CHAPTER 16 - A REPOSITORY FOR ALL KNOWLEDGE
Ognil took out his deed and raised it aloft.
REJOICE
THIS TERRITORY HAS BEEN CLAIMED BY DRAGON LORD OGNIL THE NOIR
Ognil had officially claimed his territory. Above ground most of Ognil’s Territory was desert with a massive life bringing river running through it. All of the fertile land was along the banks of the river. Near the center of the territory there was a massive U-bend in the river. It was here Ognil decided to build his edifice.
Making use of Dragon Rules 12 Domain, and 21 Craft, Ognil changed the composition of the riverbed into an impermeable stone. The water would be unable to change the river’s course over time.
Ognil raised the land inside the u-bend forty feet above the river and transformed it into a park with many seating areas. Down below by the water’s edge he added piers to the left and right of the inner bend to accommodate future visitors.
An acre back from the u-bend he began a glorious complex. A wide circular tower with 10 levels, 4 descended into the Underdark, two in the bedrock and 4 extending into the sky. At the centre of the tower a circular industrial elevator for when entire shelves needed to be moved between levels. Wrapped around the mine like shaft was a series of spiral staircases and regularly sized elevators.
Ognil then went into the details, he added outbuildings to house staff, staff areas and public restrooms on each floor of the library. He made the library self-cleaning and air-conditioned. He ensured the books and staff were safe by adding scrying magic and guardian golems.
Beyond his complex, Ognil made the land fertile and gentle to encourage settlement. He believed that in the future his library would be a place of great significance to the world and this area would develop exponentially.
But that was the far future, right now Ognil felt it would be a long time before he filled any layer of his Library so he built each layer to be divided into sectors, they reminded Roeg-Hiam of cake slices.
Ognil could replicate any book he had read but so far he had only read a few hundred books, even if he made 5 copies of each book he couldn't even fill the shelves on one of the first floor sectors but he still decided to move forward and only open the library 'one slice' at a time.
Fortunately while Ognil was building Roeg-Hiam put out the call to the other Dragon Lords, of course the first to arrive was Bo-Gradoom. He dropped what he had scheduled to make the trip. He buzzed with happy energy. His flight had grown again and unlike Roeg-Hiam there was something he could do to help Ogni, he was more than ready.
It didn’t take long for other Dragon Lords to arrive and as usual when the Dragon Lords got together it became a party. Roeg-Haim stopped anyone from interrupting Ognil during his Crafting. Once he was finished he finally realised he had guests and joined the celebration.
Ognil had taken his true form while crafting, he was similar size to Roeg-Haim but where Roeg-Hiam looked like a cloudless night sky Ognil the Noir was a glossy black like fresh ink, his scales sat flat and flush so he looked frictionless. Like the other two black Dragons he had seven limbs, 2 arms, 2 wings, 2 legs and a tail, unlike them he had 4 eyes.
When he joined the celebration he remembered he had yet to make a Dragon Newt form and everyone began making suggestions. Tall, short, thin, glasses, a crown; all sorts of fashion choices were tossed out.
Ognil liked the idea of switching from four literal eyes to a stylish pair of glasses and he went with a slender taller build for his body. Everyone cheered and their get together was in full swing. Everyone caroused using their magic to generate various beverages and exotic foods they wanted the others to sample.
It wasn’t until late into the night that Roeg-Haim got to the reason he called them all together.
“My dear brothers, I called you here before Ognil finished his crafting, not to simply celebrate the opening of his Library but to participate. You have travelled far and have lived long. There are stories, songs and languages that have long been forgotten that live in your heads. Please transcribe them as a donation to the Ognil’s Repository for All Knowledge.”
The Dragon Lords cheered, this was such a little thing to ask and it was obvious to them that Ognil’s hoard was knowledge. He thanked them profusely while fighting back tears.
Each Dragon Lord fabricated the books they read over their lifetime. The elder Dragon Lords were able to donate tens of thousands of titles while the younger ones had few books that the elders had not already given.
A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.
What all found amazing was that Roeg-Hiam's donation was not only the largest but also had stories none had read before.
His previous life was filled with entertainment; novels, comics, TV shows, Movies, video games. Roeg-Hiam distilled them all into books for Ognil’s library.
The other Dragon Lords found themselves drawn into dramas the likes of which they had never seen.
While the others were distracted Bo-Gradoom pulled Roeg-Hiam aside.
"Dragon Lords go into heat every century or so. Two black Dragons awakening within months of each other is unlikely. Your knowledge and your mana reservoir are vast. How long has it been since you awakened?"
Rather than lie to his friend Roeg-Hiam answered as honestly as he could.
"I can remember roughly 90 years of life." Roeg-Hiam said, if his past life was added he was indeed over 90 years old.
Bo-Gradoom sighed.
"The Gods knew about both of you and told none of us. I wonder how many other Dragon Lords are wandering about not knowing their kin."
Roeg-Hiam consoled Bo-Gradoom with a pat on the shoulder.
"Even though the majority of us were born here, the Gods see all Dragons as foreign invaders. The Sky-fall Treaty stops them from directly harming us but they go out of their way to not be of too much help. There is nothing we can do."
