Sesha-Hebsu

A Guild (MTC) of Arisen (MTC) which carries on the task of maintaining the histories and knowledge of creatures constantly losing memory to their sleeping periods in Duat_(MTC). They were once the record-keepers of the Irem's granaries but now the guild keeps track of the Deathless's Great Work.

=Structure= Close Books work together in groups, the better to protect knowledge and share the duty of gathering and inscribing it. There are three ranks, however, denoting a Scribe's primary duties...
 * M'shakabiu (Guild Status · - ·): In Irem they were the tax collectors and bureaucrats of the rural villages, despised and often suspected of corruption. Today, they are still the "field agents" of the guild who chase down texts and knowledge where they are hidden.
 * Seru (Guild Status ·): The masters of the Code and its enforcement, the "full partners" of the guild direct the M'shakabiu in their missions.
 * Kenbet (Guild Status ·: Experts on texts, the law, and its interpretation, Kenbet direct the gulid's goals and the greater mission of the Sesha-Hebu in the Judges' Great Work.

=Organization= The precepts of the Closed Books are collectively called the Diasporic Code, an informal but well-respected collection of five verses tied to the soul Decree (MTC) of the Deathless. They believe that these guidelines allow them to affect the Scroll of Ages, a nebulously-defined record of the world that is written by and written on the Judge of Duat and their servants. These laws are known to all Scribes and usually followed but the reality of their enforcement is a much more uncertain thing.
 * The Heart Law: Interfere with the cults of other Deathless if you would fertilize the sands with mortal blood under the gods' silent gaze. Conflicts between mummies' cults are permitted so long as the participating Deathless are willing to submit to arbitration if it is called for.
 * The Spirit Law: When desires clash, submit to arbitration or suffer judgement. Just as the Code is voluntarily followed, Scribes voluntarily submit to the judgement of their peers in keeping their activities in line with the Great Work. This is often a very difficult law to make a reality.
 * The Essence Law: Do not break the seal of a holy tomb unless you wish to offer its treasures sevenfold. The personal sanctums of the Arisen are considered private and it is blasphemous to enter with its master's leave. If a mummy does so, he is expected to make even greater sacrifice in recompense.
 * The Name Law: Make no alliance with the Lifeless or usurpers of Irem's lore, or you will worship at the altar of 42 Torments. The punishment for helping the Shuankshen (MTC) or other traitors to the Judges is a ritualized torment by a tribunal of tree to seven Closed Books.
 * The Shadow Law: Grasp the sunlit flail of rule and you shall be condemned to the dark sarcophagus. Working from the shadows to control mortals is the way of the Arisen, and no mummy should try to rule openly and threaten the Great Work.