The Keepers - part 1

The Keepers… a highly esteemed clan, one whose knowledge was carved into stones and crystals so they may not be lost to time. Fascinating, yet… they knew nothing of the world above. At least, nothing that wasn’t tainted with a negative bias at least. Xayah was intrigued by the new challenge, yet… at a loss. How are they supposed to think of something to tell them from the world above? The options were limitless, yet at the same time where does the extent of their knowledge end?

“What do you propose we teach them about?” Xayah mused to Koru, the fiery colored duve not far from her. They’d been tasked with joining the expedition down here, to learn what they can from this new world and species. What better way to truly learn than to get the info straight from their knowledge hub? “I don’t think they’d be very interested in learning about weather cycles or harvest seasons. What do we have that they haven’t seen or heard of?”

—-

The whole of the little time they’d spent at the Keeper’s territory, Koru had been most fascinated by everything around them. The Watchers had him talking of the stars and his studies, and now he was in the greatest information hub of the depths. There was a youthful excitement to him, as his eyes browsed the endless shelves and pondered his wondrous thoughts out loud. 

“What do you think they’ve stored about their study of magic here?” “No doubt they have many well-known and respected philosophists, mages, professors in all manner of subjects. I would very much like to learn about them all. Maybe dive into their anecdotes and theories… their knowledge and experience…”
There was little that seemed to nudge Koru from his state, until the two were faced with Khaldor; an equally enthused Reosean of knowledge and learning. Logging and recording, gathering information from any and all who have it to provide. And they, of course, asked the one thing Koru was itching to do; to teach them of the topside. An exchange, Koru thought. The perfect opportunity.
“Oh, there are so many things, my star,” the duve smiled to his partner, that spark in his eye Xayah knew well. “The archives across the continents, the studies of Suhr, the histories by Vinicius Floren,” he listed, musing through all the possibilities. Xayah could see a familiar spark light up in Khaldor’s eyes as they listened to Koru. 

“Oh, how most thrilling,” the Haedian sighed excitedly. “A kindred spirit, a learned mind. What of these archives you speak of?”
“There are many on the topside, massive libraries, or temples that dig underground. My beloved and I know of many, and would be delighted to share with you.” Koru looked to Xayah with a smile, knowing she was as interested in study as he, but there was a sense of seeking confirmation that she would join him in teaching the Haedian.

—

Xayah perked up when Koru started speaking of the archives, got a spark of excited interest in Khaldor’s eyes as he leaned forward. Ravenous for information, just as she and Koru were. Once they exchanged information, it was unlikely that either of them would be leaving these beautiful archives for some time unless they had to. 

“There are oh so many,” Xayah nodded, smiling at her beloved before looking at the green and gold haedian before them. “The place of my birth, Warrenfall, has extensive archives of everything you could imagine. My favorite thing about each of them, though, is how each one is unique in its structure.”

Xayah sat back on her haunches to gesture up and about, tried to display the general size and shape of some of the window and fixtures as she continued to explain. “The archive I frequent has large, intricate stained glass windows absolutely everywhere. There’s not a single place in the building that would be without some form of sunlight at any point in the day. It allows for easy reading, and with some of these ancient texts, that’s what you’ll need in order to understand what’s written.”

Xayah blinked then, another realization dawning upon her. They logged information in carvings on magical crystals, not parchment or paper of any kind. Something that made sense, what with this being an extensive cave system. They’d lose their documents to mold and rot in no time at all!

“Ah- we don’t log our information or histories on stones. We use parchment and paper to do so. They’re made of untanned hides of prey animals, and out of a tree pulp in the case of the latter. Though, I’ve seen some make paper out of other plant matter too.” Xayah explained, taking the opportunity to turn her focus to the ground before her. “We have many written and spoken languages, which is what is upon these archival pieces. Here- I’ll write something out in the dirt here so you may see.”

Xayah used a claw to write out a simple sentence. My name is Xayah, and I am from Warrenfall. She spoke it out as she wrote it, eager to be teaching in any capacity really. She hadn’t even finished going over explaining the archives and how they were built! How gorgeous each and every one of them were, in their unique ways.

—

Koru smiled as Xayah explained along. Her gestures and expressions, so passionate and excited to teach the Haedians. When it came to Koru's turn to speak, he used his magic to display visions to the minds present in the discussion. Visages of the temples, libraries, even caves that he'd found in his travels. Each brimming with knowledge of their own. Records, teachings, journals, everything. 

"On the topside, there are boundless sources of knowledge and learning. New things to record and teach your people, of us, our history, our cultures." Koru raised his head as though to marvel at the wonder of all the visions. "We would consider it an honor to teach you more of it all, and hopefully someday, show it."