Herald ' s Holdfast Herald ' s Holdfast was a spellguarded library complex that belonged to the Heralds of Faerûn and was their primary repository of heraldic lore , history , genealogy , and artifacts from nearly all the humanoid races native to Faerûn . It was the greatest library in the North , surpassing even the Vault of the Sages in Silverymoon , and was also the residence of the High Herald Old Night . Location . Approximately 30 mi ( 48 km ) west and slightly north of Silverymoon ( about a full day ' s journey ) , the Holdfast was located in a forested dell in the southern tip of the Moonwood , just north of the River Rauvin on an unmarked path . Structure . The outside facade of the Holdfast was so well - hidden by moss and vines of ivy that it blended into the cliff face behind it , and a seeker needed prior knowledge of where to look in order to locate it easily . Under the ivy was a deceptively ordinary squat stone tower , about 80 ft ( 24 m ) in diameter and twice as tall as it was wide . The door was made of stone and covered with moss , but had no lock and swung inward with an easy touch . Interior . The inside of the tower was one huge cylindrical room with a vaulted ceiling that was filled with flags and banners , escutcheons bearing coats - of - arms , weapons and armor , and fine tapestries woven with scenes of historic battles and events . Above rafters carved in bas - relief style with the likenesses of mankind ' s greatest heroes and heroines , a blue " faerie fire " glow illuminated the entire space . Samples from every age of human existence were found here — this was the Chamber of Man , or alternatively , the Chamber of Humanity . Opposite the main entrance was a wooden door that opened on a long corridor that led straight back into the stone of the cliff . Along this corridor were various side passages , each leading to a chamber dedicated to one of the races of Faerûn . Although decorated in a fashion similar to the Chamber of Man , none were quite as big . The Chamber of the Dwarves had statues of Moradin , Dumathoin , and the other dwarven deities and heroes looking down from the rafters . Dwarven suits of armor and weapons , such as hammer s and axe s were displayed to demonstrate the glory of the dwarven race . Other races known to have a chamber in the Holdfast included elf , halfling , gnoll , gnome , giant - kin , centaur , korred , satyr , orc , goblin , and hobgoblin . All such chambers were filled with precious items of historical significance to the dedicated race , some of which were quite valuable due to being constructed from precious metals and gems . At the end of the long corridor was a formal dining room with a large , circular table covered in runes . A kitchen , some guest rooms , and Old Night ' s apartment were connected on either side of this dining area . Across the room from the corridor entrance was another door that led into the library : a space even bigger than the Chamber of Man , with shelves of books , scrolls , stone tablets , and documents lining the high walls and many tables also stacked with books occupying the floorspace . At least one floating magical orb provided light to this room . Activities . Herald ' s Holdfast was primarily a library and therefore was continually receiving reports of important news — births and deaths , marriages and annulments , alliances and blood feuds , new and altered heraldic blazons , crimes against the Law of Arms , geographic map updates , demographic and population statistics , and so on — from the local Heralds and the Harpers . Occasionally new items would arrive to be added to the collection . All of this had to be organized and cataloged , with some of it perhaps copied for use at the Map House in Silverymoon , or sent out to keep the other Heralds abreast of current events and the wishes of the High Heralds , essentially making the edifice the hub of a vast information network . Well - behaved visitors were allowed to view any of the materials in the library , but not remove them . Copies could be made and taken out , as long as the originals stayed in the Holdfast . Old Night was also responsible for training the Heralds Pursuivant and the most recent appointees to the offices of Green Shield , and Gauntlet . At the Holdfast , these apprentices learned the finer points of the Law of Arms , memorized genealogies , and became familiar with the myriad rules and traditions of courtly life across Faerûn in preparation for the possibility of becoming a High Herald one day . Defenses . Herald ' s Holdfast was said to be an impregnable fortress , protected by spell cancellation magic that negated most types of spells . The overgrown entrance could be completely hidden by a permanent , customized " hallucinatory terrain " spell . Even though it was respected by both good and evil races in the North , it also had an aura that prevented entry by orcs . The building and its contents were protected against the passage of time by strong preservative spells . Protection measures were known to include deadly molds , zones that were enchanted to inhibit open flames , and helmed horror s that attacked any intruders unless they spoke certain passwords . The wooden door to the subterranean part of the Holdfast was also protected and ensorcelled to warn the inhabitants when visitors or intruders entered the Chamber of Man . Even the furniture could be called into service : some pieces were dormant construct s that could be commanded by Old Night . Trapped books bearing " symbol s " and " glyphs of warding " were strategically placed among the holdings to further protect rare works . Only the High Heralds knew of all the defenses of the Holdfast , but they were enough to survive attacks by hordes of orcs , wizard s , beholder s , and even the tarrasque . History . The age , architect , and builders of the Holdfast were unknown , or known only to the High Heralds . The emblem of Herald ' s Holdfast ( not the Herald organization ) was a silver book laying open on a field of dark gray . Rumors and Legends . There were some who claimed that a " portal " to Silverymoon was located very near the entrance to the Holdfast , known only to Old Night and his or her close associates . According to rumor , there were many other chambers in the Holdfast , all connected by secret doors .