Legio Arcanis

Organization

The Legio Arcanis is a prestigious and secretive organization of mages, scholars, and researchers who serve the kingdom of Acroshia. Entrusted with handling all arcane matters related to the state, their primary responsibility is to ensure that powerful and dangerous knowledge remains out of the hands of those who might misuse it. They oversee the Great Library of Seth, a vast repository of magical knowledge, and maintain a watchful eye on the various mage guilds within Acroshia. In the year 980, the Legio was estimated to have around 600 members in total.
The Great Library of Seth is organized into five distinct levels, each granting increasingly restricted access to sensitive information. The contents of each level are meticulously categorized based on the potential severity of the knowledge they contain. As one ascends through the library, accessing materials becomes more difficult, with higher levels secured by intricate magical restraints and multi-key locks.
In addition to safeguarding the Great Library, the Legio Arcanis also serves as a regulatory body for the mage guilds of Acroshia. Each guild is required to submit monthly reports detailing any new discoveries or advancements in arcane research. The Legio Arcanis has the authority to confiscate any findings deemed too dangerous or volatile for the mage guilds to handle. As a result, some mage guilds have resorted to occasionally concealing their discoveries.
The Grand Library, although an impressive structure is but a mere portion of the actual size housed within as only The First Level is takes place in the physical building, the remaining Four are accessed through nested passages of Demiplanes.
Access to the first level of the Great Library is granted to any individual who can prove they are on a state-sanctioned errand or is a member of an accredited mage guild. The second level is accessible to members of the Legio Malleus, Ignum, or Occulate, as well as any Arcanis member, and members of the Oculus who hold the rank of Pride or higher. Mage guild members may also gain entry if they have earned a title for their service (signifying a reputation level of 6).
The third level of the Great Library represents a significant increase in the potential danger of the knowledge contained within. To gain access, an individual must obtain a written endorsement from one of the following authorities: a Mage's Guild Leader, a Malleus Captain, a Church Precept, a Senator, or a Noble deemed in "Good Standing" with the Legio Arcanis.
The fourth level's access restrictions are even more stringent, requiring the approval of multiple Legios or strong support from the Senate. Mage guilds do not possess the authority to grant access to this level. In order to secure entry, a member must either obtain a majority vote from the Senate or receive endorsements from at least three Legio leaders (Arcanis, Oculus, Ignum, Malleus) along with the approval of a high priest.
The fifth and final level of the Great Library is shrouded in secrecy and can only be accessed with the permission of Mhim, granted through a majority vote from the five High Priests. This permission must also be ratified by the Primero of Protego Sanctus, a title currently held by Sorora Aureola Protego Sanctus I. Presently, only the Grand Archmeister Azbaran Khelm of the Legio Arcanis holds this prestigious permission. It is rumored that the fifth level houses knowledge capable of threatening the very fabric of the realm and the solitude of one's mind.

Levels

Level One: The first level of the Great Library of Seth offers the most lenient security measures. To access this level, an individual must provide either documentation proving they are on a state-sanctioned errand or proof of membership within an accredited mage guild. Upon entry, visitors are required to sign a logbook, noting their name, affiliation, and purpose of visit. The library is patrolled by a combination of low-ranking Arcanis members and basic enchantments, such as alarm spells and scrying orbs, to monitor the activity of patrons and prevent unauthorized access to restricted areas.
Level Two: The second level's security measures are more robust. In addition to the credentials required for the first level, visitors must possess a designated rank within a Legio or have earned a title for their service. Access to this level is granted by a magical portal, which is activated by providing the appropriate sigils and passphrases known only to authorized individuals. Security enchantments at this level include wards to detect and deter tampering with restricted materials, and illusory spells to hide the entrance to the third level.
Level Three: To access the third level, an individual must present a written endorsement from a high-ranking authority figure such as a Mage's Guild Leader, Malleus Captain, Church Precept, Senator, or a Noble in "Good Standing" with the Legio Arcanis. At this level, the security measures increase significantly. A series of magical checkpoints verify the visitor's identity and endorsement before allowing entry. Magical barriers prevent teleportation and scrying attempts, while enchantments on the books and scrolls protect them from theft or unauthorized copying. Golems and summoned guardians patrol the library, ensuring the safety of the knowledge contained within and maintaining order.
Level Four: The fourth level's security is even more formidable. To access this level, an individual must receive approval from multiple Legios or strong support from the Senate. A complex series of magical locks, requiring the use of several unique keys, protects the entrance to this level. Advanced arcane wards detect unauthorized entry attempts, teleportation, or divination, while countermeasures such as dispelling magic and antimagic fields ensure the integrity of the library's contents. In addition, powerful constructs and summoned entities stand guard, ready to subdue or expel intruders if necessary.
Level Five: The fifth and final level of the Great Library represents the pinnacle of security measures. Access is granted only with the permission of Mhim, which requires a majority vote from the five High Priests and ratification by the Primero of Protego Sanctus. The entrance is concealed by powerful illusions and is only revealed when the appropriate rituals are performed. The locks on this level are of the highest complexity, incorporating arcane, divine, and alchemical elements that can only be unlocked by the Grand Archmeister or those with Mhim's express permission.
Within the fifth level, potent wards protect against all forms of magical intrusion, including teleportation, scrying, and mind-reading. The books and scrolls themselves are safeguarded by sophisticated enchantments that cause them to become unreadable or vanish if removed without authorization. Additionally, the area is heavily guarded by powerful magical beings, ancient constructs, and divine entities loyal to the Legio Arcanis. In the event of a security breach, contingency plans and emergency protocols are in place to ensure the protection and preservation of the invaluable knowledge contained within the fifth level of the Great Library of Seth.