Library of Korranberg

​Like the dragonmarked houses, the Library of Korranberg is almost an independent power in its own right. More information about the Library can be found on page 242. Located in Zilargo’s southeasternmost port city, the Library of Korranberg is the greatest repository of general knowledge in Khorvaire. In addition to serving as a resource for scholars and explorers, the library often funds expeditions to study ancient cultures or unexplored lands. The gnomes of Zilargo have an unparalleled thirst for knowledge; this inquisitive spirit gave birth to the Library of Korranberg. A loremaster of the powerful Korran family became obsessed with the theory that the deities of the Sovereign Host were in fact ascended dragons. This gnome, Dorius Alyre ir’Korran, swore that he would amass enough knowledge and information to surpass even the Sovereign Lord Aureon so that he could ascend and take the god’s place. The Korran family invested considerable wealth in Dorius’s obsession; even those who didn’t believe his theories of divinity were intrigued by the idea of a vast vault for knowledge. In time, Dorius died, but his library remained. As the centuries passed, it continued to grow and expand. With the rise of the kingdom of Galifar, gentry and aristocrats from across Khorvaire came to study at the colleges connected to it. Today, the Library of Korranberg plays a significant role in the economy of Khorvaire. It funds many expeditions to further the search for knowledge, and can be a valuable patron for adventurers. The citizens of Korranberg take great pride in their library. Citizens of the city may attend the colleges without charge, and every citizen must devote four years of service to the Library. This service is considered an act of patriotism and an educational experience. Many choose to extend this period of service, accepting posts as lecturers, researchers, administrators, and other important roles. Each of the library’s eight colleges seeks to advance a p articular field of study. Together, the colleges maintain the archives—vast vaults containing knowledge a cumulated over three millennia. The doyens of each college serve on a central council that manages the affairs of the library. This council is run by an appointed member of the Korran family, descended from the founders of the library. L ike all politic s in Zilargo, positions in the library involve intrigue, blackmail, and scheming. The current high councilor, Alina Alrene ir’Korran (LE female gnome, aristocrat 5/bard 2), is a cunning woman who has had to fight off many competitors within her own house to maintain her status and position. The library is based in Korranberg, but it keeps safe houses in the capital cities of every nation in Khorvaire. These offices provide shelter for library research teams. While the library does not focus on magic as much as the Twelve or the Arcane Congress, it has had centuries to fill its vaults. The restricted archives and secret vaults are heavily defended and shielded against scrying and other forms of spying. The library appears larger on the inside than from the outside—and from the outside, it looks massive. When a researcher reserves time at the library, a clerk provides a catalog stone—an orange-colored crystal keyed to the topic s the researcher wishes to study. A private study cell is provided, which initially looks like a small pool of light in a vast, open darkness located somewhere in the library’s extradimensional space. Within the pool of light, a desk, chair, work table, and narrow pedestal are placed for the researcher’s use, a long w ith quills, ink, parchment, and sealing wax. When the catalog stone is placed atop the pedestal, alcoves formed of shelves full of books and scrolls rush out of the darkness to create the walls of the study cell. When the researcher completes his work, removing the stone from the pedestal causes the shelves to fall away so that the researcher can exit the study cell.​