The Wardens of the Written Word (WWW) are a secretive order of women dedicated to safeguarding
Bridgeport's
Great Library's hidden secrets. With discretion and unparalleled dedication, these women protect invaluable knowledge from falling into the wrong hands. They work under the disguise of ordinary librarians among the library's staff while employing their skills and influence to maintain the integrity of the library and its precious contents.
"Remember, ladies, a quill in the hand is mightier than a sword, especially when it's dipped in poison." -- unnamed wardens trainer
Goals
The primary goal of the Wardens is to protect the ancient and powerful secrets contained within the Great Library's lower levels. The Wardens must prevent unauthorised access, thwart potential threats, and entrust only the most trustworthy and capable individuals with the library's hidden knowledge. They aim to preserve the wisdom and power held within these secrets for future generations.
Composition
The Wardens at the Great Library of Bridgeport consist of twelve highly trained women who blend seamlessly into the regular library staff, which numbers twenty-four. Each Warden is a master of subterfuge, skilled in both the art of deception and the practical aspects of their library duties. They are meticulous in their approach, ensuring that new librarians are thoroughly vetted before being considered for the Wardens. If a librarian proves to be trustworthy, they are slowly introduced to the order and its mission.
Weaponry
The Wardens are armed with an array of concealed weapons, reflecting their need for subtlety and efficiency. They carry quills dipped in poison, which can double as daggers or darts, allowing them to strike swiftly and lethally if necessary. Furthermore, they employ belts, ropes, and chains to swiftly immobilise adversaries, ensuring threat neutralisation with minimal disturbance. Their weaponry is as versatile as it is deadly, perfectly suited to their covert operations.
![Wardens](https://wa-cdn.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/user-data/production/941edb9b-c7e3-4ec1-8ced-ff869ec44011/uploads/images/8f17b9684bf7d3958f9bec52429d4b4d.webp)
Wardens by Tillerz using MJ
Command Structure
Each
Chapter consists of one High Warden, three to five Wardens, and a maximum of two Trainees. There are three Chapters with one Highwarden and three Wardens each protecting the Great Library in Bridgeport.
High Wardens
One woman with full knowledge of the library's secrets sits at the top of the hierarchy. Each High Warden leads a group of three to five Wardens, guiding and overseeing their activities.
Wardens
These Wardens have less knowledge than the High Wardens but are still well-versed in many of the library's secrets. They carry out the day-to-day operations and protective duties.
Trainees
New recruits who have proven their trustworthiness are assigned to one of the three groups as trainees. They undergo rigorous training and are gradually introduced to the order's secrets.
Librarian 01
Librarian 02
Librarian 03
Librarian 04
Librarian 05
Librarian 06
Librarian 07
Librarian 08
Librarian 09
Librarian 10
by Tillerz using MJ
Other Chapters of the order exist outside of Bridgeport. They typically communicate through concealed messages in books or by embedding instructions within delivery requests.
Training
The training process for new recruits is intensive and thorough. Trainees are taught the arts of subterfuge, combat, and the intricacies of library management. They learn how to handle the Wardens' unique weaponry and are trained in various techniques to immobilise and neutralise threats. Their training also includes a deep dive into the library's secrets, ensuring they understand the importance of their mission.
If a trainee fails to meet the Wardens' high standards or exhibits unacceptable behaviour, they are removed from the order and the library staff. Their memories are altered, and they are placed in positions such as private librarians or clerks, ensuring their departure appears as a voluntary career change.
I was in a meeting recently with a librarian and our whole team walked away being like, "Librarians are magic" and "Librarians are badass!" All of which is to say that I loved reading this and finding out about this most excellent organization hiding in plain sight amongst the stacks.
That is true, librarians are the best. :)