Aerarium

The Aerarium (Latin: Treasury), officially the Aerarium of the Brotherhood of Steel, is the name of several locations which hold the vast archives of each of the Brotherhood of Steel's chapters. The largest of the Aerariums is located in the Lost Hills bunker, and is named after Vree, a prominent head scribe.
== Background ==
=== Conception, creation ===
The Brotherhood of Steel, with its commitment to preserving and safeguarding vital technology and knowledge, faced a challenge in managing its vast collection of documents. Initially, the Brotherhood’s scribes coped with the relatively small volume of paperwork, but as time passed and the documents accumulated, a backlog emerged. Brotherhood scribes resorted to improvising filing systems and document catalogues. However, adherence to these makeshift solutions was inconsistent, with some scribes following the established procedures while others did not. Furthermore, there was no consistent location to seek documents as the scribes kept their own archives, even in the presence of the libraries in Level 3, which would soon become inadequate as the volume of documents continued to grow. The strain on the scribes only intensified.
To address the mounting challenge of document management within the Brotherhood of Steel, a group of scribes under Head Scribe Vree released a comprehensive in 2183. They outlined a strategic solution: the establishment of an Aerarium at Lost Hills. This proposed facility would serve as a centralized repository for the Brotherhood’s extensive collection of documents, artifacts, and knowledge. By consolidating documents in one location, the Brotherhood aimed to streamline access and retrieval. It would also implement a proper library catalog system. Each document would be meticulously categorized, indexed, and cross-referenced. This proposal also came at the time when the Brotherhood explored the , and requested the Elders to reserve Level 5 for the Aerarium.
This project was not without its challenges. Opposition from within the Brotherhood was evident — some believed that Level 5 would be better off as something else entirely. Proposals range from a new state-of-the-art training facility to train initiates and an expanded storeroom to more living quarters and a new power production facility to supply Lost Hills' increasing demand of electricity. Nonetheless, Vree emphasized the importance of cataloguing, archiving, and indexing the Brotherhood's most important civilian, military, and technological documents. As a result, the Elders had no choice but to approve the scribes' request, with the Level 5 excavation quickly went underway.
=== Construction and opening ===
The Aerarium was plagued with construction delays. Excavation was finished by 2202, though material requisition proved to be difficult given the lack of any proper construction materials. The Brotherhood's manufacturing facilities attempted to improvise on materials they could produce, while Requisitions bartered for concrete and other construction materials they couldn't make without significantly investing into proper machines. Furthermore, construction proved to be a difficult task as Brotherhood initiates and knights were diverted from their combat training to bunker building. This led to a temporary but notable decrease in overall combat readiness.
Despite these hurdles, the Brotherhood’s commitment to the Aerarium project never wavered. The construction of the Aerarium was seen as a vital step towards the centralization and preservation of knowledge — a core tenet of the Brotherhood’s mission. In 2218, the opening of the Aerarium marked a new era for the Brotherhood. The facility was named after Vree, the Head Scribe who pushed for the creation of the project in the first place. The Order of the Quill quickly got to work cataloguing, indexing, and archiving many of the Brotherhood's documents. The opening of the Aerarium symbolized the Brotherhood's dedication to the safeguarding of technology and the preservation of history. 
=== Present day ===
To this day, the Aerarium remains a sight to behold. Rows upon rows of towering bookcases, each meticulously organized in an alphabetical order can be observed, a testament to the dedication of the Order and the Brotherhood. The Aerarium has since been updated and expanded to Level 5-B, which holds confidential documents and technology. The Aerarium serves as an inspiration for many Brotherhood chapters and a golden standard for archiving technology. As a result, many more Aerariums have been constructed, from the Citadel and Hidden Valley to Bunker Alpha and the very first mobile Aerarium on the Prydwen. To further connect these Aerariums, the Brotherhood established the Aerarium library database which hosts the local copies of the Brotherhood's documents, in case that it is not available locally. These copies are required to be synchronized with the Lost Hills database regularly in order to maintain its accuracy among all Brotherhood chapters.
== Organization ==
The Aerariums are divided into three; the Aerarium fratum, Aerarium sanctum, and the Aerarium militaire. Each hold a specific category of documents and technology and require different levels of authorization in order to access. 
=== Scribe keepers ===
The Scribe keepers are a distinguished class within the Brotherhood of Steel, entrusted with the crucial responsibility of managing the Aerarium’s operations. As some of the most pivotal members of the Brotherhood, they perform a diverse array of duties, including indexing, cataloging, repairs, and maintenance of the repository. In addition to their primary roles, scribe keepers occasionally join forces with journeyman scribes, knights, and paladins on missions aimed at retrieving documents and technology.
Selection for the role of a scribe keeper is a mark of distinction, often extended to scribes who have demonstrated exceptional intelligence or have rendered notable service to the Brotherhood. The position is not only a testament to their individual capabilities but also reflects the collective esteem in which they are held. The Scribe Keepers’ dedication to the Brotherhood’s mission of safeguarding technology is widely recognized, and their role is deeply respected within the organization.
=== Aerarium fratum ===
The aerarium fratum (Latin: Treasury of Brothers) is the main aerarium. Much like its Roman origin, the Brotherhood stores much of its documents here, including scrolls. Civilian documents and technology are stored and displayed in the aerarium fratrum; these are made accessible to any Brotherhood member regardless of rank. 
=== Aerarium sanctium ===
The aerarium sanctum (Latin: Sacred Treasury) is a secure, special repository for the Brotherhood's most confidential civilian and military documents and technology. Guarded and maintained by senior scribe keepers who have solemnly pledged to maintain the confidentiality and security of the aerarium, special permissions to access the aerarium sanctum must be requested from an Elder. Notably, in Lost Hills, the original copies of Elder Maxson's diary and the Codex are stored in the aerarium sanctum.
=== Aerarium militare ===
After the Outcasts stole a large percentage of the Brotherhood's military equipment and technology, Elder Owyn Lyons established the aerarium militare (Latin: Military Treasury) to safeguard the Lyons' Brotherhood's most advanced military technology and equipment. Hundreds of copies of military blueprints are stored in the aerarium militare, and is heavily guarded by senior scribe keepers of the Order of the Sword and Shield.
== Notes ==
* This was created by Arcaneous for the 9th Fallout Fanfiction Writing Competition, centered around the Brotherhood of Steel.
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