Safehold
Mythlore Keep
Ruler: Keeper of the Tomes
Economy: Knowledge
Militia: The Avowed, exact numbers are uncertain but likely between 100 to 300 defenders of various abilities and experience
Points of interest: The Keep’s Library, The Inner Rooms
This citadel of learning stands on a volcanic horn, or crag, overlooking the sea. A towered fortress which is all that remains of a once grand city that thrived here before The Godswar even began. By the start of the current age, it was the home of the famous seer Aruspex and preserves his predictions along with all the written records and learning of the Realms that can be assembled by the Avowed. The price for any traveler to enter the Keep proper is a book. Those wishing to examine any writing in the Keep’s library must gift Safehold with a new tome and tithe items of value no less than 10,000 gold. The monks of Safehold, who claim to be nondenominational and call themselves the Avowed, also purchase certain books brought to them and even commission agents in great secrecy to procure writings they desire to possess. Those who wish to browse in the library must normally be sponsored by a known mage of power; many books given to Safehold in payment are therefore minor spellbooks.
This community is ruled by the Keeper of the Tomes, assisted by the First Reader, the second in authority and traditionally the most learned sage of the monastery. There are up to eight Great Readers under these two offices, who are assisted by the Chanter, the Guide, and the Gatewarden. The Chanter leads the endless chant of Aruspex’s prophecies that wends its way around the keep day and night in a continuous utterance of the sage’s predictions. The Guide is in charge of teaching acolytes and the Gatewarden deals with visitors, the security of and supplies for the community, and with the clergy, who are regarded as honored guests rather than part of the monastery’s hierarchy.
Mysteriously, for several hundred yards outside the Keeps walls, the aether simply ceases to function; a dead zone where magic and even psionics does not exist. Inside the outer walls of Safehold, this is not the case, within the grounds of the Keep this appears not to be the case as a mighty and many-layered ward exists. This ward prevents anything from burning except wicks and wax, prevent the operation or use of translocation magics such as teleportations or misty step as well as many other destructive spells, it kills all moulds and insects such as paper wasps and prohibit the entry of bookworms, among other secret properties known only to a select few. Because of these wards, lanterns and candle lamps are often used without worry as no paper can ignite anywhere in the Keep. An additional ward prohibits entry into the Inner Rooms except for those bearing a token. The Inner Rooms are where the most powerful magical tomes are kept and where none but the Great Readers may go except in the direct company of the Keeper or First Reader.
The central, highest fortress of the Keep is surrounded by a terraced rock garden of many trees, where natural springs rise and bubble down the rocks in small cascades and pools. These beautiful grounds descend to a ring of buildings along the inside of the massive outer walls: guesthouses, stables, granaries, a warehouse, an infirmary, temples, and shrines.
Except in cases of illness or when someone joins the order as an acolyte, no visitor can remain in Safehold for more than 10 days at a time, or enter the monastery less than a month after leaving it. Order in the Keep is kept by the Gatewarden’s five underofficers: four Watchers who take turns patrolling the monastery and watching the land and sea around from its tallest towers, and the Keeper of the Portal or gate guard, all five of whom have 12 armed monks and experienced warriors as assistants. These underofficers are also said to wield magical rods and rings of the office to enforce their will.
Understanding the hierarchy of Mythlore Keep has been simplified in various color based rhymes told throughout the North. Acolytes are robed in black. Seekers, or full brothers, wear robes of mauve. The Seekers are the lowest monks. They do research and fetch and carry. Above them are the Scribes, who copy out works to order or compile books from various sources in the library for sale, the chief source of income for the community. Visitors are forbidden to write in the library. Over them are the Chanter and the Readers, from whose ranks the offices of the Avowed are filled, and who vote to fill vacancies. All the underofficers wear brown homespun robes while holders of the high offices wear robes of various colors that bear adornments of gold thread and stripes of white. Only the Keeper of the Tomes can wear pure white robes. Travelers who enter the Keep proper clad all in white can expect to be stripped on the spot or cast out.
The current Keeper of the Tomes is Exejor, a proud and haughty mage. It is well not to cross him. The traveler should humble himself to avoid doing so or try to keep out of the Keeper’s notice. Unfortunately, all petitioners who enter the central Keep must sit at Exejor’s left shoulder for at least one evening feast meal and endure his searching questions.
The current First Reader, Phafanorim, is often mistaken by visitors for the Keeper because of his intelligent, regal, and sensitive demeanor.
Safehold has but one absolute rule: Those who destroy knowledge, with ink, fire, or sword, are themselves destroyed. Here, books are more valuable than people.
Comments