Repository

The **Repository** is a highly respected dwarven institution, and a kind of organic library. The members of the Repository are historians, scholars, judges, genealogists and philosophers among the dwarves. Their task is considered to be extremely important; and almost sacred.

The Makers are an academic class typically drawn from the ranks of the Noble caste, though exceptions are made for those of other castes who possess great intellectual gifts. They also possess remarkable Stone sense. The political body of Makers is known as the Repository, which is also the name for their physical edifice in Ondrathum.

Makers are supposed to be apolitical, devoted solely to their work in maintaining the Memories. But in reality, in certain cases, the Memories have been concealed from the public, or even rewritten completely.

## Functions of the Repository

### Main Role

The main role of the Repository of Memories is to record in lucenium on the Wall of Memories: the authoritative collection of information on dwarven society spanning thousands of years. On a daily basis, they oversee births, marriages, and death records. Based on this information, the Repository can trace lineages, determine what land is owned by which family, and so on.

Makers are expected to venture far and wide to gain knowledge with which to add to the Memories. This may involve entering the Underways to search abandoned hewnholds for forgotten lore, where they may conduct excavations, and even fighting fiends if that is what it takes to gain the knowledge they seek. All knowledge of dwarven history, including current events, is considered of value, and Makers are expected by their peers, and the traditions of the Repository, to seek it out.

The Repository is the main source of learning in Ondrathum, and as such is critical to the research of dwarven scholars. Dwarves of any caste, with the exception of the casteless, can make use of the Repository archives. Some scholars have noble patronage, conducting extended research on a particular house in return for support and protection. The Makers also specialize in enchantments.

### Other Functions

In addition, the Repository of Memories regulates the changes in Ondrathum's structure and society. Whenever a new king or queen of Ondrathum is elected, they are coronated during a special ceremony in the Chamber of the Assembly by the Maker of Memories.

Since they are considered apolitical and objective, the Repository advises the Assembly on matters of procedure and precedent. Members are also called upon to act as judges in disputes. However, in extremely sensitive matters. such as the murder of a member of the royal family, or determining whether a dwarf shall be declared an Exemplar, such responsibilities fall to the Assembly.

Note that what the Repository records is the truth *according to the Repository*, and it is not necessarily the unvarnished reality. The Repository has the authority to strike from the Memories anything "unworthy" or against the interests of dwarven society. For example, the Repository never records anything related to the casteless, not even recording the births of casteless children. It also strikes from all records any dwarf who is branded a traitor by the Assembly, maintaining that the dwarf in question never existed. In addition, Makers with blood ties to nobles can be influenced to omit records that are inconvenient to their house.

Finally, the Repository is responsible for the maintenance and governance of Ondrathum's golems. They wield authority over when and whether golems are committed to battle, a function left over from the time when there was an entire Repository of Golems to actively handle such affairs.

## Structure

The order of the Makers is dedicated to preserving the history and collective knowledge of the dwarves; as such there are three different kinds of Makers to maintain the different branches of information.

The **Repository of Memories** is the most prominent branch of the Repositories, with a privileged location in Ondrathum which keeps the essential records known as Memories. Its leader is the Maker of Memories.

The **Repository of Golems** is largely defunct due to the shortage of golems in the modern day. Its leader is the Maker of Golems.

The **Repository of Runes** focuses on the study and construction of runes. It's leader is the Maker of Runes.

The **Repository of Stone** keeps mundane records of work, marriage, and other domestic information. Its leader is the Maker of Stone.