The Keepers

Early civilizations came and went all too soon in the harsh world they were forced to contend with. It is easy to imagine that modern folk are far more advanced and knowledgeable than those who could not stand the test of time, but in truth, many miraculous advancements were lost when early societies crumbled. The Keepers delve into ancient ruins and lost tombs in search of lost knowledge, and seek to preserve it for those who come after us.

History

The formal practice of archaeology was birthed by an individual known today as Professor Beckett Geare. Starting their career as an adventurer of the roguish persuasion, Beckett was hired to disarm traps and pick locks in the ruins of abandoned settlements. After several years in the business, Beckett was exploring a ruin that had been lost for centuries and they fell through a weakened spot in the floor, plummeting through several layers before landing in a pile of dust and debris. The adventuring party who had hired them was unable to see them through the dust and darkness, and the party's calls for reply went unanswered.
When Beckett regained consciousness, they called for help, but their adventuring party had long since left the ruins to make the week-long trek back to civilization. Though Beckett's enchanted waterskin miraculously survived the fall, most of their rations had not, and they were left with some meager bits of hard tack an jerky. Resigning themselves to their fate, but still tempted by curiosity, Beckett began to explore their surroundings, examining the ruins around them while they waited for the inevitable. On their third day in the ruins, after rations had already run out, Beckett cracked open a clay jar they'd discovered and found it tightly packed with cucumber pickles in a heavy brine of salt, mustard, and dill. Beckett decided to taste them, and found that though they tasted quite strong, they were not offensive. Over the next few days, Beckett discovered more and more jars of brined vegetables.
Nearly a month had passed by the time Beckett's adventuring party was able to return to the ruins in search of their late companion's remains. When the party arrived, they were shocked to find Beckett freshly climbed out of the ruins, covered in dust and smelling strongly of vinegar, crying out, "You won't believe what I've discovered!"
Beckett would devote the rest of their life to studying the art of pickling. Taking up the title of Professor Geare, Beckett would lead a scholarly organization formally known as the University of Keepers who specialized in the study of all methods of food preservation.

Mission

The Keepers specialize in the study of preserving food, information, and sites of historic importance. Their guild motto, "Keep Well For Tomorrow What You Hold In Abundance Today" is seldom said aloud outside of lectures, and many Keepers are more prone to repeat the proverb, "Waste not, want not." Though they are most popularly known for their food preservation efforts, the Keepers also invest great funds and efforts into the establishment of libraries, schools, and museums to ensure that information is not lost to time.

Relationships

The Keepers maintain a good working relationship with other guilds as a matter of necessity; cooperation is required for Keepers to be able to document and preserve whatever other adventurers may discover, and other guilds often rely upon Keepers for both their information and their preservation skills.

Brewmasters of the Sacred Spring

The Keepers frequently procure both alcohol and vinegar for cleaning and preservation purposes from the Brewmasters of the Sacred Spring. It is said that an acolyte brewer once spoiled an entire storehouse of wine through improper handling, allowing it to be exposed to bacteria. Her mistake would have destroyed the vineyard, until a passing group of Keepers offered to buy the entirety of their stock and place an order for the next year's harvest as well.

Hagbane Bakers

Though few things the Hagbane Bakers produce can be preserved by The Keepers, the Bakers are frequent customers of their preserves, jellies, pickles, and more. Furthermore, the Hagbane Bakers frequently deliver information on the hunting of intelligent threats like giants, hags, and vampires, so that The Keepers can record it and see it proliferated.

House of Scythe and Rake

The Reapers of the House of Scythe and Rake frequently call upon Keepers to help them break down their larger hunts, and also put up rations that can be kept for months or even years.

Meatshields

Though gargantuan hunts are the name of the game for the Meatshields, they rarely have the means to make use of such large beasts. Rather than leaving enormous carcasses to rot, Meatshields will often travel in the company of Keepers, enabling them to see their catch dried, smoked, salted, pickled, or otherwise preserved for future use.

"Keep Well For Tomorrow What You Hold In Abundance Today"

Type

Guild, Adventuring

Leader

Professor Fiore Coriander