The Arkivon
Origin and Purpose
The Arkivon was created three hundred years ago by the Thanes of Alven to help run the newly unified clans.
The creation of an independent and neutral governmental body was seen as a gage of good faith by the clans who entrusted the Arkivon with the task of organising the election of The Thane of Alven whenever the occasion arose.
The neutrality of the Arkivon is at the center of its core laws and institutions and these were set up to prevent the bloody wars of succession that plagued Alven since the inception of a ruling Thane more than a millenia ago.
The creation of the Arkivon was also the death knell of The Druids and their traditions.
At the time of the last succession war, The War of the Adders, the Druids had become an organisation as powerful as the Thane and the clans, over centuries, amassing a hoard of incredible riches hidden in many underground 'sacred' houses or temples.
The Druids held sway on many political decisions and were keen to hold on to their powers over the clans. It was the Druidic The High Counsel who precipitated the last global clan wars when they sided with the northern clans of Cauldfell for the election of a new Thane.
When the southern clans, after eleven years of conflict, claimed a marginal victory over the North, the newly elected Thane, the great Thane Thingor Gremane, confiscated as much of the Druids' treasure as he could find to create the The Great Hoard.
In the same breath, he proclaimed the druidic religion and practices unlawful and in its stead elevated a little known circle of Brigant's devotees from his own homeland to state religion: The Sanctuary.
The Sanctuary is not the only religious order in Alven these days but is by far the richest and best connected of them all.
Early Days
By creating the Arkivon, the Thanes of Alven created a powerful centralised organisation independent from the petty regional rules of the Clan Chieftains and ushered an area of prosperity and peace throughout the country.
Although seemingly independent from the Thane's influence, in times of national crisis, the ruling monarch could avail himself of the professional Arkivon army, The Host of Morgan, trained for just such an eventuality.
As well as the fyrds raised by the chieftains of each Alven clan, the country could now also rely on a national army to defend the clanlands against the threats of foreign powers such as The Southern Kingdoms.
The Host of Morgan had already proven its worth two hundred and fifty years ago when the Southern Kingdoms, thinking the Alven clans weakened by their long civil war, invaded the southeastern clanlands of Alven.
Emperor Frandal and the armies of The Sural Empire were swiftly dispatched back to their own lands in a matter of months in a war the Alvenites called 'the Southern Rout'.
Since then, the Southern Kingdoms have not even glanced sideways towards Alven and battles with the now broken southern Empire are now enacted on the commercial front.
The Power Rods and the Arkivon
The other responsibility of the Arkivon and one of the main reasons for its creation and existence is the safekeeping of the Rod Depository .
The rods of power once the creations and property of the Ancestors had been used over the milenia with dire effects and left in the hands of various clan Chieftains who hoarded the deadly magical weapons to themselves as a sign of their clan supremacy.
During the last civil war, southern and northern clans had their population decimated when during battles, the rods were used in earnest and trapped rows of warriors in their deadly beams of pure energy.
It was one of the greatest achievements of Thane Thingor Gremane to create the Rod Depository and put the Alven rods under Arkivon control.
The clans were not to use the rods against each other anymore - clan disputes would be settled by the Thane through the impartial involvement of the Arkivon.
Wars still plagued parts of the clanlands but at least, the rods of power would not be used between Alvenites.
Since the Rout, Alven has not had to suffer any more attacks from foreign powers and the power rods have only been seen out of the Repository for martial practice and ceremonies.
Rods have also been the focus of certain Arkivon circles as subjects of research in a bid to pierce the secrets of their fabrication and power - up to now to no avail.
Present Days
The institutions of the Arkivon have continued to grow in influence within the clanlands throughout the last two centuries, becoming not only the armed hand of the Thane but also a well oiled government machine in charge of the country's taxes and finances.
Nowadays, the Arkivon governs most aspects of the clanlands which does not directly fall within the purview of the clan chieftains.
