Thalem

The Silent City

Thalem is more library than city; it is inhabited almost exclusively by the librarians who tend to the collection, and consequently it lacks the typical liveliness one might expect from a similarly-sized city. It is the greatest repository of knowledge in all of Istoria and perhaps even all of Aeash - or so it is claimed by the Istorians. The city still holds to the old tradition, and visitors are expected to share their knowledge freely with the library in exchange for the information they desire.

Defences

While not possessing any natural defences other than its precarious clifftop location, Thalem is surrounded by a magical barrier mostly to keep the elements out. The spellwork is maintained by several librarians, and based on Leomund's Tiny Hut - the temperature within Thalem is therefore always constant and pleasant, no matter the season or weather. The barrier can be reinforced through magical means in order to defend Thalem from other threats as well.

Industry & Trade

Thalem deals in little but knowledge, but has a curious important: candle wax. Fire is outlawed in the city due to the amount of flammable material kept safe in the city. Candles are imported as food and payment for the local population of Lantern Dragonettes.

Assets

Thalem is home to many a Lantern Dragonette, the species attracted to the library city due to the large collection of knowledge and magic. The Lantern Dragonettes provide assistance to the librarians, and act as a living, breathing catalogue for the library, with many of them considering certain sections of the library their lairs, and willing to guide librarians and visitors through the mazes of shelves, or even transport books for them - for the low price of candle wax to feast on.

History

Several decades after the founding of Istoria and the reclamation of Estea, scholars set out from the city to travel along the coast in search of history that may have been lost during the war. Across the eastern bay they sheltered in ruins atop the steep cliffs, accidentally leaving some of their notes behind after their departure.
An elderly couple who frequently took walks to the ruins later discovered these notes. As worshippers of Ioun, they believed knowledge was to be openly shared - but what if they took the notes, and the scholars returned to find nothing? So they took the notes and left a book of their own, instead.
What began as a well-meaning gesture of good faith became a local tradition; anybody could come to the Ruins of Knowledge and take information, but they had to leave some of their own behind in trade. The ruins became popular with pilgrims of Ioun, who eventually realised the ruins offered little protection against the elements. They chose to stay in the ruins longer and longer, building on them in places and using magic to protect the ever-growing collection of books and scrolls. These pilgrims became known as the librarians, and so the 'city' of Thalem was born.

Architecture

Most of the city remains nothing but a ruin filled with shelves of books. To enter the city, one must climb a long staircase that winds around the rising overhang into the city proper. The initial streets offer a few places to stay - inns, cafe's, as well as a few stores. Beyond that, the city is a maze of library sections built into and around the original ruins.

Geography

Thalem sits on an overhanging cliff above the open sea, about half a day's travel south of Stonesage.

Alternative Name(s)

The Silent City
Ruins of Knowledge

Population

Librarians, few civilians

Inhabitant Demonym

Librarians

Location under

Crystal Coast

Owner/Ruler

Leesya Surana

Owning Organization

Last Defenders of the Realm