Sterling Knowledge Collective
Scholars of the Sterling
20 Branches of Knowledge
The Sterling Knowledge Collective, the most esteemed academic institution on the mainland, sits within the Crater of Knowledge in the city of Silvermound, deep in the Caluan Desert. This unparalleled center of learning, often called simply "Sterling," is a vast network of scholars, researchers, and students who uphold the ancient traditions of knowledge preservation, discovery, and teaching. The campus, surrounded by towering plateaus, is renowned for its rigorous structure and the autonomy of each school, making it a beacon for scholars across Galfin.
The Bibliothecarius, or Keeper of Knowledge, is the reclusive figure at the helm of the entire Collective. This individual oversees the entirety of Sterling’s collected wisdom, though they have not been seen in years. Their authority remains undisputed as they send instructions and votes via handwritten notes, slipping them beneath the sealed door of their private records. Curators and the Dean still rely on the Bibliothecarius to break ties in votes regarding the addition of new schools of knowledge or major decisions about document legitimacy.
At Sterling, Curators manage each of the twenty branches of knowledge. These figures, elected by their colleagues, oversee the documentation, research, and teachings related to their field, ensuring its growth and accuracy. They act autonomously in most matters, but their votes are crucial in deciding whether emerging areas of study—such as the recent addition of Medical Science—warrant the creation of new branches. Deans supervise the Curators, resolving disputes between schools and coordinating the various academic calendars.
Each school is further staffed by Master Researchers and Experts, seasoned professors with decades of experience. Masters are rare, having reached the pinnacle of their field, while Experts teach Novices and Pages, guiding the next generation of scholars. Seniors are those who have spent at least five years honing their expertise, and Professionals work in the field applying their knowledge. Novices and Pages begin their journey through research and menial tasks, gradually advancing through the ranks as they specialize in a branch.
The Congressional Library, Sterling’s heart, houses the world’s most critical documents, many chained to lecterns to ensure their preservation. Here, the most advanced scholars access these priceless tomes, while Novices assist in cataloging and copying texts. A strict no-quill policy ensures that no damage comes to the documents, with metal beads worn on silver rings designating each member’s rank and area of study.
The structure of Sterling is rigid but rewarding. While students begin as Pages, fetching texts and performing basic tasks, those who achieve the rank of Senior in any school automatically bypass the Page level if they pursue knowledge in a new field. This system of advancement allows for fluid growth between disciplines, ensuring that each scholar’s knowledge is both deep and broad.
Sterling is a living monument to the pursuit of wisdom, where every branch of knowledge—from the arcane to the practical—is cherished and explored with precision. Through the work of its scholars, the Sterling Knowledge Collective remains the most prestigious center of learning in Galfin.
Ranks
Below are employed to work within their field of knowledge. These tasks are given out by the Masters of the field of Knowledge.
Bibliothecarius - Also know as the Keeper of Knowledge, the highest rank within the Collective. Rarely is needed but is the highest authority when it comes to the collected knowledge.
Dean - A former Curator who oversees the Curators of each School. Mainly votes on discrepancies between two different schools of knowledge.
Curator - A curator is a manager or overseer. Traditionally, a curator or keeper of a cultural heritage institution. Weighted vote in by their body of colleagues within their field.
Master Researcher/Professor - Someone who has taught for 10 years or worked in the field as an Expert for 15 years. Can promote Seniors to Expert/Professors. 1 Master is kept on staff at the library to give out knowledge to the staff below them.
Expert Researcher/Professor - 2 experts work at the Sterling in every field, teaching Pages and Novices and working on research with Seniors and Professionals. Experts must teach if they wish to utilize the Congressional Library's grounds. They take the title of Professor if they stay.
Senior Researcher - Have worked in their field for at least 5 years. Seniors can be promoted to an expert only by a Master in their field. The can move on from Senior 1 year early if at some point working for the school they have taken a Mentor role to a Page up to Professional.
Novice Researcher - Students within the college that have been there longer than 1 year and have been given the charter of Novice by an Expert who teaches them
Page Researcher- New students within the Congressional Library or a student who has yet to have been given a charter by their Expert Professor
Metal beads are placed on the silver ring designated to your earned rank in knowledge. The centre medallion is for your chosen major after you reach Senior for the first time. There is one Curator for each school. The Curators maintain all the collected documents relating to their area of expertise. There is one Dean of Sterling who keeps all of the Curators up to date with the schedule of the Sterling Congressional Library. Above all members within the Knowledge Collective is the Keeper of Knowledge. This title is also referred to as the Bibliothecarius. This highest ranking member is very reclusive and only delivers votes and instructions through hand written notes placed under their locked door. The library has established a level of autonomy within each school. The Dean is only required on a vote when the legitimacy of a document is questioned or there is a discrepancy on a topic that would be shared between multiple schools of knowledge. The Keeper is only called in to break a tie vote or when a Dean chooses to abstain. New schools can be created with a majority vote by the Curators, the Dean and if necessary the Keeper of Knowledge. Surgical Science was the latest school to be added to the Collective. This brings the total count up to 18. Members must start at Page level for any school. This mostly includes finding books for higher ranked members and copying old texts. The Page rank can be bypassed by a member who has already reached Expert level in any one school.
