Power Writer
A Power Writer is a Tome Knight capable of generating 100,000 Werds — two Toams — or more units of Literomantic Power in the course of a month. The name began to see common usage following The Second Word War as an informal way of recognizing significant Literomantic prowess among Literomancers. Over the past few years, it has come to represent this very specific meaning.
Recently, the Order of Royal Librarians has chosen to formally acknowledge what had previously been an informal tip of the hat. They now keep a list of known power writers, tracking their capabilities and their Houses affiliation, in case they are needed for difficult or monumental tasks.
There is no ceremony to acknowledge a power writer, but everyone knows who they are.
Qualifications
A Tome Knight is considered to be a power writer if they have ever generated 100k Werds or more in the course of a month. They only ever have to do so once, because then the potential is recognized. Even if they do not regularly achieve these sorts of Werdcounts, they are still a power writer.
Requirements
This is not a title that is bestowed on just any Literomancer. They must be an oath-sworn Tome Knight to be so acknowledged.
Appointment
A power writer is recognized, not made. Prior to the Librarian's List, power writers acknowledged one of their own, often with a celebratory party. Though they still do this, like accepting someone into a brotherhood, the Royal Librarians enter the name of the new power writer into a list. This list tracks the power writer's name, their House, the most Werds they have generated in a month, their median output, and known powers. Librarians also observe their behaviour, in case they show any signs of corruption.
Yeah, it's always bad news when a power writer starts giving off the signs like they might be the next Night Monarch. shudder
Duties
The ability to generate literomantic power is key to literomancy in all forms, because all magic is powered by it. It is the duty of all power writers to do what they can to generate Werds for their House in a Word War. Essentially, this is because it creates a battery (often literally) of magical energy that powers magical effects, and power writers are capable of generating large amounts of Werds.
Of course, this also means that power writers who become Tome Zombies view it as their duty to generate as many Werds as they can for The Undead Horde...
Benefits
Because power writers can contribute significantly to the overall magical prowess of a House, there can be some significant social benefits. House Leaders have aggressively courted their favour in the past. This has been somewhat mitigated since The Fourth Word War, with the "diminishing returns" effect of generating extreme levels of magical energy, but is still notable.
Grounds for Removal/Dismissal
Because being a power writer is a personal achievement, it is not possible to be removed or dismissed. However, a Tome Knight who violates their oaths will no longer be included in social circles, and may be dismissed from their House.
History
It was known to the literomancers who maintained the tradition of The Game of Tomes that some writers were capable of writing an impressive amount of words. This sparked admiration and envy in the nerdy circles of writers, but little else, until The First Word War broke out.
Suddenly, literomancers who could write so many Werds were, understandably, in high demand. The first known to achieve the 100k marker during a Word War was the Penguin Prinx Cryssalia, leader of House Avis, followed closely by The Cosmic Kraken Coffee Quills, the The Great Bat, Child of Callieach Siobhan the Writer, The Mad Batter, and future Regent EGryph.
In The Second Word War, Duochanfan of House Lapin joined the ranks, with Queen Sable Aradia not far behind. The name "power writer" was coined soon after.
In July of 2022, power writers came to the forefront in The Battle of the Book, in which a few of the wordiest Tome Knights faced off against The Iron Tome in a showdown to avoid an early Tome War. They were required to do something that had never been done before — generate 50k Werds each in a week. They were victorious.
Later, in the The Third Word War, Queen Sable and Regent Egryph put these principles to work again in an effort to generate as many Werds as possible for the living early in the War, when the living were strongest, known as The 50K Offensive.
The veterans of these two battles, which also included Tome Knights who would not have been described as "power writers," were given the title Defender of the Realm. The escalation of the level of conflict in WW3 led to the rise of several more power writers at that time.
New power writers have continued to appear on a regular basis since, usually drawn from Tome Knights who have built up their literomantic capability over time. Approximately 25% of active Tome Knights are power writers.
Cultural Significance
Power writers are both respected and feared in the Protectorates. People talk about their feats with excitement and hushed voices, depending on their opinion of literomancers. Trading card companies feature famous literomancers on their products, and the cards of power writers are generally worth considerably greater sums to enthusiasts and collectors. Lifestyle channels watch their activities and people listen to what they have to say and read their social media accounts.
WIP
Streamer
Missing
Status: Location Unknown
Deceased
Status: Deceased Character
Retired
Status: Retired Character or Article
Type
Magical, Honorific
Status
Active
Creation
Librarian decree
Source of Authority
Council of the Great Houses
Length of Term
Once a power writer, always a power writer. In this case, "Past Holders" are either MIA or deceased.
First Holder
Current Holders
Reports directly to
Related Organizations
Related Professions
Comments