Brayfhayl (Saelisnean cultural library)

Steel Realms

The Brayfhayl cultural library is a collection of Books, Scroll, and Maps (and related materials) of the Salisnean remnants of the Folk of Bronze. It is located in the city of Averul in The Saelish. This is also the heart of the finesmith art on The Saelish, for these smiths continue to inscribe on thin sheets of bronze the histories and records needed by the people of The Saelish. Brayfhayl has three parts, the Annex (a public record of births and deaths, and “legal” findings/decisions of the Landsmen), the Cylinder (regional records and knowledge), and the Hart (ancient mysteries). The great bronze seal of Thoth stands above the single entrance to this great stone edifice, built by dwarven allies a thousand years ago. It is unknown where or how records were kept before then.

The Librarians of Brayfhayl let no one in without escort and by appointment only for outsiders. Outsiders have only access to The Annex. The Speaker of Thoth is often seen within its deepest recesses. Late at night, the Speaker of Anubis is said to prowl the records, seeking detailed knowledge to pass his judgement upon the dead.

  • The library has its own sigil for reference/ownership.
  • The library has its own common cipher used by librarians and for correspondence with other similar outlets.
  • The library has its own advanced cipher used by librarians and for correspondence with other similar outlets for use with generally prohibited knowledge.
  • The library has a Lupian Missive for secret communication; Only the blood of a Bronzeman can render the writing visible, and it fades within hours – imparting its knowledge and destroying itself into a jumble of meaningless characters and symbols.

A Library-on-the-Mount

Even outside of town, you can see the library. It stands about 20m above the town. There is a road that leads up to it and it is on a shelf that overlooks the pass that goes east through the mountains. It’s massive columned façade of white limestone seems to shine at a distance as though it was a beacon.

Those seeking access must travel through the city of Averul. In either direction that passes in front of the road up to it, there are way farer’s Inns, hostels, and bed-and-breakfasts.

The road leading up to it is well maintained. There are very few people who move up or down it at any given time. Most of its contents cannot be copied, and are only there for reference and research. At the top there is a small stable on the North end. Four spearmen wearing a bronze breastplate guard the main entrance, covering the large double doors that mark the only way in or out of the library.

[ i ] Uncommon Knowledge > (History/Lore): The guardians are of the Golden Branch order, the breastplates are polished but beaten and old.

The Brayfhayl Annex

This contains copies of public record of births and deaths, and “legal” findings/decisions of the Landsmen. A copy of the legal proclamations of The Landsmen is also in the Earl’s library in Mev. It is bright and open, with many rooms and columns, including an atrium open to the sky at its center.

The Brayfhayl Cylinder

  • Histories of the modern territory of The Saelish.
  • A full copy of the proclamations and legal settlements, and modern genealogies of all the territories of the Earldom of Bar-Innis is also held here.

The Brayfhayl Hart

The only believed repository of Bronzemen histories. It is unknown by outsiders how complete or in-depth it is. It is heavily guarded both mystically and materially. Only the High Librarian and their assistants have access to the index and contents. It is said that position is by pure blood only, and the blood of the folk of bronze is woven into its ancient protections.

  • The mysteries of the ancient Graymist Plateau are held here. So far back in time is it, that even these records are incomplete – though the most complete of any (all levels of knowledge are available).
Realm's Aptitude Powers: Divine, Occult, and Psychic