The Terran Accord
The Terran Accord is an order of Monks and Clerics of Knowledge who are persistent in maintaining history and knowledge of the world. The guild itself is comprised of Monasteries and Archives that hold, retain, and copy the records of history for preservation and study. Monks and Clerics of Knowledge service these facilities full time and, in many cases, are funded by the accord to go out into the world and research and study.
Core Tenets and Beliefs
- Preservation of Knowledge: Protect knowledge from destruction or corruption at all costs.
- Truth and Neutrality: Uphold truth objectively, without political or ideological influence.
- Balance: Recognize that knowledge is powerful and must be handled with care to maintain harmony in the world.
Structure
Ranks
Members of the Terran Accord progress through ranks within their chosen Archive, each rank symbolizing their mastery, dedication, and seniority. As they ascend, they receive unique honorifics and titles.
- Neophytes: Seen as Apprentice Archivists, these are early students of their Archive’s discipline.
- Scribe: Junior Archivists who are keepers of basic records, transcribing knowledge, and tending collections.
- Archivist: Experienced Members who are skilled curators. They catalog, analyze, and preserve information.
- Lorekeeper: Considered Senior Archivists, they are experts responsible for interpreting deeper meanings and contexts.
- Curator: Individuals considered Specialists of an Archive, they are responsible for overseeing sections within that Archive, guiding research and preservation.
- Grand Archivist: The Head of an Archive and the supreme authority overseeing that specific Archive; they guide policies, research, and membership.
- Keeper of Truth: A collective title bestowed upon individuals serving in the council governing the Accord's entirety. While technically they fall as advisors to the Grand Archivist of their respective Archive, when they form the body of the Council, they supersede all Grand Archivists.
Archives of the Accord
The Terran Accord classifies its extensive knowledge base into distinct Archives, each designated by specialized numeric codes and symbolic emblems. Archivists, monks, and scholars dedicate themselves fully to a single Archive, earning ranks and titles as they ascend in wisdom and prestige.
Each Archive is numerically classified similarly to a Dewey Decimal Classification, symbolically linked to their areas of expertise:
| Archive Code | Archive Name | Area of Focus | Symbolic Emblem |
|---|---|---|---|
| 100–199 | Archive of the Celestial Sphere | Astronomy, Astrology, Planar Studies | Stars encircling a sphere |
| 200–299 | Archive of Sacred Echoes | Theology, Divinity, Religious Studies | Silver bell |
| 300–399 | Archive of Mortal Affairs | Cultures, Societies, Politics | Quill and scroll |
| 400–499 | Archive of Spoken Truths | Languages, Dialects, Communication | Open tome |
| 500–599 | Archive of Natural Balance | Ecology, Biology, Natural Studies | Leaf entwined with root |
| 600–699 | Archive of Shaped Elements | Crafts, Engineering, Material Studies | Hammer and chisel |
| 700–799 | Archive of Enlightened Expression | Arts, Philosophy, Poetry | Stylized harp |
| 800–899 | Archive of Arcane Harmony | Magic, Arcane Lore, Magical Creatures | Arcane rune |
| 900–999 | Archive of Timeless Memory | History, Legends, Ancient Records | Hourglass |
Unique Titles and Specializations
Each Archive possesses unique honorifics used by those who have reached at least Archivist rank within that discipline:
- Celestial Sphere:
- Astromancer - Astrological studies
- Starseer - Planar scholars
- Sacred Echoes
- Divinar - Religious experts
- Bellkeeper - Keepers of sacred texts
- Mortal Affairs:
- Anthrologue - Social scholars
- Quillmaster - Political specialists
- Spoken Truths:
- Linguarist - Language masters
- Tomespeaker - Communication specialists
- Natural Balance:
- Verdant Sage - Ecologists and biologists
- Rootseer - Natural historians
- Shaped Elements:
- Formwright - Engineers and craft masters
- Stonebinder - Material researchers
- Enlightened Expression:
- Harmonist - Philosophers, artists
- Truthbard - Masters of poetry and literature
- Arcane Harmony:
- Spellweaver - Magic theorists
- Rune Sage - Scholars of magical creatures and history
- Timeless Memory:
- Chronologian - Historical scholars
- Sandkeeper - Keepers of legends and lore
The Order of Justicars
A group of neutral judges, enforcers, and intelligence gatherers, the Justicar traditions stem back centuries of time. Their role in the Terran Accord is like that of adjudicators and espionage specialists. Still, instead of doing so for a nation, the Justicar's role is to study and preserve history and understand the fold of events. They have been known throughout history as silent purveyors of truth, with the patience that drives time to a standstill.
Oftentimes, Justicars are used as judges to settle disputes between members of the accord. Likewise, they can act as Marshals to enforce the will of the Council of Keepers, dispatched to resolve matters that should remain from the public eye, such as going after rogue members of the Accord.
To the public eye, though, the sign of a Justicar can be intimidating, as rumors of their tactics tend to spread the notion they are aggressive, unlike their peace-loving counterparts, and are excellent at hunting prey.
Culture
Membership and Induction
Membership is voluntary but exclusive, demanding rigorous academic commitment, moral clarity, and lifelong dedication. Candidates undergo extensive training and testing within their Archive, culminating in the ceremonial Oath of Preservation, swearing eternal loyalty to knowledge, truth, and balance.
History
The Terran Accord predates the formation of the Kingdom of Alterra by approximately 300 years, founded as a group in the Dwenmir Alliance that branched away from the Dwenmir Frontier Coalition to store and keep record history itself, separate from any political ties.
Territories
Major Holdings and Locations
- The Grand Monastery of Alterric: The Accord’s central stronghold, housing the most significant libraries and archives, is located in Alterra.
- Vault of Higard: A lesser-known and secretive citadel specializing in classified and sensitive records and artifacts. Located in North-Eastern Alterra
- Luminary Archives: This archive is located in Parablis in the South-Central Ereban Empire and is staffed by archivists who specialize in philosophy, enlightenment, and esoteric studies.
Foreign Relations
International Recognition
While based primarily in Alterra, who themselves acknowledge it as a group and established full rights apart from the Government, the Terran Accord has the right to establish itself as a guild in the Ereban Empire. Demaga, however, refuses to acknowledge it as a sovereign guild. Instead, it only permits travel for individuals and will not allow the establishment of any group affiliated with the Terran Accord, primarily due to the Accord's practice of worship to Raujlac in some cases.
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