Hall of Records
  1. Locations

Hall of Records

Upper District in Seregon

Front Desk Clerk: Rosina Berkenbosch

The Seregon Hall of Records, known simply as "Tamoa," is a vast, labyrinthine archive housed within and beneath a massive megalithic head carved by the ancient Olmoy civilization. This colossal stone head, named after an Olmoy king, is one of Seregon's most iconic landmarks. Surrounding it are four ziggurats and remnants of Olmoy architecture, which once formed the heart of the Olmoy's religious and cultural activities.

Beneath the Hall of Records is Kaanul’s Snare, an even deeper collection of non-Euclidian passageways, designed to contain the influence of the corrupting knowledge held within and prevent it from being seen or influenced by The Great Old Ones themselves. The Snare is well below the canals and sewers. There is a warded portal to access it through myconid colony, which essentially means it can be accessed through the sewers.

History and Origins

Before Seregon was established, the Olmoy civilization thrived in the area, constructing megalithic structures and worshiping the Great Old Ones. The Olmoy's influence is still evident in the city's oldest structures, such as the The Stone Court, ziggurats, and, of course, the Tamoa head. Alongside these remnants, a colony of myconids lived harmoniously among the ancient Olmoy sites. When Seregon began to grow, it did so around these ancient structures, incorporating them into the fabric of the city.

Records and Archives

For the first 335 years of Seregon's history, records were poorly kept, consisting of fragmented documents, church records, and scattered diaries of sages. These early records are challenging to interpret, often written in obscure languages, with outdated abbreviations, and in handwriting styles that differ significantly from modern practices. After the death of Good King Offerman 250 years ago, record-keeping became more organized and systematic. Since then, important documents such as oath rolls, manorial records, tax records, autopsies, and immigration records have been meticulously archived.

These records are stored across numerous subterranean floors beneath Tamoa, in caves that predate even the myconid colonies. As neighboring countries have fallen or faced crises, Seregon has become a refuge for their records, with kings, wizards, and scribes entrusting their most valuable documents to the Hall of Records.

The Ancient Archives

Among the most astonishing records are those from the ancient Olmoy civilization, discovered intact when the first colonists arrived in Seregon. These documents, written in Old Moogan and inscribed on copper scrolls, contain knowledge of the Great Old Ones, rituals, rites, and protective measures against dark forces. These records are highly restricted, with only the High Priests of the Nine Gods permitted to consult them—and only when gathered together. This ritualistic consultation has happened only a few times throughout history, usually in response to dire prophecies found within Tamoa.

Current Role

The Hall of Records serves as the central repository for Seregon's vast history and the knowledge of its ancient predecessors. Scholars, historians, and officials frequently visit Tamoa to study the city's past, although access to the more ancient and arcane documents is strictly controlled. The Hall of Records is not just a place of knowledge but also a silent guardian of Seregon's most potent and dangerous secrets, holding within its depths the keys to understanding and perhaps averting ancient prophecies that could threaten the city.

Tamoa Speaks

Hall of Records

Tamoa Speaks

Tamoa, the ancient megalithic head that houses the Seregon Hall of Records, speaks only under extremely rare and specific conditions. This event is considered one of the most extraordinary occurrences in the city, steeped in mystery and reverence. Here's a detailed explanation of when and how Tamoa speaks:

Atmospheric Conditions

Tamoa’s voice is triggered by highly unusual and extreme atmospheric conditions, typically involving catastrophic events that deeply impact the natural or magical world. These conditions might include:

  1. Volcanic Eruptions: When a nearby volcano erupts with immense force, spewing ash, lava, and smoke into the atmosphere, it can create the right conditions for Tamoa to speak. The air thickens with volcanic ash, blotting out the sun and casting a gloom over the land.

  2. Widespread Fires: In the dense jungle surrounding Seregon, fires are nearly unheard of due to the humidity and thick vegetation. However, in the rare event of a massive, uncontrollable blaze—perhaps fueled by magic or other unnatural means—the smoke and heat can contribute to the atmospheric conditions needed for Tamoa to awaken.

