Letter accompanying a missive to the Bookmasters, administrators, and scholars of the Eternal Library from the Main Branch. Edited and revised version compiled and agreed upon by the Council of Elder Bookmasters and Venerate Scholars, 4 Roo’Asha, p494.

Collection Date and Location: Original Copy – REDACTED. Office of Farwa Padesha Habzedhi, Eternal Library, Free City of Armaz Branch (Qatlavh). 24 Roo’Asha, p0472. 9:812:NVS-1

LIBRARY CLASSIFICATION CODE: Restricted - Level 3 of 3.

We understand that there are many within our community that have felt compelled to influence the recent events in Erikenyea. We on the Council of Elder Bookmasters and the Venerate Scholars of the Eternal Library are watching the events unfold, and are equally troubled. As stewards of the world’s knowledge, we hold dear the immense privilege of understanding the long knot of history, and those of us with advanced access to the Sight know it is long indeed. As it is written in the Verses[1]:

What we see now has been seen before

Blood spills onto the shore

Rarely it is welcome

Though like the morning tide

Always expected

For the last month, the Council has gathered at the Main Branch to investigate the involvement of the local branches in Erikenyea in this recent civil uprising. We remain sympathetic, but the sharing of artifacts and knowledge that have been forbidden for dissemination by the Department of Collections is a direct violation of Library policy. While many of our members from Erikenyea bemoan this policy, let us reaffirm in this message that these regulations are in place for specific and important reasons. Again, in consultation with the Verses, we see the truth and necessity of this obligation:

The noblest among us sought to control the flames

To warm her body in a time of great cold

But the flames do not care to be contained

And her body and mind were consumed

Along with those closest to her

It has been determined that for the safety and benefit of the entire Library, and therefore the security of the world, the Council will respond to these actions. The Department of Collections has been notified, and the Bookmasters of the offending branches of the Library have been identified and replaced.

It has also been determined that if the Dasholin Scholars are to successfully continue our mission, we must hold sacred the strict value of neutrality. To directly influence through advisement is to alter events in ways both detrimental and destructive.

It is agreed upon with the full knowledge that by upholding this value, lives will be unfairly lost, children will starve, species will be exterminated, and entire cultures will be enslaved. And yet, the lesson has once again been learned in Erikenyea. Our interference has not shaped the world for the better. In this case, it was the cause of great destruction of the entire Strait of Qatlavh and the subsequent death of most citizens within the region.

Therefore, be it known to all that the Elder Council has made the following determinations, which serve as a new set of guidelines for the Eternal Library:

Bookmasters, Scholars, and supporting staff affiliated with the Eternal Library will no longer serve as formal advisors and counselors to individuals, governments, businesses, arcane cults, or any other such entities.
The loaning of artifacts, technologies, arcane science, and any other materials or information acquired by the Department of Collections to Library personnel is forbidden.
Any counseling or advisement to states, local governments, individuals, or organizations for the expressed purpose of directly influencing events, decisions, or policies is forbidden.
When asked for advice and support, Elder Bookmasters may submit said requests to the Department of Collections, who will, as appropriate, approve or deny the requests and will provide the requesting individual with a slate of historically based and vetted examples to help with the decision-making process, which will be carried out with strict neutrality.

Be advised that following the spirit of this policy is more important than evaluating and debating its language. Your local administrator(s) in the Department of Collections have been instructed on the appropriate process for determining how this will affect individual branches. In the coming months, they will conduct a series of internal reviews that will be delivered to your Head Bookmaster and used as a slate of directives for your branch to ensure this policy can be successfully implemented.

The Elder Council wishes to express that it strongly encourages all scholars to observe and adhere to this new policy, and violating it will be detrimental for both the offending party(ies) and wider Library staff.

We remain steadfast in our commitment to the incredible and important work that our scholars continue to perform. Our work has never been more important than it is now. The entire world remains indebted to us, even if they are unaware of the depth of our work.

Remain vigilant and continue to seek knowledge.

Through this search, we serve.

Bookmasters of the Elder Council:

Jindilan Afanga, Head Bookmaster, Araja-Musu Branch, Milanka
On Gan Am, Department Director, Collections and Aquisitions, Zhidao
Kanka Anmuswi, Venerate Scholar, Milanka
WQ Balash, Head Bookmaster, Pradita Branch, Mankara
Yapanas Dedy, Head Bookmaster, Temyrqala Branch, Rishea
Simyata Mahavaar, Head Bookmaster, Verughar Branch, Sadhari
Lin Hinza, Head Bookmaster, Yánjia Branch, Zhidao
Binato Ki Ji, Head Bookmaster, Zhidao
Hafa Onaoʻi, Head Bookmaster, Lâsu Ojimaki Branch, Ulan Islands
Farwa Padesha Habzedhi, Venerate Scholar, Erikenyea
Parugarirti, Venerate Scholar, Salasa

[1] “The Verses” are a widely known and distributed selection of meditations on understanding the world, its history, and the nature of Emoyan magic (“the Sight”). They are both cryptic and broad but hold a special place in the lives of most Dasholin Scholars who often use the Verses to center themselves in preparation for their work. The First Verse, cited here, repeats the phrase “what we see now has been seen before” and is one of the more well-known phrases both inside and outside the Library.