The only area that is not totally under its control is the practice of religion - that is still the domain of the Sanctuary and its representative to the Thane, The White Seer.
A bitter rivalry has grown between the Arkivon and the Sanctuary: the later resents the ever increasing influence of the Arkivon on Alvenish society.
The Arkivon's presence is felt everywhere in Alven: the institution has libraries and compounds in every one of the Alven regions.
However, it is true that in the Eastern clanlands, the Arkivon traditionally has less of a presence and is not always respected or welcomed.
Only in the far north of the eastern coast can the populations escape the influence and presence of the Arkivon and the Thane. The Lost Coast is the place where outcasts and outlaws are sent to and forgotten.
Organisation
Head of the Arkivon
The Arkivon is headed by the Steward of the Arkive and The Raven Seer .
These two very powerful offices mirror the positions of Thane and White Seer.
The Steward is helped in his function by The Arkclerk, his personal assistant and secretary. The Raven Seer's personal secretary - familiarly called the Crow - is The Raven Clerk.
Both the Steward and the Raven Seer have total control over the rest of the Arkivens.
Ranks and Titles
The Arkivens are divided into two distinct branches: the Host of Morgan, which is the armed faction of the institution, and the Circles, which are the clanlands' governing and learning bodies.
Host of Morgan
At the head of the Host is the Eorl of Morgan. Below the main general of the Host are usually three or four Aldermen. An Alderman is a general who is in charge of one of the factions of the Host.
Rune Wielder has a special place within the Arkivon.
Rune Wielders are Arkivens who have the ability to power the runes on the rods of power - only clansmen (usually from chieftains' family and lineage) with a certain genetic make-up have such powers within them.
Rune Wielders normally join the The Rod Lancers and train to become proficient with the deadly power rods.
Below the Aldermen are the Regiment Helms. A Helm is usually in charge of a suadron, either calvary or infantry.
Soldiers and cavaliers have the titles of Arkiven-Knights. Trainee knights are called Arkiven-Squires or Outriders (as opposed to Riders).
The Circles
There are many circles within the Arkivon, some are little known, others are secret. It is said that only the Steward knows how many circles there are within the Arkivon and the names of the Arkivens who make them up.
However, everyone knows the main five circles of the Arkivon:
The Blaze dispenses justice and punishment throughout Alven. They make sure that Clansmen keep within the Thanes' Laws. They also run the few prisons that exist within the clanlands, notably Highfort's the Arkdungen (more commonly known as The Dung)
Seer-Arkiven make up the majority of the Diviners' circle. This is the religious branch of the Archivon and the circle the most at odds with the Sanctuary.
The Seers deciphers the portents given by the gods and have the important and traditional functions to write in The Book of Events Yet to Come.
This circle's purpose is to recruit and form the young recruits and future Archivens.
The roosts are the Archivon's training grounds and only the most promising youngsters will be allowed to join the ranks of the prestigious Arkivon.
This very broad circle gathers the Archivens in charge of the country's coffers and commercial endeavours. It also oversees the Alvenish delegations to foreign powers.
This is one of the oldest circles of the Arkivon. Under this broad church can be found the learned elements of the institution: historians, arcanists, scientists etc.
Its hallowed center of operation is the Library at the center of every Archive building, the most famous of which is the Hexagoyne Library at the center of the Highfort Arkive . Off the Hexagoyne Library can be found the Rod Depository.
Recruitment, Training and Career
Recruitment
Joining the ranks of the Arkivon is the dream of many Alvenish youngsters. The top tiers of the clans, The Clanbearers' offsprings in particular, will be expected to try for either The Assays or the Marks to enter respectively the Sanctuary orders or the Arkivon.
For this reason, education is a booming industry within the higher echelons of Alven society.
An ambitious family will pay handsomely for tutors, usually called a Master Seer, to provide teaching and learning to their offsprings in a bid to enter one of the two prestigious institutions.