Bibliothecarius - Also know as the Keeper of Knowledge, the highest rank within the Collective. Rarely is needed but is the highest authority when it comes to the collected knowledge.
Dean - A former Curator who oversees the Curators of each School. Mainly votes on discrepancies between two different schools of knowledge.
Curator - A curator is a manager or overseer. Traditionally, a curator or keeper of a cultural heritage institution. Weighted vote in by their body of colleagues within their field.
Master Researcher/Professor - Someone who has taught for 10 years or worked in the field as an Expert for 15 years. Can promote Seniors to Expert/Professors. 1 Master is kept on staff at the library to give out knowledge to the staff below them.
Expert Researcher/Professor - 2 experts work at the Sterling in every field, teaching Pages and Novices and working on research with Seniors and Professionals. Experts must teach if they wish to utilize the Congressional Library's grounds. They take the title of Professor if they stay.
Senior Researcher - Have worked in their field for at least 5 years. Seniors can be promoted to an expert only by a Master in their field. The can move on from Senior 1 year early if at some point working for the school they have taken a Mentor role to a Page up to Professional.
Novice Researcher - Students within the college that have been there longer than 1 year and have been given the charter of Novice by an Expert who teaches them
Page Researcher- New students within the Congressional Library or a student who has yet to have been given a charter by their Expert Professor
School of History
Historian/Chronologist - the past, not only the event but making sure the date is exact as well. Pendant - Carbon Curator Formerly Moasis, Makrum Greatguard Master Professor(1) Vanya Quiberos Expert Professor (2) Ja'Gom-Ed, Zoey ThennSchool of Philogy
Archivist/Philologist - assesses, collects, organizes, preserves, maintains control over, and provides access to records and archives determined to have long-term value. The records maintained by an archivist can consist of a variety of forms, including letters, diaries, logs, other personal documents, government documents, or other physical objects. The study of literary texts as well as oral and written records. Pendant - Magnesium Curator - Kinlek Master Professor (1) Albatross Cull Expert Professor (2) - Donovar Carter , Grukdran OakheartSchool of Archaeology
Dungeoneer/Archaeologist- goes out to research important events, explores new locations or lost sites. Pendant - Bismuth Curator - Noah Ashwood Master Professor (1) Skorim Forgemantle Expert Professor (2) Jayse Chaffton , Sabrina LightfootSchool of Surgery
Surgeon/Medical Scientist - those who can heal the sick not through magical means Pendant - Mercury Curator - Nurrug Bonebrew Master Professor (1) Summer Wood Expert Professor (2) Reishar Etoile, AndarenSchool of Linguistics
Linguist/Translator - a speaker of many tongues Pendant - Platinum Curator - Barthus Brakalliun Master Professor (1) - Huad'Dof Lor-Mer : Author of ancient Languages book Expert Professor (2) - Travaran Jorge , VitsSchool of Oration
Orator/Grammarian - trained not only on proper diction, but on the proper use of gestures, stance, and dress. The study and maintenance of grammar in every language Pendant - Zinc Curator - Khulada Brickbender Master Professor (1) Alisha Reyne Expert Professor (2) - Laura Chapmyre , Irmgard GooldSchool of Etymology
Etymologist/Codicologist- the study of the history of words the study of codices or manuscript books written on parchment as physical objects. History of words. Pendant - Tin Curator - Master Professor (1) Dercin Beesbury Expert Professor (2) - Jarad Harvey , Janas EdwardsSchool of Paleontology
Paleontologist/Decoder - the study of ancient bones and historical puzzles Pendant - Sulphur Curator - Eloubelyn Emberguard Master Professor - Tathaln Wrannala Expert Professor (2) - Snake Hiss , Ellena BaxterSchool of Heraldry
Genealogist/Heraldrian - families and their symbols. The study of families, family history, and the tracing of their lineages. Pendant - Tungsten Curator - Ingval Cross Master Professor (1) - Alea Krisxidor Expert Professor (2) - Jaxar Hallaw , Dharmenos TrurzanSchool of Botany
Botanist - the study of plants, sentient or docile. Pendant - Wood Curator - Ayenna Olalar Master Professor (1) Aima Honeyoak Expert Professor (2) Jesper, Harhegit WarbranchSchool of Arcanology
Arcanologist - the study of magic as a science. Pendant - Kinalite Curator - Ilythyrra Master Professor (1) Formerly Vasien Solv, now a missing member of the Following of he Gray Expert Professor (2) - Adrex Turnuroth , KilaSchool of Zoology
Zoologist - study of all animals, magic and not. Pendant - Phosphorus Curator - Eryn Ashwood Master Professor (1) Sharia Kelrora Expert Professor (2) - Opisto Subnautus, Tyron ThallerSchool of Metallurgy
Metallurgist - study of minerals and metal Pendant - Iron Curator - Thavuil Anvildigger Master Professor (1) - Klippe Grandhunter Expert Professor (2) - Begga Smallburrow , Nor'ZokSchool of Alchemy
Alchemist - study the use of materials combining to alter the effects on various people, things or animals. Pendant - Gold Curator - Freya Burton Master Professor (1) - Moira Silverstaff Expert Professor (2) - Rosie Parren , NeraSchool of Epidemiology
Epidemiologist - study of sickness and plague Pendant - Arsenic Curator - Gracie Wull Master Professor (1) - Jordan Clarick Expert Professor (2) Juc Karon, HaceasSchool of Philosophy
