Nestled within the serene yet concealed Tani Mountains, The Archives of Empyrean exists as a monument to knowledge and arcane history. Overlooking a tranquil crystal-clear lake surrounded by cherry blossom trees, this magnificent library is built into the side of a towering karst cliff-face, shielded from the outside world by an illusory veil that disguises it as an unremarkable mountainside. Within its resplendent halls lies a treasure trove of ancient wisdom, guarded and curated by the enigmatic Talons of the Timeless Tome.
Talons of The Timeless Tome
The Archives are overseen by the Talons of the Timeless Tome, a secretive sect of Unknown mages and scholars devoted to the relentless pursuit, preservation, and protection of knowledge. This sect, cloaked in mystery, reveres the Archives as a sacred sanctum, where the history of forgotten eons is stored and safeguarded. The Talons believe that knowledge is power, but also danger, and they employ their formidable arcane skills to shield the library from those who might misuse its secrets.
The Sutoka Akuma, large, flightless avian stalker demons that roam the valley, are tamed and bound to the order, serving as both protectors and watchful sentinels. These creatures, often mistaken for predators, are a testament to the Talons’ mastery of the arcane and their dominion over the valley’s mysteries.
Architecture and Design
The library itself is a masterpiece of celestial architecture. Its walls are crafted from white marble veined with gold, reflecting the grandeur and purpose of its creation. Towering marbled statues of the Mythar, angelic beings from the first age of creation, grace its halls. Chief among these statues is Emperor Ezekiel, the first and last emperor of the Mytharil Empire, who stood alongside the True Dragons during the dawn of existence. These statues serve as silent witnesses to the ages of knowledge recorded within the Archives, as well as reminders of the Owlin’s cursed origins at the hands of Valekith.
At the heart of the central chamber floats a grand arcane replica of the Continuum Crystal Cosmology, the framework of all existence. The shimmering, ethereal construct depicts the Prime Plane at its center, encircled by the elemental planes of Earth - Plane of Gaian, Water - Plane of Aquos, Fire/Sun - Plane of Ignis, Air - Plane of Zephyron, Life - Plane of Faewyld, and Death - Plane of Shadows. Beyond these planes lie the heavily fortified Vault of Helion (Heavens) and the Vault of Oblivion (Afterlife), holding knowledge too sacred and dangerous for all but the most trusted members of the Talons. Beneath the Prime Plane, hidden from all but the Prime Keeper, is the Vault of Khaos, said to contain forbidden truths about the unbridled chaos that predates creation itself.
Cosmological Organization
The library’s structure mirrors the Continuum Crystal Cosmology, with its sections dedicated to the planes of existence:
- Prime Plane Section: Located at the heart of the library, this section contains knowledge of the material world and the continuum crystal that binds all planes together.
- Elemental Planes Ring: The next layer of the library holds vast halls of records and relics detailing the elemental forces of Gaian, Aquos, Ignis, Zephyron, Fae, and Shadows.
- Outer Vaults: Beyond the elemental sections are the secretive Vault of Helion and the Vault of Oblivion, each guarded by intricate wards and traps that only the highest-ranking Talons can bypass.
- Hidden Vault: Beneath the Prime Plane section lies the Vault of Khaos, its location and contents known only to the Prime Keeper-Talon. Whispers speak of truths that could unravel the fabric of existence if exposed.
Protection and Secrecy
The Archives are shrouded in enchantments designed to keep them hidden from the unworthy. The illusory veil concealing the valley is layered with powerful wards, making the library all but impossible to find without the Talons’ guidance. Inside, animated constructs, magical wards, and the Sutoka Akuma ensure that only those with the Talons’ blessing can explore its halls safely.
The Talons of the Timeless Tome believe that knowledge can be as dangerous as it is enlightening. As such, they take extreme care in deciding who may access the Archives and to what extent. Only those deemed trustworthy, wise, and honorable are granted entry, and even fewer are entrusted with the deepest secrets of the Vaults.
Legacy of the Mytharilese Empire
The Owlin’s reverence for the Mythar is reflected in every corner of the Archives. Once angelic descendants of the Mytharilese Empire, the Owlin were cursed by Archmage Valekith, transforming them into mortal creatures bound by the limits of time. Their transformation has not diminished their devotion to preserving the history and glory of their ancestors, and the Archives of Empyrean stand as a testament to this eternal mission.
Through their secretive work, the Talons of the Timeless Tome ensure that the knowledge of ages—spanning the Continuum Crystal Cosmology—is not lost, but protected, preserved, and wielded only by those worthy of its immense power.