The Society of the Quill - Your Patron (WIP)

[Hussar]

Waterdeep, city of splendors, the jewel of the Sword Coast, has never had an association of sages. Recent events up and down the Sword Coast in recent years though have finally convinced the independent minded sages of Waterdeep that the sharing of knowledge is more important than ever. Whether it was the rise of the Elemental Princes or the unrest of the giants, or even the recent spate of violence and crime in Waterdeep itself, it has fallen to the sages of Waterdeep time and time again to both provide clues for those seeking to defuse the ongoing crises or keep a record of events for future generations.

So, three years ago, the sages of Waterdeep decided to share information with each other and to reach out to other centers of knowledge. In short order, the dozen or so sages began recruiting field researchers and organizing them into expeditions to search for knowledge. Quickly it became apparent that the greatest center of knowledge in the Sword Coast, Candlekeep, should be part of this effort.

Contacting the high priests and sages of Candlekeep, an accord was struck whereby a small group of apprentice researchers would gain access to Candlekeep, in return for a steady stream of monograms and books produced by the Society of the Quill. The Society sages would contact these researchers when they needed information found within the walls of Candlekeep using a variety of methods.

The sages of Waterdeep are a cantankerous, idiosyncratic group of individuals, many of whom have not left the environs of the city in decades. Those research assistants serving the Society will need considerable patience when dealing with their patrons. But, the rewards are considerable. Few gain access to the works in Candlekeep for longer than a few weeks in their entire lifetime while the assistants will be living within the walls for several years. It truly is an unparalleled research opportunity.

[Hussar]

The Society meets every month and occasionally twice a month. One of the senior members hosts the gathering at various locations around Waterdeep. Depending on the host, some of the meetings are held in quite public locations, taverns, public squares, restaurants, that sort of thing. It has become somewhat fashionable among the more literate citizens to attend these meetings as an audience for what generally proves to be a right flaming row as one or more sages becomes incensed. In fact, there have been several instances where the local guards have had to be called to break up fights as audience members become thoroughly engaged in the arguments of the sages.

The current membership of the Society is: ((Note, this was drawn from 3e descriptions, so, the skill list is wrong - but, it does cover the general idea of who knows and specializes in what.))

Irbryth Apthamaun: Irbryth (male Chondathan) is a sage knowledgeable about such diverse areas as Knowledge (local Waterdeep), specializing in the minutiae of Waterdeep's broadsheets, and Knowledge (history) specializing in the history of Waterdeep. He can be contacted at his home.


Ilighast Chamnabbar: Ilighast (male Illuskan) is well-educated in Knowledge (arcana), specializing in magic traditions, Knowledge (the planes), specializing in the Astral Plane, the Ethereal Plane, and the Elemental Planes, and Knowledge (history), specializing in the histories of dwarves, elves, gnomes, and halflings along the Sword Coast and across the North. This short, bitter little man is a member of the Watchful Order, and he spends much of his time hoping to hear some useful information at the Tower of the Order. He is incredibly terse, leading some to complain he charges by the word.


Narthund Delzhour: Narthund (male, tiefling) studies the fields of Knowledge (arcana), specializing in astrology, astronomy, and numerology, and Knowledge (geography), specializing in geology and mineralogy. Always found in a tavern, Narthund is very cheap; charging half his fees in ale, but only coherent in the early hours of the evening. His favorite tavern is the Elfstone Tavern.

[Hussar]

Jasmal: Jasmal (female Loxo) is known for her research in Knowledge (architecture and engineering), specializing in stonecraft and weaponry, Knowledge (history), specializing in giants and other humanoids, and Knowledge (nature), specializing in fauna of the Sword Coast and the North. She has a light beard and ready smile, unless lied to. She is only found in Waterdeep in the winter months; the rest of the year, she wanders the North looking for relics and observing the local wildlife. When in the city, she takes lodging in the Warrens under Dock Ward but is often found at Selûne's Smile.



Vlorn Keenear: Vlorn (male halfling) is a sage known for his studies of Knowledge (history), specializing in the folklore, history, languages, legends, and politics of various folk, and the politics and history of humankind along the Sword-Coast, and Knowledge (religion), specializing in the mythology of dwarves and gnomes. Vlorn's sarcastic, joking demeanor leaves many clients wondering just how accurate his information is, but he is invariably correct. Vlorn has a keen and discerning eye for the intrigues of Waterdeep's nobility, and his grasp of Waterdeep's intricate politics is near perfect. Vlorn lives amid the Warrens of Dock Ward, but he is often found at the Grinning Lion.



Blackrabbas Khuulthund: Blackrabbas (male gnome) is a sage knowledgeable about such diverse areas as Knowledge (nature), specializing in the fauna (birds, insects) and flora (flowers, herbs) of the Sword Coast and the North. Although quite knowledgeable, Blackrabbas is a pompous windbag given to touting his own horn, which has undermined his reputation in recent years and forced him to lower his fees. Blackrabbas is a habitual visitor to the Font of Knowledge and keeps a room in a nearby row house.

[Hussar]

Jayroun Lithkind: Javroun (male human) is very knowledgeable of such fields as Knowledge (geography), Knowledge (history), specializing in the history and politics of humankind, and Knowledge (nobility and royalty), specializing in the genealogy of humankind. Jayroun is a spiteful, bitter man who consults only to prove his superiority over his clients after making them wait through interminable pauses in which he stares silently through his client while twisting his mustache. Javroun is a regular at the Font of Knowledge and keeps a room in a nearby row house.


Haerun Mhammaster: Haerun (male firbolg) is a scholar whose studies include Knowledge (history), specializing in the art, folklore, legends, and music of elves, dwarves, halflings, and gnomes, and Knowledge (architecture and engineering), specializing in dungeons and other underground construction. This shriveled, hunchbacked old man never leaves his library. He never solicits clients, but his friends at the Elfstone Tavern direct honest-looking clients to his row house nearby.


Kromnlor Sernar: Kromnlor (female human) is knowledgeable about such diverse areas as Healing and Knowledge (nature), specializing in flora (fungi, herbs) of the Sword Coast, the North, and the Heartlands. Born in Sespech, Kromnlor is a wandering midwife who helps the indigent of Dock Ward with her folk remedies and often clashes with members of the Guild of Apothecaries & Physicians, who disagree with her undoubtedly effective methods. Kromnlor rooms at Warm Beds, but is rarely there except early in the morning and late at night.

[Hussar]

Mirrormul Tszul: Mirrormul (male human) is well read in Knowledge (nature), specializing in the biology of humanoids and giantkind. He also speaks many humanoid and giant languages and can ably decipher script. This excitable, nervous man is prone to inappropriate giggling and quick speech. He is usually found at the Shrines of Nature, lending aid to the clergy of Silvanus.


Sulphon: Sulphon (male human) is a sage knowledgeable about Knowledge (arcana), specializing in the study of magical beasts, specializing in the study of aberrations. Sulphon is a quiet, studious man who would prefer to read one hundred books rather than talk to another individual. He can usually be found among the stacks at the Font of Knowledge.