Library of Lears

The Library of Lears is an ambitious project begun by the Ektrosian House Summit in 27 ABY to rebuild the Pride that all Ektrosisian's should carry with them. Placed on the shore of the Continent of Shilah, on the Sea of Dralzen, the Library proved to be one of the largest building in the Kr'Tal System.

The Library and Layout

Construction was begun without a hitch, and the Library was soon completed. Constructed off the side of the cliff, only the main spire and the two supporting spires reached above the level of the ground from the top of the cliff. The Library's entire mass was concealed by hanging it over the side of the cliff, so that it hung over the water below, and offered a unique experiance to all visitors.The Library is much longer than it is tall by about two thirds, so that it appears to be a symmetrical crown hung on the side of a rock wall. The Main spire reaches up and down the furthest, with the two supporting Spires, both smaller, rising to the left and right of the main. The mass of the Library, in and out is pure white, with the interior exposed to as much ambient light from the sun of Kr'Tal as possible, making it seem far more spacious than it would otherwise feel.

From ground level, a visitor enters the Library via the Main Entrance, constructed of strong alloys, endowed with Light Saber resistant material. The Library is divided among ten Sub-Levels, and is only accessible to the outside by one landing pad underneath and behind the mass of the Library, the Main Entrance, and a small concealed escape corridor that leads into the stone wall of the cliff and emerges in the dense jungle away from the Library's Entrance Clearing.

The entrance, part of the Main Spire, leads to the entrance hall, a wide open space dominated by the spiraling Grand Staircase that leads to the first Sub-Level below. Upon descending the Grand Staircase to the first Sub-Level, the visitor is greeted with the front desk, where attendants can be found to guide or direct a student or elder to the materials they require. The First Sub-Level houses the Grand Audience Chamber, a speaking hall where speeches and ceremonies may be conducted, and access to the two supporting spires granted. The Supporting Spires each support levels 0 through 3, and offer offices for the day to day running of the massive library.

Descending one Sub-Level to the Second Floor, the visitor is greeted by the sight and smell of large wooden shelves offering many tomes of knowledge, ranging anywhere from paper to holographic articles. Sub-Levels Three through Five offer similar attractions, with varying degrees of access and difficulty. This is a partitioned section of shelves on the fifth Sub-Level dedicated to Permission Based Research, wherein access is granted only to those with privileged position (the House Summit and Envoy), or with the permission of the Summit and Envoy.

These four Sub-Levels all offer scenic balconies on the exterior from which a Jedi may use for any purpose. The Verandas are created from a strong and transparent material to give the visitor the effect as though they were standing on air. The sounds of the ocean far below, and the strong sea air make these balconies an unrivaled location in which to meditate on the Nature of the Dark Side. Also offered on these four levels are private meditation rooms that may also double as private study rooms from which to conduct research. The rooms offer small private Lavatories, meditation pads, and a small table in which to place material as well as a computer terminal placed in the wall.

Starting on Sub-Level Six, the floors become more restricted, with access available to those with permission only. Sub-Level six is a museum dedicated to the preservation of the Artifacts possessed by the House. The First and Second Swords of Shadow are displayed in the open here for study and view. On Sub-Level Seven, the House's archives of records, documents, and leadership applications are kept for safe keeping and future access. Eight serves a similar purpose, with the added benefit of several conference rooms as a means of governing the House from the Library for the Aedile and Qauestor.

Sub-Level Nine houses all the Library's mechanical functions required to maintain the electrical supply, ventilation, and personal needs such as food and cleaning. Sub-Level Ten is nothing more than the end of the Grand Staircase that traverses the entire height of the Library. The Tenth level offers access to the corridor that leads into the the rock wall of the Cliff, back three hundred meters, to the High Security Vaults in which anything of importance may be kept, safely away from any intrusion.

An interesting note about the construction of the Library, only the first three levels of the Library actually make contact with the Rock Wall, wherein the Private Meditation Rooms may be found, as well as a small labyrinth of offices and spaces required for the running of the Library back into the rock. Otherwise, the Library hangs free, offering a small space behind the mass of the building where the hidden landing pad can be found.

The Project, the Brain Child of Amateur Architect, Aedile Vodo Biask, the Library of Lears is a marvelous structure that will safe guard the House's treasure for years to come.