Thorne's Library

Overview & Aesthetic

Thorne's Library, also known as the Archive of Ardor, is a vast, hollowed-out branch located in the upper reaches of The Crown City of Ardor. It is the primary repository for the Muridae’s recorded knowledge, containing thousands of carefully preserved bark-scrolls, leaf-parchments, and even a few rare leather-bound books scavenged from shipwrecks. The interior is a labyrinth of spiral shelves and small, comfortable reading alcoves lit by the soft glow of aether-lanterns.

The aesthetic is one of quiet, scholarly industry. The smell of old wood, dried ink, and aged parchment fills the air. The floor is covered in soft, woven grass mats to dampen the sound of footsteps, and the temperature is carefully maintained to prevent the scrolls from rotting in the humid canopy air.

History & Lore

The library was founded by Elder Thorne nearly eighty years ago. Before its establishment, Muridae history was passed down almost exclusively through oral tradition. Thorne realized that as the world of Aethervale became more complex, the Mousefolk needed a more permanent way to store their knowledge. He has spent his life traveling, scavenging, and trading to fill the library with information about the forest, the ocean, and the "Tall Races" of the mainland.

Points of Interest

• The Hall of Origins: A central chamber containing the oldest bark-scrolls, which detail the Muridae's creation myths and their arrival in the Boughs.
• The Shipwreck Archive: A specialized section dedicated to maps, logs, and technical manuals recovered from the hulls in Drift-Haven.
• Thorne’s Study: A cluttered alcove near the back of the library where the Elder spends his days writing and corresponding with scholars from across the world.
• The Scripting Room: A quiet space where young Muridae scribes carefully copy old scrolls to ensure their preservation.

Local Factions & NPCs

• The Muridae: The library is open to all Mousefolk who wish to learn, though the most sensitive scrolls are kept in restricted areas.
• Elder Thorne: The founder and head librarian, who spends almost all of his time here.
• Scribe Pip: A diligent young mouse who assists Thorne with the organization of the archives and the copying of scrolls.
• High Shaman Kaelis: Occasionally visits the library to consult ancient mystical texts or to share new findings from the Echoing Grotto.

Environmental Hazards / Mechanics

• Fragile Environment: Characters who engage in combat within the library must make a DC 12 Dexterity check every round. On a failure, they accidentally knock over a shelf or damage a scroll, attracting the ire of Elder Thorne.
• Information Hub: Spending 1 hour researching in the library grants advantage on History or Nature checks related to The Shrouded Boughs.
• Quiet Zone: Any sound louder than a whisper is easily heard throughout the library. Stealth checks are made with disadvantage due to the unnatural quiet.