Forbidden Vault
The Forbidden Vault is a vault deep beneath the Golden Throneroom and the many miles of Administratum departments. It is described in the diary entry of Explorator Coran Celcius Historicus, who did not know its true name, so he resorted to simply calling it the "Forbidden Vault." None were allowed to enter it without the seal of the High Lords of Terra. The gates to the vault were adamantine, and it was locked with stasis enchantments, and it was guarded by dark and silent guardians who Historicus dared not speak of. According to the Explorator's diary entry it contained secrets uncovered by mankind since the dawn of time - secrets so terrifying, and dangers so horrific, that they must be secured or else the mere knowledge of their existence could drive others to madness.[1]
On occasion, the High Lords permit Explorators to visit the Forbidden Vault. This occurs whenever there is a particularly strange encounter on an alien world or discovery in deep space or some other dark report, requiring the archives of the vault in order to understand the threat. The adamantine gates are opened, the stasis seals broken, and the "silent guardians" stand aside. The records within the vault are examined and cross-referenced. Ancient ciphers are activated, searches made, matches found, dossiers compiled until the truth of the threat is known.[1]
Those who are given the seal of the High Lords will see it flicker red under the light of the vault, and various ancient records within the vault are made of human skin.[1]
Historicus' diary entry on the Forbidden Vault would be used as a piece evidence for his trial for the charge of heresy in 0725998.M41 - a charge to which he had already received the judgement of "guilty" even before the trial.[1]
Trivia
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- Given that Historicus received a judgement of "guilty" prior to his trial, the purpose of the actual trial is not clear. It could be his opportunity to appeal his innocence, perhaps implying a "guilty until proven innocent" legal system in the Imperium, or simply a formality to affirm his guilt.
