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Palanaeum
Type Library
Location City of Kharbranth
Created During or before the Heraldic Epochs

The Palanaeum is the largest and finest library on Roshar, boasting a collection of seven hundred thousand tomes and scrolls. It's located underground, in the depths of the Conclave beneath Kharbranth.[1] It is the grand storehouse of books, manuscripts, and scrolls beyond the study areas of the Veil.[2]

The Veil is the entryway to Palanaeum; a huge chamber, it stretches to such a height that it is impossible to tell just how high it is. Set into the smooth rock walls are dozens of small balconies, often rented by those wishing to study the texts held within. The Palanaeum proper is located on the other side from the room and is a smaller chamber than the Veil.[1] The Palanaeum is shaped like an inverted pyramid carved down into the rock. It has balcony walkways suspended around its perimeter. Slanted gently downward, they run around all four walls to form a majestic square spiral; a giant staircase pointing toward the center of Roshar. A series of lifts within it provide a quicker method of descending.[2]

Both the Veil and the 'Palanaeum proper' date from before the foundation of the city above: Kharbranth. Some think these chambers might have been cut by the Dawnsingers themselves.[1] The steel door that bars the entrance to the Palanaeum is carved in an intricate geometric pattern with circles and lines and glyphs, in some kind of chart, a connecting half on each door.[1]

Access to the Palanaeum proper requires a chit of admittance, which can be obtained for a large fee of one thousand sapphire broams. This fee is one of the three major sources of income for the city, used to fund its many hospitals. Waiting in one of the reading alcoves is free, however, if one wishes to use it regularly, s/he will have to rent the space for two skymarks.[1]

Notes[]

The Palanaeum is named for Palah and the real-life Athenaeum.[3]

References[]

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