The Great Library of Santlabas

Inspiration

The Great Library of Santlabas was inspired by the need to house knowledge gained during the Demonic Wars by Althanas Gerard and the other High Knights. It was built to house the knowledge of the world and provide a safe place for anyone in Santlabas or its surrounding area.

History

The Great Library is one of three libraries that were created during this time, with only two existing today. The other two are the Library of Corinthia and the Library of Moltac.
It houses knowledge for all aspects of life: business, history, arts & music, magic (wizardry), warcraft and other topics that have been deemed important to the world.
It was built on the outskirts of Santlabas, near a swamp area and has since become overgrown with vines, mosses and other plants that have claimed this place as their own. The Library is protected by a magical barrier; any who try to cross into the building will find themselves in the middle of a swamp.
The Library was created by Althanas Gerard, who used his power as well as the High Knights to create this structure. He also used his power to keep it from being destroyed during the wars that followed. It is said that he fought off at least one demon personally and banished it to the depths of hell.

Architecture / Design

The Great Library is a large structure, built in shapes with four entrances (northern and southern are doors; eastern and western are secret). Each door leads to a hallway that opens up into the Library. There are some large windows in the building.

Construction

The Library was built from magic, stone and mortar. It is said that the High Knights used their own blood to bind this building together as they are part of it. Decorative statues were carved around the outside of the building; some have been destroyed over the years.

Events

The Library has undergone several battles, with some successes. There have been two specific breaches of the building that overcame it's ability to defend.

First Breach

The Library was breached a number of Morticians in search of the catacombs. They were able to make off with the treasures sought, though no one has been told what those are. The defenses did not return after this attack. This story is still being discovered.

Second Breach

The Library was breached by The Great Dragons of the North. The Dragons were able to leverage the lack of security to breach the Library at Santlabas, and others, and also discover treasures that they sought in the catacombs. They did great damage to the building, and were able to retrieve their target - the Great Dragon Orb, created by the Demonic Wars to control their power. They have since used it to control their power and now seek to recover the other Orbs.

Myths

It is said that even though Santlabas has been breached twice, the Library still protects itself against intruders through unknown means - if an intruder does attempt to enter, the Library still has sufficient spells and wards to protect itself from entry. However, many of the Moltacians or other Hitters and some Mages have found their way into the Library over the years through various means and faults of security.

Controversies

Some of the High Knights who helped create this building were not able to complete all of their tasks, so there is some controversy over the finishing of this building, and specifically its completion of security. Some theorize that this was intentional by the High Knights so that no one could breach the Library. Others say that they had a different agenda entirely, and this was their downfall.
Current day The Library is still rebuilding after all of these attacks and the destruction.
First Floor

Great Library Ground Floor

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Lower Floor

Great Libary Sublevel 1

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Type

Library