The Order of the Silver Key

Knowledge-seekers of all kinds may be drawn to this group: magic-users, healers, builders, inventors, writers, master crafters... The Order encourages all to try and unravel the nature of the world they have been brought to, by providing resources and a place to gather knowledge. The group also welcomes warriors and knights who wish to protect the Order or help gather resources. The occasional rogue can also find a home here, as their skills are uniquely suited to clandestine operations. The motto of the Order is: "All knowledge is worth having, at any cost."

House Leader

Hephaestra

How to contact us

If Hephaestra is not in game, contact Lyrrin on the forums or in Discord (Lyrrin#8940).

Events

Events will be 1-2 times per week, either in the late evening/at night on weeknights, or early evening on weekends.

Events include:

Storytelling

Discussions (on magic, the gods, why we are in Sanctuary)

Hunts (to find scrolls for mages, collect gold/resources for the group)

RP crafting or spell-casting competitions

Current Status

This house is a Noble House of Andus, currently loyal to the royal house of Andus.

Lore

House positions

Headmistress -- Hephaestra

Head Curator -- Edward Haverston

Head Researcher -- Sylise

Paleographers(s) -- Open

Scholar(s) -- Open

Field Antiquarian(s) -- Open

Library Security -- Open

Other positions TBD.

Goddess

Seshat, Goddess of knowledge, wisdom, writing, and mathematics.

Ideology

Publicly, the Order strives to be the center of discovering and sharing knowledge about the world around us. Several members of the Order also feel that with so much gathered wisdom at their fingertips, they would be the best at governing.

It is also rumored that the Order believes that even the most dangerous knowledge shouldn't be forbidden, but this has never been proven.

Membership Target

Knowledge-seekers of all kinds may be drawn to this group: magic-users, healers, builders, inventors, writers, master crafters... The Order encourages all to try and unravel the nature of the world they have been brought to. The group also welcomes warriors and knights who wish to protect the Order or help gather knowledge. The occasional rogue can also find a home here, as their skills are uniquely suited to clandestine operations.

The goal is to have a group that wields political power via knowledge, resources, and gold, but does have the ability to defend itself if attacked. Players do not have to be members of the kingdom of Andus to join, however the Order does have designs on becoming a ruling house. If you are not a member of Andus and want to join the Order, you could play it as another kingdom interfering with politics in Andus.

History

The great Library and the Order that runs it had humble beginnings almost 20 years ago: four friends pooling together their small collections of precious books and scrolls. It became known that if you were looking for a treatise on medicinal herbs, or perhaps a reference on different ways to process steel, the Four were the ones to ask. If they didn't have it, they could acquire it...even if the means weren't always above-the-table. Soon others began contributing as well as borrowing, and the group of four became many. Contributions from rich patrons eventually allowed the Order to purchase a whole building for their Library, which at present day is filled with books on nearly every subject. The Order now recruits scholars and crafters from all over the world to study and teach others at their Library.

Story

"We are pleased you could join us," the woman said with a small bow. She motioned the man to a chair and then sat down herself. "I am Hephaestra, head of this Order. Since you have come all this way, I hope this means you will accept our invitation?"

The man returned her bow and sat. He looked uneasy at her directness. "Madam. I would of course be pleased to teach the... procedure... to anyone willing to learn but..." He waved his hands helplessly, trying to think of a discreet way to put it.

The headmistress steepled her fingers and waited for him to trail off. "You need bodies to teach with and you are afraid people will think you are desecrating them." The man nodded, grim.

Hephaestra continued, pleasantly, "You are not the first to teach this way. Rest assured, our scholars understand the greater good here. You will not be run out of town. Should you choose to stay, you will be offered lodgings and will have full access to our great Library during your tenure here. I do hope you will accept."

After the man left the room, Hephaestra motioned to one of the guards to join her. She said quietly, "Have him followed. If he looks like he will say no, offer to double his stipend. If he still refuses, have his notes...copied...for me." The guard bowed and hurried from the room.

The headmistress smiled to herself and wandered down the hall to find her assistant. She didn't have to go far, as a gawky teenaged boy ran around the corner and skidded to a halt in front of her. "Madam!" he said, huffing for breath. "Please come! The mages are arguing again. The flashing lights are scaring the other patrons."

Hephaestra rolled her eyes and followed her assistant at a quick pace. "Lady help us. They're like children sometimes! What is it this time?"

The lad gave her a sideways glance but didn't have to elaborate, as shouts drifted from down the stairwell. "...full MOON! It's a..." "eclipse only happens once..." "But it's FIVE, not SEVEN..."

Hephaestra made it down the stairs and stuck her head in the door, cautious in case spells were being thrown around. "Gentlemen and ladies, if even one book catches fire in this building you are all banned for life." That didn't completely silence them, but the yelling dimmed to a more reasonable loud stage whisper and the room stopped flashing different colors.

She smiled ruefully at her assistant as they continued down the hallway. "Now tell me what's left to prepare for the gathering tonight, assuming that lot..." she waved back at the room of mages, "can behave themselves enough to participate?"