Philosopher - study of thought Pendant - Tungsten Curator - Mardeiym Slait Master Professor (1) - Godwyn White Expert Professor (2) - Everan Rocke , Crann UllerSchool of Astrology
Astrologist - study of the stars. Pendant - Boron Curator - Nihther Ekos Master Professor (1) Rannach Go'aal Expert Professor (2) Jabari, GiyanaSchool of Meteorology
Meteorologist - study of weather. Pendant - Brass Curator - Elize Master Professor (1) Vulcan Expert Professor (2) - Matilda Townsend , Xoryn VuagglesnibSchool of Architecture
Architect - study of structures. Pendant - Lead Curator - Jaide Lolliston Master Professor (1) Hayden Connington Expert Professor (2) - Burgund Bricklayer , Peter TroterSchool of Economics
Economist - study of numbers, banking and wealth. Pendant - Copper Curator - Kai Sunderland Master Professor (1) Oxford Regalsmith Expert Professor (2) - Coin Clink , Alea GrefielProcedures
New areas of knowledge can be added once enough support grows for any individual branch. Curators must the go through all their documentation and deem whether or not their writings fit more in this new area of knowledge. Each curator must vote on whether or not this new area is voluminous enough to receive its own branch. The Bibliothecarius usually abstains but must vote in the case of a tie. Curators can abstain if they do not know enough about that area to make a fair call. In example, Medical Science was only introduced within the last 10 years because it was debated whether or not it was in the same knowledge base. It won its own branch when surgery was able to heal someone too far gone for common healing magic to help. Some commoners still see surgery as an abomination on the body but the knowledge base deemed it worthy to establish a modern medical dictionary The Keeper of Knowledge has not been seen in years. She has passed her tie breaking vote under her door of her sealed private records when the situation required it. Even without leaving she still sends notices to curators, somehow knowing when a book is in disrepair or out of date. A lectern system, in which books were chained to desks for security, is used within the important document sections. Lines of desks sit there with important tomes attached. No quills or ink are allowed in the document sections.Metal beads are placed on the silver ring designated to your earned rank in knowledge. The centre medallion is for your chosen major after you reach Senior for the first time. There is one Curator for each school. The Curators maintain all the collected documents relating to their area of expertise. There is one Dean of Sterling who keeps all of the Curators up to date with the schedule of the Sterling Congressional Library. Above all members within the Knowledge Collective is the Keeper of Knowledge. This title is also referred to as the Bibliothecarius. This highest ranking member is very reclusive and only delivers votes and instructions through hand written notes placed under their locked door. The library has established a level of autonomy within each school. The Dean is only required on a vote when the legitimacy of a document is questioned or there is a discrepancy on a topic that would be shared between multiple schools of knowledge. The Keeper is only called in to break a tie vote or when a Dean chooses to abstain. New schools can be created with a majority vote by the Curators, the Dean and if necessary the Keeper of Knowledge. Surgical Science was the latest school to be added to the Collective. This brings the total count up to 18. Members must start at Page level for any school. This mostly includes finding books for higher ranked members and copying old texts. The Page rank can be bypassed by a member who has already reached Expert level in any one school.
Structure
Keeper - in charge of the institute’s knowledge. Only 1
Curator - in charge of their branch’s knowledge. 1 for each branch.
Grand - the top in their field
Master - knows almost everything about their field
Expert - very knowledgeable about their subject
Senior - has worked for many years in their field
Professional - works in the subject of their knowledge
Novice - just beginning to discover what their subject is about
Page - have yet to pick a topic of study but eager to learn
You can have numerous titles given by members of the Sterling.
Once you pass Senior or Expert in any field you no longer need to become a Page in a new area of knowledge or automatically become a Novice in any area you have ventured into.
Example. Ja’Gom-Ed of Largie is an Expert Historian as well as a Professional Genealogist.
The Bibliothecarius also known as the Keeper of Knowledge, highest ranked member of the library. Although the Keepers of each individual branch maintain their collections, the Bibliothecarius maintains the knowledge base as a whole.
An Insatiable Need for Knowledge Can Solve All Woes
Type
Educational, Library
Demonym
Scholar
Subsidiary Organizations
- School of Alchemy
- School of Arcanology
- School of Archaeology
- School of Architecture
- School of Astrology
- School of Botany
- School of Economics
- School of Epidemiology
- School of Etymology
- School of Heraldry
- School of History
- School of Linguistics
- School of Metallurgy
- School of Meteorology
- School of Oration
- School of Paleontology
- School of Philogy
- School of Philosophy
- School of Surgery
- School of Zoology
Divines
Location
Related Ranks & Titles
Related Professions
Controlled Territories
Notable Members