Annatars

Annatars is a term used in fantasy and speculative fiction to denote an order of practitioners who combine technical craft with diplomacy. In most depictions, they serve as keepers of knowledge, negotiators of trade, and custodians of ancient artifacts.

The name is usually presented as derived from an ancient root meaning “gift” or “offerings,” echoing their self-image as mediators who bestow knowledge and resolve conflicts rather than conquer them.

Nomadic or semi-nomadic, Annatars organize as a council of elders and a network of guild-like chapters. Apprentices study mathematics, metallurgy, language, and ritual law; rites of passage emphasize integrity, secrecy, and careful judgment.

In fiction, Annatars appear across settings as neutral brokers who trade artifacts, maintain archives, and mediate disputes between factions. Their portrayal varies from mystical artisans to political operatives, reflecting broader themes of knowledge as power.

See also: guild, order, artifact, diplomacy.