Shards of Zavindjin
Explorers, delvers, and scholars, the Shards of Zavindjin seek out lost knowledge and collect fragments of a bygone era. Not much is known of this small and secretive organization. Many assume that it is composed of librarians, historians, and treasure seekers. While this is mostly true on the outside, the true composition and goals of the faction are shrouded in mystery and hidden in riddles.
As owners of one of the largest libraries and collections of history in the Isles, the Shards of Zavindjin maintain an outward appearance that is synonymous with academia and perseverance. What is hidden from the outside however, is an obsessive fascination with uncovering forgotten truths, recovering lost artifacts, and sequestering secrets and truths for an unknown purpose. While their intentions are not outright malicious, they claim that the pursuit of their craft is more important than anything else.
The faction is composed of researchers and scholars who seek out the hidden things of the land. Wizards, warlocks, and monks make up most of the ranks, but anyone with strong determination could prove useful. Each individual is given tasks and an area of study to which they may devote their entire life to understanding. It is a member's hope that one day they may reveal something important enough to bring to the [Crystal Collection]. While they seek out the mysteries of the past and future, even lifelong members may not truly understand the grand schemes of the organization.
Structure
At the top of the organization is the High Keeper. This singular role is given to the most senior member of the organization and is responsible for keeping the most guarded secrets and lore protected and hidden. The High Keeper along with two senior keepers form the Cabal of Knowledge, the governing force for the Shards of Zavindjin. The Cabal makes decisions about the faction's objectives and doctrines.
The faction is broken into two main levels: the Lower Order of Knowledge, and the Higher Order of Knowledge. The lower order is full of lay members and is open to anyone who wishes to apply for membership. This level is full of university professors, tutors, historians, and other scholars. Members of the lower order have access to a selection of materials, knowledge, books, and resources, but do not work primarily for the faction itself. In return for the boons the faction provides, lower members promise to share new discoveries with the faction first, before publishing or otherwise sharing their work. While lower members are free to meet with higher order members in the many sponsored libraries across the isles, they are seldom invited or welcome to the Crystal Collection, which is home to the more permanent members and advanced collections of books, lore, and artifacts.
Once a lower member proves their loyalty and makes a particularly interesting discovery, they are invited to the headquarters to meet with a representative of the Higher Order. After a rigorous academic test and interview they may be determined worthy of entering the Higher Order of Knowledge. When a member makes the transition they are often told to leave their old jobs behind and to begin working for the faction directly. They will then usually be given an area of study or a series of tasks to conduct. Higher order members have greater access to resources and lore, even many of the collections held within the Crystal Collection. Although trusted, many higher order members are still not granted all the truths and details the Cabal of Knowledge keeps secret. The true purposes and objectives are kept only for the most trusted agents of the Shards of Zavindjin.
A third subsection of the faction is its warrior caste. Known as the Shardblades, these razor-sharp, gem-weapon wielding, warriors protect the assets of the faction. Most are stationed at the Crystal Collection and provide security and protection from invaders or monsters found in the Valley of Floating Stones. Due to the nature of their work, all Shardblades are sworn into the Higher Order of Knowledge, and are even sent out on missions that are especially dangerous.
Culture
Knowledge and progress are at the forefront of the faction's ideology. Members strive to perfect their scholarly crafts. But with a certain amount of perfectionism comes an amount of competitiveness. As members aim at progressing their status among the group, they often find themselves butting heads with peers, as not everyone can ascend to the highest levels of the faction, and into the history books.
It can be common, especially among the lower order members, to find sabotage, infighting, and politicking. A major focus among members is getting projects sponsored, and thus it creates an air of intrigue among top scholars. The cabal and other members allow for such troubles to plague the system for it shows them the lengths some might be willing to go to show their loyalty and capability. That said, however, there are a few strict laws that all must follow to remain in good standing. These rules vary from the obvious prohibition of murder or bodily harm, to that of how information is spread and published outside the sphere of the faction.
The organization is also very secretive, a trait that many do not realize at first. It can be difficult to get access to certain tomes, artifacts, or people. Members often can become angered with how the faction is set up and try to find ways around the rules. Those who do find themselves in the know are said to become more recluse and objective driven, only devoted to their work and losing sight of other values they once held. However, many members of the higher order report finding great purpose and joy in life within the faction.
Public Agenda
To the outside world, the Shards of Zavindjin is a useful organization. Many of the public libraries were first developed by the faction, and many of the world's great scholars were members. Being one of the factions to survive Dragonfall, they were a driving force in the rebuilding efforts of the last century. They provided schematics of buildings, tomes of farming techniques, and much more.
The faction does place itself before anyone else when disseminating new information, but eventually most discoveries are passed along to third-parties and governmental partners. The faction seeks to enable the public and help progress and develop the isles. The faction also makes and sells many minor magical items such as scrolls and potions. Recently the faction has been studying the paper printing capabilities of the Lion's Share Confederacy, they believe that such a technology will really help the isles.
Assets
The factions owns the single most known collection of scrolls, tomes, artifacts, and history. Most of these treasured items is stored in the floating crystal fortress known as the Crystal Collection. The faction's treasury was initially funded by [Zavindjin The Purple], and today the treasury is funded by sponsors, fees gathered by the libraries, and objects sold in the markets.
Outside of the headquarters for the faction, it owns many book shops, libraries, and private tutor houses.
All Knowing, Knowing All
Founding Date
122 AD
Type
Educational, Society
Leader
Location
Notable Members
Comments