The ancient library of Alessandria is one of the few remnants in the modern land of highly advanced civilisation whose heyday was around the period of the Divine War; the defining conflict of Avalon's history, far over a millennia ago. Ilmarael, the old city, is largely ruins. Occasional caves and relics have been carried down through the ages and, of course, some of the deities have memories that stretch back across the gulf of time... but Alessandria is unique.

In its dormant state it represents a potential greater than any other single quest in Avalon, since its opening would change the complexion of the entire continent. In its active state, even early stage restoration represents avenues of learning, rituals and sanctuaries to rival anything found in the great cities. And for a complete rebuilding? There is no mortal in the land who would not be touched by the apotheosis state of Alessandria - known simply as 'The Golden Age'. Specifics are less easy to come-by in mainstream schooling, however, since few have spent any time within the golden forest library, fewer still have deigned to spread details of their experiences.

What then, is common knowledge? There are four tutors still alive from the old, old days. They are all sundered from the forest island upon which the Alessandria library is found, scattered about the continent in mourning eternal. Imogen, Sirenthiel, Entropicus and Hyrraeus are their names. Find and greet them; you will hear their tales. There is much in their minds locked away, much that will not be released save on Alessandria's island sanctuary reborn. Domaphcles in Eleusis is the finest ferryman in the land and can maneuver his canoe close to the forest island; close enough to gather more information.

Theacrus the woodsman, though half-crazed, is yet an ancient being possessing of knowledge about Alessandria that he may be persuaded to share... knowledge useful enough, it is rumoured, to guide an explorer onto the forest isle itself. And from there? The name of Cassius remains synonymous with Alessandria and the secrets of the library, and what youth has not imagined an encounter with this legendary being: to be shown the wonders of the island-forest of golden mellian trees, the unparalleled contents of the library itself, the arcane lore of its tutors reborn; truly the things that dreams are made of.