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The Scholar
De’Jima - The Scholar , Scale-Talker,
The Polymath,
Overview
The silence that falls in the long, cold nights of
endless reflection, he is the greatest among
teachers and bestows his knowledge upon those
who choose to receive it. Like the branching,
unlit expanses of a great cavern, so are the lost
bastions of knowledge and secrets sill hidden
throughout Memora. In recent decades it is the
faithful of De’Jima who have learned the virtue
to be had in uncovering the gifts that time has
obscured. The Scholar requires that his
followers not only be learners but that they too
follow his example and share their knowledge
with those most in need of it. Standing near the
apex of Grimfrost before the cycle begins anew,
he is the consent chronicler scribbling frantically upon parchment as the candle flickers for the
final time. For it is in the stillness of the coldest nights, just before the book closes, that wisdom
is born in contemplation of the unexplained.
The Scholar’s influence is strongly felt in Memora in the recent centuries. His efforts have made
the intelligent races of Memora stronger for their knowledge. Many abide by his ways, but few
actually find his favor.
During the darker times, many of the intelligent races had to retreat to the security and seclusion
of caverns. There they spent time reinventing themselves. The bearded-folk who were
accustomed to living there offered them help in the form of teaching them how to create light,
fire, and acquire the basics to survive. It was this sharing of knowledge that was the supposed
birthplace of the Scholar.
The Deepbeards often claim a closeness to the Scholar because of this story, but due to the
reputation of their demeanor, this is often dismissed.
Sigil & Imagery
The pen and book represent the binding of knowledge. Many images that honor the scholar
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appear with a book and pen. Sometimes, when the scholar has been embattled, spilled ink
appears in these visual works. Other cultures exalt the scholar as a cave from which knowledge
and education were reborn. In fact, because some knowledge is so sacred and deemed dangerous,
it is secluded into caves by many races. This is why some fear the cave while others seek to
uncover its secrets.
Dwelling Place
Many mistakenly assume that the scholar can be found on every street corner much like the
merchant. However, the scholars influence is found in quiet reserved places. The scholar’s
shrines are often remote and lofty locations with ample lighting. There are often small abbeys
where the devoted practice crafting better paper, book-binding, and specialized ceremonial inks.
The truly devoted sometimes create entire libraries of their own ensconced in the cavernous
crags of cliff sides. These remote libraries are often places where those who seek truly obscure
knowledge must venture to find answers. It’s rumored that these locations are actually remote
accesses to the Lost Library guarded by the Scholar’s favored creatures, but to date, no one has
found this to be true…much less seen one.
Supplicants further the practices and mission of the scholar by creating more durable paper and
more resilient inks. Often times, libraries held in the top of a tower are safe-houses for these
craftsman. They are considered some of the most exalted of this Orison.
The Lost Library of Lat Maro
There is a conflict between the Scholar and the current Library. There is a strange divergence of
its energies and while one might expect these two powers to be in harmony, they are indeed at
odds. It seems there is something wrong with the library, and many of the Scholar’s chosen sense
it as much as the Lorekeepers do.
Pantheon
The Wanderer
A sometimes lost spirit, the Wanderer is perceived as a fellow inquisitive spirit. However, his
memory and practice for recording knowledge has much to be desired.
The Ascetic
If ever there were a physical counterpart it is the Ascetic. The scholar sees the Ascetic as an
honorable instructor and influence in the world. Though sometimes too focused on the
physicality of the world, the Ascetic and his followers are still held in high-esteem.
The Sage
The “old” wise-one is often touted as superstitious and senile. His “knowledge” is rarely based in
reality or the observation of history. The Sage is given a modicum of respect for his insight into
the behavior of living creatures, but much of the Sage’s advice on the world of Memora is drawn
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from shear speculation. The Sage represents fear of the unknown while the Scholar represents an
insatiable curiosity that goes well-beyond any fear.
Virtues & Vices
Only the truly dedicated petitioners, many of which are Lorekeepers, are favored by the Scholar.
They pay tribute by often helping friends and others to find teachers for skills and knowledge
that they seek. To fail to discover the truth is one the greatest vices faced by a supplicant of the
Scholar. Never should a devotee of the Scholar fail in the gathering or dissemination of
knowledge.
