Grand Archive

Archaeology is a destructive science, and adventurers tend to be more destructive than most. If the Society is to uphold its mandate to study and preserve the past, then documentation and academic rigor are key. Members of the Grand Archive do not limit themselves to Absalom’s libraries, however; these bold explorers’ voyage to the most exciting sites to chronicle the past in person and share those tales with the world.

Structure

Faction Leader

Although third in line for the Sky Citadel Kraggodan’s throne, Gorm Greathammer has always been drawn to the adventuring lifestyle, and his passion drew him to the Pathfinder Society decades ago. He has since distinguished himself as an explorer and chronicler with numerous publications to his name and countless stories to retell. Even so, he has regularly returned home to help administrate the sky citadel. After withstanding the exhausting Ironfang Invasion and directing peace negotiations with Molthune , he returned to the Grand Lodge on an extended leave of absence from Kraggodan. He now oversees the Grand Archive, promoting scholarship and uncovering centuries-old mysteries to solve at long last. Yet those who would expect the Grand Archive’s leader to be a shy, spectacled sage are in for a surprise; Gorm is daring, boisterous, and ready to get his hands dirty alongside his allies.

Public Agenda

The Grand Archive promotes the ongoing education of Pathfinder agents, the recovery of ancient knowledge, and the mastery of esoteric lore. Thanks to Gorm Greathammer’s leadership, the faction also encourages travel, so that agents can experience history directly, draw their own conclusions, and ensure that all relics receive the care and curation they deserve—especially where a berserker’s boots might otherwise shatter a priceless statue. After years of neglect and several noteworthy attacks, the Grand Lodge’s written records are a tattered shadow of what they once were, and the Grand Archive is dedicated to restoring the Society’s libraries by seeking replacement texts and long-lost documents the world over.

Year 1 Goal

Although the Pathfinder Society now keeps track of its myriad, far-flung lodges, the first few centuries involved venture-captains founding, operating, and ultimately abandoning numerous lodges across Avistan and Garund . Not only are these lost lodges an important part of Society history, but many also house libraries with unique, now-forgotten manuscripts. As the Society explores its earliest agents’ exploits, the Grand Archive seeks to track down the lost lodges through historical clues, hoping to recover and preserve the lore sequestered within each one.

Chronicling the Past

Type

Guild, Adventuring

Parent Organization

Cartographers Guild