Seekers
From Mizahar Lore
| "Those blasted Seekers can't keep their noses out of anything. Every time you turn, they're 'seeking' your business." - Anonymous |
 Knowledge is the path; life is the journey. | |
| Leader | None |
|---|---|
| Population | 350 or less at any given time |
| Most common in | Lhavit |
| Reputation | Scribes, Sages and Explorers |
| Faction gods | Eyris |
| Stronghold | The Bharani Library |
The Seekers are disciples of Eyris, a group of intellectuals dedicated to restoring and maintaining the knowledge of the world. They can be anywhere from scribe to spellsword and are often both, trained against the hostile realities of the Unforgiving. They are most renowned for their use of Lykata - the ability to unlock an object's hidden past through its djed.
Contents |
Background
The Seekers were founded around 11 AV, shortly after the construction of Lhavit. All the libraries that'd ever been were long since immolated, wiped away by the wrath of the Valterrian. After conferring with Aysel and Talora, the city's Ethaefal patrons, it was decided that this travesty should never again come to pass. Through the aid of Zintila they constructed a library from skyglass, so it might weather even the darkest of storms. Since it has flourished, accumulating knowledge for over five hundred years, for all that wish to borrow from its iridescent halls must first contribute before they might utilize what is there.
The Bharani Library is a comprehensive collection of everything under the sun. So long as the information has value, it has a place. Magical primers, architectural blueprints and famous journals are just a few examples of what can be found. The Seekers are not exclusively interested in the past, making the library incredibly useful for everyday citizens and scholars alike. Though they still have interest in recovering lost information, information itself is what truly strikes their fancy. Thus, if it weren't for Kalea's rugged terrain, they would receive a far greater degree of attention.
The faction itself however, sprang from a bid for organization. Initially, the Seekers were nothing more than librarians, maintaining Bharani's shimmering halls and little else. In 15 AV, Eyris approached what is considered the very first Seeker and offered them a deal. So long as they completed an assigned task, they would be rewarded with favor and further, this task would help to uncover what was lost in the cataclysm and hidden throughout the land. The man eagerly agreed. Thus, the religious order was born and since then, those who join are initiated in much the same way.
The Seekers are advocates of culture, very often dreamers, and they are fascinated by the human condition.
Organization
The Seekers are broken up by rank and department. Very simply, those higher in rank are considered the supervisors of their lesser charges, encouraging growth and maintaining order. Disciples, thrice marked by Eyris, are considered the heads of their assigned departments and work closely with one another to achieve the Seekers' overarching goals.
There are very few restrictions placed on the Seeker. When within the library they are required to wear white, though as they ascend in rank they often don colorful accents to set themselves apart. Seekers are permitted to lead normal lives, to marry and have children and to drink and celebrate along with the rest of the city. They are quite unlike the Shinya in that regard. Their only requirement is to serve the will of Eyris by completing their assigned duties and choosing their focus.
Those who achieve the rank of Sage choose a primary focus for their research. This can literally pertain to any subject in the world. They apply for this focus by presenting it to the Disciples and either get approved or denied. Sages sometimes attempt three or four different foci before they're finally approved. The focus is granted based on the abilities of the individual and just how feasible their research can be.
Ranks
Novitiate - These are the unmarked. They work throughout the various departments, growing their skills until they are approached with the Task. If the Goddess does not approach a Novitiate with their first mark within two seasons, they are politely asked to leave.
Neophyte - Newly inducted and blessed with Lykata, the Neophyte chooses a department and begins their work, either taking up residence in the library or continuing to live on their own. They are too young to choose their focus, something reserved for those a rank higher, but through their respective fields they begin to discover just what captures their interest.
Sage - Sage is the most common rank. Those who work most of their lives in the organization usually end here. They choose a focus or field of study and compile it almost exclusively while acting as a mentor to their peers. The Sage is well rounded, usually proficient in at least one paramagic or combat discipline and they almost always continue research on the side, regardless of what their focus may be.
Disciple - The truly gifted will ascend to Disciple. Not only do they manage the library but they also work with the government in cases of legal dispute. Their proficiency in Lykata often make them the final authority on just about everything. Disciples routinely meet with one another to discuss pertinent matters, such as which sections of the library they'd like to expand or where the budget is going for the upcoming seasons.
