Keeper

"While some part of my nature tells me that these words are not safe even to write in a place where I believe no other will ever see them, my need to account for all knowledge in the universe drives me to record these things.
Keepers themselves are just as varied as the powers they wield, as different as the creatures seen by the sun and those hidden deep below endless oceans. We are individuals first, bound together not by choice but by a decision the consequences of which we don't understand at first, but later come to know all too well. While on paper I could say that our duties are the same, the ways in which we perform these actions and the consequences that we lead them towards are very different. Rather than a well oiled workforce, from the outside we appear more like a group of children squabbling over the possession and nature of toys, none of which actually belong to us, no matter how attached we may get to them.
The reason that we hide our nature and abilities from others are twofold: One, that we would respect and fear Fate's wishes, the leverage They hold over us, and Their design that many people cannot comprehend the powers we hold, and this knowledge would lead many lives and worlds to ruin. Two, that we fear that those that come to Know may learn about our powers and the many backdoors that Fate has forced on us to keep us under Their will, and use them to manipulate us to their bidding as well. Even if it may make things harder in the short term, it is better to be fettered to one master that eventually will turn Their eyes away from us and allow us to live for ourselves than to be manipulated by two masters of competing purposes, the conflict of which will mean that we will remain forever seen, and possibly never to act of our own accord for the rest of eternity.
I believe this is one of the main reasons that Keepers lose their many mortals fears- of death, of pain, of the unknown. Our one true fear is of losing ourselves, and never being allowed to get ourselves back."
-Rhodes, The 3rd Keeper and Great Librarian, from his work A History of the Keepers of Equilibrium of the Universe.

Qualifications

While there does seem to be some qualifications for what makes a good Keeper, they are largely invisible. People who become Keepers tend to have a strong sense of self, an eccentric personality, little to lose from leaving their home realm, or simply are good at taking orders, but there are exceptions to the point that almost no Keeper seems to fulfill all these circumstances.

Requirements

Ultimately, the only real requirement for Keepers is for them to be an interesting person that Fate wants to play with.

Appointment

Before becoming a Keeper an individual must first go through an Apprenticeship- a period of time where they learn the powers and secrets of the Keeper, and learn to adapt to the situation placed before them. If it is found that they are not stable enough to succeed, refuse to learn and keep the secrets, or cannot adapt to their situation and instead break down, they can be removed from the process before becoming a full Keeper and are replaced as a mortal on a world.

Duties

Moral obligations of Keepers seem to vary, but most of all their prime Duty is to fulfill Fate's will and to ultimately be Fate's hand and test subject for an indefinite amount of time.

Responsibilities

Ultimately, their responsibilities are to manipulate the physical, mental, social, and spiritual realms to keep balance according to Fate's will.
Usually this manifests in things such as monitoring specific settlements or individuals and influencing their decisions, causing civilizations to rise and fall, aiding peoples and deities in transitions to new ages, shifting political power to prevent stagnation (forcefully or though encouragement of others), creating natural phenomena to strengthen worldly cycles, and making sure that all things, whether it be individuals, peoples, species, or entire planets eventually come to an end, as they are meant to. They are facilitators of the cycles of death and rebirth, creation and entropy, and of time and space.

Benefits

Nearly unlimited power, bodily and spiritual hardiness usually expressed in an extremely strong healing factor, strong connection to their soul and unlimited immortality, as well as the ability to bend their powers to a variety of effects. The title also allows at a certain point free movement throughout the universe and the ability to observe and comprehend most if not all of the universe's uniqueness and secrets, but this does not mean that such things will not take a toll or permanently change the individual witnessing them. It gives one the ability to defeat time and death, to theoretically become a perfect version of one's self, but all of these things are not without consequence, risk, or cost.

Grounds for Removal/Dismissal

Keepers are never truly dismissed and retain some amount of power and authority forever, but there is a point where a Keeper may 'retire', and cycle out of active service. In order for this to happen they must find and train an apprentice to take their place as the new Keeper, but also, Fate must be willing to partially let them go.

Type

Magical, Professional

Status

Held, Now and Forever

Creation

Created in accordance with Fate's Plan in the First Era

Alternative Naming

Keeper of Balance, Keeper of the Equilibrium of the Universe, Fate's Butt Monkey

Source of Authority

Fate, the Creator and Manipulator

Length of Term

Indefinite

First Holder

Akinlade, The Wandering Adventurer

Current Holders

• 18, The Knight of Dusk