Companion

Companions hold an unusual position amongst the employees of The City, their primary objective is not to that of The Library but to their archivist. Whilst first and foremost acting as their Archivist's protector, they can also be research assistants, porters, cooks, whatever their particular relationship with their Archivist requires.
Not all Archivists have Companions, in fact most Archivists of The Library do not have one (although it isn't disallowed from anyone in particular, just looked down upon). Notably, however, all Archivists who spend long periods of time away from the safety of The Library in remote or dangerous regions, are required to choose a Companion before departing Sandstep. As such, the lives of most Companions are one of travel and adventure.

Abilities

While Companions and Archivists are not magically or divinely bound to one another as 'true mates' are in the Shiften society, many believe in a superstition that Companions are blessed with additional powers or abilities to protect their Archivist. In reality, while Companions do undergo a ceremony under the eye of religious institutions, they have access to a handful of incredibly powerful magical items that are kept carefully under wraps by The Library. All pairings have matched items (often in the form of jewellery) that can be used to track the location of the other and many Companions are granted aether-enhanced weapons or clothing. One of the longest standing Archivist/Companion pairings is Archivist Enqueban, First Archivist of Artificing, and his Companion Coalder. Archivist Enqueban is the primary producer of Companion-held magical items.
All Companions train heavily at The Library to protect their Archivist (their primary role) and others study or train in more intellectual pursuits to best support their Archivist.
Given The Library's placement on the continent of Tinobi, most Companions are Shiften.

History

Companions began as a simple thing. Archivists are not meant to share aspects of their research with those outside of the Library, but one Archivist Qisp, Second Archivist of Planar Studies, had a partner that travelled with them on their investigations. When Archivist Qisp returned to The Library permanently disfigured by some unknown event, Zostas, as a non-employee was not granted entrance or audience to The Library and to Archivist Qisp. Zostas destroyed nearly a quarter of The Library's outer wing before he was finally allowed in.
Zostas was subsequently made the first Companion when The Library realised how much of Archivist Qisp's work was known and under the care of Zostas.
Over the centuries since the official creation of the Companion position, the leadership of The Library have considered attempting to alter the loyalties of Companions. A handful of Archivist and Companion pairings have stolen research or otherwise broken ties with The Library in less-than-ideal circumstances. Attempts to remove Companions from Archivists have been met by some of the bloodiest (and secret) history of The Library, and other attempts to place Companions and Archivists while having Companions answer first and foremost to The Library itself have resulted in an increased rate of Archivist loss, and have since been put aside.

Career

Qualifications

No formal education is required to become a Companion, although Companions are often in the employ of the Library, as guards or archivists before they obtain the role of Companion. The only technical requirement for a Companion is to be chosen (one way or another) by or for an archivist.

Career Progression

There is no way up or down in the ranks of the Companions,. While there are guards under the employ of The Library that are 'known' by the general populace to be awaiting being chosen as a Companion, until you have undergone the blessing and serve an Archivist. Should an Archivist die, and a Companion remain alive, they are no longer considered a Companion.

Type

Research / Scientific

Related Locations

• The City

Notable Members:
Daein - Companion to Silsa, Fourth Archivist of Botany. Romantic interest of Book 6 of the Syshir Siblings (Oren's book).