Librarian

Qualifications

To become a Librarian one must go through several stages of training: Starting as a Librarian Initiate for the first decade where one spends the entirety either filing or copying various documents, a Librarian Apprentice for at least another decade or two under a Master Librarian, a Journeyman Librarian for another decade or two exploring the Freelands collecting materials, and finally after at least 50 years one can apply to be a Master Librarian. As most Dwellers are quite long lived, 10 to 50 years can be a blink of an eye to them; but can be a lifetime to most Beastfolk and Freelancer.

Requirements

To become a Librarian one typically needs to be a Dweller, is not matter what race of Dweller but typically only Dwellers are accepted among the ranks of the Librarians. Beastfolk may accepted and is not without precedence, even rarer are Freelancers accepted (especially since the Great Rebellion), and never has an Elf ever earned the title. Following this is anywhere from 10 to 50 years of study and dedication to the Library.

Appointment

To progress through the rankings one must demonstrate a willingness to learn and competence in their learning. There is a series of written tests in several languages, a series of physical/magical performance tests, and to collect or create something worthwhile to add to the repository of the Library.

Duties

The duties of a Librarian vary greatly, but most Librarians while within the walls of the Library maintain the stacks, the halls, the general materials found throughout; and of course aiding or escorting any and all patrons that come seeking knowledge. Those exploring outside world are seeking new or lost knowledge throughout the Freelands in hopes of adding the materials to the overall repository of the Library.

Responsibilities

The primary responsibility of a Librarian is in the Library's motto: To preserve and protect. They exist for the solely to defend knowledge no matter the cost.

Benefits

A Librarians needs for food and shelter shall always be cared for by the Library and the denizens of the Gate City, the Iron City, and even the Drowned City (usually). The Library is one of the greatest treasures of the Dweller people and its Librarians are a resource to protect and preserve that treasure.

Accoutrements & Equipment

Most Librarians are outfitted a set of simple blue robes, with secondary colors differentiating their station: White for Initiates, Red for Apprentices, Orange for Journeymen, and Gold for Masters. In addition on their shoulders one will find purplish-violet patches with silhouettes showing what research departments the Librarian is affiliated with: A tree for Nature, a star for Religion, a sword for Arcana, and a shield for History. As far as weapons, armor, and the like: It varies from Librarian to Librarian depending on their preferred school of magic and their innate talents.

Grounds for Removal/Dismissal

To lose one's position as a Librarian, the most grievous of crime must be committed in their eyes: The willful and audacious act of destroying knowledge. Murder, thievery, and other such acts are reprehensible but can be forgiven if such things were committed in the name of preserving and protecting knowledge. But the purposeful act of utter destruction cannot be excused.

History

The Librarians have always served the Library, without the Librarians there is no Library.

Cultural Significance

Librarians are beloved and protected by Dwellers all across all of Freelands; on that same note the Templars, Inquisitors, Meisters, and the like hate and fear them.

Notable Holders

Supposedly the first Librarian and founder of the Library was a Gnomish woman named Iskandria, she founded the Library and created its motto in the heart of what later become the Gate City. Strangely however there are no statues or no known records of her existence, a strange footnote for an organization dedicated to the protection and preservation of knowledge.

Type

Academic, Professional

Status

Still in effect, and still an honorable and heretical position.

Creation

The positions are as old as the Library of Iskandria itself.

Form of Address

Master or Madame Librarian

Alternative Naming

Scholar, Researcher, Keeper, Collector, Protecor, Preserver, Penman*, Paperman*, Handman*

Equates to

Technically without equal outside the Library and they are somewhat persecuted by the Meisters, Templars, Inquistors, and Witchslayers throughout the Freelands as "heretics." Though there is a meritocracy within the Library based upon experience, age, and dedicated field of study; in the end though they are all Librarians and treated with equal respect to one and other.

Source of Authority

The Library of Iskandria, The Gate City, and The Dwellers

Length of Term

For life, if one is fortunate enough

Related Locations

• The Gate City

Related Organizations

• The Library of Iskandria