Druc: The Library that is Not

(Yet more fluff. I wrote this about 2 months ago.)

On the great library of Maljinn, much can be said. A unique form of knowledge storage, the "library" is also known as the "Druc" or "Hall". Built into the base slopes of Mt. Strohm itself, the Druc resembles a semicircular tunnel of sandstone with a sloped ceiling and walls such that there are no corners. Books and scrolls brought here for storage are not clumsily stacked upon one another in wooden shelves. Works of knowledge are formed into easily accessible runes inscribed into the sandstone of the Druc. A simple dweomer accesses a rune and either displays its contents as a major illusory copy of the book/scroll which may be examined in the central veiwing area of the Druc or allows the caster to query its contents for an answer or where such an answer may be found.

The main passage of the Druc is open to the air above and features 3 staircases leading down into the Central Way, of which the 2 secondary passages exit from. Three foot diameter holes in the ceiling illuminate the Central Way, as do braziers lit during night. The Sijani, white robed librarians, wander amongst the runes, selling Runetell dweomers to supplicants and each wearing a Ring of Flying to access the Runes above, yet the ring only functions in the Druc. The Central Way houses approximately 900,000 works. The library is open from sunrise to sunset, yet the Old Way is open only from noon to 3:00pm.

The Sijani number at less than 20, and are all humans of a non-descript persona and form. They are led by a Grand-Scribe, who is currently a female Mage of the Grey Powers named Sisrain Alquyn.

Older, and more restricted works of more power and influence are held behind a long, blank walled, guarded, limestone corridor accessible by a 9ft tall limestone archway in the far center outer area of the Central Way. Beyond the corridor awaits a grand spiral staircase down, which takes approximately 20 minutes to descend. The staircase ends in a pitch black storage area with a Golden archway on the far wall. Beyond the last arch awaits a great hall with walls ascending up into the darkness. The Runes on these walls are much larger than those in the Central Way, and the hall extends a full mile out from the arch. Each Rune covers the entirety of a 15ft width of each wall, and there numbers about 95 works of a powerful or dangerous nature here. All supplicants in the Old Way require an armed escort of 3 Blue Guards and 2 Sijani Scribes. Those who resist being escorted back are left behind, as the guards will only harm anyone in self-defense of themselves or the Sijani. The Old Way is locked magically and is only open-able from noon to 3:00pm. Due to the size of the spiral staircase, all supplicants, Scholars and Guards are to be ascending the staircase by 2:25pm. It is unknown why such strict rules surround the Old Way, yet those foolish enough to linger after the mark of tbe third hour are not heard or seen from again come tomorrows noon.

Of curious interest is what lies at the end of the mile long corridor of the Old Way. A great door, seemingly made of the dullest gold, lies shut against all. No sounds may be heard from what lies beyond it, and it is unadorned with any known magic or adornments or gems. Rumours say that the door was uncovered when the hall was being mined in old times. It is unknown if the door opens or is open-able. Rumours append the disappearance of all who stay longer than 3pm to the door letting loose some type of horror and then closing come next noon.

The atmosphere in the old way is slightly chilly and musty. The Sijani say the silence is what bothers them the most.