Location The Archive

[Radiant]

The Archive Located in the second tier is the Archive. The Archive contains nearly all of the knowledge and written works obtained by the Knighthood in the years since its founding. Whereas the Windoak is the core and the heart of the Knights, the Archive is their center of knowledge. Containing a small array of subjects, mainly personal journals and city records, the Archive is nonetheless protected. Access to the Archive is only given to members of the Syliran Knights, with squires having limited access. The Archive doubles as a center of learning for the Knights and it is here that one can find some of the more scholarly members of the Order both doing individual research and teaching lessons to young Squires and Knights alike. To enter the Archives one must go through a relatively small antechamber. This antechamber is mostly spartan in its appearance with a desk nestled in one of the corners as its only noteworthy feature. Behind the desk sits an older man known as Otryn, one of the few Knights who had chosen the duty of becoming a Scribe. He is almost always joined by at least two Knights equipped in full armor. Otryn keeps the records of which Knights and Squires enter the Archive at any given time, recording their name, rank and the date upon which they entered. Once they've been recorded, members of the Order are free to proceed into the actual Archive. The main room is large, with tables spread in a neat and orderly fashion and shelves filled with the books and records that are deemed public knowledge. Just like the antechamber, the main room is sparsely decorated but well lit by specially made Magecrafted torches that give off light with no flame, designed to prevent the collection from catching fire. The intricate wooden work of the desks, tables, and shelves gave the main room an elegant image. On each side of the library, there are a number of doors which lead to the Seminar rooms, where lessons are held for Squires and Knights. On the far end of the main hall, lies a corridor that leads to where the non-general books are stored. A few doors line the well-lit corridor each containing shelving upon which the books and records are sorted. In each of these rooms, a Scribe is seated at a desk located beside the door. It is their duty to watch over and ensure that none of the material is damaged or stolen. All books must be signed out and logged with the scribe overlooking the room. Likewise, no book or scroll may be removed from the Archive without the Windoak's permission. Almost all of the books held in the Archive are one of a kind journals, notes, and first-hand accounts that are carefully preserved and copied into new volumes as the need arises. The Scribes will transcribe parts of currently held written into sheets of paper or small journals on request, with a turnaround time dependent on the amount of information. This is only available for items located in the Business and Statistic Archives, and the General Knowledge section. They will also assist those looking for specific subjects or authors. It is not uncommon for Knights to donate personal journals and records for the Archive, and in fact, these comprise the majority of the collection. NPCs   Ser Otryn Name: Otryn Marrkel Race: Human DoB: 62nd Winter 472 A.V PoB: Syliras Title: Knight (Head-Scribe) Skills: 60 Writing, 60 Copying, 52 Organization, 35 Cryptography, 30 Calligraphy, 30 Weapon: Shortsword, 40 Weapon: Small Shield, 30 Weapon: Shortbow, 30 Riding: Horse Gnosis: 1 Sylir, 1 Lykata Additional Info: Otryn does not emanate the traditional presence of a Knight, he seems far more suited to the life of the scholar which he currently pursues. His nose could almost always be found in a book when he was younger, often opting to spend his free time as a squire in the Archives rather than resting in his room or practicing his more Knightly skills. However, Otryn was not always the knowledgeable and scholarly man that he is today. In his youth, Otryn was the son of an Innkeeper and spent many of his days and nights around off-duty Knights. It was these men and women who influenced him to become a Knight. Otryn, like many young men, wished for glory and battle. On becoming a squire Otryn discovered that he was somewhat of a klutz. He struggled with swordsmanship and nearly every kind of martial training that they put him through, this did not discourage young Otryn and he kept training day and night to better himself. It is perhaps one of the reasons that the Knights did not expel him from their ranks. His Patron in an effort to help Otryn learn brought him to the Archives hoping that he could maybe learn from some of their written works, and Otryn took to it like a fish in the water. He began to absorb information and went through book after book and it was there he found his calling as a Scribe for the Order.   