The Archive


 * This article is about the magic construct. For its holders, see list below, or for the current Archive, see Ivy.

The Archive is a magical construct and repository of all knowledge and wisdom. The magic construct of the Archive is held by a human, and passed down matrilineally from mother to daughter. The holder of the Archive is also simply called "The Archive". The current Archive is Ivy.

Description
The Archive is bound neutral in the hope of preserving all recorded human knowledge. The Archive automatically knows all knowledge recorded by humanity, wizards included. With the dawn of the digital age, the power of the Archive has exponetially increased to surpass the lesser Queens of Faerie, in accordance to the maxim "knowledge is power."

The Archive is a Freeholding Lord of the Unseelie Accords.

In the Series
In Death Masks, The Archive comes to Dresden's apartment with Kincaid. The Archive has been appointed emissary in the dispute between Paolo Ortega and Dresden.

Background
The Archive was created as a repository of learning to safeguard against a collapse of civilization, a loss of knowledge the destruction of learning.

Bob the Skull is considered to behave in a similar manner, the main difference being Bob needs to gather the knowledge of his own accord, where as The Archive skips the learning process directly to the understanding phase.

Power and Abilities
The Archive has a lot of power, enough to scare Harry Dresden when he first met her.

Anastasia Luccio says that the White Council regards her a significant power in her own right, on par with the youngest Queens, the Summer Lady and the Winter Lady, of the Faerie Courts. Per Harry, to contain her powers, to neutralize her, it would take a great Circle of Power, heavy-duty ritual magic in a prepared location. And flawless, or she could break it.

Individual Archives
Known individual holders of the Archive:
 * Ivy's mother
 * Ivy
 * Pythia

In the Series
In Death Masks, as The Archive, she is the neutral emissary for the Duel between Dresden and Paolo Ortega under the Code Duello outlined in the Unseelie Accords. She pays a visit to Harry Dresden in her role as neutral Duel emissary. The Archive outlined the rules and told Harry to get a second by sundown or forfeit and be killed by her. Harry give The Archive her name: "Ivy", derived from the "ive" part of Archive. Ivy is totally captivated by Mister, fondly petting him and Mister likes her back. At the Duel, The Archive, Ivy, provides a Deathstone, a Mordite sphere for the Duel of Wills.

In Small Favor, Harry asks for The Archive to be the moderator between the Denarians and Harry on behalf of Marcone's representatives: Ms. Gard and Hendricks. The meeting is set up at the Shedd Aquarium where she is kidnapped by by the Denarians. Harry writes her a note letting her know he's coming to rescue her, to hold on, she's not alone, The Archive should get it.

Harry frees Ivy from an elaborate greater circle created by Polonius Lartessa of the Denarians on Demonreach. Later, through hugs and tears Ivy tells Harry that says she got his letter, and thanked him.

During Changes, Harry contacted her through writing a note, asking for information on where Maggie was being held. Ivy was unable to help due to the limitations imposed on the Archive, but after Harry threatened to turn to demonic aid, she helps Harry by pointing Harry to Marcone, who did have useful information.

In Ghost Story, Ivy would have found out that Harry died the moment anything was written, it would shatter her since Harry was her only friend. She's about twelve or thirteen now.

External References

 * Pythia – Wikipedia


 * Pythia  — Encyclopedia Mythica


 * Video -- Delphic Oracle -- National Geographic