Communion & Liturgy
Litanies for the Scholar are often prepared objectives for a task. At the beginning of any
adventure, training, or lesson the litany, “By the Scholar’s favor we draw knowledge to succeed
in our endeavor.”
Many times, as Lorekeepers tend to do, the devoted petitioners of the Scholar will dwell in
silence while inscribing volumes of knowledge. This silence is how they commune. Sometimes,
insights into other enigmas can be gathered when an exalted of the Scholar takes the time for this
supplication.
Relics
The Folium Folio
The Entgrown have found books from times when preservation practices were extremely poor;
however, one book, bound entirely out of the Ent-mothers leaves, bark, and rosin has remained
intact. It is believed that it was actually the first words scrawled in this book that spawned the
return of the Scholar.
The Infinity Quill
Even the pen that did the scrawling is said to hold great magical properties. Its ink is everflowing and all its lettering is permanent.
Aspect Relations
Much of the Scholar spends his time in silence. The quietest time is during the dead of
Grimfrost. Also, the Scholar knows that when there is nothing else to do during the season of
silence, stories are told. These are often times when knowledge is transferred between beings.
Occasionally, Darkhollow’s influence can be seen in the Scholar. With his origins in the need for
secrecy, seclusion, and security of the stony depths of a cavern, the Scholar finds ties to this
Aspect.
Exaltation
Book binding, inscription, and cartography are all practices seen to honor the Scholar, but they
must be done in one of the remote locations designated for exaltation. The Scholar looks to see
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that his petitioners are truly devoted to intellect and that they are using it for both their
advancement from the darkness of the caves and into the light.
Adherence
Often time’s small tokens of books and pens are worn as symbols of exaltation to the Scholar,
but secret tattoos and charms featuring a cave also find their ways onto the person who
appreciates the secrets that educate the truly dedicated.
Orin & Hierarchy
The petitioners of the Scholar are rare enough that there is little to their ranking. There are the
Grand Keepers who reside in the lofty libraries and encourage the study of one subject, but then
there are the rogue scholars. These are the scholars on the frontier providing knowledge to those
who need it. Often times these individuals can look past a person’s background and heritage to
gain information.
Patron Races
The Scholar has believed to have appeared to multiple races as the following:
Saurian - De’Jima – Appears as a dull scaled elder. Saurians believe that one of their own
petitioned the Primordial to allow one of their rank to oversee the changes in Memora and that
this individual became the Scholar.
Org – Scale Talker – Appears as the same creature as De’Jima, but the Dreadtusk believe that it
was the Scholar that personally educated their ancestors to rise up against the Empire. They owe
a lot to this deity, and haven’t forgotten. Not surprisingly, tribal elders often pay tribute to any
shrines for knowledge and education that bare his mark.
X’sawah – The Polymath – The knowledge of the Bloodletters is often held and maintained by
the mental savants born into their numbers. These individuals excel at stealth and gather intellect.
These rare creatures have smaller claws than the rest of their breed, but they are raised to revere
their progenitor known as the Polymath. This version of the Scholar is a regal feline with the
typical markings of the X’sawah, but has emerging white streaks in their fur.
The Lith are favored as they are often hoarders of libraries due to their longevity and penchant
for collections. The Lith believe that the Scholar is actually a Lith who found a way to no longer
rely on blood, but can now use magic to fuel his powers—thus his Orison status.
The Entgrown believe that the Scholar has existed among their numbers for centuries and has
only recently returned to influence as a favor to their race and the others. While the Scholar
favors many of them, the truth is, the Eversent have honored a tree of knowledge for as long as
they have known the Entgrown. In fact, there is legend that only the Eversent can travel to this
great tree in the High Fugue.
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Organization & Order Relations
The Lorekeepers
Many of this organization favor the Scholar, however, not all are seen as his exalted. Many
warriors and stealthier agents in the ranks of the Lorekeepers favor other Orisons that favor
them.
The Cowl
Though these individuals have long since been forgotten or slain, the Scholar has not forgotten
them nor forsaken them. They were once prized by him and favored as the seekers of truth. There
is a day of remorse for those that once practiced the art of intelligence gathering. Many of those
who are loyal to the Scholar wear red in honor of those who fought to keep knowledge safe.