The Legends of Theria

Rising from his chair, Khaliman took his cloak and left for the Library. It was once a marvelous Library. No other such Library in the entire world had the splendor of the Library of Knowledge. The Library was no ordinary library. For at one time it was alive; as much alive as anything else in the world, but inorganic. The ancients said that the very walls could move and interact with young minds. The books themselves fed the Library. The more knowledge that was learned and written, the greater and more powerful the Library became. It lay at the very center of the city, with the city built around the power of the Library. What is now the City of Kodeem lies to the north of the Library, on the very outskirts of the inner city. “It is all rubbish,” thought Khaliman, for surely he was too old now to believe in such tales. It is true however, and much to Khaliman’s knowledge, it was here that great men in the past came to study and advance the world. Now, however, the Library sat in ruins. It was mostly destroyed long ago in the war between the elements and man. It was destroyed because of mankind’s arrogance in believing that they could tame the entire world through the manipulation of the Library. The elemental race was sent by El, slaughtering the ancestors of the Ashen and Elvish peoples for their pride and arrogance. It was not a complete waste, however. There were still Keepers who watched over the rubble, guarding the remains, and always seeking to rebuild what was once lost. The Keepers were not to be tampered with. Many tried to enter into the Library, and it cost them their lives. For they fed on the flesh of men among other things, and one should tread carefully when entering even the outer courtyard -- for they were fearsome creatures who jealously stood guard over the remains of knowledge. Precious little remained of what was the most beautiful place in the entire world. Ivy has overgrown most of the outer walls to the Library, and the path to the heart of the courtyard was mostly unearthed, cracked or broken.

Even in its destroyed state, the Library was still a sight to behold. The walls of the Library rose higher than the walls that protected the entirety of the Shrine of Circles, which laid at the center of the Library, forming a fortress within a fortress. Outside of the Library, ancient dwellings could be seen of those who once traversed the Library. Massive sandstone bricks rose higher than the eye could see if one stood at the base of the wall. Approaching the main gate to the Library, Khaliman could see portions of the wall lying in rubble. Scorch marks from the siege could still be seen in the Library at places. With the main gate mostly blocked, it took considerable skill to climb over the rocks and squeeze inside. After exuding much effort, Khaliman finally reached the impressive redwood door to the exterior chamber. The wood, though ancient, would have looked as though it had been hewn yesterday, had it not been for the obvious damage to the door. It took quite a deal of pushing, but the door finally gave way. Khaliman found himself in a large corridor, with many columns. At one time, there were great debates and the trading of valuable goods. The ghosts of the ancient people could almost be seen exploring books, and trading wine, fine cloth, and gold, among many other things. Torches were lit, serving as a reminder that the Library, though in ruins, still retained some of its former magic. The green flames illuminated it well, so finding his way down the long corridor would not be a problem.

As he explored, he could not shake the feeling that eyes were watching his every move. As he approached the end of the corridor, there was another door -- even more impressive than the first -- closed tight. Tarnished silver bands held the door together, though many slats were missing and broken. Gems, too, dulled through the weathering years, decorated parts of the door. Slipping through a broken slat in the door, Khaliman arrived in the Chamber of Knowledge. At one time, it was beautiful. Gold could be seen lining the ceiling and railings. It was a massive circular chamber, with beautiful art that had been scorched. Dust and dirt were everywhere. The place was nonetheless as immaculate as it could be in this holy place of the Keepers.