The Marks can be entered two or three times but no more from the age of 17 - which is when clansmen are considered adults.
More men than women apply for the tests as careers are not always encouraged for females in Alven. More women traditionally apply for the Assays as the Sanctuary is seen as having less of a martial bent than the Arkivon. However, there is a healthy martial tradition for both men and women in certain clans, especially the southern ones.
With the creation of a wealthy merchant and business class within the clans, the Marks have become a must for the rich Alvenites' sons and daughter. Some families are ready to make great sacrifices for one of their children to enter the Arkivon to gain prestige and influence.
The Marks are open to everyone to enter and this democratic process has allowed Clan Chieftains and Clanbearers to sponsor promising youngsters of their own clan to enter the Arkivon and sometimes, make a name for themselves.
For clans, the more representation they have within the Sanctuary or the Arkivon, the more influence they usually possess within the government. Despite the strict rules regarding the yearly selection of Outriders and Squires, nepotism is rife within the Arkivon.
However, because of its continued policy of expansion, the Arkivon is always in need of fresh talents. Arkivens are sent to the four corners of Alven to make sure the Thane's Laws are applied in matters of allegiance, taxes and justice.
The eastern clanlands, because of their late development, are in particular need of 'guidance' from the Arkivon. The newly set up Libraries are filled with young Arkivens ready to serve and make a name for themselves.
The Roosts
Once a clansman or clanswoman has passed the Marks, they will be sent for training to one of Morgan's Roosts - there are four of them at the moment throughout Alven. One Roost has been newly created in the East near the city of Hollyholm, in the harbour of Wilsands and is called the Wilsands' Roost.
The oldest and most renowned is situated near the capital, Highfort, near the small village of Dunhills and is called the Duns' Roost , or coloquially, the Duns.
Another one is situated fairly high in one of the Tower Mountains' valleys near the mountain town of Denaiker's Roost.
The fourth Roost is found north of Highfort on the shore of the Shimmering Seas near the harbour of Mooray: Mooray's Roost, or the Moors. Traditionally, this is where future naval officers have been formed.
Due to the geographical position of the Roosts, many young men and women needs to leave the clans and their family to join the Arkivon, especially if they hail from the north of the country. Traditionally, youngsters from Farden join the Denaiker's Roost, but some will travel to Highfort to join the more prestigious Dunns.
The creation of an eastern Roost has meant that future Arkivens from this part of Alven do not have to travel that far for training and this new development has seen an upsurge in presentations for the Marks from the Island clans' children who historically have been always reluctant to join the Arkivon.
Training
The Roosts' three year training is to first discover the potential of the future Arkivens and orientate them towards their chosen Circle.
During the first months of their training, the 'birdies' will be assessed physically and mentally through a series of trials and their potential assessed.
After this initial tests, the trainee will be given a timetable that will play to his or her strength.
In the Arkivon, great importance is given to martial achievement and prowess. Trainees with good speed, srength and combativity will join the prestigious Academe, the building where the future Host of Morgan's officers are housed and train.
The recruits who do not make the cut for the Academe will join the 'think tank' of the Roosts: the College. Many young clansmen with intellectual ambitions aspire to join a college to pursue a life of learning and research. They do not usually have any regret in leaving the Academe behind.
However, because of the physical tests still to be met for the Marks and during the first few months of training in the Roosts, some youngsters prefer to give the Arkivon a wide berth and decide to enter the Sanctuary instead.
At the end of the three years' training, the young clansmen will join their chosen Circle and commence their career within the Arkivon - they will go where they are posted and needed and will have the opportunity to rise through the ranks.
Other Arkivon Circles
It is well known that the Arkivon has given birth to a few secret circles of its own. Their existence being secret, they will not be discussed within this article.
Other circles are well known within the Arkivon itself and present an affable front. Among those:
Type
Governmental, Ministry
Related Ranks & Titles
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