Scholarly Order

The Scholarly Order is a highly organized and hierarchical institution dedicated to the pursuit of knowledge and the preservation of history and cultural heritage. It is comprised of scholars, researchers, and intellectuals from a variety of disciplines, including history, philosophy, mathematics, astronomy, and magic.

The structure of the Scholarly Order is pyramid-shaped, with the highest rank being occupied by the Grand Master, followed by several tiers of Masters, then Adepts, Apprentices, and finally, Scribes and Aides. Each tier has a specific set of responsibilities, and advancement is based on merit and seniority.

The Grand Master is the highest authority in the Scholarly Order and is responsible for overseeing the organization's operations, managing its resources, and ensuring that its goals and mission are being fulfilled. The Grand Master is also responsible for determining the priorities and focus of the Order, and for appointing other Masters and Adepts to carry out specific tasks and projects.

The focus of the Scholarly Order is the pursuit of knowledge and the preservation of history and cultural heritage. This involves extensive research, both in the field and in the archives of the Order, as well as the preservation and cataloguing of artifacts, manuscripts, and other historical and cultural treasures. The Order is also dedicated to the dissemination of knowledge, through lectures, seminars, and publishing, and to the training of new scholars and intellectuals.

The Scholarly Order is highly respected and influential in the larger society, and its members are sought after as advisors, consultants, and teachers by individuals and institutions. The Order is also a source of pride and prestige for the communities in which it operates, and is often seen as a symbol of the wisdom and cultural richness of the civilization it serves.

The current Grand Master is Isadora Ravenwood.

High elves are more likely to be members of the Scholarly Order, as their approach to knowledge is more defined and systematic. However, members of other orders may also participate in the ceremonies and worship at the temples.

Practices

The Scholarly Order has a focus on intellectual pursuits, research, and education. They have various practices to encourage learning, critical thinking, and knowledge acquisition. These practices include:

• Lectures, seminars, and debates on various topics to encourage learning and the exchange of ideas.
• Workshops and training sessions on specific subjects, such as history, philosophy, magic, and science.
• Encouragement of independent research projects to deepen members' knowledge and understanding of a particular subject.
• Regular meetings to discuss and share new findings and insights.
• The creation and maintenance of libraries, archives, and museums to preserve and share knowledge with the wider community.

The Scholarly Order places a strong emphasis on academic rigor, critical thinking, and the pursuit of truth and knowledge. They also prioritize the dissemination of knowledge to the wider community, either through public lectures and events or through the publication of scholarly works.

Festivals

The Scholarly Order focuses on the festivals of Samhain and Imbolc, as they celebrate the change of seasons and the passing of knowledge and wisdom between generations. These festivals provide opportunities for the scholars to share their research, engage in debates and discussions, and impart their knowledge to the next generation. Additionally, Samhain allows the scholars to reflect on their ancestors and the wisdom they have passed down, while Imbolc marks the start of the new year and symbolize the renewal of their pursuit of knowledge and enlightenment.

Structure

The Scholarly Order: This order is focused on the study and interpretation of religious texts and teachings. They are led by scholars and sages, who are responsible for interpreting the will of the gods, preserving and passing down the knowledge, and providing guidance on how to live a virtuous life.

• Grand Master/Mistress: The leader of the order and the main representative of the gods and goddesses. They are responsible for interpreting the will of the gods, leading the lectures, debates, and discussions, and providing guidance on how to live a virtuous life.
• Master/Mistress: Senior members of the order who have completed their training and are responsible for teaching, conducting research and providing guidance on how to live a virtuous life.
• Scholar: Junior members of the order who are in training to become Master/Mistress. They would assist the Masters/Mistresses in teaching, conducting research and would learn the teachings and practices of the order.
• Apprentice: Apprentices are the entry-level members of the order, who are just starting out on their academic journey. Their primary role is to learn from their mentors and gain knowledge and skills in their chosen field of study
• There are also aides and scribes who help with the tasks of managing the written works and libraries.

While any class can be a member of the church, they are generally restricted to:

• Sages - have a close affinity with the gods, their concern for knowledge and the lore of the faith means many serve as gatherers and preachers of knowledge.  Many act as librarians and keepers of stories.  They are most often found out in the field gathering information to bring back to the order and are also the healers of the order.
  • Likely class is Mage or envoy
  • Suggested Talents - Unknown
  • Suggested Specialisations - Arcane Scholar, Miracle Worker, Soulbound
  • Approved Arcana - Healing, Any
  • Forbidden Arcana - None
  • Additional info - Sages get the cryptography focus
• Seers - Have a strong belief in the strength of spirit that is inherent in everything the Eileryan Faith has dominion over, they are information gatherers and defenders of the faith and work side by side with their peers.
  • Likely class is Mage or envoy
  • Suggested Talents - Unknown, Lore, Oratory,
  • Suggested Specialisations - Arcane Scholar, Seer, Soulbound
  • Approved Arcana -  Any, Psychic, Divination
  • Forbidden Arcana - None
  • Additional info -Seers get the seeing focus
• Warrior Monks -are the defenders of the faith, upholding services and defending the groves on Elven lands.  They answer directly to the Grand Master.
  • Likely class is Rogue or warrior
  • Suggested Talents - Unknown, Quick Reflexes, Unarmed styles
  • Suggested Specialisations - Martial artist, Assassin
  • Approved Arcana -  None
  • Forbidden Arcana - none
  • Additional info - Monks get access to the weapon group pole arms.