The Great Library & Spritzlewerks College

History & Lore

The Great Library is responsible for copying and chronicling all non-law-related Gnomish literature. Though the external facade of the Great Library mirrors the Council Chambers, the inside is a maze. The stacks which utilize manual lifts created by Deep 6 Engineering allow Gnomes to reach the top level of the stacks which can go as high as 40 ft in the air.
While the Gnomish people are particularly fond of technical writing the most underrated section in the Great Library is inarguably the Gnomish poetry section. Authors such as Sintor Berrygrace and Roebuck Brassbell line the spines of the poetry section and add their unique perspectives from smaller hamlets and towns around Espen.

Smaller towns glow,

with a warmth of the taverns hearth.

Stones laid out with care.

Smaller towns move,

wheels of caravans turn on cobbled streets.

Elvish pineberry soon to be made mead.

Smaller towns breathe,

Inhaling the sea

Exhaling Mazzu's bounty; salt to preserve tomorrow.

Roebuck Brassbell

The library also houses a small college. Though it is one of the smaller colleges in Espen, it is known for its in depth dives into literary history and art history. Some of its more notable collections are the first editions of Brasbell's Villages series as well as the original installation known as the Atticus Project by Yeni Panawin. As one of the more notable art installations in Espen, the Atticus Project is a series of paintings that followed the life of Sari Atticus a gnomish priestess for 30 years. The series chronicles her exploits and missions in vivid detail.

Management

Kashim Vapur is currently the head librarian. A man who is both well studied and well-traveled, his time touring the colleges of Espen provided him with the experience and knowledge he needed to hold such a prominent position. Though he is well known for his knowledge base in most things conjuring, he is better known for his academic and professional rivalry with a human wizard of some reknown. The Kobold Dispatch did a 3 part series on what has come to be known as the Vapur/Karsk Cup a week long competition between Wizards and Sorcerers that is said to test not only intelligence but stamina and fortitude.

Though Vapur openly states he harbors no adverse feelings towards Karsk, privately the two still maintain communication and competition through monthly correspondence. -Kobold Dispatch

Courses Offered:

Certificate of Art History

• Gnomish Art 101 - Appreciation of the Miniscule
• Dwarvish Art 102- Appreciation of Stonework
• Elvish Art 201 - Appreciation of Nature
• Human Art 202 - Appreciation of Opulence
• Art Theory 301 -

Certificate of Old World Literature

• Old World Myths 101 - The Black Carriage
• Old World Legends 201 - The Book of the Living
• Celestial Studies 201 - The Eternal Cycle
• Old World Art 202 - Poetry of The Uplifted
• Relics 301 - Ruins of the Old World

Certificate of Poetry

• Limericks 101 - A True Test of Wit
• Sonnets 102 - Sonnet the Hedgehog, the Poetry of Pets
• Haikus 201 - In grand halls of words, Rhymes dance like melodies sung, Poetry's embrace.
• Iambic Pentameter 202 -  The Heartbeat of Verse
• Evocation 301 - Causing Feeling In Others That They Themselves Don't Understand

Certificate of Archivist Studies

• History 101 - Great Wars
• History 201 - Great People
• Cultural Science 201 - Bugbears Don't Socialize
• Political Science 202 - A Continuation of Politics By Other Means
• Archival 300 - Total Recall

Type

Library

Collections Available for Study:

• Amask - A collection by Valxim Imbeteck detailing the history of Orc warmasks.
• A Summer in Lavender - A series of poems written by Poji Brassmantle during his travels through Evergreen Deep
• The Shiny Bauble - A technical history of tools that shaped Gnomish Culture by Prina Pitchworth.
• Written in Stone - A collection detailing the construction of the crypt and the Redbell Treaty that brought an end to a regional conflict between Gnomes and Dwarves. (Author Unknown)
• The Properties of Metals and Their Purification - A technical work by Nifi Isgrer detailing her trials, experiments, and methods that led her to be the leading authority on smelting.
• How to Spot a Mimic! - An adventurer's tome filled with tips and tricks for avoiding danger by Gaji Quillbit.
• Great Hexpectations - A tome of poetry and insights into Hexes and their toll on the caster. Reader beware.