Champion - The Champion of Eyris is the defacto head of the Seekers, even if they are not in Lhavit. If ever they find the library, they will be asked to stay.
Departments
- Antiquities and Relics - These Seekers focus on the intake of artifacts and ancient texts. They're the most intellectually well-rounded of the departments and they spend a good deal of their time unearthing these insights through the power of Lykata.
- Publication and Administration - This is by far the largest department, most likely because they're two departments crammed together. Administration manages the library proper; updating and organizing inventory, fielding inquiries and complaints and updating the payroll. They even coordinate between departments so that most affairs run smoothly. Publication on the other hand, are almost entirely scribes - they're the true shut-in scholars, those who'd rather work in a broom cupboard for the rest of their lives than ever have to see the sun. They work with all other departments to both compile research as well as interpret/scribe warped text.
- Enterprises and Undertakings - These are usually the most combat-oriented of the Seekers, as they travel the most often. While members of this department primarily lead expeditions into the wilderness, there are some that actively travel the world in search of rarities, in the hopes of returning them to the library.
- Acclimation - This is the greenhorn department; it is the unofficial department of all Novitiate. However, there are those that choose to stay in Acclimation as supervisors, setting work schedules for the newly inducted and assigning living arrangements for Neophyte, if need be. They are generally the most administrative of the departments and they run the front desk at Bharani.
Promotion
Promotion within the library is simple. The more marks you have, the higher you ascend. Neophyte have one, Sages have two, Disciples have three and clearly, the Champion has four. No one seeks promotion intentionally, either. Eyris selects those she feels are worthy and tests them, similar to how they were inducted. No one expects the test. In fact, it usually comes when least expected and often, in the most inconvenient of circumstances. Those who pass and are again, marked, and from there visit their superior with the news. A promotion ceremony is then held and the promotee may invite whoever they wish. The library provides refreshments of their choice.
How to Join
Joining is simple. Either one acts as a contract worker for the library or they simply ask to join at the front desk. Contracters must first agree to be an actual Seeker once marked by Eyris before they can be regarded as such. Once accepted, Novitiates on the other hand work until chosen by Eyris. This can take any length of time, but rarely exceeds two seasons. Once an individual chooses to join the organization, they're on her radar and will either be accepted or denied.
If a person happens to already have a mark from Eyris, they are accepted without question and as a Neophyte.
Initiation
The initiation is kept intentionally vague but usually revolves around some sort of puzzle, usually at the Novitiate's expense. Some examples are:
- Riddle contests
- Creative problem solving
- Spacial/mathematic problems
- Test of will/leadership
While these are just a few, they're usually in the midst of some embarrassing circumstance, such as being made late to an appointment or being half-naked for one reason or other. This is why most members of the Seekers either laugh about it openly or never speak of it again.
Choosing a Department
Once selected by the Goddess, Neophyte choose a department based on their skill set and inclination. They usually do so without difficulty, as by then they've actively worked within them all. They're given a grace period of four weeks before a decision must be made. If they fail to do so, they will either be assigned by a superior or automatically kept in Acclimation.
Recommended Skills
What is recommended will differ from department to department. Leadership is highly valued in Undertakings where Copying is valued in Publication. It helps to have a good, well-rounded skill set, relevant to the direction you'd like to go. For example, an administrator might look like:
- Organization 15
- Leadership 20
- Writing 15
Whereas, an adventurer might be:
- Reimancy 10
- Wilderness Survival: Mountain 20
- Leadership 20
So long as what you choose upon creation is justifiable, it will work.
The Seekers are racially diverse. All races are accepted within reasonable limits and the laws of the city.
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Out of character note: If interested in playing a Seeker, please contact the Domain Storyteller of Lhavit for special permission. Do not take any liberties with the information provided here. For in-game initiation, you must request a moderated thread. Likewise, for those who wish to start as Neophyte rather than Novitiate, you must apply for your first gnosis mark via the Help Desk. Those who wish to play outside the city of Lhavit by way of the Expeditions and Undertakings department MUST start in Lhavit first, either in-game or pre-creation. |
Informative Threads
| References | ||
| The Atlas | City Player's Guide | |
| Bharani Library | The Seekers' HQ | |