The Scriptorium's history is deeply rooted in the ancient struggles and grand ambitions of the Freehold of Bone. Long before its construction, a devastating Civil War raged, leaving behind a legacy where the very manacles of its slaves were melted down. These dark origins gave form to the massive bells that would become known as the Hollow Chorus, a potent symbol of past strife.
It was during the expansive Great Harvest era of Hasaldon’s history that the vision for this unique edifice took shape. As the Freehold of Bone solidified its isolationist culture, the ruling Marrow Lords moved to safeguard their most dangerous knowledge. They commissioned the Scriptorium, conceiving it not merely as a library, but as a formidable prison for forbidden lore.
Its primary purpose was to hoard the intricate necromantic schematics vital for animating the city’s colossal dragon bone walls. The Scriptorium’s construction reflected this formidable intent, with its famous stained-glass windows crafted from thinly sliced, polished dragon scales. These panes, incorporating shards from the corrupt Bukhara Spires, depict the precise anatomy of the beasts that built the city, a constant, stark reminder of its power.
Within the Scriptorium's bell tower, the Hollow Chorus was installed, their origins in Civil War manacles a grim historical footnote. Local legend claimed their resonance possessed the singular power to shatter the ossified walls of the city itself. This immense potential, however, was silenced centuries ago by the mysterious Triad of the Spine, who rendered the bells permanently mute.
Since that fateful intervention, the bells have hung silent, their destructive power neutralized but their symbolic weight undiminished. The tomes within—bound in dragon skin and filled with bone-shaping lore and forbidden history—are chained to basalt pedestals. This measure prevents theft by the anarchic scavengers who haunt the city's lower districts.
The protectors of these dangerous texts are not peaceful monks, but the aggressive Ink Blood Wardens. This tribe of warrior scribes defends the stacks with lethal force, ensuring the Marrow Lords' secrets remain secure and imprisoned. In the present day, the Scriptorium finds itself under siege and politically unstable. The Ink Blood Wardens are currently embroiled in a critical debate, weighing alignment with the failing Marrow Lords against the surging tide of anarchy that threatens the city from beyond its walls.
