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| Entering this section, visitors are greeted with towering, condensed stacks filled with countless shelves that seem to stretch for a kilometer. Each has its own droid and retrieval system to keep the stacks both organized and free from damage. The air is kept cool with a near-zero humidity to protect the older texts that are not digitized. | | Entering this section, visitors are greeted with towering, condensed stacks filled with countless shelves that seem to stretch for a kilometer. Each has its own droid and retrieval system to keep the stacks both organized and free from damage. The air is kept cool with a near-zero humidity to protect the older texts that are not digitized. |
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| The Intake Operation Droids are a marvel of archival efficiency. New acquisitions either ancient artifacts or tomes, or newer digital items, are brought here. They pass through various stages of authentication, digital encoding, physical preservation (for analog items), and meticulous cataloging by highly trained live archivists. It's a bustling yet orderly process, ensuring that every piece of knowledge is properly assessed, integrated, and made accessible to the Clan. While not the social are the rest of the BAR is it is the real reason the area exists. | | The Intake Operation Droids are a marvel of archival efficiency. New acquisitions either ancient artifacts or tomes, or newer digital items, are brought here. They pass through various stages of authentication, digital encoding, physical preservation (for analog items), and meticulous cataloging by highly trained live archivists. It's a bustling yet orderly process, ensuring that every piece of knowledge is properly assessed, integrated, and made accessible to the Clan. While not the social area the rest of the BAR is it is the real reason the area exists. |
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| ===Lounge=== | | ===Lounge=== |
The Bureau of Archival Requisitions (BAR), located within The Monolith, is a central hub for Clan Scholae Palatinae and its inhabitants. While its name might suggest a typical bar to outsiders, the BAR is a multi-faceted complex that evolved from an office dedicated to acquiring scholarly texts and ancient apocrypha. Originally, the BAR was simply a place to find new materials. However, its success and popularity led to an expansion beyond its initial purpose. Today, in addition to its core function of handling new acquisitions, the BAR complex features three main areas:
The Archival Stacks and Intake
At the very core of the Bureau of Archival Requisition lies the Archival Stacks and Intake area. This is the BAR's original purpose manifested: the meticulous collection, organization, and preservation of history.
Entering this section, visitors are greeted with towering, condensed stacks filled with countless shelves that seem to stretch for a kilometer. Each has its own droid and retrieval system to keep the stacks both organized and free from damage. The air is kept cool with a near-zero humidity to protect the older texts that are not digitized.
The Intake Operation Droids are a marvel of archival efficiency. New acquisitions either ancient artifacts or tomes, or newer digital items, are brought here. They pass through various stages of authentication, digital encoding, physical preservation (for analog items), and meticulous cataloging by highly trained live archivists. It's a bustling yet orderly process, ensuring that every piece of knowledge is properly assessed, integrated, and made accessible to the Clan. While not the social area the rest of the BAR is it is the real reason the area exists.
Lounge
The Lounge at the BAR
The Lounge was the first addition to the BAR, designed for the comfort and socializing of its visitors. Unlike the usual practical Imperial architecture, the Lounge is lavishly decorated, spacious, and provides a deliberate departure and stark contrast to the rest of the Monolith with its warm and tasteful ambiance. It's an ideal spot for colleagues to gather and converse in a relaxed setting. It features deep plush sofas and armchairs upholstered in luxurious dark leathers.
The floors are covered in thick woven rugs that absorb the sounds of foot traffic. Soft throw blankets are folded neatly across the backs of sofas and chairs. The harsh lighting has been replaced with warm reading lamps, both on small end tables as well as recessed in the ceiling. The end tables, coffee tables, and shelving are handcrafted out of dark, polished wood from Judecca. The walls are adorned with artwork pieces that evoke a sense of history and knowledge. Decorative objects, such as ornate vases, interesting sculptures, and carefully selected ancient artifacts from the BAR's collection, are set up around the space to complete the relaxed atmosphere.
Meditation
The Meditation and Study Rooms
Recognizing that patrons often wanted to immediately engage with new and thought-provoking materials, the Meditation Chamber was created. Initially, people would meditate in the Lounge, but this disrupted the social atmosphere. The Meditation chamber now offers individual pods, providing a quiet space for focused study and reflection on discoveries.
This chamber offers a direct counterpoint to the Lounge's communal vibe. It's a space designed for clarity and concentration, characterized by a minimalist aesthetic with calming colors like blues, greens, or neutral grays. The defining feature is the array of individual pods that are semi-enclosed alcoves with a glass front and door. High-quality acoustic materials ensure a quiet environment, muffling sounds from other pods or outside the chamber. Each pod offers adjustable lighting, allowing patrons to set their preferred illumination for intense study or quiet reflection. The seating within each pod is ergonomically designed for prolonged comfort. Seamlessly integrated interfaces within each pod provide access to digital texts and note-taking tools, designed to aid focus rather than distract.
Bar at the BAR
The bar at the BAR
Responding to years of playful teasing about its name, the BAR's leadership eventually added a small kitchenette and wet bar. This area allows patrons to prepare simple snacks and enjoy a select, prestigious range of drinks. A few high-top tables and benches are available for those who wish to eat and drink. While not strictly forbidden, taking drinks from the "Bar at the BAR" into the Lounge is discouraged.
It's a deliberately understated space, prioritizing function and form. The kitchenette features modern, discreet appliances, allowing for quick preparation of light refreshments. The wet bar itself boasts a curated collection of beverages but no bartender. The honor system is in place for replacing bottles, or a small donation box is available to help restock the bar and small pantry.
Nearby, a half-dozen sleek, high-top tables of brushed metal provide standing or stool seating. Two equally modern benches offer additional space for guests to gather, allowing for casual conversation while they eat their snacks or have a drink. Food and drink can be taken to the lounge area, but it is expressly forbidden in the Stacks and the meditation areas to prevent any accidental damage.
Trivia: The BAR was originally a competition entry by J'Kast to design a Social RP venue.
AI was used to check grammar and assist in formatting.