Keeper
A highly respected member of a secret organization that controls the flow of power in Anvil.
The Keepers are a powerful organization of scribes and scholars that secretly influence the balance of power in Anvil. Very few people outside of the ranks know of their existence, and even those who hold the title of Keeper are not privy to the full scale of the guild.
World leaders rise and fall, laws are abolished and passed, and information flows to those who will shape it into a bright and prosperous future - all of which are set in motion by the minds of The Keepers, who commune with one another at secretly organised meetings.
Their currency is trust, and the highest ranking Keepers have worked hard and very carefully to earn their title. They are highly respected by those in the know.
The collective term for a group of Keepers is a Kindness, and there are ten Kinds of Keepers.
Domains: law, politics, military
Domains: husbandry, zoology, biology
Domains: agriculture, horticulture, forestry
Domains: mortuary science, natural history
Domains: history, curation, archives
Domains: style, self expression, gender, sexuality
Domains: diet, medicine, physiology, psychology
Domains: geology, physics, astronomy, magic
Domains: religion, faith, occultism
Domains: the arts, linguistics, education
Great Responsibility
Alongside their normal lives and careers, it's a Keeper's responsibility to protect and provide. Within the guild, small groups of scholars submit to their Keeper's instruction in a collective effort to bring about change in the world around them. Keepers instruct their scholars within their field of study until mastery is attained, at which point the scholar may choose to continue or step forward for nomination to become a trusted Keeper. During their meetings, Keepers of different Kinds share the knowledge of their domains and cross-pollinate their skills to make huge technical advancements.Symbols of Power
Those who know what to look for are able to identify Keepers in public by visual cues symbolic of their field of power. Once spotted, asking the right questions or mentioning specifically worded topics during idle conversation may confirm their affiliation to The Keepers."I trust you're keeping busy lately?"
"I certainly am. What gave it away?"
(points to visible symbol)
"In truth, I was just curious..."
(touching the symbol)
"Would you like to know more?"
"Yes, thank you. That's very Kind of you to offer."
Keeper of Peace
Symbol: a raised palm with closed digitsDomains: law, politics, military
Keeper of Beasts
Symbol: an eye, or eyeballDomains: husbandry, zoology, biology
Keeper of Seeds
Symbol: a leafDomains: agriculture, horticulture, forestry
Keeper of Bones
Symbol: a skullDomains: mortuary science, natural history
Keeper of Time
Symbol: an hourglassDomains: history, curation, archives
Keeper of Self
Symbol: a circleDomains: style, self expression, gender, sexuality
Keeper of Vigor
Symbol: a droplet shapeDomains: diet, medicine, physiology, psychology
Keeper of Laws
Symbol: two concentric equal trianglesDomains: geology, physics, astronomy, magic
Keeper of Faith
Symbol: a candleDomains: religion, faith, occultism
Keeper of Lore
Symbol: an ink splotchDomains: the arts, linguistics, education
"Would you mind keeping me company?"
"Well, that depends..."
"In truth, I have no circle of my own."
"Then you may take a seat."
"Thank you, that's most Kind of you."
"Speak nothing of it.
Now, what can I help you with?"
"Well, I'm not sure where to begin...
Maybe you can show me the ropes?"
Patiently waiting here for the implications of these guys to be reflected in future (and past) articles about the Anvilites and their culture... Also, nice little section title there :p