Shaperate
The Shaperate is a highly respected dwarven institution, a kind of organic library. The members of the Shaperate, dubbed Shapers, are dwarven historians, scholars, judges, genealogists, and philosophers.Their task is considered to be extremely important — almost sacred.
The Shapers are an academic class typically drawn from the ranks of the noble caste, though exceptions are made for those of other castes who possess great intellectual gifts. Shapers also possess remarkable Stone sense.
To keep history unbiased, Shapers are meant to be apolitical and devoted solely to their work maintaining the Memories. In reality, in certain cases the Memories had been concealed from the public or even rewritten completely.
Structure
The order of the Shapers is dedicated to preserving the history and collective knowledge of the dwarves; as such there are three different kinds of Shapers to maintain the different branches of information.
The Shaperate of Memories is the most prominent branch of the Shaperates with a privileged location in Orzammar which keeps the essential records known as Memories. Its leader is the Shaper of Memories, who may be part of the nobility since he or she is addressed as Lord or Lady Shaper.
The Shaperate of Runes focuses on the study and construction of runes.
The Shaperate of Stone keeps mundane records of work and marriage and other domestic information. Its leader is the Shaper of Stone.
The Shaperate of Golems is largely defunct with the loss of golems in modern day. Its leader is the Shaper of Golems. It isn't even truly considered a branch anymore and hasn't had a proper head for decades beyond counting.
Public Agenda
Main Function
The main role of the Shaperate of Memories is to record in lyrium on the Wall of Memories: the authoritative collection of information on dwarven society spanning back for as long as Orzammar has existed. On a daily basis, they oversee births, marriages and death records.[8] Based on this information, the Shaperate can trace lineages, determine what land is owned by which family, and so on. Shapers are expected to venture far and wide to gain knowledge with which to add to the Memories. This may involve entering the Deep Roads to search abandoned thaigs for forgotten lore where they may conduct excavations, even fighting subterranean horrors if that is what it takes to gain the knowledge they seek. All knowledge of dwarven history and current events is considered of value and Shapers are expected by their peers and the traditions of the Shaperate to seek it out. The Shaperate is the main source of learning in Orzammar, and as such is critical to the research of dwarven scholars. Dwarves of any caste can also make use of the public Shaperate archives, even some casteless. Some scholars have noble patronage, conducting extended research on a particular house in return for support and protection.Other functions
In addition, the Shaperate of Memories regulates the changes in Orzammar's structure and society. For example, the Shaperate decides whether or not to sanction a place of worship dedicated to anything other than the Paragons. Furthermore, whenever a new king or queen of Orzammar is elected, they are coronated during a special ceremony performed by the Shaperate. Since they are considered apolitical and objective, the Shaperate advises the Dwarven Assembly on matters of procedure and precedent. Members are called upon to act as judges in disputes. However, in extremely sensitive matters—such as the murder of a member of the royal family, or determining whether a dwarf shall be declared a Paragon—such responsibilities fall to the Assembly. Note that what the Shaperate records is the truth according to the Shaperate and it is not necessarily the unvarnished reality. The Shaperate has the authority to strike from the Memories anything "unworthy" or against the interests of dwarven society. For example, the Shaperate never records anything related to the casteless, not even recording the births of casteless children. It also strikes from all records any dwarf who is branded a traitor by the Assembly, maintaining that the dwarf in question never existed. In addition, Shapers with blood ties to nobles can be influenced to omit records that are inconvenient to their house.Assets
The Shaper of Memories has been known to use memory crystals, a very rare object of dwarven origin with magical properties in which memories and voices can be stored within.
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