Runic repository

Runic repositories are an arcane innovation that allows vast amounts of knowledge to be stored and categorized in an immaterial environment. Deposited knowledge is retrieved from a runic repository by magical means. Runic repositories also function as stores for magical energy and spells.
Contents

Properties

Runic repositories are constructed from materials that can hold and channel magical energy. Specific gemstones and crystals are most common choices. For example, a single large magical crystal is a simple but powerful housing for a runic repository. The material housing is inscribed with specific runes and magically enchanted with specific spells to create a runic repository, the main effect being that the object is able to store within it not only magic spells and their effects but also runes and their effects. These stored runes do not necessarily exist as physical symbols inside the housing of the repository -- although they might in some repositories -- but are still able to function as the laws of runemagic dictate.
The main properties of runic repositories are the following:
Magical Reserve. Runic repositories are able to store and hold magical energy. They can thus be used not only to store knowledge or channel runemagic but also to facilitate much more common magical effects. Runic repositories can house magical traps, function as arcane foci, or be a part of virtually any kind of magical mechanism a daring adventurer might come across in a dungeon.
Conduction. Runic repositories often have great amounts of runes inscribed on their surface and also stored within them in immaterial form. All these runes conduct magical energy and give the flow of magic a short burst of acceleration as well. This makes runic repositories very useful as convergence points, or nexuses, in networks of rune currents.
Spell Vault. Runic repositories can store spells akin to spell scrolls. With advanced spellcraft, spells can be stored with various meta-magic effects, potentially enabling them to be instantly cast from the repository without the need for spell components.
Knowledge Vault. The simplest runic repositories can hold knowledge in the form of writing. With further development by spellcraft a runic repository can be made to facilitate very complicated forms of knowledge: spoken messages, mental images, feelings, even memories.
Endless Potential. Because runic repositories function as an immaterial environment for spellcasting and the compounding of metamagic and runic effects in different combinations, there exists an endless amount of potential for what kind of magical architecture can be implemented within. Highly advanced runic repositories can contain immense amounts of spells and knowledge, even having entire pocket dimensions built inside of them to house additional repositories. Complicated metamagic effects can be timed to resolve spells by themselves, giving rise to independent tasks that a repository can perform without active manipulation by a spellcasters.

Practical application

The high elves of Ellondoth use runic repositories extensively, incorporating them into the vast network of rune currents that covers their entire nation. The contents of these repositories are accessible to any high elf, for the rune current network makes the transfer of magic lightning fast.

Benefits

The Ellondothans use their runic repositories to facilitate the functions of the Weave. Through the Weave -- which the high elves use with their runecharms -- all high elves can telepathically communicate with each other as well as have access to an endless catalog of stored spells. The runecharms allow any high elf to use these spells, which they often have to purchase with money first.

Access and availability
Runic repositories are used on Amanor only by the high elves of Ellondoth, who have so far managed to keep the secrets of runemagic from other civilizations.
Utility
Runic repositories store magical energy, spells and knowledge. Their functions can be made incredibly complex with spellcraft.
Manufacturing
Runic repositories are typically made from very large amounts of magical materials such as gemstones. Additionally, they must be inscribed with runes and deeply enchanted.
Complexity
The arcane workings of runic repositories are perhaps the highest degree of spellcraft that has ever been practiced by mortals or eternals alike. There is an endless amount of potential depth to what can be achieved with runic repositories by combining different spells with metamagic and runemagic.

Further reading

Future development

Runic repositories are constantly being developed by high elf arcanists.

Discovery

Rune currents were conceived by a group high elven mages investigating the potential applications of runemagic. The breakthrough discovery is attributed to the Oracle.