Aetherian Archives
Near the top of the main trunk, water has accumulated in a pool. In the summer, the water is warm and Aetherians often spend time swimming in the water. In the winter, this small, elevated pond freezes over, creating a surface upon which the Aetherians skate and partake in sports once commonly played year-round in the Frozen Vale. While the pond itself attracts many Aetherians, it is merely the entranceway to the Aetherian Archives. A large circular opening has been created in the trunk of the Grand Aetheria Tree, which leads to 6 stories that stretch all the way up to the Hall of Seasons.
Swing vines and stairs allow individuals to easily traverse the vast archives. Unlike traditional libraries – which feature knowledge retained in tablets, scrolls, or books – all the Aetherian’s knowledge is directly carved and woven into the Grand Aetheria tree itself. Lines upon lines of text documents the history of thousands of years of civilization… one that is rapidly approaching its end.
Saving their History. Having learned from the fall of The Frozen Vale and the more recent fall of Idyllis, the Aetherian people have begun the arduous (perhaps fruitless task) of transferring their living knowledge onto surfaces and objects more likely to survive consumption by the Mind Blight. Stone slabs have been hauled up from deconstructed buildings near the base of the tree. Day and night, countless Aetherians work to transfer the knowledge and, until there is hope of an alternative future, they have little time to offer any help in perusing their archives.
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