Contract Hall
Contract Hall is a formidable fortress complex located northeast of Hwales and northwest of the Moderna Compound. Perched atop a prominent hill, the structure is notable for its imposing stone architecture, seven distinctive towers, and an elevated airship dock. The hall was constructed by GaanSan in collaboration with OmgHay and served a unique political purpose: acting as the Shire's centralized and fortified depository for diplomatic treaties, contracts, and intergovernmental agreements.
Purpose and Function
At the heart of the complex lies the vast underground chamber known as Contract Hall, which gives the fortress its name. This hall is subdivided into 72 uniquely designated chambers, each intended to store the official agreements of one of the Shire's nation-states. The chambers are designed to reflect neutrality, permanence, and archival preservation. At the height of its activity in 2016 and 2017, ten of the 72 chambers were actively in use. The documents within each chamber bear time stamps and inscriptions, offering a detailed look into the diplomatic landscape of the Shire during that era.
While Contract Hall was once the primary location for documenting inter-nation agreements, the role of recording treaties has since transitioned to the Shire Wiki. This change in record-keeping has contributed to the hall's gradual decline in use.
Architecture and Layout
Above ground, the fortress is fortified with thick stone walls and seven towers that provide strategic vantage points. Inside its defensive perimeter lies a large courtyard, which hosts multiple features including:
- A functioning quarry, symbolizing resource self-sufficiency
- Military-style training grounds
- Residential quarters for stewards and visiting dignitaries
- An airship dock protrudes from one of the towers, hinting at Contract Hall's former status as a hub of high-level diplomatic travel.
Cultural and Historical Importance
Despite its current state of reduced activity, Contract Hall remains a powerful symbol of the Shire's era of diplomatic formality and intergovernmental unity. Its monumental architecture and extensive underground archive mark it as one of the most specialized administrative complexes in Shire history.
Current Status
Today, Contract Hall serves more as a historical site than an active diplomatic center. Its chambers are mostly unoccupied, and official documentation has migrated to digital archives. However, the structure itself remains intact and well-preserved, a lasting reminder of a time when stone walls bore witness to the treaties that shaped a world.