A Chronicle of Cy'Lathak, the Library of Eternity, and the God which inhabits it
It was like a shining bastion. The pure white walls reflected the sunlight, filling me with a sense of hope that I may just find an entrance. Before its hallowed walls I felt as though all my problems melted away as snow amidst a fire. But it was a false hope. I prepared myself for this day for years. Ever since I was told the tales.
Funny, I passed all these tests, only to fail at the last hurdle. A riddle I cannot answer. I wonder, what good is the pursuit of knowledge if it leads one to a most ignoble death?
- Excerpt from a Dawn Pilgrim's Journal
Funny, I passed all these tests, only to fail at the last hurdle. A riddle I cannot answer. I wonder, what good is the pursuit of knowledge if it leads one to a most ignoble death?
- Excerpt from a Dawn Pilgrim's Journal
At the furthest point, past a mountain of stone, and beyond a expanse of white, sitting upon the edge of understanding rests the enigmatic Library of Cy'Lathak. The residence of Iva'Krorh, God of Knowledge. Little is known about this gods realm by mortals, or even the rest of his brethren. He keeps it a closely guarded secret, loathe to let just anyone waltz in aside from a few the god has deemed worthy, or perhaps trustworthy. The only other god aside from himself known to have set foot in its halls, is Lady Dirka and Lord Gammaton.
Floating idly above the ground, making sure none may enter, the Library itself is as majestic as one would expect of a Divine Construct. Easily containing as many floors as it needs to store all of its books, its shape and internal structure is never constant, growing as does the knowledge contained within its walls. Outside, its walls are pure white, made of a gleaming shiny unknown material that seem to occasionally pulse and flow with intricate designs. The domed shaped roofs are always covered with ice and snow, clouds somehow seeming to cover their peaks.
So empty...hungry...cold...alone...who...are you...?
-???
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The interior of the Library is vast, expansive, and ever changing. It grows with knowledge generated and stored within its halls. This can be anything from history, medical knowledge, biographies - anything. Suffice to say it in time will become the place where all the knowledge in the world has been stored. The rooms are many, and the only ones open to visitors are those on the first floor. Access to higher levels requires Iva's direct supervision.
The first floor is where much mundane and indexes are stored so one can easily locate information elsewhere. Its often used as a guest quarters, where Iva potentially entertains guests. It has a number of rooms dedicated to various arts, such as music, sculpting, and arts. Iva often spends his free time here fashioning works of art for his own amusement. You'll not find much in the way of knowledge or information here, but its where you'll likely start. As time goes on, surely even it itself shall become a daunting task to find things in.
The second floor, is where history is currently recorded. Third floor is where much of the academic tomes are stored regarding physics and knowledge of how the physical world works. Fourth floor is knowledge of the magical, the special, where he records Dirkas' tricks. The top floor is a large, flat expanse where one can access the second and Third towers from and is where Iva wishes to make a garden. The second tower, at the opposite end of the field, is an observatory. What good does observing the skies in a starless realm do? Not even Iva could tell you, but it's there.
"Within Library, away from the prying eyes of its brothers and sisters, is where the wretchedness of a pure pursuit of knowledge is revealed. Things, live down there. Things that should not be. Things that will make a mortal man shudder, and mind weak.
I have seen it all, the depravity of the Illuminator, and I will never leave."
-Words of a Nameless experiment
I have seen it all, the depravity of the Illuminator, and I will never leave."
-Words of a Nameless experiment
The Third tower, is where Iva's experiments are conducted and is normally completely off limits. The only way to access it, is by Iva opening the path himself. This is where all of the obscene experiments are conducted in the pursuit of knowledge, and is the only tower that connects with the ground below, anchoring it into the earth. It does not go up, but rather it only goes down.
The first floor is where experiments into the physical world are conducted. Physics, sciences, testing to make sure gravity still works. The second is where mechanical knowledge is tested and put to extremes. Primitive, as it is, but will surely make such terrible things in the future. Third floor is where Iva carries out experiments on plants. Fourth, is animals.
And here is where public access is completely denied. No matter how hard a god tries, they will never be given permission.
From the Fifth floor down, obscene experiments involving abominations are all you will find for now.
"I had the blessing to be able to enter the Library, even just for a moment. Oh the grand wonder I felt, stepping in through that massive doors! I must thank my dead ancestor for leaving their journal. The books flew around, moving by themselves! Organizing and classifying themselves without need for a human hand!"
The Library is a large structure. And as such, it will need defenses, even if only some. The books stored within are semi-sentient. While not meant for fighting or defending normally - if an intruder approaches they will flee to the nearest safe room. Makes for organizing easily, since all are naturally inclined to find their proper place within the massive Library.
The only real defense the Library has of now, is its ability to completely alter and change its layout. At a moments notice, it can change walls, close off rooms entirely, hide them so people can't find them.
"For all its splendor...it was lonely. I can't help but to feel its intentional. Aside from the Illuminator, there is nothing else here. Just me and Lord Iva. Perhaps I shan't leave, and return to White Dawn. I can't seem to find the exit anymore..."
The only inhabitants of Cy'Lathak, are Lord Iva, and the subservient B'thkor who serve as Librarians and guards for the Library. The B'thkor are tireless, requiring no sleep or sustenance for long periods of time. One could count the test subjects, but really, they're just cattle to be herded and killed once their usefulness has run out.
TL;DR
Currently the Library has Three towers. The main, with Five floors, an Observatory, and the Experiment halls with many floors which stretch deep beneath Cy'Lathak's earth.
The books are semi-sentient, and sort themselves & guide those curious souls who find the library to what they want. If confronted with violence, all will flee.
The B'thkor are currently the only Librarians for now. They watch over the library, and devour any unannounced guest.
The Library can change its internal layout seemingly at Iva's will. Hiding rooms, altering the internal layouts, etc, making it a veritable maze for intruders who find their way here.