Sera Maetris Name: Maetris Frostfawn Race: Human, Vantha DoB: 35th Summer 494 A.V PoB: Avanthal Title: Knight (Scribe) Skills: 42 Writing, 30 Copying, 28 Organization, 26 Storytelling, 30 Weapon: Shortsword, 30 Weapon: Shield, 40 Weapon Longbow, 45 Riding: Horse Gnosis: 1 Sylir, 1 Ice Reaving Additional Info: One of the younger and more vibrant Scribe-Knights is Maetris. It was only recently that she passed her Knighting Quest and almost immediately after, she elected to join the ranks of the Scribes. While most of the Scribes are older Knights, men and women who have seen their fair share of battles that have chosen to help the Order with a pen rather than a sword, Maetris is young and full of enthusiasm fueled by an immense desire to learn. Maetris considers herself a field agent, she is often out in the streets and fields that surround Syliras gathering firsthand information and knowledge, only to return to the Archives as soon as she's finished to record the data. She is almost always found with a smile on her face and is considered quite a busybody. Most people cannot help but like her as her enthusiasm and happiness in what she does is genuine. On the other hand, once she has been started on a subject it is near impossible to get her to shut up, so many of the Knights tend to avoid her, especially while she is working.   Ser Balin Name: Balin Svenson Race: Human DoB: 12th Spring 450 A.V PoB: Syliras Title: Knight (Scribe) Skills: 81 Observation, 52 Teaching, 45 Copying, 43 Writing, 35 Weapon: Longsword, 32 Weapon: Shield, 42 Weapon: Spear, 45 Riding: Horse Gnosis: 1 Sylir Additional Info: Balin served most of his years in the Order as a Knight patrolling the city and Squiring a great many of the Knights that serve today. He was quite renowned in his younger days for his ability to churn out Knights of high quality. As he aged however Balin began to slower and duller where combat was concerned, realizing that he was getting old Balin decided he must find another way to provide for the Order. His answer was to become a Scribe and serve as a keeper of the Syliran Knights' knowledge. However, Balin was not a natural scholar and he had much trouble adjusting to the new duties and responsibilities he had been given. Eventually, he got used to the work that was now required of him but he always felt a little unfulfilled. It was only when a young Knight he had squired came to him for a lesson that he made a discovery. Balin loved to teach, and he was good at it too. He began holding regular lessons for both squires and Knights on a variety of subjects mostly related to combat, tactics, and strategy. In an effort to become a better teacher Balin can almost always be found in the Archives studying to add to his storehouse of knowledge. Archive Sections   General Knowledge One of the two sections located in the main room. All written works that are deemed public knowledge and widely available are stored here, free for both squires and knights to learn. Nearly books held within are journals and guides written by current and past knights, or otherwise donated by knowledgeable citizens. The most common information is related to the city itself and the areas around it, including the Mithryn Outpost, the Cobalt Mountains, and the Bronze Woods. The topics are varied even in the journals themselves, but a Scribe is able to point any interested Squires or Knights in the right direction. Common subjects include basic wilderness survival, birdwatching and wildlife documentation, landmarks, common magical creatures, and farmer's almanacs. Non-journals available: An Account of the Circumnavigation of Mizahar Just Stay Home Available to Squires and Knights.   Statistics Records All mundane records are kept in the Statistics Records. It is here that information such as population, birth records, and other such facts are stored. This section is rarely visited save by the Scribe-Knights, and even then they are merely adding to the existing records. While an unpopular section, there have been instances of Knights who were orphaned at a very young age discovering the names and identities of their birth parents, and the Scribes will occasionally answer petitions of non-Knights seeking to learn about their lineage. In this case, the non-Knights are still not allowed in the Archive, but pertinent information is transcribed and given to the petitioner. Accessible only by Knights and above.   Military Archives The Military Archives contain the registry of all present and past Knights, their current stationing, as well as all information pertaining to supply level and equipment for the Knights. It is here that any and all knowledge pertaining to the militaristic aspects of the Knighthood is stored. Notes on tactics and techniques considered specific to the Knighthood is also kept here. Accessible only by Knights and above.   Trade and Business Records All businesses within Syliras are owned by the Syliran Knights and as such, they demand regular reports on profits, inventory, and purchases made by each individual businesses. Ownership of business and property are also recorded within the books that line the shelves in this archive. Accessible only by Knights and above.   Restricted Archives The Restricted Archives houses some of the deepest and darkest secrets of the Order. Rumors say that it contains everything from the list of Order betrayers, ancient texts and works on dark gods such as Rhysol, to tomes filled with the knowledge of ancient magics lost to the people of Mizahar for centuries. Accessible only to the Lord Knight and the Grandmaster, and even then only with the blessing of the Windoak itself. Location credits to Altos Ironheart Coglias, updated & edited by Mayhem