Hall of Information

n adjunct to the Hall of Records, the Hall of Information may be Sigil’s most valuable resource. It provides general information about government operations, cultural affairs, and private sector services; Cagers and visitors with routine questions are directed here.

Located midway between the Hall of Speakers and the Hall of Records, the Hall of Information’s a stately edifice of blue marble edged in onyx, its sparkling crystal windows framed in turquoise. A pair of marble ramps leading inside runs between three marble columns. The words on each column taken together summarize the Hall’s credo: COOPERATION, COMPLIANCE, and CONTROL.

All interior walls and floors are made of polished blue marble, illuminated by aquamarine chandeliers. Every surface is spotless. Footsteps and muttered conversations echo in the otherwise silent hallways. A faint aroma of apples hangs in the air.

Using the Hall of Information
The Hall of Information is open around the clock, every day. A character who wishes t o use the Hall must follow these steps:

1. OBTAlN A LIST OF OFFICES FROM THE STEWARD. The Steward's soul function is to aid cutters in making appointments; they won't answer any questions, nor will they recommend which office to visit. They will, however, provide a directory of offices for berks that don't know where they want to go.

The characters must choose an office from the directory that seems best suited to the particular situation. For instance, someone interested in hiring on as a necromancer's apprentice might try the Wizard's Registry. A body who wants to complain about a mugging by a dwarf might try the Nonplanar Races Commission. There is no guarantee that the chosen office will be helpful.

2. MAKE AN APPOINTMENT. After the character chooses an office, the steward makes an appointment. Appointments can usually be made within a day or two; same-day appointments are uncommon, except in emergencies. A character may make only one appointment at a time, and may discuss only one problem per appointment.

3. PAY THE PROCESSING FEE. For most appointments, a character must pay a processing fee to cover administrative overhead. Fees are listed in the directory (the Health Commission appointment fee is 1 sp). The steward collects the fee as soon as the character makes the appointment. No fee, no appointment. Missed appointments result in forfeited fees.

4. MEET THE OFFICER. On the designated day, the character goes to the appropriate office in the Hall of Information and meets the officer. The officers work 12-hour shifts, five days per week. It’s entirely possible that characters may have to deal with different officers on return visits. Once the character explains the situation to the officer, two outcomes are possible:

--The officer informs the character this is the wrong office. Consequently, the officer can’t help out. The character may return to the steward and make another appointment with a different office.

--The officer agrees to try t o help the character.

5. LEARN THE RESULTS. The officer provides the character with whatever information or service the DM feels is appropriate. The officers provide better general information than specific details.

Directory of Offices
ASSOCIATION OF HERALDS AND CRIERS. Disseminates material from the Hall of Records and Hall of Speakers intended for public consumption. Processing Fee: None.

BUREAU OF CITY SERVICES. Explains duties of government offices, including law enforcement, tax collection, social services, construction projects, and housing. Tells where to find officials. Processing Fee: None.

BUREAU OF COMMERCE. Oversees merchants, traders, and craftsmen. Provides information regarding availability of goods and services. Processing Fee: None.

BUREAU OF CUSTOMS AND TRADITIONS. Provides information to visitors regarding Sigil customs and traditions. Processing Fee: None.

BUREAU OF LEARNING. Referral service for mentors, sages, and teachers. Oversees libraries. Processing Fee: 3 sp.

CHARITY COMMISSION. Responsible for registration of all charities. Monitors resource distribution. Site inspection. Investigates misconduct and mismanagement. Processing Fee: None.

DEPARTMENT OF ARBITRATION. Encourages fair trading, product safety, and quality assurance. Sets trade standards. Locates professional arbitrators to mediate between buyers and sellers. Processing Fee: 1 gp.

DEPARTMENT OF EMPLOYMENT. Registers employment agencies. Interviews applicants (by arrangement with employer). Some hiring for city positions. Processing Fee: 1 sp.

HEALTH COMMISION. Maintains registry of hospices and healers. Certifies treatments. Processing Fee: None.

INNER PLANES RELATIONS. Oversees affairs on Inner Planes pertaining to Sigil, including trade regulations, diplomatic arrangements, and treaties. Tourist information also available. Processing Fee: 8 sp.

LAND REGISTRY. Provides names of Sigil landowners, along witn lists of their properties. (Information may not be distributed without landowner’s written permission.) Processing Fee: 5 sp.

MINISTRY OF PUBLIC ROLLS AND RECORDS. Distributes selected government records, most of a statistical nature. Provides reading rooms (1cp/hour, limit 8 hours/day unless reader recieves special approval). Processing Fee: 1 sp.

MINISTRY OF WAR. Provides information regarding status of known conflicts in all planes. Receives inquiries of mercenaries and weapon dealers. Queries regarding Sigil defense policies also answered. Processing Fee: 5 sp.

NONPLANAR RACES COMMISION. Registry of services for all nonplanar races (those other than bariaur, githzerai, human, half-elf, and tiefling), including such pertaining to health, housing, and food. Provides information regarding nonplanar racial organizations, societies, and social groups. Processing Fee: 1 gp.

OUTER PLANES RELATIONS. Services similar to Inner Planes Relations, as pertaining to Outer Planes. Processing Fee: 8 sp.

PORTAL REGISTRY. Distributes information regarding location and accessibility of known portals in Sigil available to general public. Limited information regarding portals outside of Sigil also available. Processing Fee: 5 gp.

PRIEST'S REGISTRY. Voluntary registry of priests, including specialties and services. Monitors current location of all registrants. Processing Fee: 5 sp.

PRIME MATERIAL PLANE RELATIONS. Services similar to Inner Planes Relations, as pertaining to Prime Material Plane. Processing Fee: 8 sp.

TAXATION BUREAU. Reviews tax problems. Assesses special fees. Arbitrates taxation disputes. Processing Fee: 5 sp.

WIZARD REGISTRY. Services sililar to the Priest's Registry, as pertaining to wizards. Processing Fee: 5 sp.