The Honorable Order of the Third Hour
The Honorable Order of the Third Hour, commonly referred to as THOTH, is an entitlement dedicated to the advance of scientific knowledge and its application.
Background
Named in honor of Leonardo da Vinci, for his birth was recorded in the third hour of the night, this entitlement was founded by a Fairest, a Wizened Smith, and a pair of Wizened Inventors who dedicated themselves to “learn what has been forgotten, recover what has been lost, and make what has never existed.” Highly popular throughout the Victorian era and well into the early 20th century, the advent of mass-marketed technology in the later 20th century caused membership to wane.
Joining and Membership
Prerequisites: Intelligence 3, Academics 1, Crafts 2 (or) Larceny 2
Title: Knights of the Third Hour, Thothites
The Order a seeks out both those who show the potential to think beyond the boundaries of known science and those who dedicate themselves to inventively applying new knowledge in a unique fashion. Unlike many Victorian fraternal organizations, THOTH permits women to join and welcomes them as equals. Membership within the organization is predominantly Wizened, though others are certainly allowed to enter.
Mien
The skin of those within the Order is marked by thin lines of what appear to be not-quite-letters or impossible sketches. Over time, these marks grow more elaborate and cover more of the surface. The markings are perfectly comprehensible to the Thothite in question, however, and may represent a map, scientific formulae, arcane symbols, or blueprints.
Privileges
- Privilege: Upon joining the Third Hour, every Thothite may take a 3-dot Hedge Automaton for free. This represents their journeyman project, presented to the Order to prove their worth. Many Thothians create this Automaton themselves, while more adventure-minded members may quest through the Hedge to recover a lost artifact and claim it as their own. Members also gain a +4 bonus on any effort to create, repair or understand the workings of any device which merges technology and magic (even if that magic is not Wyrd-related). This bonus does not apply to items which have no moving parts, or would otherwise be considered “low tech,” nor does it apply to the use of said items.
References
- CTL: Victorian Lost, p. 35