Curator of the Athenaeum

Curators of the Athenaeum are perched upon the edge between being known and a usual sight, and being unknown by the general public. Independent scholars regard them with contempt at their ease of garnering historical information and the fact that they seem all too infuriatingly capable of delving into the old and forgotten places and not dying in the process. Most who go on to become a curator of the Athenaeum do so for their equal parts obsession with history and their innate desire for adventure. Most who join for either one or the other often leave in disappointment after a while when they cannot fulfill all their duties.
The ranks of curators are as follows:

• Pupil (newcomers and lowest rank)
• Curator
• Historian
• Scholar
• Grand Curator

‘Curator’ is a blanket term for all those who serve under the Grand Curator, but when addressing an individual, they are referred to by their rank (i.e. Pupil Génna, or Scholar Thynn). They begin as a pupil after a three-month probationary period where already existing curators determine if the newcomer actually wants to be there. Time and experience usually determine when and how the pupil will advance through the ranks.
It is very rare that someone becomes the Grand Curator of the Athenaeum. A new one is chosen on average every 50 years, though that time span varies depending on the age range of the race of the current Grand Curator. If the current Grand Curator is an elf… it might be a good thousand years before the next Grand Curator is chosen. However, this time of waiting may be shorter than that, if the Grand Curator wishes to retire early.
But less than 5% of curators who join want to rise to the rank of the Grand Curator, as not many want to shoulder the responsibilities that come with the position.
Those with the rank of ‘Historian’ are the curators most likely to leave the Athenaeum in search of artifacts and coveted books. This is usually so because the time it takes to become a Historian gives newcomers time to become used to their duties and learn what they need to know in order to succeed in the outside world.
They often travel in groups of three or more for safety.
Scholars are just like curators, yet they are given the added duties of researching what is found in the books brought into the library. They are in charge of keeping the Athenaeum’s catalog up to date.

Operations

Tools

Every curator is equipped with quills, ink, scissors, a knife used to sharpen their quills, and an ink blotter. Depending on what their role in the Athenaeum is—if they are often tasked with leaving the safety of the library, they have a weapon on them as well (like a sword, axe, knife... it all depends on what the curator is most comfortable with).

Materials

The main materials used in the Athenaeum are books, quills, inkpots, paper, and leather. Old books are constantly being rebound or copied into new books in order to preserve the information.

Workplace

The Athenaeum was built into the abandoned halls of an old dwarven kingdom, but it has long since lost the cold empty feel it used to have. Countless bookshelves line the walls and stand in neat rows, laden with books and scrolls. There are rooms with desks and sitting areas for copying books and research. Sleeping quarters are provided as the Athenaeum is far from any civilization. The library is staffed by a dozen cats which were brought in to keep rodents and other pests away from the documents.

Provided Services

Curators can help outsiders with research and are available to be hired to help advise and provide useful information concerning whatever they need help with. But if someone needs to peruse the shelves of the Athenaeum, the curator will shadow them to make sure they will not steal anything.

Dangers & Hazards

The biggest hazards a Curator may face during their regular duties would be whatever they may stumble upon during their excursions to find artifacts or old and forgotten books. They might stumble upon bandits trying to raid some old ruins and strip it of anything valuable, or they may even come across a Ward willing to kill to protect its hoard of priceless artifacts.
Other hazards range from mundane things as: the same hazards any other traveler may face on the road, falling from a ladder in the Athenaeum, being captured and tortured for information, or being crushed by a falling bookcase.

Alternative Names

Scholar, Historian, Historical Scout

Type

Education

Demand

Middle—there has never been too many curators.

Legality

Being a Curator of the Athenaeum is a perfectly legal profession. All kingdoms within travelling distance hold it in high regard due to the Athenaeum's goal of preserving history.

Related Locations

• The Athenaeum

Used By

• The Athenaeum Curators

Ranks & Titles

• Grand Curator of the Athenaeum