The Library
In a world unlike our own, man and spirit co-exist. Being able to connect with a spirit grants a person great power over their peers. In ancient times they've been revered as gods, as their ability to do so was very rare. At least, until the Library came into existence.
In the middle of the central nation, called the Hub, there exists the Library, a multi-faceted organisation that is the heart and brains of this world, more influential than the government herself. They offer various services to those that can afford the fees. They develop magitechnology (magitech for short) fund scientific research and own most knowledge, and outsource specialists as well as mercenaries and administrative workers.
Using their (almost) monopoly, the Library has recruited a sizable, if not majority of all the persons who can connect with a spirit (called holders) in their ranks. These holders fulfill tasks many humans cannot, and is reason humankind can live in relative peace and comfort, for this world is filled with gargantuan creatures and supernatural occurrences...
For many years, the Library has held onto it's position, however this all began to change one year ago. Following a streak of mysterious happenings, ranging from secretive research, radiana leaks, cracks began to show in the organisation. Different factions divided the members of the Library to the point of betrayal. The once mighty giant split in two when the previous head of the mercenary branch stepped down and a man, code-named Liaison, was promoted to the new chairman.
Rebellion
During a ball in Liaison's promotion's celebration, a rebelling faction of the Library revealed itself in full. It attacked the festivities, leaving death and chaos in it's wake. The rebels were defeated, but not before they permanently changed the Library...
The Library gave change to the rebels, only to learn their corruption had been much greater and devoted than they'd ever expected. The rebels feared the Library so much, they hid in faraway caves in icy tundras, or sewers they blocked and poisoned with radiana; just to discourage pursuit. They had connections with individual companies not usurped by the Library. Even Aegis Corp, a household name, supported the resistance. It was clear there existed much more distaste for the monopoly than previously assumed...
The Library, in revenge for the events at the ball, struck down with an iron fist, obliterating the remainders of the known resistance, but who knows what other factions would still plan it's demise...
Reorganisation
To prevent outbreaks like the rebellion from happening ever again, Liaison has taken it upon him to reform the Library. The buildings have been refurnished, and even new gardens are planted to make the grounds more homely. Liaison expresses a wish to make his branch, even though it counts hundreds of people, more like a family. One of brothers and sisters in arms. He has made it easier to gain promotions, and has attempted to befriend a number of individuals to form a 'core family' in so that they may spread trust once again throughout the organisation. Even though that trust can only be earned by sniffing out some of the... Spies and rebel symphatisers.
Calacany's Mafia
Although long delegated as Calacany's problem, it's mafia has been rising. Their grasp over their country has become increasingly strong, even to the point of manipulating politics. There are even parts in the country where the Library is no longer welcome.
Starting from when a plea of help from a politician was intercepted, the mafia has been at odds with the Library. They even had a spy and seem to have holders in their ranks, but perhaps even more fearsome than their holders are their monster trainers. It is unknown how they have mastered this ability, but they have been known to command winged hounds and flesh-devouring insects.
These are not enough, as it's become apparent the mafia has taken an interest in the knowledge of the ancients. They blackmailed experts to only answer to them, and force civilians to act out hostilities to the Library. They have obtained old relics, and although the Library has been able to stall their advancements, the mafia is ever growing stronger. Perhaps even more shocking is, though, that a few Librarians have discovered that the mafia used to have connections with their leader; Liaison, in intelligence that once belonged to the rebellion...
Monster Studies
The research faction of the Library has gone on as usual, but found new vigor in biology. There have been numerous missions to capture previously unknown monsters, including drakes, harpies and werecats. However, not all wildlife would lay down and take this. On a mission to find sand drakes, a party of librarians was lost. Three others were sent to find them, but learned their lost collegues had allied them selves with the sand drakes; forced into the services of a real life dragon; a race long thought to have been extinct. The dragon's display of superior power forced the search party to return to the Library, announcing the first cease-fire between man and nature ever.
Not only nature has defended itself, the population of the Hub has started to see their actions as poaching and there is civil unrest in response. Protests are held, and the trust of the people in the Library has started to decline...
Radiana
In conjunction with the company Midsummer & co. The Library has began developing a new energy source called radiana. While set out to be a more powerful type of mana that can fuel artificial tools and dolls, it is far from completion. Attempting to cease the revolutionary research for itself, many have leaked the radiana from Midsummer & co. Vials have been dumped into sewers and large portions that were on their way to the Library have been hijacked (although recovered.) Even though the rebellion itself is no more, the crimes regarding radiana continue. It is difficult to foresee what will happen... Especially with the experimental chemistry itself, as it's been known to corrupt life itself.
It's become known that radiana not only affects life, but also spirits. Many holders infected with radiana have been shown to be unable to control their powers. The Library has made modifications to their holders and they are capable to control their radiana levels (to an extent) and this is quickly growing to become one of the new tools of the Library in a way to redefine their power in the face of their enemies (be they invisible or not.)
Medicine
Although the Library's medical advancements were already far and beyond, to the point of curing most natural diseases and regrowing limbs, the new influx of radiana has scientists on the search for exotic ingredients to help manage the radiana corruption. Even though under control, librarians have been sent on missions where they've encountered district-sized turtles and amphibians at the size of horses.
And now... All these stories continue.
