Order of the Artifact Seekers

The order, known also as Journeymen order or Knights of the Artifacts, is a military order established in the Second age by high magister Ludevit zu Gerschan. He was a scholar and fanatical believer of a theory, worked by academics before him, that many artifact from the times of Giesser himself are hidden across Giesergrond. Only a true follower is able to study ancient texts and find there a precise location of such an artifact.

Adamant in his believes, young zu Gerschan studied one of the books that was rumoured to contain directions to one oft he ancient artifact, the Eye of Giesser. Zu Gerschan then organized an expedition in order to retrieve the Eye. To everybody's surprise, after two years, zu Gerschan returned with the Eye in his hands. This not only confirmed his theory, but also elevated him to the post of Emperor's magister. This empowered him to dedicate even more time and resources to his studies. Eventually, thanks to his extraordinary abilities and skill, he achieved the rank of high magister of the research.

Shortly after he decided to establish an order that will make sure that every single artifact will be retrieved to the Emperor, as a lawful heir to Gieser's earthly possessions.

> *"I am back from the journey and lo, this is my gift to you!"*
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> Ludevit zu Gerschan, addressing the Emperor after returning from the first Journey.
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The process of traveling to the location, scouting the area, and possibly finding the item, is called the Journey. These journeys are called by at least one member of the council

#### Structure

Undisputed head of the order is high magister in charge of the research. The heredity of the post was granted by the Emperor Gregor VI in the year 472 of the Third age. While the magister is technically leader with all the powers, not alway does he care about the order. So, throughout the years, some magisters were leading the order and participated in the Journeys, while other did not care at all and left the management to the council.

Council is the executive body of the order. Seats in the council are granted to high magister, ordermaster, and quartermaster (each with 2 votes). Additional three seats are reserved for the three knights returning from the latest Journey, chosen at random (each with 1 vote).

#### Believes

Artifacts

The corner stone of the Journey knights is that Giesser, during his life, manipulated with myriads of object. Some of them were able to absorb some of his powers, turning them into powerful artifacts. These were then lost, the reason for this is still unknown. However ancient text contain information and directions how to find these artifacts.

Armour

The seekers believe that the armour is something that can be only earned, not bought or stolen. Only a successful return from the Journey can grand a knight his armour. But every Journey can provide only for one piece. This is to remind the knight that there is always one more adventure ahead, that one success does not equal happy retirement. A successful return does not mean that the artifact was retrieved. It only means that the Journey brought some value - be it the artifact itself or solid information on the artifact 's location, leading to another Journey. Degree of success is decided after the Journey by the council.

This also shows how experienced the knight is. The one wearing the full plate armour is a true master of the order, compared to one wearing only a breast plate, a mere novice who managed to survive his first Journey.

#### Seat

Seat of the order is in the fortress Zweisee, in the Schwarzane region.