Church of Athesne
Roleplaying Notes
Followers of Athesne are focused on study and often have books with them and in their homes (usually… a lot of books). They would never ever dream of destroying knowledge in any way and go out of their way to preserve and protect knowledge at all costs. They are always seeking to discover knowledge wherever they go (preferably of the written word) and many followers know several languages.Mythology & Lore
Legendary Items Associated With Athesne
Staff of Enlightenment
This staff is crafted of silver metal with a glowing blue stone atop it. It replicates the powers of the Staff of the MagiTome of Knowledge
This is said to be a book containing all knowledge in the world, and willing to share that knowledge with whoever finds it. Upon opening the book, one will find it is blank. Asking it a question, however, causes the answer to appear in whatever language the asker knows. They may only ask 5 questions before the book remains blank for that person forever. The tome is also sometimes referred to as The Wandering Book as it never stays in one place long, despite multiple attempts for Seekers who have found it to return it to an Archive or even lock it behind enchantments in the Sapphire Vaults.Tenets of Faith
The Duties of the Clerics of Athesne
The priests’ main goal is to seek knowledge. This includes gathering books, scrolls, and dictation of those things only passed on through oration and returning them to one of the Archives. They organize, study, and copy texts to share them with other Archives. And teach this knowledge to pass it on to others, or train those who teach at the schools and universities.- Destruction of knowledge is forbidden. All knowledge is worth keeping.
- Protect knowledge at all costs. All knowledge is worth protecting from those who seek to destroy it.
- Seek knowledge in all places. All knowledge is worth collecting, the quest to discover and learn new things is never-ending.
- In knowledge lies all answers.
Forbidden to Athesne
Never ever ever ever ever destroy knowledge. Even cursed tomes and dangerous spells should be preserved, though they may need to be locked in one of the Sapphire VaultsSacred to Athesne
Reading, studying, collecting written word, teaching others, learning a new language, protecting knowledge from destructionTypical Offerings
- Donations of books, scrolls, etc to libraries or universities
- Written information (even just a note)
- Sharing information (verbally) with a Seeker
- Scrolls, enchantments or spells of protection for the Archives
Worship
Major Areas of Worship:
- Libraries and archives; places where written books and knowledge are kept
- Universities and schools; places where knowledge is taught and learned
- Even if they are not devout followers, almost all Wizards have, at some point, said a prayer to Athesne
Holidays
Grand Symposium - FebA multi-day gathering, usually held at The Infinite Repository, for followers to share the knowledge they’ve gathered throughout the previous year and discuss plans for study in the current year. Significant discoveries are presented during opening ceremonies and multiple smaller presentations and gatherings are planned based on area of interest It’s also a time to request a change of Archive and to celebrate any who have gained rank within the church.
Priesthood
The Leaders of the Church
There are two Keepers who share duties between the two largest Archives in Europa. Keeper Evestra Prun, a female dragonborn with silver scales who resides in the Infinite Repository in Novandria, Eisen.Keeper Koresh Belloran, an ama'il elf with dark hair and bright blue eyes. Koresh lives in the Grand Athenaeum in Ilnesaira, Avalon. The temple is known as the Infinite Repository in Eisen.
Other Archives
Other Archives, Libraries, and Universities can be found in most major cities throughout Europa, including each of the capital cities of Europan nations. Archivists and Keepers generally have private suites within the Archive itself, and each archive has a small room or two set aside for travelers doing a pilgrimage for knowledge, however most priests of Athesne live in their own homes.Structure of the Clerics
Priests of Athesne gain rank based on their knowledge, earned thorough study at one of the Archives or at a University. SeekerOne who seeks knowledge, both inside and outside of the Archives. New students are required to prove their knowledge before being allowed outside the Archive or University to discover new knowledge. Scholar
One who teaches those who seek knowledge, organizes new knowledge coming in from Seekers outside the Archive, does administrative duties. Conservator
Rarely spoken of and usually in hushed whispers, they are given the most dangerous missions, seeking forbidden knowledge. This knowledge is kept within the Sapphire Vaults, which are found beneath the Archives of the Keepers. They wear the colors of the Seekers and are only known to the Archivists of the Archive they work from, as well as carry an emblem to denote them to other Archivists. Archivist
One who heads an Archive; smaller Archives may have one while larger Archives may have a few. Keeper
One who keeps knowledge, guiding all those who seek it, the title of the foremost clerics.
Clothing
Priests of Athesne can often be spotted wearing blue and carrying large amounts of books. The shade of blue denotes their rank. Some will wear entire gowns, robes, or outfits in blue while others choose a simple belt or stole. Formal occasions require robes of the appropriate color and silver belts. The paler the shade of blue, the lower the rank Archivists wear silver stoles with their robes. Keepers wear robes of deepest blue trimmed in silver, with a silver and blue stole for formal occasions. They also carry a silver staff to denote their rank.Membership
Anyone willing to seek and keep knowledge may become a Seeker. Literacy is, of course, a requirement but should someone seek to join that cannot read, that will be taught to them.Protection
Athesne, being the goddess of studied magic, attracts wizards, who use their magics to provide protection via enchantments to the Archives. They are also more than willing to defend the Archives and Universities in times of need. Conservators are specially (and secretly) trained in stealth and espionage (often Rogues and Monks) in order to acquire knowledge (tomes, books, etc) that may not be easily purchased or willingly given. Should a priest of Athesne be accosted, one is very likely to be beaten with an extremely heavy bag of books.Typical Types of Followers
- Teachers, students, wizards, historians, librarians, curators, scholars
- People who love to collect knowledge, especially written books and scrolls
Political Influence & Intrigue
Interaction with Society
The Church of Athesne is active in ensuring libraries and schools are available in as many places as possible. Education of all is extremely important to them.Ceremonies Performed
- Graduation ceremonies for universities, schools, or other ceremonies in celebration of knowledge gained through study
- Commemoration of new libraries or archives
- Commemoration of new schools and universities
Type
Religious, Organised Religion
Demonym
Athesnenes
Leader
Controlled Territories
Notable Members