  3. Catastrophic Magical Events: The disruption of the magical fabric of the world, such as the sudden collapse of a powerful spell or the release of ancient, forbidden magic, can cause ripples that reach Tamoa. These events are rare but can have far-reaching effects, potentially leading to Tamoa’s utterance.

The Process of Speaking

  • Signs and Omens: Priests dedicated to watching Tamoa, known as the Guardians of the Voice, are constantly on the lookout for signs that the conditions are aligning. They study weather patterns, seismic activity, and magical disturbances, interpreting omens and ancient texts that might hint at an impending event.

  • The Silence Before the Voice: When the conditions are right, there is a deep, almost palpable silence that falls over the area surrounding Tamoa. The air becomes thick, and the very ground seems to hum with anticipation. Those nearby may feel a sense of foreboding or awe as if the world is holding its breath.

  • The Moment of Utterance: Tamoa’s voice is described as deep, resonant, and ancient, as if the earth itself is speaking. The words are clear, but their meaning is often cryptic or metaphorical, requiring interpretation by the High Priests. The voice echoes through the Hall of Records, reverberating through the stone and deep into the caverns below.

  • The Content of the Speech: Tamoa typically answers a single question or provides a prophecy, often related to the catastrophic event that triggered the speech. The answer can range from direct and actionable to cryptic and open to interpretation. It is said that Tamoa's words can foretell the future, reveal hidden truths, or provide guidance in times of great need.

Historical Occurrences

The last time Tamoa spoke was 70 years ago during the fall of the Holy State of Tarab. This event caused widespread chaos and darkness, and Tamoa’s words were seen as both a warning and a prophecy. The exact details of what Tamoa said are kept secret, known only to the High Priests of the Nine Gods, who consult these words in their sacred councils.

The Aftermath

  • Record Keeping: Each time Tamoa speaks, the event is meticulously recorded by scribes. The words are transcribed, and the circumstances surrounding the utterance are documented in great detail. These records are considered sacred and are stored in the deepest, most secure chambers of the Hall of Records.

  • Consultation and Interpretation: The High Priests of the Nine Gods gather to interpret Tamoa’s words, often spending days or even weeks in deliberation. Their interpretation can influence major political and religious decisions, and the prophecy is sometimes kept secret to prevent panic or misuse of the knowledge.

  • Public Reaction: When word spreads that Tamoa has spoken, the people of Seregon react with a mix of fear, reverence, and curiosity. The event is seen as a divine moment, and the city often enters a period of reflection or heightened religious activity. Some may pilgrimage to the Hall of Records, hoping to catch a glimpse of the ancient megalith or to be present for the next utterance.

Tamoa’s rare speeches are a cornerstone of Seregon’s mystique, binding the city’s past, present, and future in a web of prophecy and divine mystery.

August 28th, 2024 August 28th, 2024

Tamoa Speaks of the Ritual of the Thousand Eyes

Tower of the Oracle

Tamoa Speaks of the Ritual of the Thousand Eyes

As the Crimson Moon rises, its blood-red glow stretching long shadows over the land, the air thickens with the weight of an ancient dread. Tamoa speaks.

The sound is neither voice nor word, but something deeper—the weight of history pressing through stone, the memory of a thousand forgotten tongues whispering in unison. It is neither prophecy nor warning, but both. It is choice.

In Old Moogan (Inspired by Classical Maya & Nahuatl):

"We’el k’i’ik’el k’i’ik’, paktzil k’i’ik’el u yok’ol ka’an! Uk’ulil waaj ichil ya’ab, jaaj uts’ul! T’aanil ok’ot ma’ tun k’a’aj. Ya’ab, ya’ab mehen ich! Yo’olal ti’ t’u’un ts’a’ak… xaak, ch’a’no’ob, jats’..."

