The Great Northern Library

History & Lore

The formation of the Great Northern Library can best be described as a coincidental confluence of weather, dwarven spirit, and desperation. Constructed in 492 UE, the library had just been completed when the largest blizzard ever seen, dubbed the Blizzard Majestic buried the town of Viggrom. At that time the library was simply a map repository for explorers charting the north. However, it was quickly turned into one of the few refuges for the citizens of Viggrom as its elevations in the mountains prevented it from being completely buried in the snowdrifts.
Inside, many believed the situation to be dire, as such, much of the time spent during the blizzard was cataloging the collective knowledge of anyone who was left. By the time the snow melted in the spring most of the residents in the library was malnourished and had developed a sensitivity to light, but in the resulting seclusion had compiled over 37 books on various subjects and topics.
Since then, the library has had two focuses, the science of weather, and the cataloging of knowledge from every discipline in Espen.

Management

Though technically the Great Library falls under the purview of the Apostle King, it is managed by the head magistrate Thekhom Leadcloak. A dwarven scribe who has written 6 tomes and edited 12 others considers himself one of the smartest men in Espen, and certainly the smartest man in the north. Claiming to have read every book inside the library, Thekhom has mastered the ability to recall nearly every fact he has ever read leading many scribes to make the journey to Viggrom to seek his knowledge. This is necessary due to the fact that he hasn't left the library grounds in over 120 years.

Courses Offered:

1. Dwarvenism:
   • Small but Mighty - Dwarven History 101
   • From Fire - Dwarven History 102
   • For Ignis: Power/Purity/Pride - Dwarven History 201
   • Chimei and the Firebrands - Dwarven History 202
   • A Dark Flame Burns - Dwarven History 301
2. Archivist Studies:
   • Book Binding
   • Scrolls and the Orcs Who Abuse Them
   • Check It Out - A Detailed Guide to Running a Library
   • Good Circulation - My Journey from Cleric to Librarian
3. Northern Artistry
   • Runescape: A Blast from the Past
   • My Rune 5 - The Music of the Old World
   • It's Rune-d
   • Name the Rune
   • Pottery
4. Novelization
   • Writing for the Masses
   • How the Kobolds Got Their Dispatch Back
   • Chapter 1: How to Get Started
   • Chapter 1,391,547: How to Stop
   • Well Versed: Intro to Poetry

Common Reading:

• Songbook of Healing - 80 GP
• Book Of A Life Story: 30 GP
• Book of Anatomy - 120 GP
• Book of Artisan Interpretation - 22 GP
• Book of Boomerang - 70 GP
• Book Of Xans - 17 GP
• Bookmark of Recollection - 5 GP

Uncommon Reading:

• Yuri's Book of Musical Genius - Not for Sale
• Black Book of Dreams - 10 GP
• Sketchbook Of The Unknown Artist - 100 GP
• Book of Insults - 40 GP

Rare Books:

• Dwarven Runes: 450 GP
• Book of Healing - 150 GP
• Book of Botany - 115 GP
• Book of Languages - 220 GP
• Book of Prayers - 370 GP

Restricted Access (scribes, sages, and archivists only):

• Book of Dark Magic - Not for Sale
• Arnim's Spellbook of Need: Not for Sale

Type

Library