Order of the Votaries of Knowledge
The Votaries of Knowledge are a group of Gnomes who have dedicated themselves to the acquisition and accrual of knowledge, especially ancient or arcane knowledge. They have gathered as a group within the walls of an old coastal fortress several miles south of Ben Doa. The Order specializes in identifying, translating, copying and preserving texts and written materials from all the ages past. If someone were to bring them an ancient scroll written in a language no one can read, it can be brought to the Order and (for a small fee and the right to keep a copy) the votaries will translate it for them. They have been doing this work for more than 90 years from this location, and have amassed a wonderfully diverse library of strange, ancient and arcane texts, scrolls, maps, codices, books, manuscripts and tablets. Many of the votaries have been working at the current College since it was established, but a few are young, eager scholars longing to find and translate a great lost piece of knowledge that will help change the world for the better.
The Votaries of Knowledge have a few scattered Chapterhouses outside of the College itself. These are located in various large cities throughout the world, most notably Southridge, Solir and Malamor. Each of these are significantly smaller that the College, and none have more than 12 Votaries functioning within them. The Chapterhouses follow the same modus operandi: copy a work of written knowledge and keeping/propagating that work to the College and the other Chapterhouses.
Individual Votary can be found searching for, collecting and disseminating works throughout the world. The Votaries are easily identified by their floor-length grey robes and cowls, cinched with a wide leather belt.
Structure
A semi-monastic group of Gnomes dedicated to preserving and promulgating knowledge.
Culture
Cloistered, semi-monastic brotherhood of Gnomes living a life of scholastic service and investigation.
Public Agenda
To preserve and promulgate all knowledge across all cultures.
Assets
One of the most precious items held by the Order is an incredibly rare and powerful crystal known as a Seeing Stone. It was gifted to the Order by Lomain am Lomanni after he killed the Black Dragon, Thanasimys and claimed it's hoard as his own. This one gift has placed the Order amongst the most powerful organizations in all the world, since the Stones are so rare and so very powerful. It has also placed the Order forever in the debt of Lomain.
History
Founded by Master Erne Briskly nearly 100 years ago, the College is a society that works constantly to find, read, translate and copy as many obscure or ancient forms of written knowledge as possbile.
Founding Date
139 AF
Type
Educational, Society
Controlled Territories
Related Species
