| Era | |
| Legacy | Ancient myths • legends of gods • heroes • secret orders |
| Powers | Earth powers • cosmic forces |
| Decline | |
| Members | Ancient Mesopotamia scholars |
| Occupations | Scholars • Engineers • Mystics |
| Achievements | Advanced structures • devices to harness natural energies |
The ancient civilization of Mesopotamia could lay claim to one of the most extraordinary and enduring legacies in human history - a caste of scholars, engineers, and mystics who were known as the Sphere Keepers. Held in the highest esteem within Mesopotamian society, these individuals were acclaimed for their ability to commune with the forces of the Earth and the cosmos, and were believed to channel supernatural powers to enhance and protect the diverse city-states of this great empire.
The Sphere Keepers were a specialized division within Mesopotamian society, comprised of individuals whose exceptional intellect, spiritual insight, and technical prowess set them apart from their contemporaries. The origins of the Sphere Keepers are not entirely clear, but they are often thought to have emerged as the result of a profound convergence between ancient knowledge systems, including astronomical, geological, and mystical understandings, which collectively shed light on the underlying patterns, rhythms, and currents of the natural world.
Mountains, bodies of water, and celestial objects each embodied unique characteristics and potentialities that could be harnessed for either ultimate good or ill. It was the charge and the ambition of the Sphere Keepers to carefully navigate and mediate these forces, leveraging their spiritual and technical acumen to promote harmony and prosperity across the entire Mesopotamian domain.
In order to bereft themselves of their earthly attachments and wield the imponderable energies of the cosmos, Sphere Keepers underwent a rigorous training program and series of initiations. Across these transformative stages, they were introduced to a rich body of mystical and technical knowledge, trained in countless subtle crafts and practices, and offered access to the most secret and sacred realms of the natural world.
Over time, Sphere Keepers cultivated a profound level of self-awareness and acquired a rarefied ability to connect with the subtle currents of the Earth's animating energies. This central process of transformation and inner growth was reflected in their esoteric regalia - temples, statues, ceremonial tools, amulets, and other relics - which signified their connection, not only to the divine, but also to the ancestral origins of the Mesopotamian people and their age-old wisdom.
The Sphere Keepers exerted significant influence over the culture and destiny of Mesopotamia, functioning as scholars, architects, engineers, and spiritual guides. They catalyzed advances in art, literature, religion, and science, and worked tirelessly to ensure the stability and wellbeing of society by tending to matters of water and agriculture, commerce, politics, and diplomacy.
Among their most enduring contributions, the Sphere Keepers were celebrated for their achievements in astronomy and cosmology, and their ability to divine hidden patterns in the movements and rhythms of the celestial bodies. The celestial movements, in turn, were seen as manifestations of the divine realms and the cosmic forces that continually shaped and reshaped the broader universe.
Over time, Sphere Keepers left an indelible imprint on the Mesopotamian landscape through the construction of a wide array of monumental structures and devices designed to harness the Earth's natural energies and channel divine power. In this golden age of human civilization, the temples, tombs, canals, and cities of this vast empire served not only human ends, but also transcended them, engaging in a dynamic and living network of spiritual communication.
From the towering ziggurats of Babylon and Ur, to the celestially-aligned underground chambers of Giza, the Sphere Keepers showcased their technical mastery and their deep connection to the underlying principles of the universe. These astonishing monuments served multiple purposes, serving not only as places of worship and commemoration, but also as observing stations for recording astronomical events, latent reservoirs of powerful cosmic energies, and timeless embodiments of an ancient and enigmatic mythology.
As the Mesopotamian Empire faced incursions on multiple fronts and struggled with internal strife, the influence of the Sphere Keepers began to wane. While they managed to maintain their legendary status within these turbulent and violent centuries, this exalted caste was increasingly unable to protect and preserve the vast knowledge and traditions that underpinned their mystical powers and societal functions.
In time, many aspects of the Sphere Keepers' wisdom and craft were lost or distorted, leaving behind only fragments of a once-thriving tradition. And yet, the memory of their secret teachings and transcendent abilities remained, bequeathing to future generations a legacy that transcended the declining fortunes of the great Mesopotamian Empire.
During the final years of the Mesopotamian era, survivors of this once-great civilization continued to pass down ancient knowledge and practices, embedding them within their legends, ceremonies, and esoteric spiritual systems. Even in the darkest hours of human history, the secrets of the Sphere Keepers left their mark, shaping the development of innumerable traditions, societies, and spiritual movements, and providing glimpses of the curiously interwoven fabric of existence.
Through their teachings, the Sphere Keepers connected the divine and the mundane, promoting an enlightened understanding of humanity's place in the universe and the timeless interplay of cosmic forces. While their legacy is still only partially understood today, their impact on the course of human civilization remains a monument to the wisdom and ambition of this enigmatic and extraordinary caste.
