The Transcript Guild: Preservers of Ancient Wisdom
In the ink of the ancients, the state finds its roots; in the reverence of their spirit, it stands with unyielding bones. – Valandur
While the Adama make no qualms for mass producing texts with its printing and lithography presses, the Hallishim pride themselves in handcrafted texts. They belive there is a certain transfer of life or spirituality in hand crafted facsimiles of the most ancient texts in the history of Naurrnen.
Headquarted in the ancient Laurië Citime library, the Transcript Guild serves as a vanguard for the conservation and duplication of some of the most ancient and irreplaceable texts known to civilization. This esteemed institution is a sanctuary for scribes, artists, and scholars dedicated to the meticulous art of transcribing ancient works. While many guilds focus on the creation of new knowledge, the Transcript Guild specializes in the preservation of old wisdom, ensuring that it survives the ravages of time and circumstance.
Apprentices undergo years of stringent training, learning not only the art of exacting transcription but also mastering the antiquated languages and deciphering complex symbols and images. Among the Hallishim, it’s a widely accepted notion that a text loses half its value when the rich tapestry of its original presentation is lost. Lithography may be forbidden within the Kingdom of Tanquende, but the hand-crafted volumes produced by the guild are considered invaluable, not just for their content but for their artisanal quality.
The guild enjoys a special partnership with the Archivist Guild of Ornasion, often exchanging texts and discoveries to further the preservation of knowledge across Naurrnen. The Transcript Guild also holds a sacred duty to analyze the encrypted riddles and codes found in works like “The Ameara” by Bayetti Falasha, seeking keys to unlock the deep secrets of the past.
In essence, the Transcript Guild is more than a guild; it is a living link between past and future, a bridge that allows the wisdom of ancient civilizations to enlighten the minds of generations yet unborn.
Purpose:
To preserve and propagate the ancient art of handcrafted documentation, and to instill a spiritual connection with the art of writing.
History:
Founded by Valandur, the guild finds its origins in the early days of the Laurië Citime library. Valandur, having been inspired by the indestructible ruins of the Amearans, wanted to ensure that the knowledge of Naurrnen wouldn’t be as easily lost.
Training:
Initiates undergo rigorous training not just in the art of writing but in understanding the spirituality of preservation. The final test to become a master scribe involves replicating a text in the ancient style, with the belief that part of the writer’s spirit will imbue the document.
Guild Emblem:
The emblem could be a stylized quill intertwined with an ancient Amearan rune or symbol, representing the unity of the new and the old.
Duties:
Beyond just writing, the guild also takes on the responsibility of verifying the authenticity of ancient texts, ensuring they haven’t been tampered with or modified over the years.
Beliefs:
Members of the guild believe that each piece of knowledge carries with it a part of the writer’s spirit and that preserving this knowledge is akin to keeping the writer’s spirit alive.