The Great Library of Hob

Dating back to the first few centuries after the Race of man was created, The Great Library of Hob stands tall and majestic in the middle of Mispoint, The historical capitol of the Kingdom of Hob and the Dark Elf Race. It is impossible to miss even if you are merely passing by the city. The building is 4 stories tall and each floor is as large as six large taverns laid end-to-end.   On entering the building, there will be nothing but silence only pierced by the occasional ruffling of papers, books, and parchments. The height of each floor is 6 standard paces. It is, of course, quite well known that most of the library is an expansive common area filled with research desks and Endless shelves of scrolls, books, and tomes on every conceivable subject.   What is lesser known is that there are several completely hidden chambers reserved for researchers to work on their project in private - as much “private” as “The One Order” will allow considering the priceless and potentially dangerous knowledge their guild controls.   Throughout the building, far below grade level, there are also catacombs under the building which many are not aware of. These magically sealed areas are usually used for treaties, meetings, and discussions concerning Hob or the continent of Cathall as a whole. Many ancient and contemporary peace treaties have been signed here which are often coveted by those with funds and power. However as attractive as those are to most the highest-value items in the library are... the original ancient transcripts or numerous high-level spells and enchantments which wield untold power.   Near the entrance, there is a reception-like desk where people offer their contribution to the library and wait for the result from “The One Order” If the provided knowledge is deemed significant by the order, then that person may enter the common rooms. If someone would require access to a protected or specific text or if they require a private chamber, then the order would consider that offer and may ask for more than a piece of information. These requests usually serve the accumulation of more knowledge anyways, but some claim that the order sent them on a seemingly random or weird quest for no apparent reason.   Once a visitor is granted access to the library they are to be marked by an enchantment called “Elsen’s Ward” Once the enchantment is cast by the wizards of the library, a mark appears on the inside of the visitor's arm similar looking to a green spellbinding circle. Not many have tried to steal from the library due to their respect, fear or logic. However, those few who tried met horrible fates. Ironically, there is a log of these attempts to steal, presents in the library.   According to the library, the spell inflicts a spectrum of pain and agony to the person who tries to steal from the collection. The closer the thief is to escape, the more intensly they feel pain. However, if they were to take a piece far enough from the chambers, the thief would meet his immediate end right then and there. Some have caught instant fire, some simply turned to ash. There are also rumors that the ward inflicts emotional pain. Although there is no record of these, some scholars claim they’ve heard people wish for death deep from the catacombs.   The public face of the library is shady at times but still accepted and respected all the same. Nobody in Hob’s history ever claimed serious wrongdoing or ulterior motives in the ruling of the library. “The One Order” has been running the library for centuries and they have achieved a clear favor with the people of Hob. As long as the library keeps providing advantages to the kingdom, nobody would feel the need to investigate it deeper as far as they were concerned. However there is one thing that “The One Order” keep to themselves and that is their pursuit of the “One Book.”   The One Book, according to most bards and historians is a myth, a sort of religious artifact that symbolizes knowledge, goodness and wisdom. Several adventurers and sailors went on long and tiresome journeys with the hopes of finding the book, yet all failed. Some talented writers tried to write a book claiming their hand was guided by The One but none were believable enough. Eventually, several failed quests and unconvincing mimicry later the people of Hob cemented their belief that The One Book was just a myth, representing the wisdom of gods. There are still some who believe that the book may be real and it would include the answer to any possible question, however those few are commonly ridiculed and mocked, as they were seen as either crazy people or fanatics.   The One Order, on the other hand, devoted a big chunk of their time to researching the book and finding the real copy of it. They have been blessed with access to the whole library and used this advantage to cross reference many tales, legends, poems and stories. Eventually they managed to put together a version of the book that was missing several pages, had to be translated into modern languages and was put together from texts coming from several different ages, a challenge to be certain. They also made it one of their goals to research and find all stories referring to Onus Brushstrok, Sara Dragonmist and Kalos as they are said to be the authors of the book. The ancestors of three different races coming together to write one divine book to include the knowledge of gods… The order was fixated on finding bits and pieces from anywhere and written in any time period that could add even a word to their reconstruction of the book.   But even in this incomplete form, The One Book turned into a destructive obsession for the order. They would fantasize about its content, work for several days without sleep trying to decipher it. Most importantly, they had to find the missing half of the book. They had exhausted the libraries contents over decades and clearly they had to search for more information to complete the book. Although not known by the population, one of the main reasons for the libraries hunger for knowledge is to possibly come by a piece of information that could help The One Book become whole again. If they manage to do it, there is no telling what sort of divine knowledge it may release into the world. The One Book is said to grant its owner godly wisdom. What the owner would do with said knowledge, is what would decide the future of Hob as a whole.