Spiral Tower of Einhel

The Spiral Tower of Einhel is a central and prominent structure, the only one that is taller than the city's exterior walls. The Tower is also home to the Temple to Xanathar, in which the acolytes to the Keeper of Scrolls live, study, and work to grasp the hidden truths of the world. The Spiral Tower's first several floors are open to the public and are frequently visited by curious nobles, artisans seeking to improve their trade, city officials, and a large number of tourists. Aside from general library areas with desks, chairs, and writing supplies, these open-to-everyone floors have meeting rooms and small rooms for private study. Acolytes of Xanathar keep the public floors clean and organized, as well as serving as librarians and guides for those with specific questions or who are seeking a specific book. The upper layers of the Tower are reserved for members of the Church of Xanathar. It is where they live, work, study, and store the ancient secrets they uncover. Passage to those levels is granted very rarely, and only with written (or in-person) permission from the Order or the Church. Outside visitors to the upper levels are always accompanied by at least one member of the Order. It is believed that the structure that is now called the Spiral Tower was built long before Einhel City, or even the watchtower that once stood in the city's place. Scholars detail the possibility that a vast city once stood where Einhel is now, and remains of it can been seen in the caverns underground. The Spiral Tower alone protrudes from the earth, a testament to how tall the original structure must have been. Whether this is true or not is uncertain, but the library does have a number of subterraneanfloors that are off-limits to the general public.

Services

The library's public floors are open to all, though some areas contain more sensitive or fragile books and require guests to sign in. Books can be read at one's leisure while within the library, and general-access books may be checked out by paying a small fee. Up to 10 books can be checked out at a time, with the standard time limit being 2 weeks. That period can be extended by paying the fee again prior to the period's end. Books can be returned at any time to the front desk or the anonymous return box. Lateness in returning books may result in late fees and even a temporary or permanent ban from using the library services. Books in the restricted areas cannot be checked out, but can be used within the walls of the library. The Spiral Tower also offers paid transcription services for those who need a copy of one of the restricted books or a section of any of the other books. Translation services are also available. As it is a temple, the Spiral Tower has a number of clerics living within it at all times, and even some wizards that had passed their graduation exams and were assigned to assist in the Scrolls' pursuits. Though clerics of Xanathar are rarely interested in healing (you're better off seeking the followers of Mirt or Nat for that), they are adept at identification of magic, items, and anything else that may need identifying. They also carry many scrolls - though acquiring them may require legal paperwork.