The Wayfarers Guild

The Wayfarers Guild is a secretive and enigmatic organization dedicated to the pursuit of knowledge. Comprised of scholars, mages, arcanists, and rogues, the Guild unites its members under the belief that understanding the world is humanity's greatest purpose. To them, the world is like a vast and intricate book—its phenomena and mysteries the words and chapters—that must be read and understood as part of a greater cosmic endeavor they call "The Great Work."

Origins

In recent centuries, scholars unearthed ancient documents referring to items such as the Wayfarer's Codex, Wayfarer's Spellbook, and Wayfarer's Grimoire. These texts hinted at the existence of an ancient order known as the Wayfarers, or perhaps the Wayfarers Academy or Guild. This group was believed to be an elite band of wandering arcane investigators dedicated to unraveling the mysteries of the world.

These findings inspired myths and rumors about the Wayfarers, and over generations, the idea of their legacy grew. In time, secret organizations across various nations emerged, all calling themselves Wayfarers or taking inspiration from their supposed ideals. Eventually, these groups encountered one another and united to form what is now known as the Wayfarers Guild.

Purpose and Philosophy

The Wayfarers Guild is built on the core tenet that knowledge is the ultimate pursuit of all rational beings. Its members believe that the natural phenomena of the world, when uncovered, form the "text" of the universe—a grand narrative waiting to be understood. They see it as humanity's purpose to study this "book" and to share the knowledge it contains, for the benefit of all.

However, the Guild's ideals are dangerous in many parts of the world. Their commitment to sharing knowledge, regardless of national or cultural boundaries, is often seen as blasphemous, treasonous, or even destabilizing. As a result, secrecy is not just a precaution for the Wayfarers Guild but a sacred tenet of its mission.

Secrecy and Structure

Wayfarers—members of the Wayfarers Guild—operate under deep cover, using cryptic symbols and coded language known as Wayfinders to identify one another while avoiding detection by the authorities. To the Guild, secrecy is vital not only for survival but also to protect the sanctity of their mission.

Ordinary people, unaware of the Guild's existence, are dismissively referred to by its members as the Wayward. This term highlights the Guild's belief that most of society is lost in ignorance, blind to the greater truths of the world.