Grunor

To become a Grunor, an individual must apprentice under a senior Grunor until deemed worthy. Candidates are selected from an early age, typically around five years old, and are brought to the University to begin their education. There they study every field of knowledge and are tested thoroughly each year, to determine whether they have a future in the academic world. Those who reach the age of fourteen without being dismissed, they can start their apprenticeship.

Celibacy is considered preferable, as romantic entanglements are thought to distract from their academic purpose, though it is not strictly enforced.

Any person can become a Grunor. There is no prejudice against species or gender. individuals who display signs of exceptional intelligence may be evaluated as possible candidates.

Upon completing their apprenticeship, a Grunor is free to select an area of expertise. This field becomes their primary focus for the following years, during which they are expected to produce a thesis to be reviewed by the Drun Grunir—the council that leads the academic body.

If their contributions are deemed substantial, they are granted the right to take apprentices of their own—an esteemed privilege within the profession.

All Grunir are expected to teach and mentor younger candidates before those candidates formally begin an apprenticeship. A Grunor’s ability to share knowledge is one of the key measures of their success.

Grunir do not use honorifics—a deliberate tradition meant to promote mutual respect and the belief that even a teacher can learn from a pupil. Nonetheless, they elect the most respected among them to the Drun Grunir, whose members serve indefinitely unless removed by collective decision or personal choice.

Grunir receive a wage from the University, which is funded by the Royal Council. Their pay does not afford a wealthy life, but most Grunir are content to accept reduced wages in favor of increased funding for their research.

Grunir receive widespread recognition for their work. Their research is supported by the Kingdom's resources, as its applications often accelerate societal progress.

The profession of the Grunir exists to study the domains of Nature, History, Philosophy, and the Divine.

The relationship between natural laws and the divine has puzzled sentient beings since survival ceased to be their sole concern. As society advanced, the importance of learning from the past and understanding a culture’s roots became vital to progress.

Grunir are respected citizens of Doriande. During excursions to the countryside they are hosted by local leaders and treated with honor. Many people wish to partake in their company, eager to witness their wisdom first hand and to seek their guidance. On the other hand, common folk occasionally mock them using names such as scrollmoths or grannies.

Occasionally, Grunir may find themselves at odds with religious individuals or institutions, because of their differences in the interpretation of divine history and affairs.

Nonetheless, most city councils and even the High Royal Council seek their advice on various matters, especially in matters concerning ethics and legislation.

The Academy’s population is relatively small, as training even a single candidate requires significant time and resources. Grunir are widely regarded as the pinnacle of this scholarly order, making up only a small portion of its membership.

Most Grunir are of Dorian origin, leading to a predominantly human presence within their ranks. A few members come from foreign lands, and approximately one third of Grunir are women.

The profession of the Grunor is a product of the Era of Kings. Before the Kingdom's founding, sages and pupils of master dwarves fulfilled similar roles without formal recognition.

Eventually, the transmission of ancient dwarven knowledge reached its limits. As new discoveries emerged and society grew more complex, dedicated minds were needed to continue this intellectual journey. Grunir were conceived as the spiritual successors of the Rolfgari sages—a lineage still evident in their name.

The word Grunor derives from the proto-dwarven compound Ghruundarpnûr, meaning “excavators of knowledge.”