Building | Library, | Living Greyhawk Journal #5 | 7, IBC |
| Great Library of Greyhawk (City of Greyhawk) | Building | Library, | Player's Guide to Greyhawk | 32 |
| Great Library of Greyhawk (City of Greyhawk) | Building | Library, | The Adventure Begins | 78, 93, 94 |
| Great Library of Greyhawk (City of Greyhawk) | Building | Library, | The Adventure Begins: Adventure Maps | 5 |
| Great Library of Greyhawk (City of Greyhawk) | Building | Library, | WGA4 Vecna Lives! | 20, 21 |
| Great Library of Greyhawk (City of Greyhawk) | Building | Library, | WGR2 Treasures of Greyhawk | 18 |
| Great Library of Greyhawk, Contributing Member (City of Greyhawk) | People Group | Position, | The Adventure Begins | 94 |
| Great Library of Greyhawk, Vault (City of Greyhawk) | Building | Library, | The Adventure Begins | 94 |