The Archivists

The Archivists are the Anointed of Lexica, Goddess of the Mind, bestowed her Sacrament after being selectively recruited for their intellectual prowess. They are a network of elite academics, investigators, strategists, and administrators that run a vast intelligence network through Endros, serving as Lexica's agents. The Archivist's Guild is associated with many powerful factions, including Arcan Academy, the Adventurer's Guild, the Titan Order, and more.

The Hive Mind

Lexica's Sacrament connects each Archivist to Lexica's hive mind, which acts as a natural conduit for Lexica's many streams of consciousness. Archivists can communicate telepathically with each other across the realm from any distance, sharing information effortlessly. Their connection to Lexica ensures they also have perpetual access to a vast library of knowledge, as well as the full intelligence network operated by the Archivist's Guild.

Since Lexica is always able to perceive through her Archivists, one can always be considered speaking to Lexica when addressing an Archivist. Furthermore, Archivists can allow Lexica to "speak through" them, as if channeling her directly.

Because of the sensitivity available within Lexica's hive mind, all potential Archivists are thoroughly vetted before being chosen. After being chosen, their mind and actions are closely observed to ensure they are suitable permanent candidates.

Archivist Gems

Within a few months of being Anointed, Archivists undergo surgery to receive their Archivist Gem. Archivist Gems are relic-class Mindshards created by Aedron, God of Crafting, and are implanted with the assistance of Sutra, Goddess of the Weave. This gem offers full Psydive capability and improved mental abilities that can interface with the gem's Sprites directly.

Archivist Permit

Archivist permits are exclusively possessed by Archivists. They grant absolute protection, authority, and freedom from local laws. When invoked in good faith, Archivists are entitled to near-unrestricted access across Endros for the purposes of obtaining and recording information. Refusing their requests is tantamount to obstructing Lexica's will. A permit can be contested, but few are crazy enough to challenge Lexica given her reputation for setting examples.

Knowledge Brokering

The Archivist's Guild branches interact with the public to buy and sell information, communicating requests across Endros through their hive mind. They have access to the rarest and most high-value intel in Endros, including knowledge of high-end merchandise and resources, real-time current event updates, and significant advantages in market dynamics. Simple directives from the Archivist's Guild can earn small fortunes when major markets are disrupted. Though Archivists don't deal directly in trade, they do maintain large and profitable stakes in businesses that benefit from their knowledge.

Archivists purchase valuable intel that they don't already possess; especially secrets, current events, and illegal or demonic activities. They keep identities confidential, are willing to work with miscreants, and will take appropriate precautions for insider knowledge. The costs are dependent on perceived value and urgency, but the guild pays well to encourage participation. Vital information, or information that is acted upon immediately, may be worth several gold.

Positions

Conservators: Oversee the administration, logistics, and operations of an Archivist Guild branch.
- Serve as regional controllers for the Guild.
- Responsible for handling public affairs and inter-branch communication.
Guildmasters: Oversee the administration, logistics, and operations of a major Adventurer's Guild branch.
- Rarely enter the field; their craft is people, process, and proof.
Headmasters: Oversee a major Adventuring Academy or specialized school.
Broadcast Director: Manages the Stormcrest Broadcasting station and its content.
Keepers: Oversee teams of analysts that handle, process, and validate top-secret intelligence.
- Coordinate the hive-mind's knowledge, market operations, intelligence distribution, mission logs, etc.
Agents: Investigators that deal in psychic forensics, counter-intelligence, interrogation, social engineering, and covert tradecraft.
- Investigate places of import: courts, criminal and demonic activity, shadowlands, war zones, etc.
- Each is backed by a full team of analysts, handlers, auditors, and other staff.
Alchemists: World-class alchemy researchers focused on humanity's long-term technological superiority.
- Lead large teams of experts in narrow, high-impact domains.
- Publish work to secure archives, prototype in controlled Psydives, and report development and breakthroughs to the appropriate channels.
Mindshapers: World-class Mindscape engineers. Oversee the development of large Mindscape projects.
- Includes Archivist Gems, Golems, Psydive simulations, advanced robotic systems, Comm Towers, etc.

Each position has a formal title to properly address them: Conservator, Guildmaster, Headmaster, Director, Keeper, Agent, and Master. Alchemists and Mindshapers are formally addressed with the title "Master."

Notable Tasks

Intelligence Collection: Surveillance, source handling, site sweeps, and document recovery.
Analysis: Churn intel, map power structures, vet assets, determine strategic importance, logs, advisories, etc.
Emergency Response: Rapid tasking, evacuation, and continuity of operations during crises.
Criminal Investigations: Investigating treason, conducting interviews, psychic forensics.
Forensic Analysis: Physical, Aetheric, and Mindscape evidence processing with chain‑of‑custody.
Counterintelligence & Vetting: Backgrounding, deception detection, red‑team tests, and leak hunts.
Compliance Auditing: Ensuring branches follow guild law, divine edicts, and Permit protocols.
Market Monitoring: Tracking regional markets, issuing quiet directives when disruptions create opportunity.
Knowledge Brokering: Packaging, pricing, and delivering purchasable insights to approved clients.
Mindshard Curation: Mindshaping, cataloging, duplicating, and preserving Mindshard holdings.
Psydive Operations: Running training dives, reconstructions, and secure presentations, overseeing recordings.
Archiving: Recording the full, true history of the world, including its many lost secrets.
Cryptography & Secure Comms: Ciphers, keys, and hardened Mindscape channels.
Identification: Establishing records and documentation for important citizens.
Finance & Accounting: Managing ledgers, branch budgets, investments, and knowledge‑brokering revenue.
Legal Affairs & Permits: Stewarding Archivist Permits, drafting notices, contesting unlawful interference.
Diplomatic Liaison: Managing relations with nobles, academies, temples, and city watches.
Aethertech Procurement & Maintenance: Acquiring and servicing Mind Aethertech and Interfaces.
Forgery & Document Services: Creating covers and seals, detecting and countering forgeries.
Training & Doctrine: Courses for analysts, officers, investigators, and branch staff.
Logistics & Safehouses: Transport, warehousing, and the upkeep of covert sites.

Key Archivists

Conservators
- Capital Cities: Haven, Meris, Onyx, Skywood, Titania
- Adventuring Cities: Arcanus, Aegis, Anchor, Riven, Starfell, Sanctum
- Major Cities: Stormcrest, Hearth, Rune
- Heavy Trade Cities: Eldara, Vale
Guildmasters: Haven, Skywood, Riven, Aegis, Starfell, Anchor, Sanctum, Arcanus, Blackwilde
Headmasters: Haven, Skywood, Onyx, Arcanus
Agents: Forensics, Tracker, Mind, Detective, Interrogation.
Keepers
Alchemists, Mindshapers, Broadcast Directors