Cobalt Soul

**The Cobalt Soul** is an order that worships the Knowing Mentor, Ioun. Some members of the Cobalt Soul are monks, while others are knowledge clerics of Ioun, bards, or wizards. Many folks are just standard researchers, caretakers, and historians.

## **Leadership**

The High Curator of Vasselheim and the High Curator of Troms (Yudala Fon) share dual and equal leadership over the entire structure of the Cobalt Soul.

## **History**

In the Troms Empire, the Cobalt Soul and the Cerberus Assembly have worked in an antagonistic lockstep for the better part of three centuries, since the inception of the Assembly. They do not outwardly show aggression towards each other, but have maintained a series of checks and balances. Both sides have done what they can to curb the influence of the other and prevent the other from achieving internal goals that went against the needs and wants of their own faction. They also work together at times out of necessity, both publicly and behind the scenes. Sometimes they maintain a relationship of frustrated convenience, and at other times, a subversive antagonism.

The Cobalt Soul has developed a relationship with the Revelry, and the Plank King is well aware of it.

## **Locations**

The Cobalt Soul operates several libraries, including the Cobalt Reserve in Westruun, the Cobalt Vault in Vasselheim, and several Cobalt Archives on the continent of Phushura: the main archive in Troms, the Valley Archive of the Cobalt Soul in Yrrosa, and an archive in Port Damali. These libraries are offered a degree of governmental protection.

### **The Cobalt Reserve**

A grand dome of blue, polished stone, the Cobalt Reserve is a well-fortified library in Ank'Harel that is organized, overseen, and guarded by an order of monks in worship to the Knowing Mentor. The Reserve's collection of knowledge is so vast that individuals travel from all over the world to study here.  A monk is assigned to every person that seeks entry, both as a guide and as a security escort.

### **The Cobalt Vault**

Some affluent individuals outside of the order were allowed to read books within the libraries but were carefully monitored to ensure that they did not remove any books. The Curator of the Vasselheim branch has dual leadership of the Cobalt Soul with the High Curator of Troms.

### **The Valley Archive of the Cobalt Soul**

Built off of the western edge of the Pentamarket in Yrrosa, this library is known to contain rare tomes and elaborate writings. It is maintained by the Cobalt Soul. Although open to the public under supervision, it has off-limits areas requiring special approval for access. After signing in, a monk is assigned as a watchful escort. Within the public areas, attendees can read and take notes on the materials within, though removing items from the library is strictly forbidden.

### **Troms** **Archive of the Cobalt Soul**

One of the two headquarters of the Cobalt Soul, the other being in Vasselheim, this library is easily larger than the Yrrosa archive by fifty-percent or more. There are multiple floors, with at least four full fifteen-foot high tiers visible from the interior, with many little pocket chambers. Walkways connect the tiers. In the basement are teleportation circles to Vasselheim, Ank'Harel, Port Damali, and Yrrosa. The exterior is a beautiful cerulean building marked by four short multi-level domed towers of polished blue stone in the Tangles, a neighborhood in Troms.