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Scholems

Scholems are a fictional scholarly order widely featured in fantasy and speculative fiction. They are dedicated to the preservation of knowledge and the disciplined study of philosophy, science, and the arts. Members view learning as a public good and run libraries, archives, and laboratories that move between cities, monasteries, and ports.

Etymology and origins: The name derives from the Greek scholē, meaning leisure, later associated with study,

Organization and duties: A Scholem chapter is led by a Prefect or Master. Members are divided into

Practices and influence: The Scholems engage in philology, astronomy, mathematics, natural philosophy, and the arts. They

See also: Academy, Library, Archivist.

and
in
most
settings
Scholem
refers
both
to
the
order
and
to
a
person
who
channels
that
leisure
into
rigorous
inquiry.
The
tradition
is
depicted
as
tracing
back
to
late
antique
academies,
with
scriptoria
and
monasteries
forming
a
continuous
line
of
transmission
through
upheavals,
reformations,
and
the
rise
of
urban
universities.
Scholars
(researchers),
Scribes
(copyists
and
librarians),
and
Archivists
(curators).
Recruitment
is
by
invitation
following
demonstration
of
scholarly
merit,
and
initiation
binds
members
to
a
code
emphasizing
objectivity,
precise
citation,
and
protection
of
endangered
texts.
Chapters
collaborate
through
councils
and
by
sharing
resources
across
a
network
of
libraries
and
archival
houses.
translate,
annotate,
compare
manuscripts,
conduct
experiments
when
appropriate,
and
digitize
holdings
where
possible.
In
many
works,
Scholems
serve
as
tutors,
mediators
in
scholarly
disputes,
and
neutral
advisers
to
rulers.
Their
emphasis
on
restraint
and
preservation
often
contrasts
with
groups
seeking
to
monopolize
information.