"Chan ajaw ts’o’okol. Ka’anil k’i’ik’el tu kinil, jun túunil jach’ ichil ja’ab! K’uchul ka’anul, k’uchul lo’ob, k’uchul u ba’akil waaj! U yook’ot Krang, ka’anil ma’ k’a’aj!"

"Ba’ax ka tu k’uchul? Ba’ax ka tu ts’ook? Jach’ a tz’akb’il tumen k’ulaj! Ma’ tun wotoch, ma’ tun paktzil! Ka’anil t’aanil lo’ob u k’uchul, ka’anil t’aanil k’uchul ma’ kin! Ch’ux tun k’i’ik’el a k’uh, k’uchul ok’om."

March 19th, 2025

Reasons to Visit

Character Backgrounds Likely to Have a Contact in the Hall of Records

  1. Sage:

    • A character with the Sage background might know Rosina Berkenbosch, the diligent and often-overwhelmed front desk clerk, or a scholar who works deep within the archives. Their studies or work in ancient texts, genealogies, or arcane histories could have naturally drawn them to this labyrinthine repository of knowledge.

  2. Acolyte:

    • With the Hall’s deep connections to the High Priests of the Nine Gods, an Acolyte might have a contact among the clerics who oversee the restricted Olmoy records. Their religious devotion could have brought them into cooperation with the guardians of these dangerous secrets, fostering relationships rooted in mutual purpose.

Reasons Characters May Visit the Hall of Records

  1. Researching Ancient Prophecies or Secrets:

    • Adventurers might seek the Hall’s restricted archives to uncover details about a prophecy, ritual, or forgotten lore tied to the Great Old Ones or ancient Olmoy practices. This could be to avert a disaster, unlock hidden power, or find solutions to a magical affliction.

  2. Tracing Lineage or Property Rights:

    • Nobles or commoners alike might visit to establish family heritage, claim ancestral lands, or resolve disputes about property ownership. The meticulously kept records are invaluable for proving rights and titles in court.

  3. Seeking Knowledge of Other Nations:

    • With records from fallen kingdoms, the Hall serves as a trove of political, cultural, and military knowledge. Ambassadors, spies, or scholars might sift through documents to gain leverage, historical insight, or even the location of hidden treasures.

  4. Investigating Recent Catastrophes:

    • After a major event—such as a volcanic eruption, city fire, or magical anomaly—characters might consult the Hall to understand historical precedents or search for Tamoa’s cryptic guidance, documented by the Guardians of the Voice.

  5. Consulting the Myconid Colony or Accessing Kaanul’s Snare:

    • Adventurers seeking knowledge of ancient threats or forbidden artifacts may brave the myconid-controlled sewers and descend to Kaanul’s Snare. The Hall of Records might be the only place where they can acquire safe passage or the means to decode the non-Euclidean paths.

  6. Legal or Historical Investigations:

    • Characters involved in disputes, crime-solving, or political intrigue could use the Hall to verify alibis, study old laws, or uncover past agreements, revealing hidden motives or corruption.

  7. Requesting an Audience with Tamoa:

    • In rare circumstances, a desperate group might petition the Guardians of the Voice to ask Tamoa a question. Though almost never granted, such attempts could be a dramatic, high-stakes endeavor tied to a catastrophic threat.

  8. Seeking Employment or Patronage:

    • Scholars, scribes, or artisans might visit to offer their services to the Hall or propose funding for specific projects in exchange for access to its treasures.

  9. Pilgrimage to a Sacred Site:

    • For the devout or curious, the Hall’s Olmoy origins and connection to the Great Old Ones might make it a destination for spiritual reflection, academic curiosity, or both. The very presence of the Tamoa head and its whispered mysteries could inspire awe or dread.

  10. Recovering Stolen Records:

    • The theft of a critical document might send characters to the Hall to investigate who had access and why, leading to larger plots involving espionage or sabotage.

The Hall of Records, with its intertwining histories, mysticism, and secrets, serves as a vital setting for intrigue, exploration, and discovery.

November 17th, 2024 March 19th, 2025