Council of Seers
The Council of Seers, a branch of the Meneldili (Q. Heaven-lovers) in Eraidor, are centered at The Royal Court in Fornost as well as in
Annúminas. The once twenty-seven and as of 1359 T.A. seventy-seven Seers of Arnor
sacrosanct organization.
Their chief duty is to tend, use, and interpret the visions granted them by the two Palantir of the North. The Seers serve, in theory, at the pleasure of the King. In practice, they have too much prestige and are too difficult to replace for the King to remove one lightly. The eldest active Seer fills vacancies in the organization as he wishes, with the King's consent. Noble young men accepted by the Seers serve a nine year apprenticeship during which they are never left alone with a Seeing-stone. They study books of lore and texts on the use of the Stones and are only rarely allowed to observe a Palantir in use. For the next seven years, each young noble is sponsored by a teaching Seer who develops a special rapport with the student.
When a Seer dies, a sponsored Seer-in-training may be nominated to take his place. Traditionally, the Seers of Fornost are the King's most trusted advisors having access to the Tower of Formenairë. Even The Lord Commander of the army heeds the visions of the Stones, when they are clear. However, with ambiguity arises tension, and at best the Seers and the military are at odds, for the military wants to act, to move. At times the Seers can only counsel that time will tell, for many visions are cloudy and some simply do not come to pass. Thus, the need for sixteen years of study and training becomes obvious.
In Tharbad the Seers operate as the Seers Guild and have done so since 110 T.A.
Their chief duty is to tend, use, and interpret the visions granted them by the two Palantir of the North. The Seers serve, in theory, at the pleasure of the King. In practice, they have too much prestige and are too difficult to replace for the King to remove one lightly. The eldest active Seer fills vacancies in the organization as he wishes, with the King's consent. Noble young men accepted by the Seers serve a nine year apprenticeship during which they are never left alone with a Seeing-stone. They study books of lore and texts on the use of the Stones and are only rarely allowed to observe a Palantir in use. For the next seven years, each young noble is sponsored by a teaching Seer who develops a special rapport with the student.
When a Seer dies, a sponsored Seer-in-training may be nominated to take his place. Traditionally, the Seers of Fornost are the King's most trusted advisors having access to the Tower of Formenairë. Even The Lord Commander of the army heeds the visions of the Stones, when they are clear. However, with ambiguity arises tension, and at best the Seers and the military are at odds, for the military wants to act, to move. At times the Seers can only counsel that time will tell, for many visions are cloudy and some simply do not come to pass. Thus, the need for sixteen years of study and training becomes obvious.
In Tharbad the Seers operate as the Seers Guild and have done so since 110 T.A.
Structure
The Meneldili are divided into two categories: the Giltiri (S. "Star-watchers"), who have the gift of "starsight" and the rest of the members, who serve the order in other capacities. The head of the Order of the Meneldili is the Turgiltir (S. "Master Star-Watcher"), who is always one of the Giltiri. His lieutenants are the Minister of the Order, responsible for the teaching within the Order, and the Master of the Hall, who handles the monastery's day-to-day administration. The Minister is also always one of the Giltiri, while the position of Master of the Hall is also open to non-Giltiri. To perform their various tasks (from menial work to delicate tasks such as calligraphy, and herb growing) the Meneldili are organized in teams headed by senior members of the Order. The team leaders in turn answer to the Master of the Hall.
History
The Meneldili were founded by Tar-Meneldur, the Numenorean King, as a society of Astrologers. Their love for the stars and their quest for the lore of the heavens brought them very close to the Elves with whom they had frequent contact. As the internal strife in Numenor grew, the Meneldili clung to their beliefs and their devotion to Eru increased. They resisted the corrupt Kings' policies and paid a heavy price in blood for this. With their existence in jeopardy and receiving word that Numenor was doomed, Nolimon their leader decided to relocate the order in Middle Earth and by the year 3296 S.A. the Meneldili had moved to the Meneldilirond, a monastery in the North of Arthedain which is their home to this day.
"Dedication to the study of Eru's most wondrous creation: the multitude of celestial bodies adorning the sky".
Type
Research, Council
Alternative Names
Meneldili (Q. Heaven-lovers)
Ruling Organization
Leader Title
Location
Notable Members
Related Species
Related Ethnicities
Comments