"You're right." Bo-Gradoom returned to his seat and picked a book to read. "Star Wars? This sounds interesting."
***
Over the next few months the Repository grew. With a visit from Asturiel once a month to bring reports from the God land kingdoms Ognil always had something new to read and transcribe; he also duplicated the donated books but soon realised he preferred reading to transcribing.
Ognil put out the call through the other Dragon Lords for scribes and librarians, It did not escape his notice that he received mostly female applicants but he didn’t know if it was the work of the other Dragon Lords or just fate. It also became apparent to him that despite not being interested in treasure it would take money to run his library.
His territory brought him a certain amount of taxes but he could already see as his library grew his costs would skyrocket. Problems needed to be nipped in the bud.
Discussions with his Flight lead him to use a subscription model to his library of course Dragon Lords and their harem read for free. Sadly most of the visitors so far were other Dragon Lords and their women, a few city lords started making the trek but the turnover was slow in the beginning.
Roeg-Hiam saw an opportunity to help build his brother’s territory. Using his knowledge of magic Roeg-Hiam built a teleportation hub outside of Ognil’s repository. Together the two of them moved around the Dragon lands and installed a teleportation station in each capital city. The revenue from this new travel network was staggering and brought more than enough for Ognil’s purposes but Roeg-Hiam wasn’t done there.
He then spent some time creating tomes on his understanding of Mortal magic. With his absolute understanding of Mana; the Magic, Shamanic, Enchantment and Sorcery books he created were vast and comprehensive. With these now in the restricted research only section of the Library Magic users from all over would be constantly using the Repository.
Archmage Roe brought news about this amazing library to the Mage Association who used the teleportation hub to see for themselves.
It wasn’t long before The Repository itself was making a steady income of money.
Ognil was eternally grateful for Roeg-Haim’s efforts on his behalf. He felt delighted to have such a good brother.
***
Meanwhile Asturiel was investigating Constance's history discreetly.
Tobias was packing his office. He had been forced to sell off his stock of slaves to make ends meet. His liquor license had been suspended. He was constantly investigated for sanitation. Without being able to sell food nor drinks and with his supply of slaves dwindling. He was forced to relocate.
Maybe he would have better luck in another city under a different name.
As he got up to leave a celestial light filled the room.
Before Tobias stood the Goddess Asturiel. Her head brushing the 10 foot ceiling.
Tobias dropped his box and prostrated before her.
"Praise the Great Goddess!" Tobias called out.
"TOBIAS, TELL ME WHOM YOU SOLD THE BEAST GIRL CONSTANCE TO." Asturiel asked, the fact that the knowledge was hidden from her put her in a foul mood and confirmed her suspicion a Dragon Lord was involved.
‘The Goddess of knowledge was asking him for information. What an opportunity, many books spoke of her generosity.’ Tobias thought. He may be able to take advantage of the situation.
“What reward will you give me for such sought after information, Great Goddess?”
No sooner than the words left his mouth there was a blinding flash, devastating pain and Tobias found himself floating above his broken body. She had smite him.
“DESPITE YOUR RECENT HARDSHIPS YOU STILL HAVE ENOUGH WEALTH TO LIVE A LIFE OF COMFORT SOMEWHERE ELSE. ON THE OTHER HAND I CAN GUARANTEE YOU A HORRID FATE IN YOUR NEXT LIFE AND START IT RIGHT NOW.”
Tobias finally realised that anyone writing a book containing this particular Goddess was obviously smart enough to flatter her and her sweet reputation may be a fabrication.
"I sold her and another to Archmage Roe he took offense to my overcharging him that is why he has moved to ruin me. I beg for mercy, please."
Asturiel ignored Tobias' plea, focusing on the new information he had given. It seemed Tobias’s troubles were tied to the same woman she was curious about.
Now she needed to know the relation between Archmage Roe and Roeg-Hiam the Midnight. The similarity in name was not lost on her.
‘Were they the same person? If so, how is he hiding his Dragon Rules? Was he actually stupid enough to turn them off?' Remembering Tobias on the floor Asturiel cast his spirit back into his body and healed him before leaving.
"CONTINUE YOUR MOVE, TREAT YOUR SLAVES BETTER AND I MAY SMILE ON YOU." She said as she faded away.
She hadn't told him anything he wasn’t planning on doing already but the chances of him back sliding were gone. Tobias quickly left, the Goddess was right, he still had enough wealth to live it up. A new start is what he needed, somewhere far, far away.
As for Asturiel, she was going to strike while the iron was hot. She entered Archmage Roe’s Emporium unseen and ascended the steps to his private chambers.
Roe had long sent Constance to stay with Laureline. If he kept her by his side after the Goddess noticed her they would know who he was as well. As it was, only Korra kept his company in the God lands.
The two were enjoying each others company while Roe worked in his Enchanting laboratory when they both felt the Goddess' intrusion. Since Roeg-Hiam had improved her Dungeon Core Korra was much more powerful, she could resist even divine beings now.
The moment's warning was sufficient to set a stage for what was to come.